Harika Tree ('Hair-Eek-Ah')

Harika (Great in the Dekarti language) is a massive species of tree found within the Golgelen Jungle. It is the primary tree that the jungle is most known for, with towering heights that reach hundreds of feet towards the sky before they form a canopy so dense that it leaves the bottom of the jungle caught in a perpetual shade.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Harika trees reach towering heights; and are often called 'sky piercers' due to the fact that they rise high enough to reach hundreds of feet into the sky -- and in some cases, can breach a thousand. They're thick enough to provide homes to both wildlife and hikers; some Dekarti are known to even carve rooms into their massive boughs. The most curious trait of the Harika tree is the fact that despite their massive height, they manage to support themselves from falling. When a Harika tree is grown next to one, it will begin developing unique branches that extend to other surrounding Harika trees, fusing them together at higher points. This is what causes the forest canopy to grow so thick in the Golgelen Jungle. Harika trees produce a massive nut that's known for being a delicacy due to their rarity and pleasant taste. These nuts are exceptionally hard to reach due to the height of the tree being so great that reaching them is nigh impossible, and their fall typically ends with it shattering on the jungle floor.

Ecology and Habitats

Harika trees grow best in flatter lands that are generally left marshy and full of water. Despite most of Dekarth being a desert, they're found within a section of the continent that's essentially a massive rainforest. Constant rainfall allows for the trees to grow high without anything to stop them, leaving them to create their dense canopies that they're known for.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

A single Harika tree can provide an exceptional amount of wood; it isn't too uncommon for one tree to be felled and dragged off on its own so that it can be harvested to supply an entire village. This convenience allows the Golgelen forest to sustain its massive size, as one single tree is all that's needed to provide a village -- and even small cities, with quality wood. Harika nuts are rare and difficult to reach due to the canopy being so high up in a tree, but are often seen as a treasured treat as a result.

Geographic Distribution