In this world, there are many tools one may use to direct magic. One of the most well known of these is the wand. Of course it is a common saying that "The wand chooses the wizard", with all wands having a degree of awareness with which they select...
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The Ceiba is a majestic tree native to Mexico, Central America, The Caribbean, South America, and tropical West Africa, but it can also be found as far away as Asia. Some species can grow to 70 m (230 ft) tall or more, with a straight, largely branchless trunk that culminates in a vast, spreading canopy that can be taller than a grown person. The best-known, and most widely cultivated, species is Kapok, Ceiba pentandra, one of several trees called Kapok. The Maya revered the ceiba as the sacred tree of life, Yax Che, that connected the three realms of the cosmos: the underworld, the earth, and the sky. The Ceiba's roots, trunk, and branches represented the nine levels of the underworld, the four cardinal directions, and the 13 levels of the sky, respectively. The Maya believed that the souls of the dead climbed the ceiba to reach the heavens and that the gods communicated with humans through the tree. The ceiba is still a symbol of cultural and ecological importance for many people, who use its wood, fiber, flowers, and fruits for various purposes. It's also the national tree of Guatemala.
There is a famous legend from the Popol Vuh, that the creator gods planted in the four regions of the cosmos their respective ceiba trees: in the East, the red ceiba; in the West, the black ceiba; in the south, the yellow ceiba; and in the north, the white ceiba. Finally, they planted a fifth ceiba in the center of the four directions, and in its roots, they located the Xibalbá or Mitnal, the dwelling of the dead; at its base, they placed the Kab or the land where we humans live; and in its trunk and branches they established the dwelling of the gods; and at the top of the tree was located the origin of all the gods, in the form of a magnificent heavenly Quetzal bird.
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This magnificent tree is heavily prized in Mexico, The Caribbean, South America, and Central America, especially among the Mayans. A wonderfully versatile wand wood, Ceiba wands can be incredibly loyal once they have selected their master. They will not yield easily to someone who tries to win them from those they chose - only if they are passed on willingly will the wand work properly for its new bearer. However, despite this, Ceiba wands will never take more than seven masters and should always be buried with the last. Generally, those who Ceiba wands select see the bigger picture and can think beyond simply the bounds of life and death and will do so to protect those they care for, or who they consider to be under their protection. It was also a favorite wand wood of the Mayan civilization. They excel in Astronomy, Charms, Transfiguration, Arithmancy, Potions, and Defense Against The Dark Arts. They believe that a wielder of this wand has the protection of the gods on their side in battle.
