Tales from I'lyr

In the early days of the Ebony Arbory's expansion, young practitioner Kaelen Rootsong hears mysterious whispers calling him from the ancient cypress forests beyond his training grounds. Drawn to the mountain village of Barcliff, he discovers the endangered Cypress-Stone Wild Harmonies—ancient traditions threatened by the Arbory's growing dominance.

Guided by Elder Granish and the village's guardian spirit, Kaelen embarks on a perilous journey to the hidden Verdant Temple, where forgotten knowledge and a secretive society of protectors await. His quest becomes a race against time as Ebony forces seek to suppress the wild harmonies forever.

Years before Laurel's birth, her father Asher discovers the perfectly preserved research facility at Resonance during one of his cartographic expeditions. As he explores the abandoned laboratories and reads the final research notes, he uncovers evidence of the deliberate fragmentation of Ebony Harmony.

The story follows Asher's methodical exploration of the ruins, his growing understanding of the catastrophic experiments that led to Resonance's abandonment, and his ultimate decision to hide his findings—a choice that will later influence his secretive nature and shape how he raises Laurel.

Kestrel Mistwater has always been different in Underfen. While other young marsh-dwellers learn practical arts, Kestrel experiences profound visions during morning mist gatherings—moments when the legendary Reed Dancer, the guardian spirit of the marshlands, appears as a figure of woven reeds moving through the cattails.

When an official delegation from the Arbory of Elm arrives to "assess" Underfen's harmonic practices, the settlement's carefully maintained balance between old traditions and new orthodoxy begins to crumble. Kestrel must choose between hiding their abilities or standing up to institutional power to preserve the guardian spirit's gift to the marshlands.