Palmatum Forest
In dense forests, you'll find your average living organisms: birds, squirrels, rabbits and other small animals, predators like foxes and bears. Somewhere in the epicenter of the forests live a large and eternally old tree. Any of those small living creatures that die between its roots and branches have their spirits absorbed into the tree. Some months later a mystical puff of dark fuzz is born from its branches. The near weightless creature is drifted away, carried by the winds. Wherever it sticks, it grows into a bouncy tree spirit called a Palmatum. The colors the spirit becomes matches the colors that surrounded it.
While many just become the colors of the trees, branches, flowers and other things that are in the forest, some of them float away into civilization. They may land on remains and discards, like old pottery, clothes, and papers, becoming very colorful and abstract "living" arts. Sometimes they're captured as the small spirits, becoming human companions. Humans that know of them create the most colorful and fancy spirits of them all.
Meat-eaters and other large creatures become spirits more reminiscent of their previous forms. Foxes live short lives, generally becoming hunted by man and dragged away. One fox passed away during a harsh winter hundreds of years ago, under the protective branches and roots. They wander around to this day, watching time slowly pass by, stealing human's artifacts, and challenging other vicious spirits to a war. They've won many battles, lost just a few. They always walk away a stronger creature, absorbing the spirit of the one they've beaten. Most Palmies fear this fox, but the older ones know they will not harm others that pose them no threat.
A village outside of this forest homes many people. One on the outskirts, inside a lighthouse on the water's edge, is a mail carrier hiding his shameful secret. There's a boy living deeper in town who was rescued and then fascinated by this secret. Another is a rich family, practically keeping the town afloat with their investments, and their business that draws in many needy but wealthy people to their town. The old fox wanders in and out of this town, yet they cannot keep the visitors away.
While many just become the colors of the trees, branches, flowers and other things that are in the forest, some of them float away into civilization. They may land on remains and discards, like old pottery, clothes, and papers, becoming very colorful and abstract "living" arts. Sometimes they're captured as the small spirits, becoming human companions. Humans that know of them create the most colorful and fancy spirits of them all.
Meat-eaters and other large creatures become spirits more reminiscent of their previous forms. Foxes live short lives, generally becoming hunted by man and dragged away. One fox passed away during a harsh winter hundreds of years ago, under the protective branches and roots. They wander around to this day, watching time slowly pass by, stealing human's artifacts, and challenging other vicious spirits to a war. They've won many battles, lost just a few. They always walk away a stronger creature, absorbing the spirit of the one they've beaten. Most Palmies fear this fox, but the older ones know they will not harm others that pose them no threat.
A village outside of this forest homes many people. One on the outskirts, inside a lighthouse on the water's edge, is a mail carrier hiding his shameful secret. There's a boy living deeper in town who was rescued and then fascinated by this secret. Another is a rich family, practically keeping the town afloat with their investments, and their business that draws in many needy but wealthy people to their town. The old fox wanders in and out of this town, yet they cannot keep the visitors away.