I’ve always wanted to write an epic fantasy novel ever since I was a teenage kid. Much of the fun in writing a fantasy novel are the world-building aspects. My “Fantasy Novel” project focuses on building a world where I can set stories within in the future.
Although I haven’t come up with a name for the “Fantasy Novel” or its world yet, I do have ideas for some of the plant life in the world. The initial world is set in a forest kingdom where many trees are revered and sacred. The magic comes from the trees. Here are a few of the magical trees of this world:
Maybury trees
These are large ancient trees. Traditionally, important meetings and treaty signings would be held beneath the tree because of a unique property of these trees. If a lie is told beneath the Maybury tree, a branch will fall. That’s why they are also called Truth trees.
Witchfruit Trees
A rare tree in the land is the witchfruit tree. It bears fruit that looks like apples. Half of the fruits are bitter and extremely poisonous, so much so that a single bite will kill a grown man. The other half are sweet and said to bring great luck. Otherwise, the fruits look identical. In fact, ugly witchfruits have been known to be sweet, while flawless ones have been known to be bitter. The witchfruit trees have been known since ancient times and plenty of lore surround them. They are used most often to deal justice by fate.
Which of the witch’s fruit will you choose
Once you have chosen will you switch?
Choose wisely or else you will lose
Your life to the witchfruit, which is which?
Executioner’s Trees
Executioner’s trees are often used for hanging and quartering of people as a punishment. The trees have long vines ending in naturally occurring nooses. People are often hung horizontally with the vines securing the head, torso, hips, and feet. The executioner with a long sharp blade first cuts the feet off from the body. Then through the abdomen to separate the hips from the torso. Lastly, the head from the torso. The body parts are left to hang and decompose on the tree as a warning to others.
Rune Trees
Rune trees live for thousands of years. When you carve into them, black sap fills the area where you carve into. You can see the carving clearly for over a thousand years. Important records are often carved into these trees for posterity. Like beech trees that people carve into. The trees are covered in runes and used to cast spells by wizards.
Meditation Trees
The sap from a meditation tree has psychoactive properties. Taste from the tree and sit beneath its shade. See the world in a new light. The prophets of old have been known to sit for days at a time beneath meditation trees.
Dream Trees
This tree has a unique ability to grant wishes to those who sleep beneath its branches. However, the wishes granted by the Dream Tree often come with unexpected consequences, and it is said that the tree can be unpredictable and dangerous. Some believe that the tree has a mind of its own and that it is sentient, while others believe that it is simply a conduit for powerful magic. Those who seek a dream tree’s help often do so with caution, as they know that they may not get exactly what they wish for.
Memory Trees
Memory trees are trees with the ability to record and store memories. The tree absorbs the memories of anyone who touches it and holds onto them indefinitely. The tree can then release the memories back to the person who originally gave them, or to anyone else who touches the tree and wishes to access the memories. Memory trees are often used by historians and researchers to access the memories of people who lived long ago, and it is also used by individuals who wish to revisit their own memories or share them with others. The tree is highly prized and protected, as its ability to store and release memories makes it a powerful tool for learning about the past and understanding the present.
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