Soul Trees

Born of Tortured Souls

Written by David_Ulph

Some trees are granted the ability to become awakened by the peoples of the forest, whether they be Druids, Sorcerers, experimenting Wizards or unknowing executioners. These Soul Trees, known by the Druidic Freefolk as Treants, quietly but fiercely protecting forests and holy places from anything which might put it at risk, usually woodcutters and hunters. A Soul Tree is often warped by the tortured spirits that led to it's creation, turning Soul Trees into cruel creatures owing no loyalties except to nature itself.

Process of Awakening

There are two known ways to turn any tree into a Soul Tree, one direct and another indirect. The direct way is known by magic-wielders, where a symbol must be carved deep within the base of the chosen tree's trunk at an angle where it can hold liquid like a bowl. Then, you must slaughter sentient creatures next to the symbol, slitting their necks like livestock so that the blood flows out and into the carving. This allows free but forced passage for the spirits or souls of the creature to be transported into the tree. The number of spirits needed to awaken a Soul Tree depends on the size and age of the chosen tree.

It is common for Druid Communities to worship Soul Trees and use the process of awakening to seal away their sins and curses into one vessel.

The indirect way takes a much longer period of time, but creates a much more violent and deranged Soul Tree. There are many cultures on Terralba that execute their criminals by means of hanging. Usually, a tree will be selected for a community's usage for hanging and, over decades the deaths of countless criminals will seep spirits into the hanging tree. This, once again over a long period of time, awakens the tree with the spiteful hate and malevolence of tortured souls.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Upon awakening, Soul Trees will continue to grow in the same way but at a faster rate. Depending on the main type of spirit used to awaken it, the Soul Tree will often grow corresponding appendages. Sometimes, a crude and twisted face will form on the trunk. The fruits that the tree would normally grow, turn poisonous and rot even before ripening. While the fruits will physically harm an individual that eats it, but gift the bearer of the fruits with mental and magical strength.

It is known for those that have been birthed of the darkest of souls to grow sacks of puss along it's trunk. Screaming faces can often be sighted in these sacks. If burst open, corpses of infants spill out with the puss.