Forest Spirit

Lore & Background

The Spirit Tree is the source of the forest's balance, sustaining the three elements: Waters, Winds, and Warmth. Its core, Sein, is described as the "light and eyes" of the tree. When Ori fell from the tree during a storm, the Spirit Tree released a flash of light to search for Ori, which killed all of Kuro's recently hatched offspring. In retaliation, Kuro took Sein from the top of the Spirit Tree, causing the forest to wither and Naru to die of starvation. Without Sein, the Spirit Tree could not maintain the elements, and Nibel fell into cataclysm. Ori and Sein are tasked with recovering the light of the three elements to restore balance. After the final element (Warmth) is restored in Mount Horu, Kuro attacks Ori and Sein, but Naru protects Ori. Kuro, remembering her pain, takes Sein back to the Spirit Tree, which emits a flash of bright light that dissipates the fire and restores the forest, though Kuro is destroyed by the light. Time passes, the forest flourishes, and new spirits are born at the foot of the Spirit Tree.

In Their Own Story

The Spirit Tree's voice narrates the story of Ori, a guardian spirit who fell from the tree during a storm as a newborn and was adopted by Naru. A cataclysmic event made the forest wither, and Naru died of starvation. Ori collapsed near the Spirit Tree and was revived by it. Ori then met Sein, a small orb who guided Ori on a journey to restore the forest by recovering the light of three elements: Waters, Winds, and Warmth. Along the way, Ori encountered Gumo, the last survivor of the Gumon clan, and Kuro, a giant shadowy owl hostile toward Ori. Gumo initially stole the key to the Water element but returned it after Ori saved him from a rockslide. After rekindling the Wind element, Ori and Sein found Kuro's nest, empty except for a single egg, and learned that the Spirit Tree's flash of light had killed Kuro's offspring. Kuro had taken Sein, the core of the Spirit Tree, causing the forest's decay. Gumo used his clan treasure to revive Naru. After restoring Warmth in Mount Horu, Kuro attacked, but Naru protected Ori. Kuro softened, remembering her pain, and returned Sein to the Spirit Tree. The tree emitted a flash of light that restored the forest, destroying Kuro. The forest flourished, and Ori watched new spirits being born at the foot of the Spirit Tree.

Reader's Guide

The Spirit Tree is the central narrative force in Ori and the Blind Forest. It is not a playable character but is represented by Sein, a small orb that accompanies Ori and can shoot Spirit Flames to combat enemies or break obstacles. The Spirit Tree's voice narrates the story, and its core (Sein) is essential for maintaining the forest's balance. The tree's flash of light, which killed Kuro's offspring, is the inciting incident for the plot. Players interact with the Spirit Tree indirectly through Sein, who guides Ori to recover the light of three elements: Waters, Winds, and Warmth. The tree's fate is tied to the restoration of these elements; without Sein, the forest withered. At the game's climax, Kuro returns Sein to the Spirit Tree, which emits a flash of light that restores the forest. The tree's role is passive but crucial—it is the source of Ori's mission and the ultimate key to Nibel's revival.

Did You Know?

• The Spirit Tree's flash of light, sent to find Ori, killed all of Kuro's recently hatched offspring, leading Kuro to steal Sein and cause the forest's cataclysm.
• Sein, the core of the Spirit Tree, is described as the 'light and eyes' of the tree and is a small orb that guides Ori and can shoot Spirit Flames.
• The Spirit Tree's voice narrates the entire story of Ori and the Blind Forest, from Ori's fall to the forest's restoration.
• Without its core (Sein), the Spirit Tree could not sustain the three elements of Nibel: Waters, Winds, and Warmth.
• At the end of the game, Kuro returns Sein to the Spirit Tree, which emits a flash of bright light that dissipates fire and restores the forest, though Kuro is destroyed by the light.