Mother Tree
The ancient root of all life, now a shattered memory in a world of gods.
The Mother Tree is a primordial entity and a central figure in the creation myths of the Lord of the Mysteries universe, marking the origin of life on the planet before its current state. Far more than a plant, it was a colossal, ancient existence that once sat at the world's center, birthing all living beings through its roots and branches. Amidst the Outer Deities and the cosmic horror defining the setting, it points to a lost era of purity severed by the corruption of the Old Ones. Its story binds tightly to the mythology of the 'Original' world, which cracked or shifted due to cataclysmic events tied to those outer gods. The Mother Tree's fate overlaps with the concept of the 'Forbidden Tree,' leading to humanity's fall into a realm haunted by dangerous pathways and elysian horrors. It remains a marker of what was lost, a tragic anchor fixed in the collective subconscious of the world's inhabitants.
- Nature
- Primordial Entity / World Tree
- Domain
- Origin of Life / Ancient Earth
- Status
- Destroyed / Mythical
- Associated Pathway
- The Fool (Indirectly via Creation Myths)
- Symbolism
- Life, Origin, and the Lost Golden Age
Lore & Background
According to the fragmented records found in the deepest archives of the Church of the Fool and the forbidden texts of the Sefirot, the Mother Tree was the first thing to emerge from the chaos. It is described as a being of immense scale, its branches reaching into the stars and its roots delving into the core of the planet. From this entity sprang the first forms of life, which eventually evolved into the myriad creatures that populate the world. However, this golden age was short-lived. The destruction of the Mother Tree is a pivotal event in the universe's history, often attributed to the machinations of the Outer Deities or the inherent instability of the original creation. Its fall led to the fragmentation of the world and the rise of the current era, characterized by the Beyonder pathways and the constant struggle against madness. The remnants of its essence are said to be scattered across reality, influencing the nature of certain potions and the behaviors of specific deities who seek to reclaim that lost power.
In Their Own Story
In the ruins of a forgotten temple, deep beneath the earth where no light dares to touch, an old Beyonder traces the faint, glowing lines on a crumbling stone tablet. The symbols speak of a time when the sky was not gray with smog but clear and vibrant, dominated by the silhouette of a tree so vast it held up the heavens. The air in the chamber feels heavy, as if the memory of the Mother Tree still breathes here, whispering of roots that once drank from the blood of stars. As the Beyonder touches the stone, a fleeting vision flashes: a world green and whole, before the shadow fell, before the first tear was shed.
Reader's Guide
Theological studies suggest the Mother Tree represents the 'First Truth' before the universe was fractured by the intrusion of Outer Deities. It is posited that the current laws of Beyonder advancement are merely distorted echoes of the natural order maintained by this entity. Historical records indicate that the tree's destruction was not a simple physical event but a metaphysical unraveling, causing the separation of the spiritual and material realms. This separation created the voids where the Outer Deities now dwell, waiting to consume what remains. Scholars debate whether the Mother Tree is truly dead or merely dormant, its consciousness scattered across the pathways of the Fool and others. Some believe that restoring the tree is the ultimate goal of certain ancient prophecies, a way to heal the world's broken foundation.
Did You Know?
- The Mother Tree is often contrasted with the 'Forbidden Tree' in various creation myths found within the lore.
- Its destruction is theorized to be the catalyst for the existence of the current Beyonder pathways and the need for potions.
- Some ancient texts suggest that the 'Fool' pathway may hold a key connection to the remnants of the Mother Tree's essence.