Darkwood

Where curses infect the lands, that which grows is basted in the hexes. Trees that grow in such areas take on the properties of the affliction itself, becoming darkwood. These gnarled, misshapen plants vary, depending on the original plant and the nature of the curse. If properly made, darkwood items can allow one to wield a shard of the curse as a weapon, but this is risky. Not only must one journey to such a cursed land to acquire it and risk the curse while working the wood, if improperly done, the curse will most surely affect the wielder.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Darkwood looks, as the name owuld imply, like wood, but more gnarled and crooked than most species of trees. Mature darkwood often displays unnatural abilities, such as blood for sap, growing eyeballs, producing strange whispers and similar unwholesome phenomena.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Darkwood carries the properties of whatever cursed place they grow in. Equipment made from it thus carries the effect to, though proper care must be taken to prevent it from turning on the wearer. It is flammable, but it is not recommended to use it for such, as the smoke is pain inducing.

Geology & Geography

Darkwood grows in areas where the land itself is cursed.

Origin & Source

Darkwood refers to any tree that has soaked up part of a curse that affects the very land and can thus cover quite the variety of trees.

History & Usage

History

Darkwood is common on the Sphere of Arnyekfold, where cursed lands are as common as forests. The local vampires favour crafting weapons and tools from them, as they are often resistant or outright immune to their effects. The human population, however, always aims to purify or destroy darkwood whenever they find them.
The vampires of the Damutamu cultivate darkwood, which grows plentiful in the cursed swamp they call their home.

Discovery

Darkwood is as old as the art of curses. Its exact origin lies in the most shrouded past of the worlds primordial existence.

Everyday use

The use of darkwood varies depending on its exact nature, but common to all is its ability to inflict suffering. Even defensive items such as a shield works by making offenders regret their actions.
The darkwood cultivated by the Damutamu inflicts bleeding wounds with ease and soaks up blood, assisting teh vampires in sating their ravenous appetites.

Refinement

Darkwood holds no allegiance and will turn its effects on the wielder as readily as anyone else. Thus, the curse must be bound and directed when an item is made, to make it safe to wield. However, those who find themselves untouched by a given curse will often allow the darkwood to be unrestrained, turning it into a trap for anyone who'd steal it.

Manufacturing & Products

While hypothetically one could make the same items of darkwood one could of wood, in practise, darkwood is mostly used for its ability to channel its curse and thus used where inflicting such misery would be useful.

Hazards

As darkwood is inherently cursed, it can spread the effects of said curse, even to the wielder. Most darkwood items are bound to restrain this, but not every single item has such safety inbuilt.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Harvesting darkwood is risky, as is working with it, and as such commands a high price.

Law & Regulation

Darkwood items are illegal in some spheres due to the inherent risks associated with it. Many areas in Arnyekfold inflicts severe fines and punishments for the carrying of darkwood items for any other purpose than to ensure their destruction or purification.

Type

Wood

Value

High

Rarity

Rare

Odor

Tends toward a rotting, moldering smell, though it depends

Taste

Bitter

Color

Dark brown, black or grey

Boiling / Condensation Point

Darkwood combusts at about 170-190 degrees celcius

Common State

Solid and growing