Sekwoyoday

Sekwoyoday (Sek for short) are a group of trees known for their magical properties. They are the first species to develop civilisation, art and digital watches (although they can’t actually manufacture them). Used as a way to channel the natural energy, they are frequently found as the wood in Wizard's staffs with their most notable use being the 9 trees that create the tower in the Magick Guild of Birkhindon.

Sek are the most ancient race and when roused they can be the equivalent of 500 men in a fight. They can control the amount of oxygen surrounding them by changing their rate of photosynthesis, stopping fire from being able to harm them, but this slows them down considerably. They also can cause floods by releasing the large amounts of water they hold in their trunk like bodies.

by Sverrir Mirdsson

Their only main danger is falling. They never stop growing and if the ground below them collapses they will fall to the ground and die. Another thing that can cause them to fall is if their roots rot or are eaten away.

Sekwoyoday and the Wizards

As the only species of tree with sentience they are something of a rarity. They appear to be ordinary trees but they have are more like bipedals. This has led to a strange deal with the Wizards. The Wizards help them thrive and grow, protecting them for other races and in exchange the Wizards gained their magical capabilities by being allowed to harvest small amounts of Sekwoyoday wood.

In the Magick Guild of Birkhindon the trees support the actual building. The building starts as a doorway with a spiral staircase leading up to the trap door and the university. The 9 trees (the sacred number amongst the Sek and hence the number of magic) surround the stairway creating a wall up until it reaches the university where they spread out and support the weight of the university.

Fire

As a Sekwoyoday grows it forces minerals that it draws from the ground and are often poisonous into its bark where it can't damage the tree. These minerals tint the bark red but more importantly help the Sekwoyoday to become resistant to fire. Another way Sekwoyoday deal with fire is by controlling the amount of oxygen in the surrounding air. For short amounts of time a Sekwoyoday can force it's photosynthesis to stop and this helps choke the fire. It should be noted however that this can be more damaging than the fire if it is done frequently and for too long a period.

Basic Information

Growth Rate & Stages

Sekwoyoday begin their life as seedlings and go through all the common stages of other trees growth (seed, sapling etc.) They gain sentience as a sapling but seem to be able to choose where they grow even as a seed.

Ecology and Habitats

The best environment is somewhere that occasionally has wildfires but is cold during the winters.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Their main use is for magical races. Aside from the race's own powers the Sekwoyoday is the giver of magic. It enables and enhances a wielder's power and channels the energy with all other life. People assume that they are ordinary trees but people often find themselves having being beaten by the branches if they get too handy with an axe.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Deep forest of Main and North Western D (Ayert)

Average Intelligence

At least equal to that of a Wizard. It is difficult to tell though which are more intelligent.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The five common senses that are well known to the bipedals don't exist for the Sekwoyoday. They are the most ancient race and their closest sense to ours is a form of touch. It matches ours and but damage to their epidermal layer and even dismemberment of limbs seems to affect them less. They are also light sensitive and will move towards the warmer areas. Their method of sight as well is most peculiar. It is not fully understood but it appears to have a group of bipedal-like eyes somewhere along its trunk in an area that seems to be a face.

Civilization and Culture

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Whilst Sekwoyoday themselves don’t traditionally move, younger saplings have been known to offer their wood in exchange for replanting in a newer area or forest. This is where many traditions and rituals are beginning to appear. This includes a form of hand shake where branches diagonally opposite from each other touch and what appears to be a raised eyebrow where a cluster of leaves raise above another.

Common Taboos

One of the main taboos in Sek culture is moving from your sproutplace. Older Sekwoyoday view it as a sacred ground that allowed you to be born by pure chance. When younger Sek move it is both deeply embarrassing to the surrounding elders and also painful to watch one of their own leave.

Common Myths and Legends

Sekwoyoday are worshippers of fire. Their shortened name (Sek) in common tongue means cold fire. Fire is incredibly beneficial to the Sekwoyoday. It clears scrubland and shrubs which otherwise would choke saplings and allow new Sekwoyoday to grow. What is a devastating wildfire to other species is celebrated by the Sekwoyoday as a time of growth and renewal.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Hunted by most bipedals but work with a few races of them to survive and in return they are granted magick. These most prominently are Nomads and Wizards. As part of a Wizard’s education they must fashion themselves a Sekwoyoday Staff until this has been done a Wizard can’t graduate Tovar’s become a fully fledged magick user.

Scientific Name

Sekwoyoday Magickii

Lifespan

900 years

Conservation Status

They are AWOL in Alatar but are common in the rainforest on D and farmed in certain areas of Main

Average Height

70 metres

Average Weight

25 - 35 tonnes

Discovered by

Kozilica