Grove of Kiracus

**Region**
 **Ruling House**
 **Founded**

Nestled deep within the forests of present-day Duskwood, overshadowed by the seat of the House of Baultery, the **Grove of Kiracus** flourishes as a place of magic and wonder. The Grove is named after Kiracus Baultery, the first Baultery in the families long history to have ever shaped wood into wands.

The Grove of Kiracus is a collection of trees whose wood is often used in the mystical art of wandcrafting. First mentions in the House archives of the Grove date back to the year 774 BDP, where it was recorded to consist of only a few trees; notably trees of willow, yew, and beech. However, over the next several centuries, the Grove would be cultivated into a menagerie of different trees from all around the planet.

## History

When the first Baultery was elevated to nobility during the period of 1,200-1,100 BDP, the wizarding House brought its millennium-old tradition of wandcrafting to the fief of Woodshire, which the House founded and ruled. For several centuries, the wandmakers of Woodshire would toil in their craft, often being required to travel to far-off lands in order to obtain the wood required for their work. The lack of practical access strained the wandmakers and House Baultery, who considered it tradition to pass the mystical art on to new generations of the wizarding family. This problem found its solution in 775 BDP when *Hera Baultery*, a master horticulturist and cousin of the House patriarch *Killian Baultery*, suggested that the next journey taken away from the Kingdom of Stormwind should be one to collect sapplings of varying species of trees and return them to Woodshire to be cultivated and grown. A year later, wandmakers returned with sapplings from the Arathi Highlands, Black Morass, Silverpine Forest, Eastern Lordaeron, Loch Modan, Dun Morogh, and Eversong Forest. Thus the first sapplings were planted in the acres of land behind Baultery Manor, founding the Grove of Kiracus in 774 BDP. The Grove is named after Kiracus Baultery, the first Baultery to ever shape wood into a wand.

During the first several years after its founding, the trees within the Grove struggled to grow with many lacking the ideal growing conditions of their native ecosystems. Under the intensive care of Hera Baultery, and thanks in no small part to her mastery in horticulture, the young sapplings were able to take to the soil. Hera would become the first in House Baultery's history to claim the title of Grove Keeper which she would hold until her passing in 698 BDP. By the time of Hera's passing, the sapplings had grown into mature trees, casting their shade over the Grove of Kiracus with many a sturdy branch and outstretched limb. Her remarkable success in transplanting and cultivating foreign species of flora in Woodshire gave birth to the phrase "... the touch of Hera", often used by farmers and Grove Keepers of Woodshire when referring to someone with an uncanny ability to make things grow.

Care for the grove passed to Hera's son, *Landon Baultery*, in the same year as his mothers passing. This would begin a history of a long line of Grove Keepers descending from Hera Baultery. It is believed by many historians that Hera had a natural-born gift for wildcraft, or the ability to manipulate nature. This natural-born gift has been passed down through the many generations since Hera's time, existing even in present day with acting Grove Keeper, Palleus Baultery, a descendant of Hera.

In the centuries to follow, up to and including present day, with mankind's realization of a greater world beyond just the Eastern Kingdoms, the Grove of Kiracus began to cultivate more trees of magical origin. Some of these trees include Coldara Pine from the Borean Tundra, Crystalsong Aspen from the Crystalsong Forest, and Suramar Willow from Suramar. Today, a river-fed pond sits on the edge of the grove where many of the magical trees have since taken root. To help facilitate their growth, water from the Moonwell once found in Stormwind City was introduced to the pond to enrich the waters with arcane energy. In present-day, the introduction of a wider variety of magical trees is believed to be the reason for the Grove's notable violet and blue hues. Residents of Woodshire attest to the beauty of the Grove, especially in the evening hours when the magic found amidst the trees twinkles in the night like the stars above.

## Utility, Resource, and Access

Since the earliest days of the Grove's cultivation, it has been open to the wandmakers of Woodshire and to members of the House of Baultery. Wandmakers frequent the Grove to select prime branchs from the many trees to be used in the art of wandcraft, with practically any wood a wandmaker might need being available to them there. Furthermore, dictated by family tradition, every Baultery is brought into the Grove of Kiracus on the day of their 7th birthday where the Grove Keeper will begin the youth's education on the trees collected within the grove, their place within the world, and their use in the art of wandcraft.

While the Grove is not readily accessible to outsiders, it is not unheard of for those with permission or favor of House Baultery to be permitted entry to the Grove. Some are even permitted to select from its collection of trees a specimen of wood to be used in their own staves or wands. An exception is made annually, on June 30th, when the town of Woodshire celebrates the *Festival of a Hundred Wands* which takes place in the Grove. During this joyous occassion, the Grove becomes the staging ground for a celebration in which men, women, and children from all walks of life in Woodshire are welcomed.

### Types of Trees

In regards to mundane trees, the grove is host to every varient with wood conducive for wandcrafting. This includes willow, oak, yew, aspen, birch, cedar, beech, and many others. However, it is the Grove's collection of magical trees that make it truly wonderous. Magical trees found within the Grove of Kiracus include:

* Crystalsong Aspen
* Coldara Pine
* Sorrow's Cypress
* Suramar Willow
* Suramar Elm
* Suramar Arborvitae
* Eversong Maple
* Azuremyst Black Spruce
* Duskwood Oak
* Quel'Danas Maple
* Elwynn Cherry
* Redridge Beech
* Eversong Persimmon
* Arathi Tulip
* Gilnean Persimmon

The wood used from these trees ranges from branches and limbs to the heartwood of the tree, varying in use from wandmaker to wandmaker. Additionally, the arcane-rich sap extracted from these trees is often used during the wandmaking process to further enhance the staves and wands made in the wand shoppes of Woodshire.

## Illustration

- Painting of the Grove of Kiracus, circa 5 ADP