Duskwood (tree)

Duskwood was a type of tree found growing all over Faerûn.

Description
Duskwoods grew in densely packed groves, blocked the light, and appeared rather eerie, giving them their name. They had smooth black bark and the trunks grew to an average height of 60 feet (18.2 meters), with small lacy branches high on the tree. Atop these trunks were small branches. The wood was smoky gray and as tough as iron.

Duskwoods were very resistant to fire, although their resin was famous for its fine flammability.

Usage
Some craftspeople fashioned weapons out of duskwood in place of metal. Such items weighed half as much as their metal counterparts. Duskwood didn't make good armor (even with a wood shape spell), though a passable breastplate could be made out of it. Mast spars and roof beams were usually made of duskwood.

The Blackstaff and the Scepter of Savras were made of duskwood. Thyrsus of the druid staves were often carved from single pieces of duskwood.

Habitats
Duskwood trees were known to be found in the following places:
 * Within the city of Evereska.
 * Cormanthor
 * In interior Faerûn, duskwoods could occasionally be found throughout the lowlands of the Cormyr countryside.
 * In the Vast, duskwoods could be found in the Adhe Wood, the Flooded Forest, Tavilar, and in the forested land surrounding the Blackwood Manor.
 * Sword Coast North: Ardeep Forest
 * In the Nelanther Isles, these trees grew in the southern section of the pair of islets known as the Tusks.
 * The North: Glimmerwood/Moonwood; Silverymoon; High Thorog
 * In Tethyr, these trees could be found around the village of Mosstone.
 * In the Unapproachable East, duskwoods could be found throughout Aglarond. Their presence was thought by some to be evidence of ancient elven inhabitation of the region.
 * A small number of these trees grew on the island of Evermeet.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * Azure Bonds • War in Tethyr • Silverfall • Son of Thunder • Swords of Eveningstar • The Summoning • Blackstaff Tower