Rotwillow
Gigantic, hollow trees that seem lifeless—until they open their "mouths" and exhale clouds of hallucinogenic spores.
Rotwillows are a haunting presence, both feared and revered, their breath both a gift of knowledge and a promise of decay. Those who seek their secrets must tread carefully, lest they become just another offering to the roots.
Basic Information
Anatomy
- Gargantuan Hollow Trunks – Rotwillows appear ancient and lifeless, their bark resembling petrified wood, cracked and leaking dark sap that smells of damp earth and mildew. Their hollow interiors are lined with spongy, fibrous flesh, which serves as both storage for spores and a nesting ground for fungal colonies.
- "Mouths" That Breathe Spores – Large, gaping fissures along the trunk open unpredictably, releasing dense clouds of hallucinogenic spores. These fissures resemble twisted mouths or gaping wounds, giving the trees an unsettling, semi-sentient appearance.
- Drifting, Wispy Branches – Unlike normal willows, their branches are thin, skeletal, and covered in hanging fungal growths that drip moisture. Instead of leaves, shroud-like tendrils dangle from the limbs, swaying even when there is no wind.
- Root Systems That Trap the Unwary – Their roots are massive and labyrinthine, capable of shifting subtly to ensnare creatures. Many explorers who wander too close find themselves trapped as the roots slowly constrict, pulling them into the boggy earth where decomposition is swift.
Ecology and Habitats
Rotwillows are massive, eerie trees found primarily in swamps, bogs, and decayed forests where moisture is high, and the air is thick with mist. They thrive in regions where death and decay are constant cycles, such as:
- The Black Bog, where their spores contribute to the lingering haze that warps perception.
- The Withered Wilds, among twisted, rotting flora that seems half-alive.
- Abandoned ruins, growing among crumbling stone and forgotten corpses, feeding on both.
Unlike most trees, Rotwillows do not rely on traditional photosynthesis. Instead, they are partially parasitic, drawing nutrients from decaying organic matter while also spreading their spores to perpetuate the cycle of rot.
Biological Cycle
- Decay-Fueled Growth – Rotwillows do not produce fruit or flowers. Instead, their growth is directly linked to death and decomposition in their vicinity. The more bodies—plant or animal—that rot near them, the stronger and larger they become.
- Spore Exhalations – Every few weeks, a Rotwillow will "exhale" a dense cloud of spores, which serve multiple purposes:
- Hallucinogenic effects on nearby creatures, causing confusion, visions, or even madness.
- Weakening of immune systems, making creatures more susceptible to disease and infection, ensuring the Rotwillow has a steady supply of decaying bodies.
- Spreading fungal colonies, which further break down organic matter for the tree to absorb.
- Semi-Sentient Awareness – While not fully alive in a conventional sense, Rotwillows exhibit reactive behaviors:
- They release spores in response to movement, particularly when creatures linger near them.
- Their roots sometimes shift subtly, forming obstacles or entanglements that slow prey.
- Some scholars believe that older Rotwillows can recognize specific presences, withholding spores or even guiding lost wanderers—though whether this is benevolent or manipulative remains unclear.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Despite their dangers, Rotwillows have a number of valuable (and risky) uses:
- Rotwillow Spores – Harvested at great risk, these spores can be:
- Used in potions and poisons that induce vivid hallucinations.
- Refined into incense for rituals and spirit communication, as they are believed to thin the veil between worlds.
- Ground into a fine powder for use in alchemy and necromantic spells to enhance decay magic.
- Rotwillow Resin – The dark, viscous sap seeping from their trunks has:
- Antiseptic properties, paradoxically capable of both preserving flesh and inducing rapid decay depending on how it is processed.
- Uses in necromantic embalming techniques, keeping the undead preserved longer.
- Applications in hallucinogenic brews, often consumed by shamans or seers seeking visions.
- Living Traps & Defenses – Some cunning druids and warlocks cultivate Rotwillows as living fortifications, allowing them to spread through specific areas to deter intruders.
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
- "The Trees That Watch" – Many swamp-dwellers believe that Rotwillows are not merely plants but guardians of the dead, ensuring that no soul leaves their domain.
- "The Whispering Groves" – Some claim that those who sleep beneath a Rotwillow awaken with memories that are not their own, as if the trees steal dreams or harvest echoes of past lives.
- "The Rotting Curse" – There is a legend that if a Rotwillow "breathes" upon you three times, you will never leave the swamp, as your mind will unravel before your body finally succumbs.
Geographic Distribution
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