Savrin Trees

The Savrin tree (from the Euluska savrin "killing") was a rare tree which was incredibly poisonous. 
=== Description ===
It had brown bark which glittered with iridescence, and golden-green waxy leaves. Savrin trees were very slow growing (20cm a year), and reached a maximum height of about 30 metres. Their trunks were very twisting and curling. They were very long lived, and were considered 'ancient' when older than 500 years. They were called 'killing' trees because of their various poisonous components. Their milky white sap was highly toxic - its vapours caused blindness, ingesting it caused muscle spasms and death, and even burning its bark caused blistering toxic smoke. Even its waxy leaves were an emetic (caused vomiting). 
=== Use ===
In prehistoric times, the Ælk people (one culture of Native Gildegrans) used the tree, which they called miqi-ngai-kanak, from the Proto-Gildegran meaning "fire-sting tree" for obvious reasons. Their hunters dipped their spears in a paste made from the sap of the tree and chewn-up pitch from fir trees to help it stick. These spears helped them slay larger prey. In addition, the Ælk would burn piles of branches at the base of caves and fan the fumes in to drive out cave-dwelling prey. 
Since the 1500s or so, the Datrians paid high prices for the tree. Despite its dangers, if the wood was cured and varnished, it was very tough, light, absorbed shock well, and resisted rot, cold, and damp. This made it ideal for making firearm stocks and handles. In the Collapse Era, the tree was highly important to Datria's firearms industry, and its acquisition was overseen by the Alverra noble family and the Alver Timber Company.
Category:Plants