Deathapple Trees
As the tree sprouted from his chest, and the roots anchored his body to the ground, he wished as he died that he had not eaten the golden apple.
Full Description
The Golden Deathapple is a fearsome fruit that is highly deceptive to those who do not know its true nature. Before it fruits, the tree that it comes from looks like that of a normal apple tree, although somebody who checks the base of the tree carefully enough may discover a few animal bones, or, very occasionally, a few human ones. The apples that sprout from the tree are a brilliant gold in colour and shine in the sunlight. If they are not eaten, they are harmless, and can be touched and picked safely.
When eaten, not only do they taste sweet, but also they have a healing effect. The apple can counteract many other poisons, even when the affected person is seriously ill. However, if a qualified doctor or healer does not properly prepare the apple then the person is seeping out of the proverbial frying pan and into the fire.
Within a matter of hours the person or animal who ate the apple will come down with a stomach ache that grows worse and worse until he or she can hardly move, and the stomach starts to swell as the apple starts to grow inside the stomach. Whilst technically it might be possible to cut the stomach open to remove the fast-growing tree that has sprouted in there, first every bit of the tree must be removed from the stomach or it will regrow, and second the consequences of the operation itself are likely to be deadly.
Powerful magic and certain healing potions can also kill the growing Deathapple tree if taken early enough, but once its roots and shoot break through the skin and anchor the victim to the ground, then death is certain.
Additional Information
If properly prepared and distilled by someone who knows what to do, the juice from Deathapples can be purged of its deadly taint and turned into a very effective healing potion, but in its raw state both the apples and the juice should be left well alone.
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? Responses (13)
Very interesting...Never really thought of a tree someone...unless it fell on them of course.
Why is this a scroll?
In case anyone wanted to do anything with it. I could change it to a normal subbmission if you want.
Wow - brilliant
Definately gets my patented wish i'd thought of that award
Not only is this a really good idea, but it's also perfectly logical. Many plants propagate themselves by enticing animals (and humans) with tasty fruit, with the seed being tough enough to pass through undigested. This is merely the next logical step - after all, a decomposing body makes fine plant food.
I could really see a plant like this evolving, even in a world without magic of any kind.
... and like all really good ideas, it's so so blantantly obvious - after you've heard it of course.
The real genius is thinking of it first - all kudos to Cheka Man for that.
My only gripe (and it's a very minor one) is that I just can't see a plant growing quite that quickly - but hey, this ia fantasy and we can forgive a little weirdness
4/5 for a really neat idea
and I'm definately going to use it {{maniacal GMs cackle}}
A simple classic fauna monster. It is something you normally would only find in the wilds, as having a tree that can kill people might make your neighbors/ local law look at you funny. Killer trees and all.
This could make any alchemical potions/ lotions/ notions made from them very problematic. Send the adventurers/ foolish hire-ies with a rough map to the "patch" you know exists. Of course that has to be a "little out of the way", as having these trees could be a crime.
I like it! Very nice. Almost kind of nightmarish, the idea of seeing a mangled corpse with a young apple tree growing out of it.
The form is new, the idea is old, and Captain made me darkly entertained with it.
The good thing is most characters learned in plants and beasts will recognize the it immediately, and will surely order it's destruction. But there will be always another fool who didn't learn the right skill. :)
Note: if you make this a scroll, you should write what you expect of the people to add... I don't see much space for extending it.
Short, but sweet. An interesting bit of flora for almost any game setting.
Kudos Cheka, everyone else beat me to the good comments.
A little too short for my taste, but this purely a personal preference. Apart from that minor gripe, I have to agree with sentiments that have already been expressed. The idea, though simple, is certainly well-thought out and constructed. Not all deadly 'monsters' have to be motivated by a maloveant intelligence and loathing for humanity. This is nothing more than a humble life-form simply wanting to propagate itself, but that basic genetic drive is precisely what makes it such a menace. Good job.
Simple, brutish. Good. :) It is like something you might find in a Conan magazine adventure.
Simple goodness. A very usable entry.
Oooh, didn't see that one coming. Gives the tree a sort of semi-carnivorous vibe that I like.