Garwood

Garwood was once a brave Treant warrior. His mighty figure and sure steps rallied the morale of the Elven resistance forces, even in the face of the terrifying Chimera. The Elven Civil War dragged on for over a century, leaving great scars upon a land that once teemed with life. It also left its mark on Garwood, causing him to withdraw from the world even though he longed to be part of it.

Over the next five hundred years, Tamaris would see great changes. But the endless turning of the wheel of life meant nothing to the Ironbark Treants who carried on their lonely watch over the Witherheath. The months and years passed leisurely as Garwood gave tender care to each blade of grass in the forest, helped lost squirrels find their buried hoards, tested the warmth of the creek's waters for the mosses, and sheltered newly hatched beetles from the rain. Spring rains and winter frosts, skies full of stars, soft blankets of mist, and tender, life-giving earth—these were the treasures that Garwood valued most of all.

There are many theories as to what led to the awakening of the Elven Queen as she slumbered within Pren Hynafol, the Ancient Tree. Some say that as the Elves faced their moment of greatest peril, the Ancient Tree summoned all of its strength to rouse her from her sleep. Others say that the Elves sought a mysterious stone imbued with the energy of life itself, and used it to heal the Queen. Yet others say that this powerful force is now hidden deep within the Witherheath. Perhaps only the butterflies of the forest will ever know the truth.

Some travelers who stumble upon the Witherheath say that they have seen Garwood's figure from a distance, describing him as "a wise and silent guardian of the forests." Some have their own names for him: "Old Oakheart", or "the Runetree." As the Elder Treant tells it, the expedition to retrieve the Lifestone was fraught with great peril, and after coming close to death, a member of the group sacrificed his own life so that Garwood might live— an act that imbued Garwood with the spirit of his dear departed friend. Even under his tough exterior, it is easy to sense the deep compassion that dwells within his eyes.