Hasta Tree

 

The Hasta tree (sometimes known by the slang term Happenstump) is a rare variety of palm tree indigenous to the Sartorian desert regions. Its colourful red leaves and green trunk give it a distinctive appearance which sets it apart from other trees. It has a higher level of sentience than most trees and plants. It can communicate with people and animals by transmitting telepathic images. It also gives out emanations similar to those of crystal bonds.

The desert-dwelling tribes consider the Hasta tree to be their sacred totem. Each tribe has one Hasta tree which grows in a sacred grove. Rituals and religious devotions are conducted in the sacred grove.

A special shaman-sorcerer known as a Hastamage tends to the Hasta tree and spends a great deal of time communing with it. Sometimes the tree will reveal prophecies to the Hastamage.

On special occasions, the Hasta tree will shed leaves for the Hastamage or other specified persons to eat. Eating a Hasta leaf is considered a divine privilege and a sign of favour from the Sartorian Planet Soul (AKA the Seed).

When the Hasta tree is nearing the end of its life, it will produce a seed from which the tribe’s next tree will grow. The old tree will live until the new sapling becomes strong enough to take over from it. All the memories of the old tree will be transferred to the new one, thus making it a repository of the tribe’s history, as well as a sacred totem.