klaaetael journey tree

The Journey Tree

Ancient agrokinetically-crafted vines found only on Janikk, the klaaetael journey trees were carefully bred and genetically altered for use in the Tsekeht Leadership Trials. The plant itself is infused heavily with the long-forgotten Divination spell necessary to experience the Trials. The vine only flowers and fruits when magically forced to do so, and those who eat the fruits are led on a spiritual journey of unparalleled self-discovery. It is considered a sacred plant of the Ecknaab.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Klaaetael Vines by TJ Trewin

Contrary to its name, the klaaetael journey tree is actually a tough vining plant, most comfortable growing underground as a result of the agrokinetic alterations used in its construction. Bred to thrive in the mineral-rich caves of Janikk, the plant conserves energy by only flowering and bearing fruit when directed to do so via Agrokinesis as part of the Tsekeht Leadership Trials. The entire process requires mere minutes from flower to ripened fruit, due to the use of magic.
Traditionally, the klaaetael was grown on petrified trees deep underground within the Tsekeht caves by the ancient former inhabitants of Janikk. The exact nature of this process is long lost to time, but is believed to have also altered the very flow of Nature Magic on the planet.

Flowers

Klaaetael Flowers by TJ Trewin

The plant blooms two sets of flowers. The first, bearing lacey pink petals, occurs throughout the vine, the petals and pollen drifting to the ground not long after blooming. Inhaling the pollen is actually the first step in the Divination spell contained in the plant, although participants must eat the fruit of the tree before they begin to experience noticeable effects.
The second flowering stage occurs along the main trunk of the vine, where small red flower clusters group together, one clump for each fruit. As a direct result of the spell directing it to bloom, the vine will grow only as many fruits as needed, one for each candidate of the Trials.

Fruit

Klaaetael Fruit by TJ Trewin

The fruit itself displays a bumpy, deep red skin with stringy white flesh beneath.
The fruit is a type of "multi-fruit," where the fruiting body - in this case a single, large berry fruit - is formed from a clump of flowers. The flesh is dry, with a noticeable absence of juice once the skin is split.
Because of the Divination magic woven into the very nature of the plant, the fruit's taste depends heavily on the state of mind of the one who consumes it. Most undertaking the Tsekeht have reported varying degrees of bitterness.

Genetics and Reproduction

The vine was created artificially with Agrokinesis and Divination, combining an assortment of favorable traits from plants across Janikk, plus direct genetic manipulation. There are fifteen klaaetael vines in existence, each grown underground within one of the Tsekeht caves scattered across the planet, all genetically identical and lovingly grown from clippings of the first vine.
It cannot reproduce naturally. The plant does not flower or fruit on its own, one of many intentional modifications made to help it conserve energy underground. The seeds, when it does fruit, are miniscule and sterile.

Klaaetael Journey Tree by TJ Trewin

Origin/Ancestry

Agrokinetically Engineered

Geographic Distribution

• Tsekeht caves

Further Reading