Arbode

An arbode is a type of shelter or living space made from the living trunk of one or multiple trees shaped in a way that a sapient species can live inside.

Purpose / Function

These buildings provide a home for tree dwelling species that is sustainable for the forest and the trees within it.

Design

The interior can vary on the species of tree used but generally the walls and roof are created with the branches of the trees interwoven together. Vines create a dense protective layer woven along the exterior, interspersed with soil pockets and growing plants.

Entries

The main entrance for an arbode is generally a rounded or arch entrance. For some especially earlier models, the entrance can be a large vertical slit. If doors are added, the tend to be constructed from wood of another tree.

Denizens

The most common people to live in these homes are fairies , homins , and elves who these homes were developed by. However the popularity of these homes are fast growing among forest lamia, harpies, and various henge races. As a large portion are hosted in a dryad's tree, they tend to live in them as well.

Architecture

An arbode is constructed by using a variety of plant shaping techniques to grow a living tree with a hallowed out area large enough to live inside of. Typically a selected tree is allowed to grow over a removable scaffold with the proper dimensions for the living space. Once the plant tissue is stable and interconnected, the scaffolding can be removed and reused. Tree shaping techniques used include grafting branches and trunk into a proper space while allowing the plant tissues to transfer water and nutrients around the walls to keep the tree alive. Smaller trees can be made into inner decor such as chairs and tables using the same grafting and pleaching methods.

History

Believed to have been an original invention of the ancient forest elves, these home designs were retained by the fairies and dryads through secret magical methods. However certain groups of homins that associated with these people groups were able to create their own versions of the design through grafting to deliberately induce the inosculation of living trunks, branches, and roots, into artistic designs or functional structures. In regions where these races developed tight bonds, their method of making homes within the trees was shared with other leading the collaborative designs and techniques used today.

Type

House