Zenith Whitewoods
The Arkett's Zenith Whitewood resin trees are the heart and soul of their Etherion technology. See Etherion Resin Weaving.
The leaves changed colors occasionally or more frequently, depending on the seasons. Sometimes they were indigo or steel gray, other times they were violet or crimson red. The same colors the sashes used to identify one's use of its gifts. Today they were a mixture of jade and aqua. The colors of the light weavers. It was trees like these that produced the resin needed to forge their crystals. Some cities had entire orchards for the production of crystals, but this tree was special. This was the mother tree. The tree whose seeds ensured the survival of its kind amidst the exodus. It was one of the final acts of the Supreme Arklord Zenock to plant it here in the heart of the capital city.Inspiration sources:
- Tree of Gondor
- Avatar Tree of Souls
- Fairytale Rainbow Tree
- Uncharted Tree of Life
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
During the reproducing season, which happens only once every century, the tree produces bundles of hanging flowers in explosive color. Every bloom produces thousands of glowing seeds that float away on the wind, seeking new places to grow.
See Festival of the Flowers in Arkett Culture.
Growth Rate & Stages
Zenith Whitewoods do not produce resin until their first blossoming, which does not occur until the tree is at least 2 to 3 thousand years old.
Ecology and Habitats
These trees need plenty of sunlight and moonlight. It's the moonlight in particular that helps to produce the resin. Beyond those requirements, the tree is exceptionally tenacious. It can survive in even extreme temperatures, subsist on little water, and even use Etherion as a substitute for sunlight, if needed. Of course, the tree will not produce resin or flower in conditions like that, but it will survive, waiting for its environment to become more hospitable.
Biological Cycle
The tree's leaves change color and glow at different intensities depending on the season. The resin produced also varies by the season; the time of lesser resin is usually when the tree is preparing to seed. After seeding, there is a short time when it produces no resin, during which resources are directed towards storing up nutrients for itself; when the tree has completed that process, resin production resumes.
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
The Arketts have a story that goes with their Zenith trees. They say that the original tree was, in fact, the World Tree, the very source of life and light itself, and that the first Zenith trees were branches clipped from the World Tree, gifted to their world at the beginning of time.
Lifespan
These trees, as long as they are cared for, never die.
Conservation Status
These trees are considered to be sacred to the Arketts. They are considered the lifeblood of Arkett society, standing as a symbol on their buildings and banners across their islands. Resin extraction is carefully regulated to prevent damage to the trees. Zenith weavers are those who dedicate their lives to caring for the trees and harvesting their resin.
Average Height
80 feet is the current average height, but it's not a limit. The mother tree is perhaps twice that tall, and the trees never stop growing. The more ancient the tree, the taller it is. Back on the Arkett home world, legend says there were trees planted at the beginning of the planet that grew to be the size of mountains.
Related Ethnicities
