Manalight Tree

"Life's harsh up here, no question about it. Constant chill, biting winds, occasional predator attacks, all of it threatens yer life every single day. But seein' that tree glowin' like the most beautiful thing you've ever seen in your life makes me wanna keep on goin'."
—Anonymous northlander

The Manalight Tree is an extraordinarily rare tree that grows only in the northernmost reaches of Haven. Known for producing bedazzling, multicolored fruits packed full of magical energy, the Manalight Tree is both a sight to behold and an important spell resource for mages. It’s also known for the celebrations centered around it that take place at the end of the year.

Characteristics

Appearance

The Manalight Tree stands at a proud thirty five meters tall, towering over most other plants in its frigid environment. Its reflective, silvery bark gives off a shine that can be seen for miles, even in the darkest nights. Its needles glow a soft amber, giving off an inviting warmth that attracts small creatures to it. The Manalight Tree’s sap, packed full of magical energy, resembles the very snow and ice around it, giving off a cold aura yet warm to the touch.

Instead of producing cones like other conifers, the Manalight Tree instead grows large fruits similar in shape and size to a mango. These fruits shine a prismatic light, a result of the magical energy pooled into them. The larger the fruit, the brighter it shines and more frequently it changes color. When a Manalight Tree grows old enough, it produces a single spherical fruit, larger than a watermelon, at its highest point. This fruit, cradled securely with several interlocking branches, glows solely with golden light instead of shifting colors like its lesser kin.

Biology

Unlike other trees, the Manalight Tree does not use photosynthesis to sustain itself. Instead, it draws in and captures magical energy from the environment and stores it within itself, using it to grow and produce fruit. This constant consumption of magic has given the Manalight Tree the ability to thrive in even the coldest climates. However, without a constant supply of mana, the tree will die. As such, Manalight Trees are only found in cold areas with high concentrations of ambient magic.

The Manalight Tree’s fruit, in addition to being incredibly delicious, keeps those who consume it fed and energized. The golden Manalight fruit provides even more nourishment, sustaining someone who eats it for an extended period.

The lifespan of a Manalight Tree is unknown, but most scholars believe that as long as they have access to a steady supply of magical energy, they can live forever. Most of the trees, at least the ones known to the peoples of Haven, have been documented for thousands of years, only perishing if cut off from a source of mana or chopped down. Upon death, the Manalight Tree loses its enchanted luster, becoming a dull grey. However, the dead wood will still glow if exposed to mana.

Uses

The Manalight Tree’s fruits are renowned for the radiant light they emit. This luminous quality has made them highly sought after for illumination in both ceremonial and practical settings. The soft, shifting glow of a standard fruit provides a calming ambient light, while the steady brilliance of the golden fruit is often used as a centerpiece in high festivals and sacred rituals. Entire halls have been lit using the glow from carefully preserved Manalight fruits, and lanterns crafted to house them are considered both rare and prestigious.

The fruits are also valued for their visual beauty, often incorporated into decorative art or placed in public squares to act as living light sources. The golden fruit, due to its steady radiance, is sometimes used in beacons or lighthouses in the far north, where daylight can be scarce.

The Manalight Tree’s wood is also quite valuable, though it is only harvested from dead trees since the tree is far more useful alive. Manalight wood retains a faint glow and is often worked into decorative items and tools prized for their aesthetic qualities. Artisans will often incorporate pieces into carvings, instruments, or ornamental architecture.

In Culture

The Manalight Tree is one of the most celebrated plants in all of Haven, especially among those living in the far north. Small communities have formed around the trees, creating secluded villages said to subsist entirely off their respective tree’s fruits. The people living in these communities are known for their hospitality and warmth, frequently welcoming travelers who find their way to the glowing trees. However, they remain fiercely protective of their trees and traditions.

Near the end of the year, when the golden Manalight fruits are at their ripest, dozens journey north to witness the spectacle. Upon arrival, a celebration is held involving drinking, feasting, and elaborate displays of light. When the time is right, the golden fruit is harvested and its glow shared equally among the participants. These festivals have grown more elaborate over time, often housing hundreds of people and featuring the exchange of luminous gifts in addition to the fruit.

Notable Individuals

TBA