Ikuno

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A massive guardian who is host to an unnatural forest ecosystem that grows from his body.

He was cursed in his younger years by a nature mage, who he had killed in an altercation at the edge of the Shrieking Wilds. The mage, prior to their death, stabbed him with an enchanted spear that implanted a powerful magic into his bloodstream, and with their dying breaths declared that their soul would live on in every root and thorn that tore from his body forever more. The strange magic that he was imbued with caused an unnatural mutation as well, leading to his continual growth into his gargantuan form.

Within just a few years of his affliction, the ravenous flora that grew from him had overwhelmed him, rooting him to the ground where he stood, slowly bringing him closer to death by starvation. By some miracle, however, he was found by a few young fae who were wandering the lands in search of a home. They struck up a deal with the guardian, offering to feed him and tend to the plants that ran rampant within his body in exchange for the opportunity to live upon his back and feed on any insects that pestered him. He humbly accepted, and Ikuno began the slow process of recovery as the fae gently tended to the vines and roots that wildy grew from his body, and fashioned homes from the great tree trunks sprouting from his back.

Once Ikuno was freed from his restraints and strong enough to move, the group began an expedition around the lands, travelling through various points in both the Tangled Wood and the Sunbeam Ruins, growing closer with his new companions by sharing stories along their journeys. Eventually, the group happened upon a large gathering of migrating dragons emerging onto the beaches bordering the territories of Light and Water. The young leader, Faunus, marveled at the sight of the goliath, and offered for him and his companions to join them on their journey. While Ikuno remained wary, the growing tribe that lived with him was intrigued by the prospect, and the goliath agreed to follow the young leader and her clan to a new home.

Although cautious of the leader and her followers in the beginning due to her connection to Nature, he grew comfortable after settling in the great valley that the clan ended up in. In the years following his initial settling in the Gardens, he's noticed that his affliction has become less ravenous, with flowers and fruits replacing the sharp thorns that once tore through his now stony flesh. While he reasons that it is because of the fae that have been taking proper care of the foliage, part of him believes that the mage who cursed him all those years ago has finally achieved peace, their soul returned to their home and being cared for by loving claws.

He is currently settled on a small shelf submerged beneath the Vorago River near the North entrance of the gardens.