The Silvertree Oracle
(Site; Mt. Celestia/Lunia)
written by Heiner de Wendt
Description. The Silvertree Oracle is a gargantuan, silvery shimmering
oak growing on the cliffs near the Silver Sea. It is obvious at first
glance that this is a place of magic; it's sparkling all over with
silvery light, yet looks comfortably natural and alive.
As soon as a character views the Silvertree Oracle for the first time,
he feels that he can ask two of four questions, which might not be
answered in a way the character hopes for, yet will always be true.
The following questions are available:
- How far am I on my path?
- What will be the next truly important event in my life?
- Which persons consider me the most important person in their life?
- Which person hates me more than anyone else?
The first question can only be asked by someone who's going one of
Mt. Celestia's paths, and will show him how far he's managed the path
up to now (roughly).
The next one only applies for events which are not related to
Mt. Celestia's paths. It always focuses on something personal;
even if an all-out war has begun in the character's homelands, he
might only get the answer he'll get a child soon, or his beloved
will die, or something like that.
The third question shows the questioner mental images of those
persons who feel a greater devotion to him than to anyone else.
Devotion towards deities does not count here, nor are any
planeborn included - only mortals are considered here. The result
could be a person who loves the character, his best friend, his
family, etc.
The final question will always result in only one answer, and show
the one being who feels the greatest amount of hatred toward the
questioner. If there is no one who hates the character more than
anyone else, no answer is given at all.
Special Features. Beyond the oracle's powers of divination, the place
surrounding the Silvertree Oracle is a great place for rest. During
any hour of rest within the area of shimmering light surrounding
the tree, a character gains one hit point, up to his natural maximum.
Chewing on one of the oak's leafs cleans the body from all poisons,
even magical ones, and spells cast by lawful good spell slingers
always work 10% better within the vicinity of the tree.
The Chant. Legends tell of archons who came to the tree in times of
great need (be it personal need, or something large-scale), and
prayed for answers to their greatest questions. According to these
legends, they received them, even if they were beyond what the
Silvertree Oracle usually answers.
The Legends also tell of one archon who wanted to go the easy way,
and asked the Oracle what he had to do to finish his current path.
Suddenly, the silvery light faded, and the gargantuan oak became
just that - an oak of enormous size. It kept this way for the
next hundred years before its magical light returned - and the
archon was so ashamed that he never asked anyone for help anymore,
and worked harder than ever to achieve perfection. It's been told
he's reached the sixth layer up to now.