Steel Tree

Summary

Steel trees, sometimes called Godsown trees, are extraordinarily adaptable plants native to the easternmost parts of East Felsaed, where the weather is warm and the seasons are mild. The Steel tree does not require these conditions (though they are optimal) and in times past clusters of these trees emerged as far west as Seofare, where the seasons are far wilder due to it's distance from the Seasonal Equator.
Steel trees produce an incredibly strong wood that can be used as kindling in an elaborate ritual to smelt 'Steel Souled' ingots utilizing any metal or alloy. The resulting ingots possess the same properties as any regular ingot of the chosen metal or alloy, albeit with increased durability. Steel Souled ingots have increased enchantability, making them easier to enchant and capable of bearing extraordinarily strong and intricate enchantments.
Due to the trees unique properties demand for its wood is high throughout Tor'saarn. Because of this demand the wood has become scarce, primarily due to overharvesting by both the Felsaedan and Tiorathan empires in the first age. In the second age the trees are only found in the mountains of North-east Felsaed in close proximity to the progenitor of their lineage, a divine tree sown by Mayreign before the first age.

Appearance

Steel trees have thick bark that is deep brown in color and has a texture similar to bark. The trunk of the trees twists slightly as it grows upwards (which is never greater than 270 degrees in total rotation from base to tip), allowing the trees many fanning branches to span a far greater distance. The branches splay outward and possess long, emerald green leaves that can be as large as 45cm from stem to tip. The crown of the tree forms a wide and almost flat dome that stretches roughly 30-50 meters from its point of origin, which is typically just off-center from the trees base due to the twisted shape of the tree.

Uses, Relevance and History

Steel trees are harvested for the usefulness of their wood, which is used to build durable and enchantable wooden structures or objects. The wood is also often used to infuse metals and alloys with a Steelsoul that allows the object to bear the most powerful and advanced enchantments. An object with a Steelsoul is capable of hosting enchantments that are sigilic in nature. Sigil magic is far more capable than regular magic, and is immune to both counter spells and anti-magic effects. Despite the capacity of a Steelsouled item to contain sigilic magic it is seldom infused with such magic, as such power is far beyond the capacity of mortal achievement, however many demigods have made Steelsouled objects with such power.
The Steel trees were initially sown from cuttings taken off of a large tree planted by one of the High gods of Sar'aans pantheon, Mayreign, god of invention. Due to the divine origins of the trees they are considered holy to it's custodian in East Felsaed. The last living Steel Trees are protected by an order of warrior priests calling themselves the Hands of Mayreign, the very same order that protects the original Steel tree and Mayreign's temple.
Although the trees are now on the brink of total extinction, they were once far more wide spread (though still uncommon). However during the mid to late first age the clashing Felsaedan and Tiorathan empires began to harvest any deposits they could gain access to, leading to the total extinction to the West Felsaedan and Seofarean populations of the Steel tree.

Native Regions

North-East Felsaed

Introduced Regions

Seofare (extinct) West Felsaed (extinct)

Height

165-215 meters

Lifespan

The plants have no known upper limit to their age

Growth Rate

Slow, taking a century and a half to reach 115-120 meters in height, when they first become harvestable

Optimal soil

Although adaptable, the plant prefers slightly salty, damp and loose soil

Optimal Sun

The tree prefers high sunlight, and grows at an even slower rate than usual if denied plentiful sun. However the plant does not require the sunlight to be constant, and is unaffected by the variable coastal weather.