Trefolc Species in Xardia | World Anvil
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Trefolc

Tell me, Magnus. Why do you think humanity has such an instinctual fear of the deep forest? Do you think it to be a simple fear of the dark, or fear of the Pixies? Of course not. It is because we fear the wrath of nature's prized guardians--Trefolc are not to be underestimated. But fear not, don't harm the ecosystem they defend, and they'll leave you alone.
Merlin, Archwizard of Camelot
  Trefolc are a unique species of creatures that defy all normal logic, holding little to no connection to actual evolution or natural biology. They are creatures made up entirely of various forms of plantlife meshed together. Some appear to be a single large tree that has morphed into a shape of a humanoid or other animal, others appear rooted to the ground and dominate the plantlife around them instead. The variety is widespread, and so most have begun naming the Trefolk based not on their appearance, but on their habits and materials.   All Trefolc are spirits that Nature itself has taken an interest in, and offered its hand to them after death. Providing them with new bodies crafted from nature itself and allowing them to possess plant life as if it were their own flesh. These spirits are then charged with protecting various locations across the world based on their power and personality. Due to this, Trefolc are nearly impossible to "kill". But they can be destroyed or driven back through pain. Usually threat of more damage to their domain is even more effective than directly harming the Trefolc's body.   The most learned of scholars will know that a Trefolc's life force is granted to it through Nature, specifically through the land that it is charged with protecting. Should that land be destroyed, Nature will view this as failing its oath. As such it will lose its blessing and become nothing but a normal spirit once more. As such even when enraged, Trefolc can often be talked down if there is a threat overhanging the land it is guarding. The individual personality of a Trefolc varies entirely from one to the next, and as such, there is no predicting if diplomacy without this threat will be viable from one Trefolc to the next. If there is no other option then the use of electricity and cold is recommended against Trefolc, as flame against living plants is ineffecient.   On average Trefolc will not harm those that enter their domain unless they show themselves as a threat against the balance of nature. For instance, hunting for a meal while within the forest is seen as natural. But hunting dozens of beasts at once from a small forest could lead to a complete shift in the natural order, and is therefore viewed far more aggressively. Just as chopping down a single tree would be forgiven, but a sudden swath being cut through the forest would enrage a Trefolc without a doubt.   Trefolc can even be communicated with, and will often enjoy news and information from the outside world. This is due to their previous lives influencing their current duties as spirits of Nature. It's not uncommon to hear tales of wanderers that spent a few days admiring a forest, or speaking to the trees fondly only to be protected as long as they traveled its lands. This joy in finding those that respect them, and their forest enough to talk to them is a core aspect of most Trefolc's personalities.   Trefolc enjoy wandering through their lands, and simply talking with their plants. Speaking in the slow language of Draesil to the various plant life around them. Passing their days peacefully while tending to their lands to the best of their ability.  

Ent

Whenever you see a Trefolk that has been grown from wood and trees, we call them an 'Ent'. Named such due to the first sightings being monstrous trees, they were mistaken for Giant-kin, you see. We thought they were a new sub-species. Foolish in hindsight, but the name has stuck.
— Atennus Tresmenne in "Species Known and Unknown"
  'Ent' is the term used to describe any Trefolc that has possessed a singular tree of any size or sort, even some large bushes at times. But the requirement of the term is their base form being made of solid wood. Beyond this, the specifications begin to grow incredibly vague. Often they will be found guarding dense forests or jungles, protecting their lands.   It's not unusual at all for an Ent to be the size of a small sapling or great oak. There is little defining this aside from simple individual preferences. Depending on the species of tree that they overtake, an Ent could be incredibly strong or focused on agility to traverse through the forest itself. It isn't unusual at all for an Ent to call upon the trees surrounding it to attack their enemies or to open up and help guide kind travelers through the forest as quickly as possible.
  There have even been cases of Ent's being possessed Gleam-Fruit Tree's and making contact with the Dila'Mori to act as scouts along the rivers. With this immense variation its difficult to know the best methods of dealing with them, but due to their basis a creatures of wood, the usage of heavy chopping or crushing weapons are usually prefered. Even more prefered than that is offering the Ent nuts or fruits from trees of other lands as peace offerings. This will often placate an Ent, and may even earn its favor.  

Nymph

If an Ent is the spirit of a direct, firm person that would rather strike you to settle an argument; then a Nymph is a crafty witch of the wilds. Offering her friends great gifts, food, knowledge, information, and protection. Yet, should they be betrayed they will quietly roll over. Then, five years down the line, you will sit within the center of your house burned to the ground next to the bodies of your family, wondering 'how'? Patient. Cunning, Ruthless. Powerful allies, or terrifying enemies. That is a Nymph.
— Magnus Everlight, Grand Scholar of Conlis
  When a spirit takes over a plant of some sort that isn't a tree, they are referred to as a 'Nymph'. They often will take over large briar patches, flower fields, abandoned gardens, vines, and similar plant life. In doing so they are far less battle-ready than the powerful Ents or crafty, yet deadly Swamm. Nymphs tend to prefer keeping to themselves and offering peace instead of battle. They are the most likely to take on physical forms that are viewed as "attractive" and "humanoid" as they can be with their plant-based forms.
  Often preferring to communicate with travelers, feed them, share blessings, and let it be known they would rather make love than war. It's not unusual at all for a small village to worship a Nymph, offering the forest protection from outsiders in return for the spirit helping to feed the village through harsh winters and the like. This said, it isn't as though a Nymph is to be underestimated, as even if they don't enjoy direct conflict they are still Trefolc. Their duty to protect their lands, and perhaps even more so, their friends--is a deadly thing to toy with.   Nymphs are often unafraid to abuse toxic plants, briars, pitfalls, and calling upon their many allies, often Pixies to defend their homes. Hallucinogenic gasses, toxic flowers that cause the body to shut down, nightmare-inducing scents, briars, and animal life hunting you at every turn. All the while briars, and vines attacking and hindering you at every step while insects try to invade your orifices and shred through your flesh. This is the wrath of a Nymph, and due to that many prefer the idea of fighting the Ents by comparison.  

Swamm

Ent are forward and powerful. Nymph are kind yet ruthless. But the Swamm are simple spirits, they simply wish to be left alone. Crafted from hermits that wish to only be stagnant, calm, unmoving. Focused on their roles as guardians they don't usually bother the few that come through their moldy tunnels, dark caves or swamps. But, for the few that do manage to anger a Swamm, they should be prepared to suffer a quick, but agonizing death.
— Atennus Tresmenne in "Species Known and Unknown"
  Swamm are small and fragile compared to other Trefolc. Being made from various types of condensed fungus and mold. This makes their physical states incredibly fragile, but in return, they tend to be perfectly camouflaged for their territories. Worse are the deadly toxins that pump through their bodies, and the sick, twisted fungal spores that they manipulate and control at will. Swamm will often completely ignore intruders into their land unless they begin causing damage the environment itself cannot handle.   This is due to how deadly their territories tend to be, with vetid swamps, dark spirits from those that died vainly within the brackish water full of giant reptiles, undead, rot, decay, poisons, and disease. But in the rare instances that these creatures must bring forth their own powers, Swamm will aim to kill their targets as quickly and painfully as possible for interrupting them. They will cover them in fungus that causes necrosis and take root in their flesh, their eyes, and mouth. Paralyze them so they drown in the bogs or numerous other dark tactics.   It's not unheard of at all for someone to manage to barely survive an encounter with a Swamm, before dying not long after exiting the swamp due to the fungus growing inside their stomach and intestines. Leading to the body turning to fertilizer, and spreading those same spores even further, now outside the swamp leading to the deaths of hundreds more.  

Alchemical Reagents

As always with many supernatural creatures, reagents gathered from the bodies of and lands guarded by Trefolc tend to hold powerful Alchemical effects. This is primarily based on whatever the materials were before the spirit inhabited them causing the mutations and sudden influx of energy into them. But commonly sought after reagents are the sap or bark of an Ent which tends to provide enhanced strength and endurance effects. They are also key components to the popular, if rare, "Barkskin Potion".   Nymphs are often sought after for their nectar stemming from the flowers that bloom from their bodies, as well as ground briars and the like. Depending on the species of flower or plant the Nymph is made up of, they can be used for powerful effects to heal and restore energy. Should they take up the bodies of poisonous flowers and plants this can change completely instead to toxins of various effects instead.   Finally, Swamm, due to their rarity are a sub-species that are the least well known. However, the fungus and mushroom that can grow from their bodies and makes up their material is well known for generally becoming the most potent toxins in the world. Causing necrosis, and worse, spreading the spores of the fungus that made up the original Swamm that it came from. Many a story stem from a greedy alchemist that's experiment went wrong, leading to a fungal pandemic dooming a town to a terrible, slow death.   Lands protected by a Trefolc are also commonly mystically enhanced, such as turning jungles and forests to Ironwood, or even causing direct evolutions such as creating Gleam-Fruit Tree's or other variations.

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Cover image: Dark Forest by VityaR83

Comments

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Mar 24, 2021 20:56 by Luca Poddighe

Loved it! Especially the swamm, which appear grim enough even if inconspicuous. I believe that in the last paragraph it is supposed to be reagents, instead of regents.

Mar 27, 2021 17:15 by EMBlevins

Right you are, my over-reliance on grammary has reared its head. Shows I need to hurry up and do the final proof-reading of it. Thank you very much! Glad you liked the little mold critters!

Mar 24, 2021 21:31

Nice article! I like how you made different kinds of Trefolc and that each one had a different sort of personality. I think the first section of text could be split up a bit because it's quite long though. In some places there are still some weird sentences perhaps that need a bit of rework. Other than that great work!

Feel free to check my new world Terra Occidentalis if you want to see what I am up to!
Mar 27, 2021 17:16 by EMBlevins

Indeed, it hasn't had its final proof-reading just yet. Certainly on the to-do list to neaten up some sentences and structure. Thank you very much!

Mar 26, 2021 18:27 by Corvo Branco

Something in this article (perhaps the mention to "evolution" combined whit the idea of "protect nature") reminded me a old friend of mine, Geologist, who liked to say very emphatically that "humans are agents of nature". Nothing in what we do is different from what volcanoes and threes do, rivers, winds, farms and hydroelectric power-plants: is all nature.   We don't change things faster or more drastically than volcanoes or asteroids do. And there was several major extinctions on Earth before we evolve as specie. So I think that old man had some reason in his argument.   On the other hand I do understand the appeal of play with a certain notion of a spirit of Cosmos, a personification of nature as order and continuity of status quo on the wild lands. It is almost a necessity if we want to tell cautionary tales with focus on human greed.   Folklore here in Brazil talks about "Curupira". A small boy or men whit fire instead of hair, and the feet inverted (toes to the back of the body) who rides a wild animal and makes hunters lose themselves and walk until they die without find their way out the forest. Some gifts could prevent that, in some versions. But the idea that Curupira is actually protecting the nature and not taking bribes seems to became more popular as ecology gains publicity.

Mar 27, 2021 17:21 by EMBlevins

Amusingly in my world the personification of "Nature" is less a diety as much as it is the manifestation of all of nature, including the sapient species. It's quite simply a representation of all life on the planet. Similarly the "Celestial" and "Daemon" of my world are creatures that have formed purely due to living creatures sapience creating constructs such as order, law, desire, freedom, morals, etc.   So in a way the connection to your Geologist friend is accurate for my world. Nature is a being that is simply life, all life, and has no favorites to play. Simply focuses on maintaining a balance between the various species. It represents fire and destruction as well as storms and water. Just as much as it is connected to humanoid life as well.   Thanks for the fun story, and the nod to the Curupira as well! Always interested to learn other cultures folklore since my world pulls from a multitude of cultures to combine them into a common "root".

Apr 7, 2021 06:59 by Kaleidechse

I love the different sub-species and their specializations! The Swamm are especially interesting - creatures like Ents or Nymphs are easier to find in fiction than fungus-based ones. I wouldn't want to get on any Trefolc's bad side - you made the dangers very clear. Still, I suspect a lot of poor fools lose their lives trying to harvest alchemical reagents. Great work overall!


Creator of the Kaleidoscope System and the planet Miragia.
Apr 7, 2021 14:30 by EMBlevins

Thank you very much! It's definitely a fine balance. I'm glad you like the Swamm, they're easily my favorite for encounters as well!

Apr 11, 2021 01:14 by Michael Chandra

I am vindictive enough that I would gladly aid a Nymph and make business deals with one. Loving it!


Too low they build who build beneath the stars - Edward Young
Apr 13, 2021 18:59 by EMBlevins

Glad you like them so much! Dryads are one of my favorites to use in my books honestly. Ent are fun but are so straightforward that they're more 'immediate threats' for the party I'm DMing, or a threat for the group in my book. But Dryads and Swamm are far more deadly, and far more difficult to predict or read. They're great fun to use as monsters!

Apr 12, 2021 13:17 by TC

Damn, awesome work! I really love the art you selected, its so eery, just chefs kiss. This is a really dope article, I love every single aspect of it! Nymphs especially sound like they would make for amazing npc's, though I have no idea how I would go around rp one.

Creator of Arda Almayed
Apr 13, 2021 19:03 by EMBlevins

Nymphs and Swamm are easily my favorite monsters to use from the Trefolc as a whole! If a part encounters an Ent they know "hey we can give this guy some rare berries, nuts, or just be polite and we should be ok". But with a Nymph they have no idea what could happen, especially if they've already had some transgressions.   Or, like my last party, they attacked the town the Nymph was protecting that were effectively cultists worshipping said Nymph. That was fun. Having the entire forest come alive around them for the next fifty miles was great. Awakened plants aren't scary. Until you can't even take a short rest for the entire session nor perform any spells that aren't instant. The entire session was tense and two of the players nearly died from accumulated 1d4 to 1d6 damage from various briars and animals attacking out of nowhere as they ran for their lives.   Death from a million cuts. Or uh. Branches, in this case?

Apr 13, 2021 15:13 by Amélie I. S. Debruyne

Great article! Those are some interesting "plants" :D The Swamm is the most creepy but all three of them sounds and looks dangerous! And you have pretty illustrations to go with it :D (small note, you currently don't have author credits for the ent).   I like the idea of people making deals with the nymph to help with their revenge, or the swam leading to the death of big group of people because some imbecile was being rude :D The ent really seems to be the easiest one to deal with in the end.   Can they leave the confine of their forest/swamp/meadow or are they limited to stay there for their whole life?   Can you go to one of them and ask for bark/nectar etc? If you're very polite and make an offering are they likely to accept?   I sit something common to make a small offering to them before traveling through their domains? Or is there some people who just can't be bothered or are even against the idea/don't want to recognise their authority?

Apr 13, 2021 19:10 by EMBlevins

I can't find credit for the picture, unfortunately. Been keeping an eye out, trying to locate the artist. Happy to take it down and replace it if it comes down to it, though.   The Swamm are the most fun to roleplay imo. Nymphs are the most complex, but the complexity can also be incredibly enjoyable. But with Swamm you're just a grumpy hermit that's incredibly deadly. It's fun to freak out your players when it enters the area and trees start to rot and fall around them, bodies start decomposing and growing fungus, moss spreads across the ground, etc. Great for spooky games, which all of mine usually are!   They cannot leave their lands they've been placed in charge of, doing so will slowly kill their new "bodies" and piss off Nature, whom may revoke their status as guardians.   You can most assuredly ask for trade or bring offerings to make your way through in peace! The trick is knowing when a land is actually guarded by a Trefolc, and if you're going to be doing anything that may anger them. Generally, you'll never even see one unless you're lucky, or you're hurting the enviorment to the point it gets their attention.   But, alot of seasoned monster hunters, explorers, etc will carry around various offerings and keep a few stories in mind to placate an angry Trefolc. The main character of my book tends to do so due to several dealings with angry nature spirits in his past.   Also, you're correct about the Ent. They're usually the simplest to deal with! Though, if you anger one its going to be the roughest fight out of the group most likely due to their raw power.

Apr 13, 2021 23:33 by EMBlevins

Credits for the Ent art located, just as a random heads up and thank you for reminding me!

Apr 13, 2021 21:53 by Gege Escriva

Hi!! Finally I could get back to comment on here! At first, this is one of the most original entries I've seen, if not the most. I've seen some other articles about plants that blurry the limits between biological kingdoms due their traits shared with animals or fungi, which is a very interesting concept. But this is the first time I see someone doing it with a magical creature like a spirit!   The information is pretty interesting and complete, i like that you described with many details the different "subespecies"/kinds of Trelefoc. Plus, I like a lot the aesthetic of the world (formatting, color scheme...) The quotes are brilliant and provide a big immersion into the world where this creature can be found.

[...]don't harm the ecosystem they defend, and they'll leave you alone."
I liked especially this part. It is basically the forces of nature in a nutshell. Is a very important teaching that should be listened by humans. If we had understood this earlier, for sure we wouldn't be into the current mess we are facing. Surely many troubles wouldn't happen if our forests had guardians like Trelefoc.   I loved the art! The appearance that Trelefoc can take remind me of the tree folks from the movie Maleficent, even the concept of this species reminded me a bit of them. Congratulations, you did a wonderful job!!♡♡

Explore the Kingdom of Moskova with me! Wonders and darkness await for you. Are you ready for the adventure?   Are you undecided about where to go on your vacation trip? Why don't you try to discover Ulan River with me?    
Apr 13, 2021 23:35 by EMBlevins

Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed the article so thoroughly! Alot of my world is balanced on the idea that the world itself fights back when aspects of it are attacked in any way. Glad that resonated with you so much!