Treefolk

Treefolk (sometimes referred to as Tree Ents), are sentient plant creatures who can come from many possible sources, such as: being awakened by magic, via a cursed transformation, grown from spellwarped seeds, or the seeds of other treefolk.

As their name implies, Treefolk resemble walking trees. Their torso resembles a tree trunk, stumpy legs and root-like appendages for toes; long boughs for arms and long branch-like fingers, a torso resembling a treetrunk, very little neck, and a face framed by thin, leaf-filled branches instead of hair. Each Treefolk's leaves and bark strongly resembles a specific kind of tree, such as birch, elm, oak, pine, etc. Treefolk breathe and can eat or drink, though most treefolk absorb nutrients by taking root at night. Depending on the type of tree they resemble, the leaves that make up their hair may change color or even fall off with the changing of the seasons. Treefolk are medium creatures, but grow to be nearly ten feet tall. They usually do not wear clothing, but can fashion belts and such to hold their possessions. Non-treefolk usually cannot tell male treefolk from females. Treefolk worship Sylvanus, their "father".

Ponderous and slow-moving, treefolk tend to think before they speak, and speak before they act. Treefolk come in all varieties of temperament and alignment, often depending upon their proximity to other intelligent creatures, and whether those experiences have been positive or negative. Treefolk are solitary creatures, only gathering in small groups when the need arises, or during meeting of The Council of Trees. Most treefolk claim their own territory much like an animal, which may be any size up to several square miles of forest. A treefolk will aggressively defend the trees within their territory if it is threatened by invaders.

Most days for a treefolk begin and end in the forest. After sunrise, the treefolk will uproot themselves and search for a spot where they can absorb the most light possible. Part of their day will be spent wandering through their wooded territory, keeping track of all the trees in their care. Occasionally they will cooperate with druids or rangers, even asking them for aid if the threat to their lands is greater than they can handle alone. At dusk, treefolk will find a patch of rich, moist soil and root down into it for the night, absorbing nourishing nutrients and water until sunrise the next day.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Treefolk cannot wear armor, but their bark-like skin provides them with some natural protection. Treefolk do not sleep, but they must put down roots each night and enter a semi-conscious dormant state similar to an elf's trance for at least 6 hours. Treefolk can take root in sand, dirt, mud, loose gravel or similar material; but not worked stone or bare rock. Treefolk are also immune to sleep effects.

Growth Rate & Stages

Most treefolk reach maturity between 15 and 30 years. Treefolk often live for well over 300 years, the oldest living to be nearly 900.

Ecology and Habitats

Whether living in snow-capped mountainous timberlines, swampy bogs, high desert forests, rainforests, jungles, or any other forest type, Treefolk are most comfortable among trees of their own kind.

Dietary Needs and Habits

At dusk, treefolk will find a patch of rich, moist soil and root down into it for the night, absorbing nourishing nutrients and water until sunrise the next day.

Behaviour

A treefolk spotted outside of their forest usually has undergone some manner of tragedy: a forest fire, deforestation by other races, or even occasionally defeat at the hands of a more powerful treefolk who seizes the defeated treefolk's territory as spoils of victory. A treefolk without a forest to tend to may travel far until they find another patch of woods that suits their liking. If their woods were destroyed by other creatures, a wrathful treefolk will journey as far as it takes in order to exact revenge.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Treefolk are solitary creatures, only gathering in small groups when the need arises. Most treefolk claim their own territory much like an animal, which may be any size up to several square miles of forest. A treefolk will aggressively defend the trees within their territory if it is threatened by invaders. They have vast networks of relatives amongst other forests patches that they commune with every hundred or so years.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Any Old Growth forests or Ancient Forests of Astara.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Treefolk created through magic are named either by their creators or name themselves. Treefolk created by other treefolk take names given by their parents. Most Treefolk have only one name. The names are usually nature-related, and sometimes physically descriptive.

Male Names: Treebeard, Stumpy, Roots, Gnarl, Broadtrunk
Female Names: Longbough, Frondwhisper, Brightberry, Silverleaf

Major Organizations

Treefolk almost exclusively belong to no organization or faction, other than The Council of Trees.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Treefolk can usually speak Sylvan and Common. Treefolk can also communicate with any tree of their own type as though using a Speak With Plants spell.

History

The Treefolk / Tree Ents of Astara

The Great Calamity / The Heliocide had a profound affect on all races inhabiting Astara, fundamentally changing the way many cultures survived. The majority populous of many races were wiped out entirely, and those that survived were left in utter desolation. The years following the Calamity consisted of mass migrations of displaced cultures, forced to move somewhere safe or intact to start anew. During this time, alliances were forged and broken, ancient treaties abandoned, and a lawless chaos ensued. Most were desperate, and resorted to whatever measures necessary to survive. This greatly impacted the behavior of not only individuals, but cultures as a whole, as seen with the re-emergence of unsavory practices like cults, slavery and cannibalism. As such many races had evolved throughout the calamity, some only vaguely resembling their former selves. See below for some important distinctions of this race:

Treefolk are considered shepherds of the forest, therefore, when the great calamity struck Astara and many of their beloved forests burned to ashes - so too did the treefolk residing there, unwillingly to leave their forests. Some fought back angrily against the disaster, hurling stones into the sky, though it was futile. It is estimated that Astara lost more than 60% of its Old Growth / Ancient forests due to the fallout of the Calamity, and presumably, the same percentage of the Treefolk population.

Lifespan

600-900 years

Average Height

7-12ft

Average Weight

150-600 lbs (varies)

Related Organizations

• The Council of Trees