Inequedra, Tree of Existence

"A Composite History and Mythology of Inequedra" by Khoros, Archdeacon of Ascension

Creation

Inequedra, the Tree of Existence, had spawned from the essence of Avasyu, the Creator, and begun to grow within the Plane of Creation before time even existed. It was formed as the most direct channel connecting the Plane of Creation to all of the other planes, the most direct means for Gods to channel Their energy to the different planes of existence. The Tree eventually came to rest atop the highest peak of the Gongen Mountains, Feinhorn Peak, and its golden and towering form immediately took root within the craggy mountainside. While physically, it does not reach through all planes, there is an invisible stream of essence, known as the Ichayra River, that flows between them.

Ichayra is the same stream that carries mortals to and from the Underworld. The points where the Ichayra River is most noticable usually have nothing to do with each other. It is not a stream that has a definite beginning or end, nor even a straight line of travel one could follow. Mortals have not discovered the means to manipulate it, they often find that their usage of it is limited between two defined points, such as the Underworld and Aryana's Spring, or the Tree of Wailing Souls and its counterpart aboveground.

The Brotherhood and Nysashgar

The Tree of Existence accumulated a large gathering of a group known as the Brotherhood. They were rugged and hardy men, able to survive in the inhospitable conditions of the high-altitude Gongens. The overwhelmingly life-filled presence of Inequedra had also lured the monstrous Nysashgar, a massive ouroboros, from the far reaches of the Inferno. He tunneled up through Feinhorn Peak (His size is so great that it was said his length would stretch across the entire length of the Gongen mountain range, but this is much disputed as only his head has risen above the surface-- Khoros). He attacked the Tree, seeking to destroy its link with the Plane, but was repelled viciously by the Brotherhood, whose numbers had been many times greater than they are now. During their attacks, Nysashgar would often retreat into his burrowed-out caves beneath the Peak, only to emerge again and again. The bloody battle claimed many lives, but they succeeded in driving Nysashgar back into the far depths of the mountains.

The Sylphs and the Faith of Inequedra

The appearance of the sylphs was then noticed by the surviving Brotherhood. They were ethereal, graceful creatures that appeared with the Tree and seemed to only care about nurturing its golden-laced leaves. They possessed no age nor true gender, and appeared to be almost 'one' with Inequedra. It is hypothesized that the sylphs were the reason the ouroboros has not returned to Feinhorn Peak, though the logics of such a situation are unclear.

Nysashgar has since spawned many more ouroboros smaller than him, in the unnatural ways of demonkind. They, too, are possessed by the same mad drive to destroy Inequedra, and comb the tunnels of the Inner Feinhorn to gnaw the golden roots of the Tree of Existence. Nysashgar himself waits in the deepest crevices of the mountain, continually gnawing on the largest and strongest of the roots. The cycle of the roots/ouroboros is welcomed by Inequedra, for without destruction there cannot be rebirth. It welcomes the change, being only disturbed when an imbalance occurs. This belief has become the basis for the Faith of Inequedra, the religious group formed from the remaining Brotherhood members.

Inequedra, the Tree of Existence emphasizes the renewal of life. It is by Avasyu's blessing that mortals are able to return from the Underworld. It is the same blessing that is the purpose of Inequedra's existence-- it functions when it is undergoing the processes of Creation.