Character
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create a massive tree species for the planet of Okarthel
- Image Credit: (X)(X)
- Canon: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Links: Okarthel, Kiir
- Name: Ithquent tree
- Origins: Okarthel
- Other Locations: N/A
- Classification: Tree
- Average Growth Cycle: The life of a Ithquent trees starts out as a small gliding seed no more than two and a half centimeters long. Thin wings measuring thirteen centimeters across carry these small seeds far and wide. When these seeds finally make it to ground, sometimes kilometers away, they quickly take root. The first forty to fifty years of this trees life is dedicated to fast root growth and slow trunk growth.
At one hundred years, the tree maybe nine to twelve meters tall, but have a root system double that size or more. As the tree grows and ages, the inner rings harden to a level that's described as almost steel like. This helps support its massive weight and size over the years. Once the trees fast growing stage begins when it's a hundred years old, it takes of quick, growing up to a meter or two a season. At four hundred years old, the tree produces its first seeds. During the dryer months, large yellow flowers half a meter across bloom in mass on the trees.
These flowers turn into dull green fruit during the rainer season, that are five hundred centimeters in diameter before hardening into brown hollow structures. These structures contain hundreds of seeds that, when the structure breaks open once dry enough, catch wind and are carried off by the breeze to start the process all over again
Some trees fuse together to form a single massive tree that can be a few hundred meters in diameter. These trees can be deceptive as they may appear immortal, but in truth it's just younger trees fusing with older trees or growing out of the remains of dead ones.
- Viability: Ithquent trees do love their sunshine and warm temperatures. Which is why they grow best in tropical climates. They do, however, grow in the much colder and less sunny polar regions of the planet that's dominates by cloud forests. These trees require large quantities of water to fuel their massive size. Vast root systems allow these trees to grow just about anywhere as long as they can connect to other flora via root system. A full grown Ithquent tree can live fifty five to sixty thousand years.
The fruits of this tree can last several days after being picked. As they are designed to harden quickly. The seeds themselves can last a decade or so before expiring.
- Description: A massive tree that towers into the sky and dominates the canopy. With leaves that reach a meter long and half a meter across, and branches wide enough that two or three people can walk along them shoulder to shoulder. Large yellow flowers cover the trees in the dryer months. Dull green fruits give rise to gliding seeds that will travel kilometers. The tree releases so many seeds that they look like flocks of small birds in the distance.
- Average Height: 2 to 3 kilometers
- Average Length: N/A
- Color: Multiple shades of brown bark, with darker bark at the bottom of the tree and lighter near the top. Dark green leaves. Large yellow flowers
- Nutritional Value: The early stages of the fruits provided a large source of vitamins.
- Toxicity: N/A
- Other Effects: N/A
- Distinctions: Ithquent trees are easily distinguished by their massive size. Reach several kilometers into the sky with trunks sometimes reaching a few hundred meters in diameter. The have large half meter wide yellow flowers. Adult trees have leaves up to a meter long and half a meter across. Several trees can fuse together to form one giant tree, such as the Ithquenti or World Tree as the Kiir call it.
These large trees are mildly force sensitive. As they grow, their roots connect to every plant growing nearby, creating a giant network. Through this network the Ithquent tree can share nutrients and water with all plants around them. This earned them the name mother trees by some. The force connection through these roots allows the native Kiir, and some other species, to feel life energies around them.
A vast number of species of plants and animals either live in these trees or rely on them for survival. Their large and plentiful flowers feed dozens of species of birds and insects. Towering branches provide homes for both animals and several species of air plants that live nowhere else.
Strengths:
- Size: An Ithquent trees size is one of its greatest strengths. While most trees fight for light at canopy level, the Ithquent's height assures that it has no competition when it reaches adulthood.
- Force sensitive: A force sensitive tree is a rare thing, no matter how mild it is. Being able to connect with other plants through the root system has allowed the Ithquenti to share nutrients with other flora using the force. Some may see this as parasitic, but the Ithquent uses this method to assure itself a good start during the early stages of growth.
- low numbers: Despite their massive size and force sensitive, the Ithquent trees aren't as common as most. Many don't survive the seed dispersal, which is why the trees make so many seeds. Many don't survive past sapling stage as their force sensitive draws in certain species of herbivores that live in the forests understory.
- Pests and disease: Like many tree species, the Ithquent can suffer from various species of pests and diseases. Being such a large tree species means that it has a wider range of both of these than most.
In Kiir religious beliefs, the Ithquenti tree, or World Tree, is a massive Ithquent tree that rises several kilometers into the sky. It is said that during the age of fire, many species sought refuge in this giant tree, it is also where life returned to the planet after the all consuming flames died down. They also believe the Ithquenti tree is where their dragon gods descended to the planet, and also where many forest spirits dwell.
All Ithquent trees are sacred amongst the Kiir since they are all connected to the World Tree. They are believed to be home to various spirits and sites of many Kiir rituals. Items pulled from these trees, such as branches and flowers, are used in different spiritual rituals. The Kiir also know these trees are important to the forests themselves. Providing large quantities of food and nutrients to the surrounding flora and fauna.
The rise of the Ithquent tree began after the age of fire. During this time great fires spread across the land, devouring everything in its path and leaving little to nothing behind. One tree, however, stood strong against these flames and protected those who sought refuge in its branches, and that was the Ithquenti tree. The exact origins of the world tree aren't really known, not even to the Kiir, but this force sensitive giant is said to have been where the Kiir's dragon gods descended from the heavens. This belief has lead many Kiir to believe this is where the trees force sensitivity came from and the reason it survived the age of fire. Whatever the case, the Ithquenti tree is recognized as the forebearer of all Ithquent trees.
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