Spirit Tree
The ancient source of light and life in the forest of Nibel.
The Spirit Tree is the source of the light and life of the forest of Nibel. It is a towering, ancient entity whose voice narrates the story of Ori and the Blind Forest. The tree is the origin of Ori, a guardian spirit who fell from it during a storm as a newborn. The tree's core, Sein, described as the "light and eyes" of the Spirit Tree, was taken by the giant owl Kuro, causing the forest to wither and lose its balance. Without its core, the Spirit Tree could not sustain the three elements of Nibel: Waters, Winds, and Warmth.
- Location
- Center of the Blind Forest
- Status
- Dying then Restored
- Significance
- Source of Life and Light
- First Seen
- Prologue
Lore & Background
The Spirit Tree is the central life force of Nibel, its voice recounting the story of the forest's decline. When Ori, a guardian spirit, fell from the tree as a newborn, the Spirit Tree released a flash of light to search for it. This light burned and killed all of Kuro's recently hatched offspring while she was away from her nest looking for food. In retaliation, Kuro took away the core on top of the Spirit Tree, which is Sein. Without its core, the Spirit Tree could not sustain the three elements—Waters, Winds, and Warmth—and Nibel lost its balance, causing the forest to wither. At the story's climax, after the final element, Warmth, is restored in Mount Horu, Kuro attacks Ori and Sein. However, after Naru protects Ori, Kuro softens, remembering the pain of losing her children. As fire spreads toward Kuro's remaining egg, she takes Sein back to the Spirit Tree. The tree emits a flash of bright light that dissipates the fire and restores the forest, though Kuro is destroyed by the light.
In Their Own Story
The Spirit Tree's voice narrates the opening of the tale: Ori fell from the tree during a storm as a newborn and was adopted by a creature named Naru. After a cataclysmic event made the forest wither, Naru died of starvation. Ori, newly orphaned, collapsed near the Spirit Tree and was revived by it. There, Ori met Sein, a small orb who guided Ori on a journey to restore the forest by recovering the light of the three main elements. Later, Gumo used his clan treasure, which stores light from the Spirit Tree, to revive Naru. In the final moments, after Kuro returned Sein to the Spirit Tree, the tree's flash of light restored the forest. Time passed, and Ori watched new spirits being born at the foot of the Spirit Tree, while Gumo and Naru watched from afar as Kuro's last egg began to hatch.
Reader's Guide
The Spirit Tree serves as the central narrative anchor in Ori and the Blind Forest. Players first encounter it in the prologue, where Ori collapses near it and is revived. The tree is the source of Sein, who accompanies Ori throughout the game, shooting Spirit Flames to combat enemies or break obstacles. The game's save system, "Soul Links," allows players to save progress at will using energy cells collected during gameplay. Ability points, gained by collecting experience from killing enemies, destroying plants, and finding spirit light containers or ability cells, can be used to learn skills anywhere a soul link has been created. These skills are learned in sequential order from one of three ability trees, allowing Ori to learn abilities such as wall jumping and double jumping. The Spirit Tree's light is central to the game's mechanics and story, as restoring the three elements—Waters, Winds, and Warmth—is required to heal the forest.
Did You Know?
- The Spirit Tree's core, Sein, is described as the 'light and eyes' of the Forest's Spirit Tree.
- Kuro, a giant shadowy owl, took Sein from the Spirit Tree after the tree's light killed her offspring.
- The Spirit Tree's flash of light at the end of the game restored the forest but destroyed Kuro.
- The game's story was inspired by The Lion King and The Iron Giant.
- The Spirit Tree's voice narrates the entire story of Ori and the Blind Forest.