Serpent's Root

The Serpent's root, whilst rare, is one of the most sinister plants known to the people of Aran'sha, a cruel bringer of hope that quickly turns to ashes. It stands alone at the edge of the desert, looking like a sickly and weak tree with a few shriveled fruits surrounded by a few beckoning pools of water. But this is all a clever ruse, designed to lure in unsuspecting victims.  

Appearance and Habitat

  This gnarled tree rises about five meters high, with a thick and sturdy trunk that has a faded brown or yellowish hue. The trunk is wrapped with rough and flaky bark that sheds off in large chunks and patches, revealing the dry and brittle wood underneath. The wood is riddled with cracks and splinters, and it echoes with a hollow sound when tapped. Only a handful of branches jut out from the top of the trunk like clawing hands grasping for the heavens. No green adorns this tree, no sign that it is anything like another plant that struggles to survive in the scorching sun- except for some tiny, crimson, and shriveled fruits that dangle from it.   But this is not where the real danger lies - or even the real plant. The trunk is actually just another part of the illusion. Its main body lies hidden beneath the surface - a spreading web of roots that branches out from the base of the trunk and burrows into the soft desert ground. The roots create numerous holes of varying sizes and shapes, and fill them with a clear and enticing water that shimmers in the scorching sun.
  These holes are actually snares, and the "water" is an extremely sticky and corrosive liquid that burns the flesh. The plant waits patiently for its prey and once an animal (or unfortunate human) tries to drink from the holes it will find themselves ensnared. As if this was not bad enough, the resulting struggle will awaken the tree itself. Small, snakelike roots arise from the ground, wrapping themselves tightly around everything they can catch on. They drag the struggling creature into the pool, a relentless force that few can break free of. Once in the caustic pool, the victim is then slowly digested and flesh, blood, and bones dissolved, leaving only inorganic materials behind. For some who follow these unfortunate souls, this might be a saving grace - the plant can digest almost everything organic, but coins, jewelry, and weapons are outside its capabilities. More than one astute wanderer stared into the cool waters, saw a glint and stepped away from his doom.    

Importance to the people

  The small, crimson fruits of the tree are edible, but their taste leaves much to be desired. Additionally, there is a weird and fleshy texture to them that most people find deeply unpleasant. The taste is a sweet-sourly mix that appeals to some - if they can stomach the texture. Fermented and distilled, the fruit is used by some tribes as the base of a drink called "Dhar'sa" - which could be roughly translated to "Corpse Waker" - and it pretty much tastes like it sounds.   As for alchemic uses, there is a multitude of these - the digestive fluid can be filtered and the corrosive fluid is used for alchemic bases in potions and elixirs. If used on stone or metal, the undiluted sap is a strong and potent adhesive, however, one would be wise not to touch it while its still wet. Once started, the fluids are relentlessly going to dissolve everything they touch.   Many a story has been told about the serpent's trees. Some say they are ordinary trees possessed by the desert’s victims, lashing out at any living thing that comes near. Others claim they are living creatures that roam the sands in search of prey or demons from beyond. For now, their origins remain shrouded in mystery.