The Sixth Wood
A fantasy novel of Harmonic Magic, forbidden knowledge, and the battle against corruption.
Follow Iris Evershade who, after years of struggle in the Arbory of Elm, discovers her abilities to work with a suppressed Harmony that, at one point, threatened the entire world of I'lyr. At a time when the five Arbories work in harmony to maintain peace and order, a massive and mysterious burst of dissonant energy throws everything into chaos.
A journey into the Northern Wilds and then to ancient, abandoned settlements has Iris discovering just how much knowledge the Elders have suppressed for centuries. She must rediscover that knowledge, and work with her friends to suppress an ancient corruption known as the Whisper.
Synopsis
In the mystical world of I'lyr, harmony is everything. The great Arbories—schools of magical practice—teach students to channel the power of trees through music, breathing and words. Elm for connection and flexibility, Oak for endurance and protection, Birch for renewal and clarity, Ash for transformation and wisdom, Fir for resilience and focus. Five traditions that have shaped civilization for generations.
But there was once a sixth. It was suppressed for reasons lost to official history, its practitioners scattered, its knowledge forbidden.
Iris Evershade arrives at the Arbory of Elm as a promising student, eager to master the gentle arts of emotional harmony. But her attempts to work with conventional techniques yield little results. Her intelligence and knowledge of theory is unchallenged, but she struggles to evoke the simplest of harmonies.
As Iris awakens her true abilities, The Corrupted Whisper, an ancient force of entropy and despair, begins to spread through the harmonic traditions. It feeds on the very connections that make harmony possible, turning practitioners against each other and corrupting even the most respected Elders.
To save her world, Iris must embrace the forbidden knowledge, but in doing so, she risks not only her own sanity but the very foundations of everything she's been taught to believe. With the help of loyal friends and unlikely allies, Iris must learn to walk the dangerous line between order and chaos, tradition and innovation, to contain a corruption that threatens to consume everything she holds dear.
Meet the Characters
Iris Evershade
A flailing student at the Arbory of Elm, she embarks on a dangerous journey to understand, and control, abilities that she didn't know she wielded. With unusual eyes that shift between green and gray, and an intelligence that allows her to see what others don't, Iris speaks with careful precision and has an uncanny ability to respond to unvoiced thoughts.
Laurel Silverbrook
Iris's loyal friend with striking auburn hair and dark walnut skin. Outgoing and emotionally resilient, she has a natural affinity for Elm Harmony and provides unwavering support to Iris throughout her journey. More than once, she helps Iris navigate the unpredictable world of people and politics to protect Iris.
Reed Mistwater
A knowledgeable ally with deep understanding of marsh traditions and Wild Harmonies. Reed brings crucial knowledge about the older, more diverse harmonic practices that exist outside the formal Arbory system. He cares for Iris more than she knows but is too afraid to let her know.
Rowan Emberfall
A Master of the Oak Harmony, Rowan investigates a catastrophic dissonance in the harmonies that he monitors. As he uncovers more details about the event, his attention starts to focus on Iris and her growing abilities. His attempts to understand something that shouldn't be possible leads to an unexpected alliance.
Linnea Brightwillow
An Elder who uses all of the power and privilege of her position to save the world from the chaos that erupts around her. She alone knows what is at stake, and will stop at nothing to preserve the dignity and order that the Arbories provide the world of I'lyr.
Alder Nightwind
A resourceful and enigmatic independent researcher who values knowledge and personal freedom above all else. Originally hired as an agent to observe Iris, he poses as a wandering botanist while pursuing his own agenda—neither wholly virtuous nor evil, but always acting in his own best interests.
The World of I'lyr
The Arbories
🌿 Elm
Connection, flexibility, and intuition. Masters of emotional harmony and interpersonal bonds.
🌳 Oak
Endurance, protection, and truth. Specialists in defensive magic and structural integrity.
🌲 Birch
Renewal, clarity, and purification. Healers and cleansers of corruption.
🍂 Ash
Sacrifice, transformation, and wisdom. Masters of change and deep understanding.
🌲 Fir
Resilience, focus, and aspiration. Specialists in persistence and goal achievement.
Key Settlements
🏘️ Underfen
Ancient marsh settlement with pre-Ebony origins and the mysterious Seven Hollows.
🌲 Thornbriar
Protective forest community suspicious of Arbory influence.
🏚️ Hollowsong
Recently abandoned (120 years) after catastrophic harmonic experiment.
🔬 Resonance
Perfectly preserved research center from pre-fragmentation era.
Ready to Enter I'lyr?
Join Iris Evershade on her journey of discovery, friendship, and the courage to challenge everything she's been taught.