The roots of the Faerie-Willow tree are especially potent magical herbs. While the wood itself is excellent for making baskets, furniture, wands, and magic staffs, the inner bark of the root itself is frequently used in advanced potion.
Description[]
Faerie-Willow can be identified by its broad canopy of drooping branches and the faint, blue-tinted moonlight glow that emits from its leaves and roots. They are usually found along fresh, clear streams or ponds, with its root system spreading widely over the ground and straight into the water, or with mosses and mushrooms growing in the thin litter over its rolling roots. The magic within the tree can be easily detected with a cast of Revelare, the Detect-Magic utility spell.
Magical Properties[]
Fairies, pixies, and similar tiny fae usually make a Faerie-Willow tree their home. They very rarely become dryads, but are often found in the same forests; those that do become sentient are more likely to be place-spirits that serve as wise guardians of the whole forest. The wood of a Faerie-Willow is popular for crafting magical bows and bowstrings.
The following properties are ascribed to the inner bark of Faerie-Willow Root in particular:
- Lunar element
- Aether element
- Water element
- Increasing plant root growth
- Intuition
- Vision, focus, and Divination
- Imagination
- Illusions
- Balance and Harmony
- Flexibility (as opposed to rigidity)
- Aspirin (pain relief and anti-inflammatory)
Habitat[]
They are most often found in deep, thriving, old-growth forests alongside a water source such as a spring, stream, pond, or lake, or in a place where groundwater is very close to the surface, or in a cave just within reach of the roots. Faerie-Willow trees are popular in magical communities and the private gardens of magical homes due to their beauty, innate magic, and ability to help cleanse local water sources.
Harvest[]
Best practice is to only collect from fresh shoots or roots that are submerged in water, as this does the least damage to the tree and is most easily healed. Directly damaging the tree's trunk is irresponsible as it risks causing infection in the tree.
Caution is advised to not anger the residents of the tree, who will often accept small gifts or treats in trade for a respectful cutting of a few roots or fresh shoots. Furthermore, some of the small loops of root often serve as tiny portals to the Otherworld/Faerie, and are fiercely protected.
The best time to harvest for medicinal use is at night in the spring/rainy season, when the bark is fullest with sap. However, Faerie-Willow Root can be harvested year-round, and for its other purposes can be just as effective regardless of when it is harvested.
Preparation[]
The inner bark of the root can be peeled and used fresh. The tough outer bark on shoots can be scraped away with a potion knife, and makes excellent water-resistant tinder for fires once it has dried. The inner core of any shoots or roots can be saved for use to make baskets, etc.
The inner bark can also be dried, and afterwards can be either powdered, shaved, or chopped and stored in a sealable jar to prevent moisture from causing it to rot. It can also be prepared into oil or water tinctures.
Known Potions/Enchantments[]
- Greater Luck
- Invisibility
- Clear-Sight
- Arcane Rejuvenation potions
- Many full shapeshift potions
- Shadowsbane Enchantment
- Root Growth Potion (poured over plants)