Ivorywood isn't merely a timber; it's a whisper of forgotten ages. Found only within the heart of the Silent Grove, a place perpetually shrouded in a violet mist, this wood possesses a unique resonance, a subtle vibration that echoes with the memories of those who’ve touched it – and, some say, those who were *born* of it.
The Grove itself is a biome unlike any other. The flora has adapted to the violet light, resulting in bioluminescent mosses, towering, silver-barked trees, and crystalline formations that hum with energy. The Grove is protected by the Lumina, beings of pure light and sound, who are intrinsically linked to the wood. They appear as shimmering figures, often resembling stylized birds, and communicate not through words, but through complex patterns of light and melodic tones. Legend says the Lumina were born from the first shavings of Ivorywood, their existence forever bound to the wood’s pulse.
The Grove's location shifts subtly, a phenomenon attributed to the Ivorywood's temporal sensitivity. Maps created within the Grove invariably fade within a week, and compasses spin wildly. Navigation relies entirely on the Lumina’s guidance, a process that involves prolonged meditation and attunement to the wood’s rhythm.
Ivorywood’s properties defy conventional understanding. It's incredibly light, almost ethereal, yet possesses a remarkable density. When cut, it doesn't splinter; instead, it fractures in a way that resembles shattered ice, creating intricate, interlocking patterns. Most remarkably, it seems to absorb and refract sound, creating zones of uncanny quiet.
Studies (conducted by a handful of exceptionally dedicated, and arguably eccentric, scholars) have revealed that Ivorywood can be shaped by thought. Skilled artisans can carve intricate designs into the wood, and those designs then *manifest* as objects within the wood itself. A carved bird, for example, might occasionally flutter its wings, a ghostly echo of the original design.
Furthermore, prolonged contact with Ivorywood has been shown to induce vivid, shared dreams – a phenomenon the Lumina actively cultivate. These dreams are rarely linear narratives; they’re kaleidoscopic experiences, filled with symbolic imagery and profound emotional resonance.
The earliest recorded accounts (fragments of scrolls found within a ruined observatory) speak of a ‘shining timber’ discovered by a wandering scholar named Elias Thorne. Thorne attempted to document the wood's properties but vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a single, meticulously crafted flute carved from Ivorywood.
After decades of fruitless searching, a group of explorers, led by the cartographer Isolde Vance, managed to establish a tenuous communication with the Lumina. This event, known as the ‘Lumina Accord,’ marked the beginning of a formalized study of the wood and its abilities.
A disastrous expedition by the Obsidian Guard, a militaristic order seeking to exploit the wood’s properties, resulted in the near-destruction of the Grove and a significant loss of life. The Lumina, in a display of immense power, drove back the invaders, but the event underscored the inherent danger of attempting to control the wood’s essence.
Following the Cartographer's Legacy, a council of scholars dedicated to understanding and preserving Ivorywood was established, focusing on observation, documentation, and ethical engagement with the Grove.