Gaþól Trees

Gaþól Trees¹ are fruit trees that grow wild in southern Ela'k Forest and eastern Jarrak Forest in western Dragonía, though they are also cultivated by Útels, natives of Ela'k Forest, mostly near major towns and cities.

Cultural significance

The Alalaríans, ancestors of the útels, sometimes offered gaþól flowers to their ancestors and nature spirits, a custom which has fallen into obscurity among most útels. The villagers of Ankúnaron in southwestern Kaiqonon are about the only ones who still offer these flowers to their ancestors instead of the usual aned'ber flowers.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The trees are deciduous, bearing white and pale blue flowers in spring and gaþól fruits² during autumn. The fruit is dark blue with reddish pink flesh, cultivated varieties generally resemble apples while wild ones tend to be a bit more elongated, similar to those growing on Vipló Trees.
The fruit tastes similar to a water melon.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The gaþól fruit is mostly used in medicine, especially against scurvy and foul breath, by mixing the juice or pulp with other ingredients and making them more palatable in the process. Fresh fruit is preferred whenever possible, otherwise it's stored in vinegar which only slightly lessens the effects.
As food, its commonly eaten raw or added into certain dishes, especially pork-based ones or desserts. Oil made from the seeds are used in certain regional cuisines, particularly in southern Malónat.
The gaþól flowers are sometimes dried and crushed into a powder used for curing stomach aches.

Average Intelligence

About as smart as apricot trees.

---

¹Original icelandic: gaþóltré
²Icelandic: gaþólaldin

Gaþól fruit and flower by Lappalingur

Origin/Ancestry

Southern Ela'k Forest and eastern Jarrak Forest

Lifespan

Less than a century.