Secrets of the Dead Lands Review, Chapter 9

Athas.org recently released Secrets of the Dead Lands. The book is a D&D 3.5 version of an unfinished manuscript, originally for AD&D 2nd edition. Although, most of the information is system neutral and can be used for any rule system. The original draft was written by Timothy Brown, co-creator of the Dark Sun setting. 

I will not be comparing the Athas.org version with the original manuscript. I will give my opinions on the completed Secrets of the Dead Lands. I have decided that I will break down the review into separate parts, by reviewing it chapter by chapter. I will not criticize the artwork or maps, as this is a free book, that was put together by fans. Although the artwork and maps have been surprisingly good.
The review of Chapter 1. 
The review of Chapter 2.
The review of Chapter 3.
The review of Chapter 4.
The review of Chapter 5.
The review of Chapter 6.
The review of Chapter 7.
The review of Chapter 8.

Chapter 9 - The Seventh Tree
We are treated to a history about how and why the tree was created. It was basically a battery, created by the Warbringer. It is the reason the gate stopped pushing obsidian into the prime material plane. I do like that the obsidian portal is still open, just blocked by the roots of the seventh tree. What intelligence inhabits the tree? I want to read more.

The chapter continues by discussing the ways the tree avoids discovery and contact with the undead of the Dead Lands. It also outlines the bonuses granted to clerics and druids in contact with the tree. The tree is nigh-invincible and I doubt living player characters would want to destroy it anyway. If some particularly suicidal characters would want to destroy the tree, it is possible that the obsidian tide would continue and engulf all of Athas.
The roots of the tree provide a safe pathway and hideaway for living beings. The most difficult part is knowing that the tree exists. No undead travel within the root passage ways of the tree, but other living creatures could be given a home there by the dungeon master. The roots come to the surface in seven locations, all of which are outlined. The text says these are the only places, but dungeon masters can create more as they see fit, of course.
The entrances are all well thought out and fraught with danger. They are very detailed, which is helpful to dungeon masters. Characters who are high enough level, to brave the Dead Lands, should not have much trouble interacting with the tree. Of course, finding the openings without knowledge of the tree would be quite difficult.
One of the entrances is in the City of a Thousand Dead. In fact, this is the location of the tree, buried beneath thick layers of obsidian. There are two openings at Shadowmourn, one in Chol, and one in Deshentu. The last two locations are in the Crunch and the Shale Lands. Any one of these locations would be an adventure to access.

The next section of the chapter discusses the obsidian gate. As mentioned above, the gate is still open. The only reason it has not destroyed Athas, is because of the Seventh Tree's actions. This section mentions that the tree knows the gate exists and has a rudimentary intelligence. I might change this in my own game, making the tree wise with age, but limited because of its location.
If a group of player characters clear the roots from the obsidian gate, they have doomed the City of a Thousand Dead and, quite possibly, all of Athas. If a group of player characters manage to slay the Seventh Tree, Athas is doomed. A convenient table is proved if a group of player characters does something so stupid. The tree could possibly close off the gate again, but it might take several days to do so, if the tree still lives. After forty days, the Tablelands would be buried in obsidian and all of the City-States would be destroyed.
This chapter is only nine pages long, but gives a lot of interesting information. As I stated above, I would make the tree another power in the Dead Lands, instead of just making it a safe haven for player characters and a guardian of the obsidian gate. What would a tree want? Does holding the gate closed cause the tree pain and it is seeking a way to permanently seal it?
Adventure ideas abound in this short chapter. Perhaps the tree has limited psionic ability and is calling out for aid. Perhaps the tree is slowly dying and is crying out to a druid. It begs the group to help it close the gate, before it dies. Or the gate itself is slowly killing the tree. Without the tree, all of Athas is doomed!