Barkmull

Barkmull is a fictional resinous substance described in fantasy and speculative fiction. It is said to be exuded by certain trees in dense Barkwood forests and is valued for both practical and arcane applications.

The term barkmull is typically treated as a compound noun formed from the words bark and mull, an archaic or fictional term for resin. In different works it is assigned varying taxonomic details, but there is no single real-world species associated with it.

Description and properties: Fresh barkmull resin ranges from amber to dark brown and can be translucent. It is known for a low, sweet odor and for a faint phosphorescent glow that can persist for hours after exposure to light. When processed it forms a flexible film that can be tempered by heat and aging.

Extraction and processing: Collectors score mature trees to let resin bleed, then harvest the sap, filter it to remove particulates, and cure it in controlled air or kiln-like environments. Heating barkmull alters hardness and elasticity, while aging can deepen color and glow.

Uses and cultural role: In fiction, barkmull serves as a strong, water-resistant adhesive and as a varnish that highlights grain. Its glow makes it useful for lanterns, inscriptions, and ritual objects. It is also traded as a rare material between settlements, and appears in several regional mythologies within its fictional ecosystem.