Fortingall Yew - the Sacred Meninna Tree of Ages

Fortingall Yew wiki

The Fortingall Yew is an ancient yew (Taxus baccata) in the churchyard of the village of Fortingall in Perthshire, Scotland. Various estimates have put its age at between 2000 and 5000 years; recent research into yew tree ages (Harte 1996, Kinmonth 2006) suggests that it is likely to be nearer the lower limit of 2,000 years. In the World of Darkness the tree is rather bigger than the real-world Yew, largely due to the attentions of the local Hunters in Darkness who prevented much of the damage done by tourists wishing a keepsake. Additionally, in the World of Darkness the study was not done, leaving estimates between 2000 (oldest tree in Europe) and 5000 (oldest living thing anywhere) for the Fortingall Yew.

The yew is nothing spectacular to look at - it is of no great height, and its once massive trunk (16 metres, or 52 feet in girth in 1769, of unknown original height) is split into a number of separate stems, giving the impression of several smallish trees. Other than this the tree is still in good health and may last for many centuries yet. It is now protected by a low wall, but can still be easily viewed

Traditions

Eternity; Yew trees have often been the source of myths and legends. Before the arrival of Christianity, the yew was regarded as the "tree of eternity". They are often long-lived and have a habit of starting to grow again after they are about 500 years old.

Life; Many veteran Meninna bring their new changed charges to spend a night before the Yew before undergoing their Rite of Initiation returning to the tree to swear the Oath of the Moon, others bring newborn children to see the tree or even (rarely now) chose to give birth under the trees branches.

Death; More common than a start to life, or new life, the ground under the Fortingall Yew (the Tree of Ages) is often the last resting place of the ashes of Meninna. There is a belief amongst some Hunters that the Tree is a route that the souls of the dead can take to a scared den realm of Hikaon, where they can be at rest. There is also a belief that the spirits of the dead can either bless a newborn with a greater chance of changing, or a newly changed Uratha success in their Initiation.

Lightless Wood; On nights when there is no moon, when there is an Eclipse, and in the Other around the Tree of Ages a doorway is said to open. Few of those who enter the doorway return that way, though fewer still do not return. Almost none of those who enter what is supposed to be a lightless wood of ancient trees, ferns and bracken speak of it, but all are changed in some ways. There are those who believe the start of a route to Hikaons secret lair can be found during a night when Luna is not in the sky at the Tree of Ages. There are often Shadow-wolves to be found around the Tree of Ages in the Other.

Families; The Curry's are an important local family, responsible for maintaining the land and preserving the buildings of the area. In truth they carry a strong bloodline with many of those who Change choosing to join the Hunters in Darkness. If you would like your character to be related to or part of this family please contact storyteller@forsaken.camarilla.org.uk

ANST Desktop ~ Enemies ~ Events ~ Places ~ Resources ~ the Spirit Courts ~ Tales ~ Venue Style Sheets ~ Who's Who

Edit this page