Hero's Ebony

Plant Type

Deciduous Tree

Rarity

Legendary

Description

Among common folk where it is better named as the Hero's Grave, the Hero's Ebony is a tree passed down from the beholders of many great wars. Said to shine like a sunset, the bronze-colored "blades" of the tree's canopy are said to attract the eyes of even the most cruel of spirits. The leaves of this tree hold an array of bronze to gold-colored leaves, which hold an unnatural hardness that could be described as metal, or stone-like. Often when the wind blows near these trees the leaves are said to act like a wind chime, creating an orchestra of sound. Holding onto these blades the bark of these trees contains an unnatural affinity of purity, being a darkened silver in color, smooth and flowing as if made from one piece of the holy metal, in between small gaps of the tree's "Armor" would show the dark core of blackened wood beneath. Due to the appearance of the Ebony, it has long been an outstanding sight for the heroes of the people to be laid to rest, thus Gaining its name.

Those who have harvested the darkened wood before know it to be strange in nature. The Ebony holds the ability to bend far beyond that of normal means in tension, this makes it ideal for situations in which it would be under high levels of stress without breaking. Even being bent back almost 90 degrees, the ebony will return to its normal shape without breaking, retaining its strength. This however does not mean it cannot break, where in situations of different temperatures or involvement of magics will cause the wood to splinter violently doing only harm to those around it as it is broken free.

Location

Hero's Ebony do not often grow near other trees, sprouting their roots in clearings or alcoves. Often times they are found in area's where great battles were once fought, seeming to prefer the temperate climates, avoiding dryer or colder regions. Legend states that the tree was first discovered to be the resting place of a mighty warrior king, who had led his people to victory over centuries of war. In his resting place was the bells of the Ebony, allowing those who passed by to know where he had taken his final battle, and thus where he fell.

Development

The tree is said to sprout from a rare forming fruit, stated to be able to almost completely re-vigor a man who had gone through battle, helping restore the energy lost, or turned into a wine fermented which will keep a man drunk for a day to forget the whims of War. From these fruits, at certain times of the year, a seed pod will release sharp-pointed seeds into the earth to allow a new sapling to form. For a few months after dropping these seeds, the sharp pointed pods will remain hard, almost caltrop-like in nature until softening as they prepare to grow a new seed. During the winter months, the Ebony will spread short roots downward into the soil, before rising the very next spring. These trees are very slow growing due to their incredibly hard structure, reaching full maturity after [6 OOC months] and only fruiting once reaching full maturity, and every [6 OOC months] afterward. These trees often face great difficulty in the winter, their outside silvery shell cracking if the air grows too cold, exposing, and potentially endangering the wood beneath if not allowed to regrow.

Material Properties

• A flexible hardwood that is often the true reason it is called Hero's Ebony, this wood carries a special property. If the item or wood itself were to be broken by any means, whether violent, natural, or otherwise, the wood, once every OOC week will take the blow and stay standing, preventing its destruction. This applies to any type of ability, except for Void. Any kinetic force still transfers through, however.
• The bark of the Hero's Ebony can be used as a powerful addition to shields or armor. The bark naturally forms strange, elastic-like fibers that not only naturally augment the durability of whatever it is used in, but it is capable of transferring back 50% of the kinetic force slammed into it back to whatever hit it on contact. This can only be used on things such as shields.
• These leaves can be used as arrowheads or spear tips if properly handled, and while balanced and extremely sharp and lethal for unarmored targets, it is very poor against armor with its copper-like durability. Alternatively, if one crumbles the leaves and soaks them in water for [1 OOC week], they become soft and delicate and be used in an alchemical solution with the effect to wake anyone from any type of slumber. Be it Shamanistic, Magical, Divine, or otherwise. Upon drinking it, they will awaken rapidly, however, this is not a device for revivals. Dead people are still dead and will not wake up.
• A spear tip-shaped fruit known as Ebonine is an extremely popular, and exceedingly rare fruit that can be eaten raw to restore an exhausted person to full vigor as if they had just woken up from a good night's rest without side effects. It can also be used to create an extremely powerful but subtle alcohol if fermented and is often regarded as both better and stronger than even the hardiest Dwarven brew.

Alchemical Properties

• None

The Realm of Ephimoria • Beyond the Fracture