Merrywood
Merrywood originates in the Wyrdeep Forest. Most attempts to cultivate it elsewhere have failed, but there is a small grove somewhere outside River's Rest in County Torre, and another in an arboretum in Tamzyrr. Recently, the Ta'Illistim arboretum was able to sustain a few individual trees as well.
Description
The merrywood cluster together in groves scattered throughout the Wyrdeep and hidden by the forest's other thick growth. They get their name not because of the bright splash of color each grove gives its surrounding area as many have hypothesized, but because of the merry, tinkling sound the leaves make with even the slightest movement.
A type of snowdrop tree, merrywood blossoms are either bright yellow, silvery pink, brilliant blue, or iridescent crimson. The tree has pale, yellow-white bark and bright green leaves that turn silvery pink or gold in the autumn (with a rare silvery blue leaf found occasionally). The heartwood cannot be dyed but is much coveted for its lustrous dark yellow hue striated with dark pinks and sparkling blues.
Despite its popular status for woodworking, usage of merrywood remains carefully protected as the trees are also held in deep reverence by those living within the forest. Wood harvesting occurs only when a tree loses branches or dies naturally, and flower gathering happens only in moderation so as not to strip a grove of its signature blossoms.
Wyrdeep Customs
Mourning customs in the Wyrdeep start by taking the deceased to a merrywood grove. Its brightness in the dark forest signifies the celebration of one's life even in the midst of the collective's sorrow. The person is wrapped in a wyrsilk shroud and covered in merrywood blossoms then left to the forest. Mourners then return home and gather about a bonfire to tell stories of the dead and honor their memory. Traditionally, this is accompanied by a not-so-insignificant amount of drinking darkwine, a special occasion wine made from grapes grown deep within the forest.
During the morning of Lythela, a holiday in the Wyrdeep, young children weave garlands of bluebells, violets, and merrywood blossoms, while older children are tasked with whittling hawthorn and rowan poles. After the noon meal, the entire village reverently travels to the oldest and most sacred wyrwood near them, bearing these poles and garlands. The garlands are strung from the poles in crescentic patterns about the tree by the children, under the watchful eye of village elders. The holiday continues throughout the day and well into the night.