= NARBELETH =
	
	= OVERVIEW =
	
	Narbeleth is a tree-like bush that survived through the cataclysm.
	Though rare, a few small patches can be found in the higher mountain 
	regions through the world. For a casual observer Narbeleth looks like
	a close group of three to five slender trees growing in a circular 
	shape and bending slightly outwards from the center point. Like with 
	many things, the appearance is deceiving as individual "trees" connect
	slightly above the ground into a main trunk which is tightly anchored
	to the ground by a thin, but thickly grown rootage.
	
	Each "tree" is about 3 meters long and only 5 to 10 cm thick. They
	divide into four slender "branches" slightly above the half-way of 
	each individual stalk. The tree-stalk is rarely more than two meters 
	above ground as divided branches bend strongly outwards from the 
	center point and from each other. Separate branches end into a 2 to 5
	cm long, oval shaped seed that sprouts a bright, orange-gold and bell
	shaped flower when the seed is ripe. The bush has tiny green-brown 
	leaves which grow in a circular spiral starting from the main stalk, 
	continuing up each individual stalk, and ending just below the seeds.
	The leaves give only color for otherwise completelly black plant.
	
	Narbeleth is also called the sunset tree because its leaves glow 
	softly in the darkness after the sun sets. The glow is strong enough 
	to illuminate the stalk but nothing else, and slowly dims in a few 
	hours until the bush is black again. Narbeleth draws energy for growth
	mostly from the sun and requires very little nutrients, or water, to 
	survive. Though the bush can be found from higher, mountaneous 
	regions where air is often colder, the tree-stalks draw so much warmth
	during the day that they are warm to the touch even in midwinter.
	The bush, however, rarely grows in regions where temperature is 
	permanently below 10 degrees as it requires at least two warmer months
	for seeds to bloom. Narbeleth is mostly found in areas which are too 
	cold for the other, larger vegetation which might block the sun's 
	light, but still remains warm enough for it to gain enough light.
	
	The whole plant: leaves, stalks and especially seeds, are able to 
	draw and store sun's energy. The plant is highly sensitive to warmth 
	which shows in a strange way: even if the plant remains otherwise 
	dormant, its stalks move and position themselves in such ways that 
	seeds are towards the strongest source of warmth, be it the sun or a 
	campfire. If followed with time, an observer can see the stalks 
	follow sun's movement in the sky. Narbeleth seeds require large 
	amounts of energy to ripen, though this will occur always when 
	possible. A few days before blooming the seeds open revealing a 
	yellow-gold onion which contains smaller seeds, a few days later the
	flower bursts open and small seeds are scattered, carried away by the
	wind. The odorless flowers remain from five days to two weeks, 
	replaced by a new seed growth. Narbeleth bush can live over 500 
	hundred years old though it never grows much larger.
	
	Narbeleth is safe from most herbivores because of thick stalks and
	bitter taste. Certain mountain herbivores find Narbeleth's small 
	leaves tasty, however, but this causes no harm to the plant as one 
	purpose for the small leaves is to lead herbivores away from small 
	seeds shielding the onion. While the bulb is poisonous, there are 
	periods when poison is too weak to cause any harm for animals.
	
	= PROPERTIES =
	
	Narbeleth's long, slender stalks can bend almost any position 
	without snapping. Though fresh stalks can be easily bent, the plant 
	quickly becomes stiff after cut making it a perfect material for all
	sorts of bows. This made Narbeleth very desirable material among
	bowyers and it was only a bonus that the stalk, if handled properly, 
	would still glow if kept in the sunlight and then moved into the 
	darkness. Among bowyer's Narbeleth was commonly known as the 
	((Sunbranch)) which gave name to famous Sunbranch bows.
	
	Narbeleth had also other uses: its small leaves, when crushed and 
	mixed with water and honey produce paste which glows in the darkness 
	if exposed to the light of even a single candle. The paste is thin enough 
	to be used as a sort of ink for writing that is readable even in 
	minimal lighting conditions.
	
	The onion developing inside a large seed is highly poisonous, to 
	discourage animals from eating it. Poisonous properties reach the peak 
	when a seed opens and before the flower onion has not yet opened. 
	Poison can be prepared by crushing the onion into a paste and mixing 
	it with food or drink. Downside is that strong, bitter taste easily 
	reveals presence of poison for those who know it. Poison also has to 
	remain in air-tight locker or it quickly loses potency. This, together 
	with remote growing location, lessened its use as a poison.
	
	When used only a few ounces, mixed into mug of water with a drop of
	mercury, the mixture was believed to protect from various minor 
	infections such as flu, but in truth it only caused a serious stomach
	burn. Nervertheless, as a medicine it received far more popularity.
	
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	'''SUMMARY''':
	
	|| '''Climate/Terrain''': || From semi-cold to warm mountain regions (above 200 meters). Requires a lot sunlight. ||
	|| '''Growth period:''' || Perennial ||
	|| '''Reproduction age (Perennial only):''' || Third year of growth ||
	|| '''Pollination method:''' || Self ||
	|| '''Flowering season:''' || Any (usually summer) ||
	|| '''Seed dispersal method:''' || Wind ||
	|| '''Rate of growth:''' || Stalks reach length of 2 meters in 20 years and then grow 1 meter in 100 years ||
	|| '''Maximum size:''' || Maximum length of stalks 4.5 m, maximum width 20 cm ||
	|| '''Eaten by:''' || Leaves by mountain herbivores ||
	|| '''Properties:''' || Stalks for bows, leaves for for ink, flower-onion for poison and medical purpose ||
	|| '''Frequency''': || Rare || 
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