Xalrith

Xalrith is a dangerous and predatory vine that twists around the trees of Helerin’s humid forests.
With its dark purple stems and the toxic sap it secretes, Xalrith is both feared and revered. It drains the life from the trees it clings to, slowly choking them of nutrients, and its sap is harvested to create potent poisons.

Form and Appearance

Xalrith is a thick, twisting vine with dark purple stems that grow in tight spirals around tree trunks. The vine’s skin is tough and waxy, allowing it to cling tightly to its host tree. Its surface is often covered in sharp, thorn-like ridges that help it dig into the tree’s bark, making it difficult to remove. When the vine is cut, it secretes a thick, milky sap that is highly toxic.

Habitat

Xalrith thrives in humid, tropical forests where the air is damp and the tree canopy provides ample support for its vines to grow. It prefers dense, shadowy regions where the humidity is high, wrapping itself around the largest and oldest trees in the forest.

Geographic Distribution

Xalrith is found in the humid forests of Helerin, particularly in the southern forests of Teros Major. It is especially common in the deep, untamed parts of the Drujin Forest, where it can grow unchecked.

Uses

The sap of Xalrith is highly toxic and is often harvested for use in poisons. Skilled alchemists and assassins value Xalrith sap for its potency, using it to coat blades or mix into potions designed to incapacitate or kill. However, harvesting the sap is a dangerous task, as the vine’s thorny surface and aggressive growth make it difficult to approach.
Despite its harmful nature, the vine is sometimes used in defensive landscaping around fortifications or important buildings, where its sharp, entangling vines can deter intruders.