Treefolk

Basic Information

Anatomy

Treefolk are massive, lumbering creatures that look like living trees.  Mature Treefolk are huge, standing close to 12 feet tall. They look like mobile trees, long bark covered bodies striding through the woods, as their crown of leaves reaches to the skies.  They typically have anthropomorphic bodies, but an extra limb here and there is not unheard of.  Treefolk, despite their origins, can resemble nearly any species of tree, and have an amazing diversity among their Heritage.

Genetics and Reproduction

Treefolk in the Lands of Legend come primarily from the mighty Soul Oaks that grow and thrive in the forests of Veltingard. In the spring, a Soul Oak may put forth a single bud that grows and grows into a large fruit. When it drops from the Oak's branch, it strikes the ground and the fleshy fruit cracks open to reveal the infant Treefolk within. Soul Oaks do not produce a Treefolk fruit every year, and only rarely produce more than one fruit at a time.

Growth Rate & Stages

Treefolk are self-sufficient from infancy.  They spend approximately 20 years as a "stripling" or child, growing and learning about the world around them.  At around 20 years of age, a Treefolk matures into an adult, the stage of life a Treefolk will stay in the longest, for nearly 200 years.
As a Treefolk nears their second century, they start to slow down in their movement and thinking.  Some return to their Soul Oaks, and perform a ceremony that causes them to merge into the Soul Oak itself, returning to the life force from whence they had come. Others will find a spot and just stop moving and speaking, becoming an ordinary tree to all outward appearances.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Treefolk do not require food like other creatures, but instead need sunlight and large quantities of water.  Rations for Treefolk are bottles filled with sugar water.  Treefolk can drink alcohol and they react to alcohol similar to other Heritages, although given their size, it takes a lot of alcohol to make them tipsy.  They are partial to rum.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Most Treefolk will take the name of their "parent" Soul Oak as a surname in some form, either simply using the name as the surname or adding to it, i.e. A Treefolk warrior named Telsun from the Storm Soul Oak might call themselves "Telsun Stormstrong" or "Telsun Stormsword," to denote their profession, but could also always use the simple surname "Stormwood" or "Storm."

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Treefolk are solitary creatures, even with other members of their Heritage.  As such, their culture tends to be what they make it, rather than following a set pattern of social rules and cues.  Treefolk are able to recognize others from the same Soul Oak, their "family tree" so to speak, and will treat such others as close family, trusting them completely.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

The birth of a new stripling, especially from the family tree is a cause for celebration. Treefolk, upon hearing that their family's Soul Oak has budded and is growing a great fruit. will often travel to be near the Oak when the fruit drops and the new stripling is "hatched." Music, dancing, and general merriment will often accompany such birthings, although the Treefolk themselves might think that the Elves overdo it. Among certain families of Treefolk, there are friendly competitions over the number of births over the course of time, and often a rival family's Treefolk will receive an invitation to attend the birth, as a form of counting coup.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Treefolk get along well with most other Heritages, but have a special affinity for the Elves. As Elves will often live either in or near the Soul Oaks themselves, it is likely this close proximity explains the close bonds between these two Heritages.

Genetic Descendants

• The Rotted - Treefolk's dark cousins

Lifespan

200 - 250 years

Average Height

11-14 feet