Inking Erudus - The Vegetation of the Quilleaf forest
Building the Vegetation on the Fantastical World of Erudus
Region - Quilleaf Forest
Vegetation in the Quilleaf region is ancient. Trees have grown in this location for thousands of years, and the Great Mother Tree is thought to be over ten thousand years old.
While sage green is the predominant color in the region, blue, purple and silver occur frequently. Animals live under the canopy and birds sing throughout the day, The forest feels alive, ancient, and hints of magic and music, and reminders of the influence of the ancestors are found everywhere.
The Quilleaf Tree
These are tall, narrow trees that grow frequently in the forest regions on Erudus. Its silver green leaves are very narrow. When wind passes through the leaves they sound like a choir of children calling.
The trees have been used since ancient times to make the alioni. This is a violin-like musical instrument, that the people play in times of celebration.
One man named Marcai Sinwov, produces alioni’s, that are so special, they are considered priceless. Each alioni has its own magical properties. He will give Angelika an alioni called The Amethyst Dragon. This instrument allows Angelika to put on performances, in which she takes the shape of a dragon in flight that moves with her music.
The ebony black bark of the Quilleaf tree is also stripped, boiled, and used as a head tonic, and a cure for sore throats
Skysong Willows
These droopy trees are found along streams. Deep within the Quilleaf forest there is a stand of ancient Skysong Willows that are considered to be sacred. It is rumored that the ancient priestess, Elowen Shimmer, sat under these willows when she created a set of ancient spells to enhance the growth of the mother tree, and to protect the people from destruction. The Great Mother still uses these spells today.
The tree has long, cobalt blue hanging leaves, that brush together in the wind, sounding like chimes.
The skysong willows are home to a tiny species of rodent that eats the rusty blue flowers to survive. It is a major food source for the great birds that swoop over,
The Feeding Fir
The feeding fir is a tree that glows faintly from the needles on its branches. When the moon rises, the needles turn silver, and sparkle.
The unique glow of this tree attracts a number of magical insects to its pollen, allowing the bugs to survive in the dense woods. These insects will be described later, but some examples are Skreech, Dancingfly, Threst, Gook and Bluebop. Without the feeding fir these species would die.
Echo Weed
An invasive flower that has pale silver petals that vibrate when singing occurs near them. They are used often in ceremonies and rituals, especially naming ceremonies, and the yearly mother tree celebration.
Veil Fungi
This fungus is pale ivory. It grows deep in the forest under ancient trees, and very often near spiritual sites. Because Spirits are often seen around these fungi, they are often associated with Masters of Spiritual Magic.
Ancient tales say that these fungi grow where great ancestors died, to remind the people to be kind to one another, and to show that the ancestors still move the people’s actions today.
Veil fungi is eaten often in the Spineback Mountain region.
Silverlit Moss
This is the most common plant found in the Quilleaf forests. The moss grows on the forest floor, fallen trees, and at the base of the Mother Tree.
The plant is soft enough that new mothers gather it to place under their babies to protect them.
Plants that only grow near or under the Mother Tree
Timbre Flowers
These are huge amethyst flowers that open when music occurs. At this time masters of sound gather the petals and boil them to remove their color. When the color is spun into clothing, the clothing reverberates the mages magic, allowing them to produce more effective spells.
Resonant Tears
These are tiny crystal-like flowers that grow at the base of the mother tree. These flowers are sacred.
The droplets that fall from the flowers are collected and given to babies to give them strength. The droplets turn red at the time the mother tree produces its seeds. The liquid is collected and stored by Arborita. From this she can make a medicine, called rejuv, that can extend a person’s life. This elixir is given to few people, and the existence of it, is a cherished secret of the Quilleaf people. Only the great mother knows how to transform the droplets of the flower into the elixir.
Plants that Grow here and other regions
These plants grow here, but have already been described in other articles.
Looseybuds
Mushies
Moontide Flowers
Glowyroot Tubes
Skypods
Other posts discussing the vegetation on Erudus.
Next Week
An introduction to the plants of the volcanic mountains of Dragonveil.
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Good-bye for now. Have a lovely weekend everyone.
