Ghaoliveá Tree

Ghaoliveá Tree
Threat: Low to Moderate

There have been stories about massive trees in Felarya for a long time - many of which are true given the sheer size of the realm, but very few are more fantastical than the Ghaoliveá trees. Stories speak of trees that are miles long, and stretch incredible distances that dwarf even the Great Tree itself. Unfortunately none have ever been found and recorded by humans, nekos, or elves in recent governments (like Negav). The tree itself does exist, but as an oddity. Trees normally grow vertically into the air, but the Ghaoliveá is a subterranean "beast" as it were, with its roots close to the surface, while the tree itself grows downward, through the ground.

How this happens is not exactly clear. Suspicions from ancient documents suggest the tree isn't entirely wood, some bizarre fusion between organic and inorganic, using magic rich zones along with soil and plenty of water to grow initially. The roots then spread outward over immense distances, often resulting in multiple caves snaking between its root system. The nutrition from the rich soil and water create a reaction in the core of the tree, and cause the leaves that would grow at the bottom (or top) to glow bright colors depending on nutrients and location as a byproduct of digestion. There are massive underground caverns around much of the trunk and "canopy" (oriented in a down position). The roots that do extend above ground will grow leaves, making it look like just another odd plant in Felarya, without regards to its true nature...

It has also been told that the tree is carnivorous, feeding off the many subterranean creatures. It is said that Tonorions are actually a preferred diet and so Tonorions themselves tend to steer clear as possible away from these trees. Since there's no official record of discovery, classifying a "tree" which shows inorganic and also creature-like tendencies to feed, combined with a mythical reputation has prevented an actual classification. Though they generally aren't too dangerous to Humans Nekos or Elves.

I like the idea, it's very original ^^ But I admit i have some trouble visualizing how this would work?  For instance most of the tree would be encased into the earth so wouldn't the leaves be crushed  if they developed? And what would be their use since no light would touch them?  As I see it the tree would need another way to sustain itself than leaves since there is no photosynthesis.
For the roots, at first while reading I thought they would spread into the air, like a complete opposite of a normal tree and drawing sustenance from there. I think that's an idea to explore

Karbo wrote:

I like the idea, it's very original ^^ But I admit i have some trouble visualizing how this would work?  For instance most of the tree would be encased into the earth so wouldn't the leaves be crushed  if they developed? And what would be their use since no light would touch them?  As I see it the tree would need another way to sustain itself than leaves since there is no photosynthesis.
For the roots, at first while reading I thought they would spread into the air, like a complete opposite of a normal tree and drawing sustenance from there. I think that's an idea to explore

That would be weird. Of course, you could also put leaves THERE, leaving people to assume that's the extent of the tree. Also an idea.

My idea with the leaves is that there's a large open air cavern around the underground "canopy", the leaves would generate light as a byproduct of digestion, I was thinking. This could potentially allow for other weird underground "plants" to manifest as well.

Its been a while since I was here and this place is still quiet as fuck

editing for some changes. There are some fundamental changes though, so I re-posted.

Ghaoliveá Tree
Threat: Low to Moderate

There have been stories about massive trees in Felarya for a long time - many of which are true given the sheer size of the realm, but very few are more fantastical than the Ghaoliveá trees. Stories speak of trees that are miles long, and stretch incredible distances that dwarf even the Great Tree itself. Unfortunately none have ever been found and recorded by humans, nekos, or elves in recent governments (like Negav). The tree itself does exist, but as an oddity. Trees normally grow vertically into the air, but the Ghaoliveá is a subterranean "beast" as it were, with its roots close to the surface, while the tree itself grows downward, through the ground.

How this happens is not exactly clear. Suspicions from ancient documents suggest the tree isn't entirely wood, some bizarre fusion between organic and inorganic, using magic rich zones along with soil and plenty of water to grow initially. The roots then spread outward over immense distances, often resulting in multiple caves snaking between its root system. The nutrition from the rich soil and water create a reaction in the core of the tree. The trunk grows downward, using the minerals in the ground as it "eats" through it. When the trunk gets large enough, the outer layer of the chitin-like bark expand, secreting some kind of impossibly sticky enzyme that digests through the ground's minerals as well as organic material while it expands slowly into a massive encircling zone, leaving the interior a large cavern where the rest of the tree grows downward. The ground that doesn't get digested by the enzyme turns into a toxic goopy substance which pools underneath the tree, protecting it from creatures burrowing upward from far deeper. This shell-like exterior of the tree becomes massive, and reaches a point where its so dense its difficult even for underground burrowers to puncture through. The core of the tree uses the minerals to eventually grow leaves in the open area. A layer underneath the trunk in the open area has small "pores" and "veins" which shine through the trunk in the giant cavern, and produce a beautiful glowing light, illuminating this particular area underground. The leaves can still do photosynthesis of the magic light, giving nutrients to the tree that also keeps the light shining perpetually. Many smaller underground creatures hide in these caverns.

The roots that rarely extend above ground will grow leaves, making it look like just another odd plant in Felarya, without regards to its true nature...

It has also been told that the tree is carnivorous, feeding off the many subterranean creatures. It is said that Tonorions are actually a preferred diet and so Tonorions themselves tend to steer clear as possible away from these trees. Since there's no official record of discovery, classifying a "tree" which shows inorganic and also creature-like tendencies to feed, combined with a mythical reputation has prevented an actual classification. Though they generally aren't too dangerous to Humans Nekos or Elves.

This seems like a good solid idea. I like the pools of digestive goop at the bottom and the topsy-turvy way the tree works too.

I like those changes and addition ^^

So if I understand well , the tree expand outward, to create a sort of tunnel reinforced by what was originally its bark in order to grow down inside of it and thus being protected from all sort of burrowing creature ?

My question though is how the tree would eat through the ground as it grows down ? Does it has a sort of mouth at it's extremity like a burrowing worm?
For the leaves I still think photosynthesis seems a bit forced an that they could have another function entirely but now that they have room to grow it makes more sense. Overall it's a pretty fascinating idea, really unique and very rich visually ( it made a lot of pictures appearing in my mind as I read XD ), almost more of an ecosystem in itself than a tree ^^

Karbo wrote:

I like those changes and addition ^^  
My question though is how the tree would eat through the ground as it grows down ? Does it has a sort of mouth at it's extremity like a burrowing worm?

Renowned Archmage Bael wrote:

"The trunk grows downward, using the minerals in the ground as it "eats" through it. When the trunk gets large enough, the outer layer of the chitin-like bark expand, secreting some kind of impossibly sticky enzyme that digests through the ground's minerals"

He literally told you.Very clever system. Trees are an underdeveloped resource in Felarya and so too is the Underground areas. I commend you on your good work, Sir! I also love the Caresses de la langue on the name itself.

ozymindas wrote:

He literally told you.Very clever system. Trees are an underdeveloped resource in Felarya and so too is the Underground areas. I commend you on your good work, Sir! I also love the Caresses de la langue on the name itself.

o.o;;; You aren't just rude with a tude ya told the CEO he made a mistake. To quote Asgore

"Human. It was nice to have met you...Goodbye."

In all seriousness it's a good thing to point out when somebody, even a master like Karbo, misses something so ass to clue them in. Suicidal as he can summon Crisis faster than you can say "That's not possib- Nooooo!"

Further in true seriousness and on topic: Bael your tree is a excellent idea to help flesh out the undergound with more than just entertaining monsters. Good work!

Thanks!

To clarify, as the "bark" (its not really bark, I would put it closer to some kind of shell) expands from the tree, it secrets a specific chemical while it grows, this chemical lines the exterior and dissolves the stone (its likely very hot, then), the minerals that aren't used becomes the goop that runs along the bottom. When the tree is fully mature, the goop becomes a pool underneath it. The minerals that are used are kind of.."absorbed" into the shell, which helps with the nutrition while the tree grows.

But yeah, when the tree is fully mature it feels more like an ecosystem because it can feed itself, in addition to feeding off of any creatures unfortunate enough to get caught in its inverted root system.

I know its a bizarre idea, but its giant, and beautiful, and I think its perfect :3

I'd like to add that idea if you agree with the disclaimer ^^ It's a really cool concept in itself that nicely develop the underground (which is pretty scarce at the moment ) and can be the basis for some interesting and unique eco-systems :3

Sorry for the late response!

I agree with the disclaimer!