The Old Willow

As you walk through a dense forest, not sure where to go, you stumble toward a distant light...shining through the darkness of the trees. Each step you take brings you a little bit closer, until you reach a clearing, where no trees stand to keep the sun from reaching down into the forest. Except one. The blinding light causes you to stop, until your eyes become fully adjusted. When they do, you see an enormous oak tree, it's branches all dead, in the middle of the clearing. Walking toward it, you see it has something inscribed upon it. These are the rules of this land, read them well.