Skyrim Sidelines- The Blessings of Nature: The Withered Green

As you putter about through Whiterun, you’ll likely notice the large tree sitting at the base of the stairs leading up to the keep.  Lavender grows around its roots and one of the priestesses from the nearby Temple of Kynareth often stops to sit under it.  If you ask about outside of the temple inhabitants, you’ll learn that the tree is withered from its true- or perhaps just original- form, and you will be told that Danica Pure-Spring, the priestess who likes to take her rests under the barren boughs of the tree, is the person to talk to about it.

Or, if you’re less inclined to beat around the bush, you can just talk to her directly.

Danica will explain to you that the tree, the Gildergreen, is a symbol of life and healing- but it’s been faltering of late, first losing its leaves and then slowly withering away.  This has had a strong effect on the patronage of the Temple of Kynareth, whose otherwise steady stream of people seeking healing has been starting to die off as the tree has.  Apparently, the vitality of the tree is considered related to the capacity of the temple’s priestesses for healing, regardless of whether or not this is actually the truth.

Further prodding will net you the information that the Gildergreen is actually a cutting from an older, larger, stronger sacred tree called the Eldergleam.  This fantastic tree not only still grows but is for all intents and purposes indestructible itself, so thoroughly rife with life it is.  If only some sap could be procured from the Eldergleam....

This, clearly, is where you come in.  Offer to help, and Danica will speak of the impenetrability of the Eldergleam’s bark, and explain that while you could easily go to the Eldergleam, you’d never be able to collect the needed sap.  Rather, there is a single weapon which can harm the Eldergleam enough to cause sap to flow- Nettlebane, a mystic blade.  The sword was kept in a place of reverence as well, but has more recently been stolen by hagravens.  If you’re willing, Danica can tell you where to find the sword- Orphan’s Rock.

Orphan’s Rock is located on the Southwestern slopes of the Throat of the World, and it is inhabited not only by at least one hagraven, but also by a number of powerful witches- or at least, female spellcasters- who you will have to get past in order to reach the hagraven that holds the sword.  If you’re unbelievably sneaky, you may be able to slip in and steal Nettlebane from the hagraven, but the number of spellcasters in the area and their patrol paths make this all but impossible.  All -but- impossible, as there is a way to reach the back-end of Orphan’s Rock: a careful descent down the side of the mountain above.