


The Belkin are a particularly strange people, dwelling within the Emerald Lands of Traysia, deep in the forest that bears their name. Both Belkin men and women are pale of skin, with vine-like arteries visible beneath their flesh and hair as white as frost.
When Belkin males reach maturity, their bodies begin a slow, inevitable transformation. It starts at the toes, which gradually harden into roots. Bark replaces flesh, creeping up their legs until they become heavy, immovable stumps. Without the love of a wife and the care of the community, such a man will perish—unable to forage, unable to move.
If, however, he is fed and guarded during this time, the bark will eventually seal his mouth and face. Soon after, green shoots burst forth, granting him sustenance from the sun’s rays and the clouds’ rain. By then, he is no longer a man, but a living tree—still cherished by his people.
When his wife’s life comes to an end, she is buried beside her husband-tree. In time, large pink flowers bloom from his branches. The weight of each blossom grows until it droops to the forest floor. When the flower opens, a babe is found within. These children are raised by the Belsar—women who devote themselves entirely to motherhood and the nurturing of the tree’s offspring.

The Belkin are a particularly strange people, dwelling within the Emerald Lands of Traysia, deep in the forest that bears their name. Both Belkin men and women are pale of skin, with vine-like arteries visible beneath their flesh and hair as white as frost.
When Belkin males reach maturity, their bodies begin a slow, inevitable transformation. It starts at the toes, which gradually harden into roots. Bark replaces flesh, creeping up their legs until they become heavy, immovable stumps. Without the love of a wife and the care of the community, such a man will perish—unable to forage, unable to move.
If, however, he is fed and guarded during this time, the bark will eventually seal his mouth and face. Soon after, green shoots burst forth, granting him sustenance from the sun’s rays and the clouds’ rain. By then, he is no longer a man, but a living tree—still cherished by his people.
When his wife’s life comes to an end, she is buried beside her husband-tree. In time, large pink flowers bloom from his branches. The weight of each blossom grows until it droops to the forest floor. When the flower opens, a babe is found within. These children are raised by the Belsar—women who devote themselves entirely to motherhood and the nurturing of the tree’s offspring.

The Belkin are a particularly strange people, dwelling within the Emerald Lands of Traysia, deep in the forest that bears their name. Both Belkin men and women are pale of skin, with vine-like arteries visible beneath their flesh and hair as white as frost.
When Belkin males reach maturity, their bodies begin a slow, inevitable transformation. It starts at the toes, which gradually harden into roots. Bark replaces flesh, creeping up their legs until they become heavy, immovable stumps. Without the love of a wife and the care of the community, such a man will perish—unable to forage, unable to move.
If, however, he is fed and guarded during this time, the bark will eventually seal his mouth and face. Soon after, green shoots burst forth, granting him sustenance from the sun’s rays and the clouds’ rain. By then, he is no longer a man, but a living tree—still cherished by his people.
When his wife’s life comes to an end, she is buried beside her husband-tree. In time, large pink flowers bloom from his branches. The weight of each blossom grows until it droops to the forest floor. When the flower opens, a babe is found within. These children are raised by the Belsar—women who devote themselves entirely to motherhood and the nurturing of the tree’s offspring.

The Belkin are a particularly strange people, dwelling within the Emerald Lands of Traysia, deep in the forest that bears their name. Both Belkin men and women are pale of skin, with vine-like arteries visible beneath their flesh and hair as white as frost.
When Belkin males reach maturity, their bodies begin a slow, inevitable transformation. It starts at the toes, which gradually harden into roots. Bark replaces flesh, creeping up their legs until they become heavy, immovable stumps. Without the love of a wife and the care of the community, such a man will perish—unable to forage, unable to move.
If, however, he is fed and guarded during this time, the bark will eventually seal his mouth and face. Soon after, green shoots burst forth, granting him sustenance from the sun’s rays and the clouds’ rain. By then, he is no longer a man, but a living tree—still cherished by his people.
When his wife’s life comes to an end, she is buried beside her husband-tree. In time, large pink flowers bloom from his branches. The weight of each blossom grows until it droops to the forest floor. When the flower opens, a babe is found within. These children are raised by the Belsar—women who devote themselves entirely to motherhood and the nurturing of the tree’s offspring.

The Belkin are a particularly strange people, dwelling within the Emerald Lands of Traysia, deep in the forest that bears their name. Both Belkin men and women are pale of skin, with vine-like arteries visible beneath their flesh and hair as white as frost.
When Belkin males reach maturity, their bodies begin a slow, inevitable transformation. It starts at the toes, which gradually harden into roots. Bark replaces flesh, creeping up their legs until they become heavy, immovable stumps. Without the love of a wife and the care of the community, such a man will perish—unable to forage, unable to move.
If, however, he is fed and guarded during this time, the bark will eventually seal his mouth and face. Soon after, green shoots burst forth, granting him sustenance from the sun’s rays and the clouds’ rain. By then, he is no longer a man, but a living tree—still cherished by his people.
When his wife’s life comes to an end, she is buried beside her husband-tree. In time, large pink flowers bloom from his branches. The weight of each blossom grows until it droops to the forest floor. When the flower opens, a babe is found within. These children are raised by the Belsar—women who devote themselves entirely to motherhood and the nurturing of the tree’s offspring.

