Argentotra Tree

Argentotra are slate-gray pomiferous trees native to the Talkabían highlands. They bear tufts of wine-crimson leaves, as well as the Mikhdar fruit. Its trunk is a dual-phase elastic timber with flawless, tight grain, and its wood is commonly prized as a luxury for crossbow construction. Argentotra wood’s unique capacity for self-opalization deep within the trunk also appeals to lapidary artisans. Argentotra develops by secreting acid from specialized roots into the stones below ground and withdrawing nutrients from them. Oftentimes, expert chefs and culinary artisans will use the smoke-scented Argentotra leaves as an exotic spice. After roughly twenty years of growth, the timber begins to petrify and opalize, making harvest before the wood’s fossilization period crucial for woodworkers; however, Mikhdar fruit only develops after this transition. In short, the species is functionally divided by age: young Argentotra are harvested for weapon timber, whereas elder Argentotra yield fruit and opal.

Most peculiarly is the domesticated Argentotra trees brought to Tykonia fail to yield Mikhdar fruit and have a slimmer chance of opalizing. Many say the atmosphere is to blame, entirely lacking in Bolurfog, which is suspected to provide unique nutrients.