Wood Woads

TASH SAT SILENTLY FOR THE THIRD DAY IN A ROW, bearing witness to the slow and steady growth of a light green sprout in the earth. It had only been some days since she and her brother were able to trap an ancient spirit in the temple she now stood before.

Unfortunately, Taliesin had fallen, and she could only remember his face as he passed, a giant stone pillar crushing his torso as he apoligised to her. Not a moment after he passed did a small sprite appear, offering her a way for her brother continue protecting their forest, even if his soul had moved on.

It took some convincing, and she imagined later that it had something to do with the emotional state she was in, but Tash agreed, and followed the sprites instructions. Carefully but shakingly removing her brothers heart, before placing a seed deep inside it, and planting it in a large oak tree not 20 feet from the entrance to the temple the two of them had sealed the spirit. The sprite then instructed that she wait.

And so she waited, three days before she noticed a change. Just as the sun passed over the temple ceiling and shone down upon the tree, a small wooden hand stretched out of the dirt. It took the creature the rest of the hour before it finally pulled itself free, a large, thick bark-skinned man stood in front of her, adorned with small mushrooms down one arm, which quickly spread out into a thick, bark shield.

The creature's head tilted, waiting, embedded in the head were two beads of yellow light that looked upon her with affection, or at least she wished so. "Guard the temple," she ordered, voice quivering, "Make sure no one ever goes in, and nothing ever gets out." Was all she could muster before tears began flowing.

A warm, rough finger pressed against her cheek, she looked up suddenly as the expressionless creature wiped away a tear. Before walking to the main door of the temple, thick club in hand, and rooted himself in place, still a protector of the land.

-- Tash Fairen, My Silent Guardian

Defenders of the Forest

Wood Woads are creatures built for the safety of their creators. Usually in order to protect sacred ground or to ward off lost travelers from holy sites. They follow their orders to the word, until either their downfall or their duty has passed, as some can live longer than their duty necessitates.

With their armoured bark form and shield arm, they are prepared for any attack, and will give their lives to protect what they are bound to. The reason for their unending duty is unknown, as they have existed in various locations for longer than any history can record.

Wood woads who are no longer attached to their duty usually begin long travels, searching for something that needs their guard.

Ageless Protectors

Wood Woads are often known as protectors of the world's secrets as their assigned duty can change. Once this occurs they seek out new purpose, and if uninterrupted, they are more than likely to find one.

Wood Woads are commonly mentioned throughout history as guarding natural sights that require preservation, though some guardians could be the same mentioned some hundred years ago.

Due to the process in which wood woads are created, they are ageless. It takes three days for their bodies to form, and from then on, they do not wither, nor die, nor rot, nor decay. This is why they are regarded as dutiful protectors, if no outside force ever interrupts their duty, they may stand their ground until the day the world stops.

Sprouts of Loss

The process of creating a Wood Woad is a highly protected secret. Though snippets of the ritual have made their way to collector's of knowledge. It is said that the creatures can only be created after a death has occured, as a recently beating heart is necessary to complete the process.

It is said that the entire body is needed, though the heart is what lends life to the new form. The heart is removed and placed with the nook of a tree, where an oak seed is put into the center.

The heart is then bathed in the blood of the deceased, and the body is buried under the roots of the tree, so that the bodily energy is transfered to the new form. Allowing the soul to live on in a new life.

After three days of the new body forming, the one who completed the ritual then gives the wood woad their orders. Which are then followed unceasingly.