The Nilam

Overview

The Nilam is colossal dead world-tree discovered at heart of Cais Adarra mountain on April 2, 393 AC, with proportions rivaling The Spindle. Named for bluish hue of crystallized wood, tree harbors imprisoned Oneiros Kuraokami within trunk. Despite death, xylem system continues absorbing vast Mana amounts rising from ground, contributing to Kuraokami’s confinement.

Physical Description

Structure and Scale

Trunk reaches skyward within shadows of fractured mountain with crown nearly touching summit. Massive branches and roots spread outward piercing and winding through surrounding rock. Entire structure embedded within ravine forming intricate network throughout vast crevice as if fused with stone itself. Proportions rival those of The Spindle, confirming existence of multiple world-trees within Terra Incognita.

Crystallized State

Fibers frozen and solidified becoming hard as crystal. Limbs long since shed leaves permanently. Entire inner wood glows with iridescent blue light visible throughout structure. Bark exhibits numerous perforations and gashes of non-natural origin penetrating deep into phloem network where Kuraokami imprisoned. Crystallization process transformed organic wood into mineral-like substance similar to dead world-tree discovered deep in Storvhit gorge.

Mana Absorption Properties

Entire xylem system - vessels responsible for drawing nutrients from earth - continues absorbing vast amounts of Mana rising naturally from ground despite tree’s death. High-energy concentration creates continuous Mana flow through dead wood structure. Yzmir mages believe concentration partly explains why Kuraokami remains trapped physically and anagogically at location. Ongoing absorption demonstrates dead world-trees maintain some functional connection to The Skein and Mana networks even after losing vitality.

Kuraokami’s Imprisonment

Kuraokami imprisoned within trunk at location marked by numerous perforations and gashes along bark. Openings penetrate deep into phloem network accessing inner wood structure. Oneiros confined both physically within tree and anagogically preventing manifestation as Eidolon in reality. Yzmir Initiates continue analyses determining confinement mechanism but have only put forth conjectures. Exact method of dual imprisonment remains unclear despite high Mana concentration theory.

Scientific Investigation - April 393 AC

Botanical Analysis

Muna arborists and Axiom botanists examined trunk discovering artificial perforations and gashes throughout bark. Investigation revealed inner wood’s iridescent blue glow and ongoing xylem system activity. Analysis focused on understanding how dead world-tree maintains Mana absorption capacity. Comparison with The Spindle sought to identify commonalities between living and dead world-trees.

Research Objectives

Muna arborists requested further study hoping to find clues explaining Spindle’s current decline. Investigation seeks to determine whether decline caused by soil pathogens, vital nutrient depletion, or inevitable aging processes. Understanding The Nilam’s death may prevent similar fate befalling Katkera. Research represents urgent priority given The Spindle’s importance to Muna and Asgartha’s Mana web.

Archaeological Discoveries - 393 AC

Pre-Glaciation Human Settlement

Excavations around The Nilam conducted by Sierra revealed signs of human settlement from before glaciation including rusted tools, troglodyte dwellings, fabric remnants, and pottery fragments. Evidence indicates human society once established in shadow of world-tree with colony estimated to have housed several hundred people.

Settlement dated at least two hundred years prior to 393 AC, meaning presence postdates The Confluence. Provides proof that other human communities survived within The Tumult well after founding of Asgartha. Colony appeared abandoned before onset of glacial era despite advanced technological capabilities.

Advanced Technology

Most astonishing aspect of settlement is technological advancement of community. Long before Axiom Industrial Revolution, these people developed incredible technical marvels representing technological head start of hundreds of years. Science used to build artifacts far surpasses anything currently accessible in Asgartha.

Mysterious machine found encased in ice at nearby Cobalt Gorge demonstrates settlement’s advanced capabilities. Alloy construction incredibly resilient, not matching any Asgarthan materials. Surface covered in grooves etched into metal forming interconnected channel network with ancient organic appearance. Complete absence of power source—not Kelon, coal, oil, or electricity. Engine design features pistons, valves, heads, crankshafts managing fluid like heart without ignition or combustion system.

Climate Context

Soil analysis revealed Cais Adarra region and entire Storvhit enjoyed much milder climate barely century ago, similar to current weather in Tilted Steppes of Caer Oorun. Region transformed from once-lush land to polar conditions in few decades through sudden glaciation. Deeper study of sediments and geological formations suggests shift was sudden, possibly using Alteration to shape arctic landscapes.

Settlement abandonment before glaciation onset suggests inhabitants migrated. Questions remain whether they were descendants of The Lost Tribe or other Tumult Nomads, and whether descendants still wander world.

Diplomatic and Political Significance

Tenth Refuge Proposal

Muna arborists proposed establishing permanent embassy at location - Tenth Refuge designated as Refuge of Snow. Purpose: maintaining dialogue with Winter Folk and Belisenki populations. Temera Singh inclined to grant contingent ensuring safety while awaiting reinforcements from Asgartha. Refuge would represent Muna’s diplomatic presence in newly discovered territory.

Provincial Incorporation

The Asterion desires incorporation of Storvhit region into Asgarthan Protectorate for political and economic reasons. Muna mediators will remain stationed tempering ambitions of Corporations, Guilds, and other Factions seeking to exploit region’s resources. Once area stabilized, Storvhit becomes eligible for potential settlement strategy. Explored territory gains official Province status under name Caer Nilam honoring fallen world-tree.

Regional Emblem

Cartographers marked atlases with The Nilam’s location. Heraldists used tree’s image designing region’s emblem. Caer Nilam becomes first addition brought forth by Rediscovery Endeavor following recent reconquest of Caer Oorun. Development serves as undeniable proof initiative benefits Asgarthan civilization, significantly strengthening standing among Asgarthan population.

Comparison to Other World-Trees

Connection to The Spindle

Both trees exhibit colossal proportions serving as knots in The Skein. Both connect Mana web across regions through root and branch networks. The Nilam’s death provides comparative data for understanding The Spindle’s withering condition. Shared characteristics suggest common origin or nature among world-trees. Currently, The Spindle and The Nilam are the only known world-trees.

Root Network Extent

The Nilam’s roots extend deep into Storvhit gorge, where Rin and Arjun encountered crystallized wood transformed into crystal-hard opalescent substance. The root network’s vast reach demonstrates the tree’s colossal scale, with tendrils penetrating far beyond Cais Adarra into surrounding terrain.

Larva Discovery - 393 AC

Researchers found a still-living larva curled dormant inside The Nilam’s bark, despite the world-tree’s dead state. The caterpillar-like creature was approximately fist-sized when discovered and has since grown to the size of a medium dog after being raised in a laboratory at The Screed. Saskia Averina was called in to study the specimen. The discovery of living organic matter within the crystallized dead wood suggests remnants of the world-tree’s former ecology may persist within its structure.

Mana Moths Presence

Mana Moths circle The Nilam’s crystal branches continuously, having done so since before winter arrived according to Nauraa. The moths’ wingbeats create an audible presence that Chimerae can interpret as emotional expression—Nauraa described hearing their sorrow and sensing a hollow space where something was missing, “like a void where there should have been absence of void.”

Effect on Chimerae - 393 AC

When Teija and Nauraa passed The Nilam en route to The Screed, the dead world-tree triggered prolonged melancholy in Nauraa. The giant fox stared at the crystallized tree and listened to the Mana Moths’ wingbeats, later describing to Teija that The Nilam reminded him of Katkera and the time before their bonding. Nauraa let out a yelp that was almost a lament. Through their Musubi bond, Teija shared the grief and felt anguish at the idea that The Spindle might wither like The Nilam.

Relationships

• Kuraokami: Imprisoned Oneiros confined within trunk perforations (discovered April 2, 393 AC)
• Cais Adarra: Mountain location harboring The Nilam
• Nauraa: Muna Alter Ego who experienced profound melancholy upon seeing The Nilam; the tree reminded him of Katkera (393 AC)
• Teija: Muna Exalt who passed The Nilam with Nauraa and shared the grief through their bond (393 AC)
• Mana Moths: Moths circling The Nilam’s crystal branches continuously; their wingbeats interpreted as sorrow
• Rin: Lyra Exalt who encountered The Nilam’s crystallized roots in Storvhit gorge
• Arjun: Muna Exalt who encountered The Nilam’s crystallized roots in Storvhit gorge
• Sierra: Axiom engineer who conducted archaeological excavations revealing pre-glaciation settlement (393 AC)
• The Spindle: Living world-tree The Nilam compared to for decline research; Teija fears similar fate
• Storvhit: Region containing The Nilam, designated for Caer Nilam Province
• Caer Nilam: Future Province named honoring The Nilam
• Muna: Faction conducting arborist research and proposing Tenth Refuge
• Axiom: Faction conducting botanical analysis and archaeological excavations
• Yzmir: Faction analyzing Mana concentration and confinement mechanism
• Temera Singh: Grand Admiral who documented discovery (April 2, 393 AC)
• Winter Folk: Indigenous population targeted for diplomatic dialogue
• Belisenki: Species targeted for diplomatic dialogue through Tenth Refuge
• The Asterion: Political body desiring Storvhit incorporation into Protectorate
• Katkera: Sacred forest The Nilam reminded Nauraa of
• Cobalt Gorge: Nearby location where mysterious relic from pre-glaciation settlement discovered
• Pre-glaciation colony: Ancient human settlement of several hundred people in tree’s shadow with advanced technology