Gabriel Sionoma
Sheriff of Sulon
Name: Katarn Apiary
Image Source: N/a
Classification: A collective framed hive. A slowly growing apiary for the harvest of honey and its by products.
Location: The Apiary is located deep in the heart of a budding grove of Ankarres and Baffor trees, located near the Katarn Homestead on Sulon.
Affiliation: Currently owned by [member="Gabriel Sionoma"] and [member="Avalore Eden"], affiliated with the Galactic Alliance and the Circle of Healers.
Description: The apiary consists of two types of bee hives, held in increasing amalgamation. Horizontal top-bar hives and typical multi body hives (langstroth hives). Materials of the hive consist of wooden boxes, wood frames, durasteel screening for separate portions of the hive (such as the queen excluder and top feeder), and wax foundation for hive formation. Hives are placed sporadically through the growing grove, near the Katarn Homestead, with a particular emphasis placed on availability of light and availability of a working water source (Tap Tree).
History: One of the first tasks that Gabriel completed, upon inheriting the homestead, was improving the aquaduct systems for Tap Trees, as a means of improving the depleting agricultural business surrounding Baron's Hed. Once this was finalized, he began to notice an increase in swarms of bee populations, which followed suit with renewed availability of pollen and nectar carrying plant species. Swarms are natural occurrences for when a hive outgrows its shelter and thus splinters, producing an additional queen that then finds another area to build a new hive. In a sense, an increase in swarms is an indication of a thriving bee population and an indication of improving ecosystem health (we judge the health of the environment based on the viability and survival of native members of said environment).
Noticing this, as well as their propensity for producing swarms in Ankarre and Baffor tree groves, Gabriel decided to try and capture these hives for production of honey as a food source and bartering item. Not knowing at the time that the honey and other by products of honey production would carry on the unique powers of the plants from which the nectar originates. Thus, he began constructing his own hives, ordering the screen and foundation from small business owners in Baron's Hed. With that, he began slowly incorporating artificial hives across his property. This not only serves as a means of honey production, but also a means of improving the growth and spread of those rare and unique plant species.
Sulon is a unique planet in that it lacks a distinct transition into winter. As such, honey production plateaus and stays as such, instead of dying back near winter time when pollen and nectar normally decrease. Because of this, the Apiary requires substantial bursts of manpower to maintain, particularly as it grows in number of frames. It's for this reason that Gabriel has used this as a means of training force connection to aspiring sensitives within the Baron's Hed province. Due to the sentient nature of the Baffor, the healing properties of the Ankarres, and the naturally docile relationship one can have with a Honey Bee: this is a suitable environment for learning about ones connection to the force and nature.
Intent: I intend to explore the possibility of producing new healing substances from the production of honey from rare and exotic plants. This includes the Ankarres tree, Baffor tree, and the Tap Tree. This will include eventual production of beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly as healing and nutrient agents. Particularly, this will serve as a means for the Galactic Alliance and Circle of Healers to improve their capabilities for small measure healing in combat situations.
Links: Ankarres Wood
