Studious by nature， fortunate to have been present at the most glorious moments in the tree s recent history， and above all honored to count as friends its most ardent champions， I， Otulissa， have decided to write a compendium， a catchall -a guide， in short- to the history， life， and spirit of the tree. Pause a moment before the next adventure begins to read of its natural history， its origin， and yearly changes. Read of its lesser-known heroes: of Joss， brave messenger of legends; of the brothers Ifghar and Ezylryb and the treachery that bound them; of Theo， the peaceful warrior. Learn of Gylfie， Digger， and Twilight s lives before they came to the tree. Read tales of Strix Struma， Uglamore， Trader Mags， and others. Many are the adventures still unsung! And many the brave deeds unheralded! Read of ages lost and dark; of strange ailments infecting the tree itself. Learn the feasts and holidays celebrated under moon and sun. Scan the maps， study the drawings， sample the recipes! Dear reader， though you be distant from The Great Tree， lift this tome to your eyes and learn what it is to be a Guardian!