Tangleroot Tree

The tangleroot tree is a carnivorous tree native to the Heart of Etharai. It grows from the cracks in the stone close to the planet's core, its meandering roots crossing over and between one another - the source of the species' name. These roots wriggle against one another, spreading out and compressing, catching the unattentive standing nearby in its grasp; this is one of the tree's two methods of obtaining nutrients.

Geographic Distribution

• The Heart of Etharai
• Wandering Tunnels

Anatomy

The majority of the tangleroot tree grows within the walls of the caverns surrounding the Heart. The only part of the plant that can be naturally observed within the caverns are its roots, which are long, grey, and often incrdibly tangled - and sometimes very difficult to distinguish from the cave walls themselves. They have some control of movement in these roots, which are constantly stretching and reaching outwards before pulling back in. At the tips of these roots are organs that the tree uses to collect food, as well as ones that release its spores.

Dietary Needs & Habits

Tangleroot trees have two forms of obtaining nutrients. They are amythomites that feed off of the powerful Auras of the heart, classifying them as Auravores. In addition, they entangle unsuspecting prey in their roots to feed off of, constricting and then digesting them. They release spores into the areas nearby from the tips of their roots, which causes a confusing and dizzying sensation to those who inhale the spores, making them less likely to notice the tree's roots. These spores also serve a secondary purpose as the tree's reproductive system.

Growth & Reproduction

Tangleroot trees reproduce via spores that are released from their roots. These spores make their way into the cracks of the cave walls, where they then use the magic surrounding them to grow. They are considered mature when their roots break through the cave walls, and do not grow much more beyond that. They can theoretically live forever.

Uses

The spores of tangleroot trees are known to be fairly mild hallucinogenics. They can be carefully harvested while wearing respirators. Once this has been done, they can be used to make a drug known as root's essence. It has a similar affect to the raw spores, but in a much more controlled dosage, and is much safer when consumed in a controlled environment.

Environmental Impact

When a tangleroot tree grows within a cavern wall, it displaces the rock and stone around it. This usually only results in strange rock formations, but can have more disastrous consequences if growing in more structurally important locations. Growth of tangleroot trees has been known to cause many cave-ins, rockslides, and collapses. Removal of budding trees is sometimes vital.

Cultural Significance

Tangleroot trees hold some significance to the Keepers living in the heart. Specifically, they are seen by the Keepers as a symbol of something vital, and yet unwanted. They represent some of the core truths of the world to them, in that sometimes the things that are needed the most are wanted the least, and that in order to truly emmbrace change one must want the unwantable. This is a large part of the reason Keepers appear to others as warped and grey, as in order to join them, one must want to become one of them - thus accepting the unacceptable.