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Gudi Vines

Found in the forests of the North, near the boundaries of the Inland Sea, gudi vines are particularly well-known to the barbarian tribes living to the north of the kingdom of Lanyk. Most observers note them only as a strange, hollow whistling in the wind, particularly when the breeze causes leaves to rustle and branches to sway, and dismiss it as an intriguing but ultimately uninteresting sound.

Those who investigate more closely find brown vines loosely wrapped around a variety of trees, espeically conifers that keep their needles throughout the winter. Slim, almost needle-like leaves press tightly around the vines, and they are occasionally mistaken for snakes or other creatures. Living vines are silent, but as they grow still in the winter, their sap freezing, hollow patches appear. Wind whistles into holes made by falling needles, and out others, creating a quiet symphony that attracts listeners. The vines live as mostly benign parasites, sheltering from the winter cold beneath the trees' branches, and drawing moisture from the ground and nutrients from the bark; trees are not injured by this relationship, although it can stunt their growth.

Locals are well aware of the nature of the gudi vines, and some tribes have taken to making a unique local instrument from them. Functioning much like a recorder, a dried gudi vine, with proper sap blocking some needle-holes and others slightly widened, creates a hauntingly resonant flute. The vine is slightly malleable, and a careful gudi player can shift its position to alter the timbre and tone of her pieces, crafting special tunes that can only be played on the instrument. The tradition has spread beyond the barbarian tribes into Lanyk itself, where it is considered a local musical specialty.

Of late, local Guild merchants have discovered the gudi, and have spent the last few decades harvesting the vines to export flutes to other parts of Creation. The tribes, pushed out of their territories by investment-minded merchants, have begun to resent the intrusions, and the Guild has had to hire some to protect their gudi farms from the invasive nature of others. The vine can be grown in any cold, moist climate, and the Guild is considering spreading their farms away from Lanyk and into safer climates.

Comments

I actually really like the idea of this plant. Its just one of this little things that makes Creation what it is. Any chance you might toss us a few lines about the Gudi Vine god? - BogMod

Not a bad idea. I may try to do that if I get some free time tomorrow. :) - FrivYeti