Ishud Tree

The Ishud tree, which means "hook tree" in Tanese, is a tall, prickly tree that grows along the southwest coast of Kaabara.
These trees are sacred to the Tanishites and cutting one down within the kingdom is a capital offence. The reason for their significance is the mind-altering effects Ishud pods have on those with the gift of foresight. The outer shell of a pod can be used to make tea, the seeds can be eaten raw, or they can be crushed into a powder and mixed with honey to form balls that are burned as incense. Consuming them in any of these forms boosts the divination abilities of people with the innate gift. Some with a particularly weak gift are only able to use their abilities while breathing in Ishud incense or directly after ingesting it, but anyone with the gift experiences a widening of their inner eye. Thus, Ishud pods are frequently used in religious ceremonies while communicating with the gods.
The majority of people do not have the gift and experience no significant effects from Ishud pods. However, tea made from the pods is a delicacy and the aroma of the incense is considered quite pleasant. It is frequently burned during secular ceremonial events as a display of wealth. The spiral shape of the seedpods on the tree is an important symbol of Tanish.
One reason the pods are so expensive is the difficult in harvesting them. The seeds only grow on fully-grown trees which are at least 30 feet high. Additionally, they grow all along the branches which extend 10 - 20 feet away from the trunk. The traditional method of harvesting Ishud pods was to climb a ladder to the canopy and then use a long stick to try to knock as many down as possible to other workers with nets below. This was sufficient production for local use, but as the kingdom expanded, demand for Ishud pods grew.
As the Kingdom of Tanish grew and demand for Ishud pods by the royal palace increased, large-scale production came into place. Today, all pods on a tree are collected so that none go to waste. A tall ladder is needed to reach the canopy, and then someone must climb out across the branches to harvest the seedpods. Only children are light enough to accomplish this task, but climbing through the canopy risks injuring yourself on the many hooks and thorns littered throughout. Additionally, children run the risk of falling from the tree and receiving significant injury - or even dying - from the long drop to the ground. This work is primarily done by slaves. For this reason, the tree that is a sacred symbol for the Tanishites is a symbol of oppression and hatred for the Kalians

Basic Information

Anatomy

Ishud trees have a slender trunk of smooth bark studded by hook-like thorns. Each thorn is about a centimetre wide at the base and curls like an animal's talon. The sharp tip points upward.
There are no branches extending from the trunk until the crown, where it splits into a broad canopy. The branches are also lined in hooks, with the addition of four-centimetre long straight thorns. The leaves of the tree are small and ovular with a jagged edge. They are stiff and prickly to the touch.
The seedpods grow in a spiral shape, about the size of a fist with ten seeds within. They dangle from the branches.

Genetics and Reproduction

These trees rely on bats for reproduction. The sharp hooks on the trunk and high canopy prevent climbing animals from reaching the seedpods. Bats eat the pods and disperse the seeds elsewhere.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They are common throughout northern Hosquerre, Kalitria, and along the Zel River to the Valley of Dreams. They are not found north of the Eni Belul desert.

Average Height

30 - 50 feet