Ents are tree protectors that dwell in ancient forests. Although ents prefer to while away the days, months, and years in quiet contemplation, they fiercely protect their woodland demesnes from outside threats.  Similar to their larger treant cousins, ents are more active, exploring and searching for other trees to help awaken and spread the magic that is nature.

The Sleeping Tree Awakens. A tree destined to become a ent meditates through a long cycle of seasons, living normally for decades or centuries before realizing its potential. Trees that awaken do so only under special circumstances and in places steeped with nature’s magic. Ents and powerful druids can sense when a tree has the spark of potential, and they protect such trees in secret groves as they draw near the moment of their awakening. During the long process of awakening, a tree acquires face-like features in its bark, a division of the lower trunk into legs, and long branches bending downward to serve as its arms. When it is ready, the tree pulls its legs free from the clutching earth and joins its fellows in protecting its woodland home.

Legendary Guardians. After an ent awakens, it continues to grow exactly as it did when it was a tree. Ents created from the mightiest trees can reach great sizes while developing an innate magical power over plants and animals. Such ents can animate plants, using them to ensnare and trap intruders. They can call wild creatures to aid them or carry messages across great distances.

Protectors of the Wild. Even after awakening, an ent spends much of its time living as a tree. While rooted in place, an ent remains aware of its surroundings, and can perceive the effects of events taking place miles away based on subtle changes nearby.

Woodcutters who avoid culling healthy living trees and hunters who take only what they need of the forest’s bounty are unlikely to arouse an ent's ire. Creatures careless with fire, those who poison the forest, and those who destroy great trees, especially a tree close to awakening, face the ent’s wrath.