Azeradj Olive Tree

Domesticated olive trees are widespread amid the eastern and western edges of Eluziar, a vital resource to the Turkler, Imaziɣen, Quiris, Italiani and Hellenes peoples. The Azeradj is a subspecies which has adapted to desert biomes. Its generally a wild variant but there are some towns and villages which cultivate these trees. Most Azeradj Olives are interspersed throughout the Shamsi Desert and Arabiyyah. Their closest cousin is the Ahvalik Olive native to Sesli Plato and Hellas. Azeradj grow in craggy desert highlands where it is used as a source of wood by the local Imaziɣen and Arabiyy populations. Unwary travelers may spot the tree and make the mistake of eating its fruit--radioactive to those without elemental protection. For locals, the leaves of the tree are essential in preparing traditional medicines and as fodder for livestock. Some have even used Material Magic and True Magic to better survive the most dangerous regions of the dunes. The most popular is an olive oil which can be spread on the skin to resist radiant damage, harsh sunlight and even deflect sand amid a sandstorm. Producer Deciduous Woody Fruit Vegetable Waxy Thick Bark

Kaithur

First Ability Rithaldis' Aura Those with Rithaldis' Aura are able to summon radiant energy whether this is sunlight, ionizing radiation or solar plasma. This ability also leaves the caster immune to damage from solar energies. Rithaldis' Diet Thanks to Rithaldis' Diet, Azeradj are able to consume or absorb radiant energy as sustenance, to heal or to replenish their magic energy. This includes strong sunlight, solar plasma and ionizing radiation. This ability also leaves them immune to damage from this aspect, absorbing it instead. Second Ability Ilnid's Shield Those with Ilnid's Shield are immune to damage or ill effects from sand, glass or quartz whether magical or naturally occuring. All which falls under Ilnid's element cannot harm them, including sandstorms. Ilnid's Form Azeradj with Ilnid's Form can convert parts of their body into a material falling under Ilnid's influence, usually focused on their seeds and leaves. This can be glass, quartz, silica or any kind of sand, the specific kind differing by individual. Most covert their seeds into quartz or glass to discourage biting or swallowing them.

Anatomy

Original Ancestor Lifespan Expectancy Olea europaea laperrinei Laperrine Olive Tree Perennial 300-600 years Height Leaves Fruit 1.5-3 m 5-10 ft 2.8-7 cm 1-2.7 in 5-8 mm long 4-5 mm diameter Appearance Azeradj olive's trunk is mainly single-stemmed. Under the pressure of grazing, it survives in the form of a bush in desert habitats. Some are able to emit radiant energy, glowing and giving off radiation. It's leaves are ash green with stark white undersides while its flowers are also white. Different grains within its wood are either pale white or glassy.

Habitat

Montane Desert Semi-Desert Coastal Rural Steppe These trees grow in the middle of the Shamsi Desert and in Birit Narim at altitudes between 1400 to 2800 meters (4593-9186 ft), considered a symbol of Shamsi mountain ecosystems. They need hot weather and sunny positions without shade, preferring non-organic soils and flourishing on craggy limestone slopes.

Life Cycle

Angiosperm Asexual Cloning Flowering Monoecious Drupe Azeradj Olive Trees reproduce through clonal growth or by seed. Ordinarily, wild azeradj rarely flowers and bears little fruit but will do so in years with good rainfall. Seeds are dispersed by either gravity or by Qafz Jerboa and Sahra Hare. Unlike its ancestor, Azeradj olives are pearly white and pits are often made of glass or quartz, converting back to organic matter only when they germinate. This defensive mechanism is in place to discourage herbivores from consuming the pits which can be digested otherwise. Most of these trees are wild but they can be cultivated or hybridized with domestic variants. Olives trees are propagated by cuttings and layers but can sometimes be grown from seed--their growth spanning many years. Germination is triggered by soaking the pits in hot water or an alkaline solution. Local tribes know their glassy pits can be consumed after boiling them too. Depiste their slow growth, Azeradj are extremely hardy and resistant to solar magic, sandstorms, fire and disease. It's root system is robust enough to regenerate the tree even if the above ground structure is completely destroyed!

Uses

These trees are a source of wood for local populations, Azeradj timber hard and fire resistant. Its leaves are also a valued resource to feed animals and are used in traditional medicines. There are coastal ports and remote, tribal villages within the intense depths of Shamsi who cultivate these olives as their primary crop. These tribal peoples, usually Imaziɣen, Toubou or Wollof, use Azeradj wood and oil to protect themselves amid the most drastic reaches of the radiant dunes. The oil especially is combined with herbs like Lux Thyme using Material Magic, protecting those who lather it on their skin from intense sunlight, unforgiving radiation and choking sandstorms.