Aldryami are dedicated to the ways of growth and oppose the ways of making. Thus the idea of writing to them is abhorent for it is making something (a scroll, etc) from something else (a living growing thing). The use of birch bark or papyrus reeds by humans for such destructive purposes is thoroughly opposed and may have contributed to the fight by the elves of Rist against the Lunars (who are so busy documenting everything).
Instead of writing, aldryami use growing methods to pass on knowledge. This might take the form of a single tree or a garden or an entire forest. Aldryami knowledge is not done in a single continuous flow, but extensively uses the ideas of branching whether in tree limbs or in pathways or in changes of flora.
As an example, following the Moonburn, a seed was planted in Rist to record the event and show the Lunar treachery. The ground around the seed is filled with burned stumps and ash, never removed, and are impressed with sensations of pain and fear. This ground is associated with the Lunars and aldryami coming here learn this and carry the knowledge with them.
The seed grew into a tree. The Gardeners tending it impressed events since the Moonburn upon the tree. These include Hwarin's Peacemaking with the elves, the creation of the Palace of Flowers, and other events. Some of these events lead to special branches. From Hwarin's Peacemaking, the tree grew a branch pointing southeast (toward Jillaro). Along this branch the young aldryami learns of the history of Hwarin. The branching is continuous until you reach the end and the aldryami can choose to follow a particular branch or return to a lower point and follow a different branch.
The whole process is not unlike browsing the web and following or backtracking along various paths.
This is also one of the important facets of the Gardeners--creating a 'writing' that is understandable to the entire aldryami community. Visual effects (burnt bark, open tracks of forest), combine with smells (resins, flowers) and embedded sensations to communicate information.
Hence the danger of trolls and men. The former come through the forest randomly eating trees, shrubs, etc. Their defoliation not only destroys plants, but it destroys knowledge. And men coming in chopping trees down or burning the forest is equivalent to someone tossing a torch into a library.
Harald
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