Filomenta Tree (Fleshwood)

Lin never really liked taking tourists through the theurgists' workshops, but it reflected negatively in his quarterly reviews if he ignored this notorious part of Ambiscade, and so he once more found himself marching through the chaotic streets of the magic district with today's group of gawking foreigners. He nimbly hopped up on the pedestal of a street light and addressed his small audience.

"So, as I'm sure you've all noticed, we're currently outside one of the busiest theurgists' workshops on the lower levels - do remember that the fourth level, Velkin, is almost entirely reserved for research and experiments revolving around theurgy." Lin desperately looked for something interesting to show his group that ideally wouldn't explode if people got too close to it. A person-sized wooden construction propped against a wall caught his attention. "Ah, over against that brick wall, if you care to look, you can see one of the newer developments that the theurgists have been looking into. That's the chassis of an automaton, made out of fleshwood. It sounds a bit macabre but I assure you, it's one hundred percent natural and organic, the theurgists have simply found that this particular tree makes for good automatons, or, eh, something. I encourage you to seek out a theurgist and ask them about it if you want to know more!" Lin, far from an expert on the ins and outs of crafting semi-animate objects with special magical wood, bustled his group along and hoped they wouldn't try to ask him anything about theurgy.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Fleshwood comes from the filomenta tree, which is actually more of a stalk than a tree. It's fibers all grow vertically and perfectly straight, and are remarkably similar to certain humanoid muscle fiber structures. Recently, theurgists have discovered that fleshwood is remarkably effective at carrying magical energy, and so it has been used in many experimental constructions. It is most notably used in the construction of automatons, as its similarities to muscle fibers make it well suited to replicating a (more or less) humanoid body.

Ecology and Habitats

Since the filomenta tree isn't properly a tree, it can grow quickly in a variety of environments. It does best in direct sunlight in nitrogen rich soil, and these conditions have been replicated in many areas in Ambiscade so as to provide the theurgists with more of their coveted fleshwood.