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Eyes closed, jaw clenched, fists on the table, your dad let out a long, long sigh. <span class="mu-i">Shouldering one of Mother Earth burdens?</span> For a moment his gaze looks at you with almost fleeting vulnerability.
''This great tree here.'' Furibol doesn't wait for the atmosphere to worsen. ''Is one of two sprouts of the great Elemental Tree of Earth that has been allowed to grow. It bears Acorns of Earth which, as you can see, can be used in different ways.'' He gently touches his porcelain mask, under his one functional eye. ''Before you ask, our Good Mother is allowing its continued existence because the land here has grown unstable.''
Before the cataclysm two hundred years ago, the elves lived in a great forest in the middle of the Allied Kingdoms, their entire civilization operated around four Elemental Trees like this, each one a cultivated wonder of the world with the Parent Gods blessing. But all of them died in the catastrophe.
''<span class="mu-r">Ultimately it should be killed to allow the proper sprout in the elven land to flourish.</span> But, as you can expect, there have been many complications, political and natural.''
''Why are you telling us this?'' Your dad almost growls at the dwarf. ''What my family wants are normal lives, we've paid our due with nineteen years on the roads to please church, gods, and kings. My daughter earned the chance of a normal life.''
<span class="mu-i">Dad, you've gone and sheltered a pair of monsters targeted by influential people of the city...</span>. You keep your thoughts quiet because you honestly <span class="mu-s">like</span> that he's always been so ready to extend a hand.
''Because a soul is sleeping inside this great tree that needs to be brought out of its shell'' <span class="mu-i">Could that ghost boy have carried a message from the divines?</span> ''Our <span class="mu-b">Good Mother promised to give her, like Rey, another chance at life.</span>''
<span class="mu-i">Another chance? He's speaking as if I died! That's impossible!</span>
''Dad? You've been keeping secrets?'' <span class="mu-i">I never did. I always told my parents about my dreams, but they...</span>
Your question shrouds Rikard anger in defeat, the fire of his passion quietens to embers and he sits down silently, eyes closed, hands in fists. He doesn't look at you.
''I'll continue.'' The shorter man doesn't wait. ''Eichenwald was built on an active leyline, which has greatly contributed to yearly harvests and the forest growth but, <span class="mu-r">it became hyperactive last month</span>, we've already felt complications from this manifestation because lately <span class="mu-s">hunters have started disappearing when they venture into the deep woods</span> and there has been an increase in the production of Acorns of Earth, with spirits also becoming proactive because of the weakening veil.''
