Editing Journey to the Ygg (section)

=== The Arch-Trees ===
A powerful druid -- some believe her to have been a goddess -- sought to put an end to the wars by giving them something to rally against. To this end, she began a dark ritual, summoning great monstrosities in the depths of the world. These monsters would filter out of the caverns, attacking the peoples of all 3 nations. In a show of her purpose, she broadcasted a message.

"Because you could not find peace amongst yourselves, you and your children shall never know peace. These beasts will continue to ravage your lands, unless you learn cooperation. A great tree grows in the north of your lands. You must make an offering to this tree each year, or the beasts will grow stronger, your crops will fail, your lives will be forfeit.

"These trees. Ygg in Arctus, Dra in Lycos, and Sil in Chelona, will be your protectors. Care for them, offer tribute, and you will continue to survive."

Chelona, the ageless elves in their woodland sanctuaries, the dwarves thinking themselves invincible in their mountain homes. Their pride was their downfall. Only a few years passed, and their tree fell. 

==== The Ritual ====
The ritual varies for each tree. For Ygg, it requires a white hare, native to Arctus, a bronze brazier, firewood, 1lb of Chestnuts, native to Lycos, and several mistletoe berries, originally from Chelona, but now cultivated in Arctus.

A fire is started in the brazier, which the chestnuts are placed on the rim of the brazier. You then feed the hare the mistletoe berries before dropping the animal into the fire. The hare will leap out of the fire unharmed (the poison from the mistletoe is magically neutralized)  and the fire will turn green and start spreading. Once the green flame makes contact with the Ygg, magical energy surges up the tree. The fire will extinguish itself, and the Ygg's branches will rapidly show new growth, it's roots tightening around the caverns that allow the monstrosities to escape. Finally, the tree will drop its seedpods onto the monstrosities nearby, killing them or driving them away.