Gloom Trees

Gloom sickness is contracted by sleeping in the shade of a Gloom Tree. Any tree from which a man has hung himself, in time, becomes a Gloom Tree. These are apparent only by their shadow - which casts itself in all directions regardless of the position of the sun.

The wary may check for Gloom Trees or Jyubokko Trees by sticking the bark with a hatchet. Secretions of thick black sludge are a telltale sign, though this is rarely common knowledge outside of witch circles or other such societies.

Any unlucky sleeper awakens deep into a fit of choking and wheezing. Abysmal feelings of dread, panic, regret and burden linger for years. These are as dangerous as any knife.

It is a grim and downhill battle. A new Gloom Tree is planted.

Chopping down a Gloom Tree is sometimes believed to prevent any future tragedies, though all folklore is mixed. Peculiar gossips claim that even if a Gloom Tree is fallen, the shadow always remains, a perpetual stain on the land.