Kvasir's Botanical Index
aka June keeping track of the plants she keeps making up
Lux Lilies
- Found in the Ash Lands, particularly at the base of and higher platforms of Mount Drakolt
- A volcanic flower resembling a classic lily; the petals are a dark crimson in color, a scorched-red, though this is not the key noteworthy characteristic. The pistils are luminescent, glimmering gold, emitting a pollen that shines like embers and emits a mild heat, and the leaves are ink-black and appear to be withered, curling around the rest of the plant. They can be difficult to see against the background of the volcano, but the pollen is a key giveaway.
- Its key uses are in combating temperature-related wounds; the petals themselves radiate a natural heat and when ground down are a useful medicinal component for warming potions and other such things, even being useful in the treatment of burns in tandem with other components in poultices, but the key merit lies in the pollen. The pollen is remarkably potent and serves as an amplifier for certain potions, aiding in empowering their effects.
- Toxicity: None, though it lacks any nutritional value when consumed as is.
- Additional Notes: For a volcanic flower, they're surprisingly mild and make good decorations. They have a surprising bit of aesthetic merit, if you're willing to brave the volcano for them.
Khet Lotuses- Found in Zeinav Desert, namely in the White Sand Sea, near the Oasis
- A quaint pink flower found in the silt of the White Sand Sea, in the places not far from the Oasis. They are a pale, solemn pink in color, almost desaturated, with fewer petals than a traditional lotus, with a dusty gold patterning across the edges of the petals. They tend to be small, and only ever grow alone, one blossom at a time-- you will never see two grow in a cluster. It is not unheard of for two to bloom side by side, but never from the same seed. They bloom from ash-bound seeds buried within the sand.
- On its own, the Khet Lotus has very little medicinal merit; it is a flower born of death, and it would be... frowned upon to actually use it in medicine, at least as an outsider to the Tribe of the Lotus. Those within it are privy to a procedure capable of processing the petals properly to create a rejuvenating potion; it is a delicate process, but worth it when successful. I am not keen on sharing this to many.
- Toxicity: Mild-- not lethal, but may provoke some illness if consumed by mouth. Don't eat it. Ever. It's rude.
- Additional Notes: Sacred to the nomadic Tribe of the Lotus that traverses the White Sand Sea, and a byproduct of their funeral rites.
Characaps- Found in the Moonglade, within the Moonveil Forest
- A strange mushroom that grows from the side of trees in a perfect crescent formation, nearly a perfect alabaster until you reach the edges, where a powder blue lines it. They're very pretty, but extraordinarily difficult to find and extremely fragile, requiring a delicate hand and particular tools to harvest without the whole mushroom crumbling on the spot. They absorb the moon's light, their potency shifting with the phases of the moon-- they glow all nights but on a new moon. Even I find them frustrating to obtain.
- The capabilities of the Characap are not physical, but rather mental; when carefully turned into powder, Characaps are useful in forming tranquilizing medication. When distilled or used in tandem with other components, the powder is good to form simpler sleeping medication or soothing capsules-- it is overall best for sleep, calmness, and clarity. It is important to remember the moon's phases when mixing medicine with Characap powder, though, for its potency is ever-shifting.
- Toxicity: Dependent-- the moon phase is important to note, and... one had best be wary of its tranquilizing capabilities. Otherwise, not lethal. Just proceed with caution.
- Additional notes: They are a pain in the ass to harvest. One of the few components even I don't mind ordering a shipment of rather than fetching myself.
Vaha Fruit
- Found in Zeinav Desert, specifically in water bodies on the outskirts of the city
- An underwater-growing type of berry found around Zeinav City, a deep indigo in color, and rather small. They're not much larger than my thumbnail, really, though that isn't a universal assessment. Either way, they grow in clusters, and their ripeness is determined by the balance of their coloration-- too blue, and it's not ripe, too purple and it's overripe. The midpoint between the two is best for testing such a thing-- both for medicinal quality, and for flavor.
- On their own, they're best for a quick snack above all-- however, they shine best when utilized in potions, heated and crushed to mix with other components, or when used in tandem with a specific type of purple wildflower found in the Lantern Light Wood of the Moonglade for a poultice. It eases inflammation readily and has a numbing quality-- this can make it easier to focus on more advanced treatment while distracting a patient from any pain. Very useful.
- Toxicity: None. In fact, they're quite delicious.
- Additional notes: Hardly rare at all, but finding them in their prime can be a bit tricky sometimes, as can finding the ideal water bodies they grow in. I'd like to cultivate some myself someday.
Salina's Tears
- Found underwater in the Luna Sea, namely in shallower depths-- tends to flourish in milder temperatures, further from Frost Gale
- An underwater-growing flower found all across Charon, in the shallower areas of the Luna Sea. The petals are a deep royal blue in color, a perfect spiral around a silvery, specialized salt deposit resembling a crystal from which they derive their name. They bloom in solitary blossoms, seldom ever popping up in clusters, but the stems that anchor them down are very thick, with tiny, wiry protrusions that absorb salinity from the water around them, sustaining the plant.
- At a glance, they're merely an excellent means of absorbing and condensing salt-- however, the petals of the flower are very useful in certain potions. They're best used for water-resistance potions, or strangely, when consuming a dried petal, they can provide ease in regulating breathing. I'm intrigued to see if there's anything I could do to use them for a water-breathing potion...
- Toxicity: The stem and salt core will definitely make you sick, considering how much salt they contain, but the petals are harmless.
- Additional notes: The name is derived from a sailor's myth that the first flowers bloomed from Salina's own tears of laughter, shed in the aftermath of some glorious prank she'd played on a traveling fleet. Gods work in mysterious ways, so who knows if it's actually true, but admittedly, if it is, it's... kind of amusing.
Nisshoku Blossom
(this is Anju's flower, pertaining to her character Akari-- any further questions should probably be directed to her!)
- Found in the Crescent Isles, specifically alongside the lake of a forsaken village in the Bamboo Forest
- A flower that grows by one specific lake, specifically in damp soil-- the blossom is dark in color, a deep purple almost as dark as the night, with clusters of very thin, fragile petals all curling inward. Light hardly seems to reflect off of them. The blooms face directly upward, and the stems and leaves are very thin and wiry. The whole flower looks fragile and ominous.
- Oh, these flowers certainly have a property, alright, but I'd argue they aren't medicinal in any sense. The whole thing is a beacon of toxicity; touching it with bare skin will cause severe inflammation and abrasions, whether internal or external. When consumed in any sense, they... seem to cause a hallucinogenic effect, and heighten awareness to another realm. I don't recommend going anywhere near these.
- Toxicity: Extremely -- even touching it will cause inflammation and abrasions on the skin, no matter where it touches. Consumption can cause severe hallucinations. Please, for the love of Solaria, do not eat these. (You know who you are.)
- Additional notes: They definitely have a quaint mystical quality to them, having sprouted in the wake of severe bloodshed, but they most certainly are best left alone, both for safety reasons and out of respect to the fallen. I take these notes solely to document them.
Pekoe Pods
- Found in the Moonglade, growing from a certain tree in the Eclipse Jungle
- A large pod that sprouts from the branches of a specific tree that grows in the Eclipse Jungle. The pods are usually a golden-orange color and vaguely glow, and have a bit of a heart shape, for lack of a better expression. When unripe, they're usually, interestingly, a pale blue. When you crack them open, they produce a random tea blend, oddly enough-- and yes, it is completely random. I've seen everything from orange blossom to raspberry to mint. It's strange.
- The medicinal properties are entirely random, and are limited entirely to the tea they produce; I suppose if tea is beneficial to you in some way, then that counts as a form of medicine. Such as lavender or mint aiding in sleep, or... so on, so forth. I don't know, this is a very odd plant, but it's a nice one.
- Toxicity: No inherent toxicity; the one risk comes with personal allergy. I would advise avoiding these pods if you have concerns about them producing a blend with a component you're allergic to.
- Additional notes: I don't believe this plant to have any specific medical qualities-- Yet. I do find it incredibly fascinating, though, and I am determined to figure out how it works. Because it puzzles me. God does it puzzle me.
Baby Dragon's Breath
- Found in the Ash Lands, growing in the Lava Pits of Mount Drakolt
- A type of flower found growing in the lava pits of Mount Drakolt-- yes, in them, albeit peeking out above the surface-- in clusters, each stem usually carrying around four to five blossoms. They are a brilliant orangey-gold, some of them even coming in a pale red, and the petals produce a fine, misty smoke without ever burning. The core of the flowers boasts a crystalline golden core, as though hosting the first treasure of a young dragon's hoard.
- Surprisingly, for a flower as potentially dangerous to obtain as these, they're very rich in medicinal merit. The golden core is useful when melted down and mixed with other components for producing heat resistance potions, and the petals retain heat exceptionally well, making them excellent when ground down and packed into larger packets to slip into clothing to retain heat in colder places. They're also useful in the treatment of frostbite and other similar ailments. They lack any inherent healing properties, but are remarkably useful for combating temperatures, much like Lux Lilies.
- Toxicity: Mildly poisonous-- can cause some severe illness when consumed in moderate quantities, as they effectively scorch your insides and your body will rebel against them. Eating them is a bad idea.
- Additional notes: They're incredibly beautiful flowers, and have a great deal of aesthetic value, but are very dangerous to go looking for. If you want to go plucking flowers from lava pits for the sake of a display, be my guest.
Starberries
- Found in the Crescent Isles, growing in carefully-hidden pockets on the far reaches of Starlight City
- Starberries are a beautiful fruit-- small, semi-spherical berries with a five-pointed bloom at the top. They're ever-shifting in color, a vivid sphere of blues, purples, and pinks, with tiny white dots that seem to mimic stars. They really do look like little pieces of space that have fallen down to earth, honestly...
- The effects of Starberries are physical-enhancing in nature, and depend on how many you consume-- just a few will improve your energy levels, more than that may aid in stamina or endurance, and great amounts will even see a drastic change in things like speed or even the height of one's jumping capabilities. I'm betting they'd be useful for helping individuals who struggle with chronic fatigue, or with exhaustion... but I'd probably get thrown into an ethics argument over the potential of these being used illegally in performance-enhancers down the line, wouldn't I? Ugh.
- Toxicity: Mild...? It's difficult to assess: they're not something anyone should eat in excess, as they seem to exist as an enhancer above all, and the effects of eating too many may burn out one's physical systems, which is obviously a terrible, terrible idea. Still, I don't think they're too dangerous.
- Additional notes: These also have a quaint bit of folklore; some say they're pieces of the night sky that simply couldn't hold themselves up anymore, some say Ziev himself tore some of the stars from the sky by accident and cast them down. Obviously that last bit is total bullshit. Ziev doesn't interfere with the fleeting lives of mortals.
Roya'ara
- Found in Zeinav Desert, growing in the Sun-Scorched Coast
- A beautiful lavender, cloud white, and baby blue flower that grows in the greener areas of the Sun-Scorched Coast-- their pastel colors and cloying sweet scent makes them very difficult to miss. They have five petals, all in a smooth gradient, and golden pistils that resemble and smell like crystallized honey, which may suggest edibility. This is a lie. They are not, in any sense, nutritious.
- The Roya'ara is a bit of a dangerous specimen, really-- they trick passersby and herbivorous creatures into believing they may make a sweet snack, only for those that consume them to either fall into a deep, lucid dream-burdened sleep, or into a spell rife with odd hallucinations that beckon you to stay as long as possible. They're odd, but I've found them... useful for less orthodox substances. Nothing I'd use for medication, but something to keep on hand in the case of an emergency, more like.
- Toxicity: Mild to severe-- they're powerful hallucinogens and sedatives, and I wouldn't recommend going around eating them. Those are the key effects, but as always, side effects vary from person to person.
- Additional notes: Their name actually roughly means "dream designer." It's derived from those very same hallucinations they tend to induce in those who eat them. Again, don't eat them, please, for the love of the Gods.
Seithr's Bane
- Found in the mountains of the Frost Gale, where the snow falls at its heaviest and coldest
- Seithr's Bane is a rather beautiful flower that grows in clusters; each blossom is a pale blue with five petals exactly, often with dark blue veins spread across them and a pale purple gradient at the edges of the petals. They have multiple stamens that curl inward, each of them a dark and brilliant blue, and these tend to be the most likely thing to catch your eye, as they poke out above the snow and stand out against the white. They reflect a blue shadow upon the skin, interestingly, no matter what your complexion is, and they have an eerily pleasant scent.
- These flowers have no medicinal or edible worth whatsoever, nor are they especially useful in any form of craft; they're extraordinarily difficult to find and are very, very poisonous. Their key use comes in alchemy, really; they serve as a powerful toxin, and can be very useful in a variety of poisons and detrimental potions. They can be difficult to handle in crafting, however; they are extremely resistant to heat and seem to stave it off with their deep coldness, and require very thorough and careful handling. They aren't poisonous to the touch, at least-- but you might get frostbite handling them.
- Toxicity: Extreme; in fact, I would not be surprised if this ranks as one of the most poisonous flowers within Charon. When consumed, you... really do not have very long to live afterward, unless you have someone capable of cleansing the poison from your body on standby. The toxins present within this flower effectively shut down your respiratory system bit by bit, and... I will refrain from going on, but it is not a pleasant way to go. Don't eat the flower.
- Additional notes: Their name is derived from a folk story about a fire giant named-- you guessed it-- Seithr, who sought immortality. They say this plant was his downfall; he consumed it, believing it might grant him strength and eternal life because of its rarity, but it instead quenched the fire within him and slowly drained him of his power. Of course, it has many colloquial names as well: Frostbiter, Slushcups, Frost Devil's Star, so on, so forth.
Candelie
- Found in caves in the Frost Gale, usually in the World Crown
- These flowers are impossible to miss when you find them; they are strange and intricate works of art, with delicate red and golden petals that almost seem to glow, with cut-outs that make them almost resemble paper lanterns. Their pistils and stamens glow a bright orange and simulate the movement of a flame. Overall, the entire flower looks like a heat source; that is their key trick. A careful eye will note that the snow does not melt around them and steer clear.. but that depends on how close you already are.
- Candelies are extraordinarily dangerous; they produce a faint gaseous pollen with hallucinogenic and sedative properties that deliberately deceives those who get too close into believing they've found a heat source amidst the brutal cold, enticing them to lay down and rest. If you do, you will likely never wake; Candelies are carnivorous and magical, feeding off the nutrients of the dead, and are far larger than they may appear. The flower itself is just the bait. Its pollen is, obviously, capable of being broken down and utilized for sedatives and hallucinogenic poisons, but I wouldn't want to go after it, myself. If you hate someone enough to want to poison them, you have to really hate them to want to use a Candelie.
- Toxicity: Extreme; they lack any inherent deadly toxins, but they produce a powerful hallucinogen and sedative that, in tandem with the weather, is ultimately lethal to anyone who gets too close and cannot break free of it. You will not suffer if you eat or touch these, but they themselves have the power to kill you, and they will eagerly do so.
- Additional notes: Where do I begin? These things are horrible. Terrifying. Half of their actual structure is underground and absorbs you through the snow while you're under magically-induced sleep. You're a madman if you think going near one is a smart idea.
Thunder Lycoris
- Found in the Dragon's Cradle, specifically in the Lightning Fields-- or in any battlefields
- Thunder Lycoris, interestingly, does not look especially different from a typical spider lily; they share the same strange silhouette with arching petals and wiry stamens, albeit with a thicker, more solid stem. The entire flower tends to come in a deep, blood-red color, petals and stem and all-- there's a faint purple gradient to the edges of some of the petals, and the veins on them tend to resemble lightning scars. It's an interesting phenomenon, really.
- The most curious thing about Thunder Lycoris flowers is that they blossom from where blood wets the soil and lightning falls; this is hardly coincidental, and indicates they bloom through magic instead of traditional means. They have no medical properties, but they, a bit morbidly, have a lot of use in various forms of crafting. They tend to be dried and used in dyes, pigments, and paints despite the dangers of going out to fetch them; they also are useful in a variety of different kinds of potions, particularly (naturally) ones pertaining to lightning magic.
- Toxicity: Very mild; they have no danger after being dried, but don't put a raw one in your mouth. It'll sting and taste coppery and burnt and you might feel a bit sick, but that should be it. Might zap a bit. Who knows.
- Additional notes: They have a lot of ornamental longevity, but one should take care in remembering that they do appear to be quite literally formed from blood and thunder. Be respectful, as always.
Nimbus Roses
- Found in Dragon's Cradle, usually around the Dragon's Spine, often even around the outskirts of Sky Peak Village
- These flowers are incredibly beautiful; they're whorls of lavender-grey petals that spiral around in a coil, thus earning them the 'rose' moniker, and little wisps of mist tend to emanate off of the exterior petals. The stem is a deep grey, almost black, with a shock of pale lavender veins branching up through it and onto the leaves, looking not unlike the jagged bolts of lightning that jolt the sky.
- Nimbus Roses are a favorite flower of mine to use as a remedy, actually; the conditions they grow in can be a bit finicky to replicate, but they're very potent in various forms of medicine, specifically burn remedies and ointments. Even just a few petals in some normal water left to sit and then applied with a cotton pad can serve as a very solid base to settle aggravated skin. I use them in skincare as well as in medicine, in fact.
- Toxicity: None at all; they don't taste good, but they won't hurt you. You'll get get a mouthful of petals and likely be very disappointed.
- Additional notes: Despite the name and appearance, they're not roses at all; they'd actually be closer to daisies. Nimbus Daisies doesn't have the same ring to it, and they don't look quite like them, though, so Nimbus Roses it is.
Bolt Apples
- Found in Dragon's Cradle, usually along the edges of the Smokey Mountains and Dragon's Spine
- These apples, curiously, grow from a tree that looks like it should be incapable of producing anything at all; they are charred and barren, the picture of something burnt and dead, and yet, the tree will flower with small violet blossoms when producing the apples. Bolt Apples themselves have a bright, electric blue outer skin that glows, and on the interior, the flesh is a very pale silver, almost white in color. They are spherical in shape, like most traditional apples.
- Bolt Apples are a bit of a high-maintenance fruit; the strength of their glow indicates both their ripeness, and thusly, their edibility. When they have no glow at all, they do nothing and taste like nothing-- at their strongest, you're basically biting into an electric current. The midpoint results in something quite delicious, though, as well as a powerful alchemical component; it's a good source of electricity for magic cores, too. Bolt Apples are coveted by alchemists and mages and food connoisseurs alike; you just have to... time it right. Don't zap yourself.
- Toxicity; See above. It fluctuates-- oh, but you won't get poisoned. Just electrocuted. They're harmless otherwise.
- Additional notes: If you harvest them at the right time, their electric prowess is frozen in time; they won't lose or gain charge, meaning you can actually use them in baking and the like. They're good, too! They have a sweet taste with only an edge of tartness at their prime-- there's a bit of a spiced quality, too. I find them to taste good when baked with some cinnamon or nutmeg. Or both.
Shy Man's Mandrake
- Found in King's Valley, in various places; anywhere there's plains, you may possibly find them
- I do not typically describe plants as cute, but... this specific type of mandrake is cute. They look more like turnips with a carved face than they do a traditional mandrake, with little stubby legs and a permanent look of distress. Their leaves hang over their faces and they tend to hide behind them when they're above ground.
- Shy Man's Mandrakes earn their name because of the long game they play when uprooted; they do their typical thing where they scream, potentially knocking you unconscious, but if that fails, they will flee, hide, and rinse and repeat. They can be pesky, but this can only continue for so long, as the initial uprooting will lead to them perishing after around half of an hour. It's a bit morbid and collecting them tends to bother some, but... they are quite useful in all kinds of powders and potions, namely sleeping powders, confusion-inducing potions, and even some (auditory) illusory splash potions.
- Toxicity: To your ears? Yes. Very much so. I hate dealing with them. Otherwise? Not at all.
- Additional notes: As endearing as I find the Shy Man's Mandrake in terms of aesthetics, and as useful as they are, that wretched scream is the bane of my existence, as noise-cancelling equipment is near-impossible to find for a man with ears like mine. However, for all others? Simply bring something to block out the noise and you are good to go.
Witcher Pitcher
- Found in the Marsh Flats, typically in the Hauntwood, especially near high concentrations of magic
- The first thing you will notice about these plants is that they are utterly colossal, about six or seven feet in height; they are massive the whole way around. They tend to be dark grey, desaturated green, or deep black in color, and are difficult to see; when they have recently eaten, bright runes light up the pitcher part of their structure for which they get their name. They have long tendrils that tend to go inactive, but... not always.
- Witcher Pitchers are nasty things; they are carnivorous plants with a degree of awareness that absolutely abhor and covet magic, and will lash out and try to consume any magical creature, object, or entity that gets too close. They produce a syrup that attracts most non-sapient magical creatures, allowing the pitcher plant to close down over them and consume them, but humanoids don't fall for this so easily, which is... where the tendrils come in. They're dangerous and quite violent, but the sap they produce is unfortunately quite useful in alchemy and even some medicine, which is... not a fun time for magically gifted alchemists and doctors. This is another product I feel safer just ordering a shipment of.
- Toxicity: Well, I consider a plant that wants to kill and eat any magical thing in its range quite toxic, but no, it is not poisonous or venomous beyond the digestive fluid it produces when it traps prey.
- Additional notes: Witcher Pitchers are entirely non-hostile to creatures who lack any magic entirely; hell, they'll eat your magical items, but they won't go for you if they don't trace any magic in your blood. It's only mages who need fear them, or inherently magical creatures.
Angler Apples
- Found in the Ash Lands, Dragon's Cradle, and the Zeinav Desert; specifically above cave systems
- The first indicator of an Angler Apple is a simple and completely typical bush; small, dark-leaved, and orthodox, usually blending well into the scenery. Come nightfall, though, if you see the veins of the plant start to grow, you will know you've found an Angler Apple bush; you just need to dig. As befitting a subterranean plant, Angler Apples are bioluminescent; they're a pale, mint green color with a faint ethereal glow, and grow in thick clusters from the roots of the bush they grow from.
- Angler Apples, like many kinds of apples in Charon, are really just best as a snack, but they have one key feature that makes them important to travelers in cave systems; they are quite rich in water content, and can be a necessary source of hydration. The thick peel is useful in the creation of glowing paint and pigments, but the fruit itself is best used as a snack or as a source of hydration; I really wouldn't go out of my way to go and get them. Especially not with Cave Fishers crawling around the damned things.
- Toxicity: They're actually harmless; I would advise caution in going looking for them, all the same.
- Additional notes: They have an interesting symbiotic relationship of sorts with Cave Fishers; the Cave Fishers tend to accumulate around the bushes' roots due to the glowing fruit attracting all manner of prey, and they happen to be good pollinators for said plants. Fascinating, and yet terrifying.
Swampkins
- Found in the Marsh Flats, in the Black Bog and Hauntwood
- Swampkins are a delightfully odd plant, and I have a particular fondness for them; they are a type of pumpkin that defies all logic, growing specifically in swamps; they ignore the usual delicate water balance required to allow pumpkins to grow, and glow. They come in shades of orange and grey, and their key feature is their carved face that is inherently there, unveiling the glowing core at their center.
- Swampkins are a triple threat; they sustain a powerful light core that is useful in a variety of spells and alchemical projects, the oil that can be made from them can heal and ease all manner of internal ailments, and the seeds are absolutely delicious when roasted and seasoned. The leaves and flowers are also useful for serums for external issues, as well, namely for simple bruises and cuts. Their key trait, however, comes with that carved face; the expression shifts in the presence of aerial toxins, with the smile fading as toxicity in the air increases. This can be useful for tracking Spike Moss, or for simply navigating certain dangerous areas, so on, so forth.
- Toxicity: None; they are a delicious snack, and are, in fact, fantastic for determining the presence of nearby toxins!
- Additional notes: I have absolutely no idea how they function but they delight me. They have several different colloquial names; Ghost Gourds, Canary Squash, Bog Lanterns...
Dewshrooms
- Found in King's Valley, on the backs of cattle, boars, and other such creatures
- These fungi look far more like raindrops than they do an ordinary mushroom, truth be told; they have a translucent exterior membrane that looks deceptively fragile and contains a pocket of seemingly unending water. The stem digs into the backs of living creatures, and forms the basis of a symbiotic relationship between the two organisms (more on that later); overall, they're pretty, and really look kind of like jellyfish instead of like mushrooms.
- Dewshrooms are a quaint specimen; they specifically grow onto the backs of living creatures and root themselves partially into their bodies, providing a steady and consistent water source to their host. The pocket within the mushroom will periodically empty and hydrate the creature the mushroom latches on to; the key symbiosis comes in the form of the mushroom absorbing a small portion of vital nutrients from the creature in question, creating a relationship that allows them to sustain both organisms. Water for lifeblood. They're useful in removing toxins from a person's bloodstream, in fact; that is their key medical use. Alchemically and beyond? I have yet to figure it out.
- Toxicity: They're good in flushing out toxins, but eating one would likely just be like drinking water except crunchier, I assume.
- Additional notes: Some have opted to call them Mooshrooms instead of Dewshrooms, based on the fact that they primarily grow on the backs of cows...
Moleapples
- Found growing beneath the earth in various parts of Charon, wherever the soil is moist and temperate enough– it cannot flourish in places like Zeinav, the Ash Lands, or the Frost Gale, so it is typically found in the southern half of the continent.
- Moleapples gain their name from the fact that they’re an underground-growing fruit— they’re indicated by an above-ground sprig with teardrop-shaped red leaves, where the fruit is produced at the roots. The apples themselves are large, auburn fruits with a pale gold-orange interior— significantly larger than the traditional apple, but not quite, say, melon-sized.
- This fruit is most commonly harvested for culinary purposes— it’s a versatile fruit with varying flavor notes, and it can be prepared in countless ways. Fried, dried, salted or sugared, so on, so forth— one especially common one I’ve seen is when they’re baked, split, and served with butter and cinnamon. Beyond their edibility, they’re quite useful in digestive regulation— I use them in medication to treat digestive-based illnesses. I’ve been testing their merit as a component in medication for circulatory health, too, with shining results. All in all, quite the healthy fruit.
- Toxicity: The fruit itself is non-toxic— the leaves on the sprig it grows from are a different story. In order to ward off creatures looking for a snack, the leaves not only taste incredibly bad, but can cause extreme nausea if consumed. The fruit is fine, though— I doubt any sentient creature is going to try and eat those leaves, anyway.
- Additional notes: This is one of the more interesting and difficult to categorize plants out there— it has qualities of both tubers and a proper fruit, most comparable to a traditional potato and the apple it takes its name from. Admittedly, it’s kind of a botanical wonder.
Crab Apples
- Found growing in the Luna Sea– fruitless sprigs grow on the seafloor, but they only produce when they latch onto a crustacean to serve as a host
- Crab Apples are an aptly named plant— the sprigs they grow from are a wiry, deep blue plant found on the seafloor, often mistaken for a type of filament-heavy seaweed. They will latch onto passing crustaceans, namely crabs, and when they have a steady supply of minerals and nutrients, they’ll produce a deep purple fruit with a crisp texture and a salty flavor.
- As they are parasites bound to the floor of the Luna Sea, Crab Apples are a… bit of an odd plant. They have no known medicinal or culinary uses to landborn creatures, but they are a common delicacy to those born of the sea. Sometimes they’re broken down and used in various potions meant for oceanic use— divers and hunters value them for potions that aid maneuverability beneath the sea, or even for swimming speed. They’re also a good base for minor, non-lethal poisons due to their nauseating qualities— honestly, I believe they might have use as an emetic.
- Toxicity: These are a quaint case– the core of the apple is toxic to most landborn races, presumably because of the… corrupted crab nutrients? It is entirely non-toxic to seaborn folk, but it’s best used in potioncraft and alchemy otherwise– the fruit on the exterior, further from the core and seeds, is less likely to make you sick, but I really would not recommend it unless you simply love the feeling of nausea. Salty nausea.
- Additional notes: It’s unknown why they tend to latch onto crustaceans in particular— it’s rare to find them using any other sea creature as a host. I suspect they benefit from the mineralization of crab shells somehow, but I’m a botanist and a doctor, not a marine biologist. Either way, they’re kind of creepy. Not my favorite plant in the world.
Idunn’s Grace
- Found in the Frost Gale, in upside-down-growing trees in mountain caverns
- Idunn’s Grace takes the form of an apple— in terms of shape, it resembles your average apple, though it’s notable for its brilliant gold color and metallic sheen, as if it was created in a forge instead of being the fruit of a tree. The taste is unlike your average apple, too— it has a fainter, sweeter taste, more comparable to an especially sweet pear.
- This apple is rarely used as an ordinary snack— it’s considered to be rather rare, as the trees only flower once a year and grow in extreme conditions, and is better saved for medicinal and alchemical use instead, especially since the flavor isn’t exactly unique. It’s very good at what it does, too— the juice is useful in anti-aging serums, for instance, and they can be a key component in rejuvenating or energizing potions. Getting ahold of them is tricky sometimes, but it’s one of the few more annoying plants I’d say is well worth seeking out due to its potency alone.
- Toxicity: None– in fact, their key use is in healing potions, medication, and even things like rejuvenating cosmetics.
- Additional notes: The name of this plant has an interesting origin— the name “Idunn” is that of a long-dead minor goddess of the Frost Gale, who allegedly once oversaw the underground orchard the apples grow in. Many rumors flit back and forth about her death, or if she was even real to begin with, but this is the legacy she allegedly left behind.
Pardisajal
- Found in the Zeinav Desert, specifically in oases or along the Sun-Scorched Coast
- This odd fruit is quite the eye-catching one— it’s mostly spherical, though it adopts more of a heart shape as it flowers away from its source, and ripe ones will be a brilliant red-to-gold gradient in color— unripe ones are a pale blue-to-yellow instead. They have a shell shaped from thin, petal-like layers, which protects the fruit and liquid inside.
- Pardisajal, or their colloquial name, Paradise Coconuts, are a fascinating fruit— a distant sister to the traditional coconut that’s believed to have a mystic quality to it. The thin petals of the shell can be roasted and salted as a snack, while the fruit and liquid within both have culinary use as well— however, the liquid’s key use is as a source of long-term hydration, or as a component in skincare, haircare, and certain types of medicines. I highly recommend them for hygienic and cosmetic products— the water does wonders for your skin.
- Toxicity: None whatsoever– in fact, Pardisajal water is practically a natural medicine of its own, what with its potent hydration and rejuvenating qualities.
- Additional notes: Their name, when using some nomadic local languages as a reference, roughly translates to “Paradise Nut” – of course, the Pardisajal is a fruit and not a nut, bearing vast similarity to coconuts.
Ginma’s Fuzzy Horse Grass
- Found in the southeastern parts of Charon, primarily in the rightmost reaches of the Marsh Flats and in King’s Valley, with some variants growing along the south border of Zeinav.
- Despite the name, Ginma’s Grass (I am not writing out the entire name every time, thank you very much) is more akin to a wiry leaf– it’s a dusty green in color, with veins building through the leaf in earthy tones like brown and red. They sprout from a low-growing plant that thrives in temperate climates.
- Ginma’s Grass is most famous for its, ah… recreational purposes— it’s common as a relaxant drug, whether smoked, consumed, or mixed into something else, and it’s popularly used in lounges, bars, and other similar locations as a means of helping clientele wind down. It helps that any addictive properties it has are easily curbed, which makes it a bit less dangerous than most plants like it. It does actually have some medicine properties, though— certain extracts of the plant can be utilized in sedatives and sleeping aids, though even those should be used lightly.
- Toxicity: I wouldn’t call it toxic, but I also wouldn’t go around making especially common use of it— it is primarily used as a drug, after all, and I advise moderation with even largely non addictive substances. Addiction is one thing, dependence is another.
- Additional notes: Its name is derived from a minor folk story from King’s Valley— allegedly, the god Ginma came down to the Valley and was challenged to a race, which he accepted. He had quite the lead, and took a break to observe some plants of the lands, only to decide to snack on the titular leaf in question, ultimately winding up too out of it to complete the race. I believe this to be bullshit, of course— why would Ginma, father of earth, not know the properties of a plant? Second, with the revelation about the gods… well. I’m sure you can glean the rest. Still, it’s an interesting fable, I suppose.
Nihililacs
- Found in the Frost Gale, primarily in the Coldwood at the base of the trees that grow there
- Nihililacs would ordinarily be a bit of an easy flower to miss in a place like the Frost Gale due to their stark white color– they’re a series of small, pale blossoms growing from one thick, pale blue stalk, making them blend in well with the snow they thrive in. However, what spares them from being missable would be the mist they produce, which serves as a deterrent for potential predators, and an excellent beacon to their location.
- This is quite the… unique plant, to be truthful: they are eerily cold no matter where you’ve taken them, making them quite useful in a variety of ice-based potions and remedies, but that mist is their key attraction no other flower can replicate. Nihililacs have a property that makes them capable of shifting the properties of liquids, preserving their qualities and converting them into a gaseous state, making them excellent diffusers. However, this plant most famously is used in the Miasmic Catalyst potion devised by fellow Consortium member, Lady Gwendolyn Mystwud– a potion capable of amplifying and spreading the effects of other potions.
- Toxicity: Mild: they’re quite bitter and are likely to make you sick if you try to eat one, with nausea and extreme dizziness or disorientation manifesting as primary symptoms of consumption.
- Additional notes: Again, they can be used as excellent diffusers, but they thrive best in cold environments– shame, I’d love to use one with some lavender powder or something to make the Desert Rose smell a little nicer. It mostly smells like medicine.
Everblossoms
- Found in the Crescent Isles, just about anywhere, but most prominently and famously in and around Starlight City
- Everblossoms look remarkably similar to the species they evolved from, the cherry blossom– they have the distinct five-petaled flowers in soft pastel colors, although there are some key differences. They can grow in the signature pink-and-red shades, but variants in lavender-and-white also exist, and all Everblossoms have a scattering of pale star-shaped specks across the petals. They tend to grow from thicker trees, too, and some are capable of producing fruit, unlike their ornamental sister trees– Kousei Cherries, though, deserve a separate entry.
- Like their sister plant, Everblossoms are very commonly used in various ways, though to a somewhat lesser extent due to being considered sacred in some circles: they tend to be used in teas, as a water infusion, and in ritual beverages, but they’re most valuable in skin and hair care. They have a remarkable reparative quality, and are good for easing split ends or dark spots on the skin– I’ve even found ways to use them in ointments to ease surface-level wounds. They can also be crushed into a powder that serves as a light flavoring agent.
- Toxicity: Largely non-toxic: the blossoms are wholly edible (and are used in a variety of dishes and teas), as are the fruit some of them produce.
- Additional notes: Everblossoms gain their name from their inability to die naturally– they are resilient trees in a constant state of flowering, even, strangely, through harsh winters. Some believe them to be a sacred plant due to this state of eternal spring– others say they gain their everlasting life from the magic of the yokai.
Rose Ginger
- Found primarily in various parts of the Crescent Isles, although some cultivars have made their way to the Moonglade
- Although Rose Ginger is a flowering plant, its key attraction comes in the form of its roots, which are thick, layered, and a dusty pink in color, hence their name. The flower they grow beneath is a soft pale pink in color, with a thick stem building into folded petals– they tend to only have one blossom per plant, though some samples do sprout additional ones. Moonglade variants come in different shades, with some cultivars even coming in pale shades of purple or fuchsia instead– the original has a prominent, albeit gentle spicy flavor with a floral edge, whereas some of its variants adopt a more mellow flavor profile.
- There are two key uses for Rose Ginger, and the two do inevitably intertwine: it’s often ground down into spices, seasonings, and tea blends for a variety of dishes across Charon, serving as a valuable export from the Moonglade Conclave, and it also functions as a fantastic medicinal root for the sake of digestion related conditions. It can also be fermented and mixed with other components to create various drinks– there’s a form of non-alcoholic ale it can produce that I often keep on hand for patients.
- Toxicity: None whatsoever– in fact, this root promotes great digestive health and is commonly used in tonics made to ease nausea and stomach pain.
- Additional notes: It’s certainly one of the most versatile plants out there, and it’s widely used across Charon in drinks, dishes, and remedies– I grow quite the abundance of it in the Desert Rose’s greenhouse.
Charolina Reaper
- Found primarily in the Marsh Flats and King’s Valley, wherever it’s warmer and less populated by livestock and other wildlife
- The Charolina Reaper pepper, mercifully, looks quite distinct from your average hot pepper; it adopts an unusual curved shape, almost resembling a scythe (from which it derives its name), and usually has a rich, dark red, burgundy, or purple color. The brighter variants are more common out in Kings’ Valley and tend to grow from smaller plants, where the darker ones are more often found in the Marsh Flats and grow from denser foliage. Budding Reapers can be indicated by small, five-petaled, bright red flowers that emanate heat.
- The most common use for the Charolina Reaper pepper is in cooking, as one would expect; they can be dried out and ground into spices, or used in sauces, or, if one prefers, just eaten as is. The pepper itself is incredibly spicy, with its rich flavor often being overpowered by just how much it stings the tongue– if one with a less spice-friendly palate plans on using it in cooking, much care and preparation is necessary just to dilute the heat to a consumable level. It’s a popular snack among those who love spice, though. I’m partial to it myself– with limits.
- Toxicity: Mild; it isn’t toxic in the traditional sense in that it will actively kill you or damage your systems, but those with low spice tolerance or high sensitivity to heat and spice should be cautious. The peppers must be harvested with care; handling them with bare hands is highly discouraged. Don’t get any in your eyes– if you do, immediately see a physician. Or a priest.
- Additional notes: I advise against preparing them yourself unless you have an open botanical manual or a well-researched cookbook on hand. A professional will handle them best, and will probably get them to taste the best– and will probably run the lowest risk of turning their skin into a replica of Mount Drakolt.
Jellycaps
- Found primarily in the Luna Sea, growing along the seafloor– they flourish pretty much anywhere, with several variants growing dependent on the temperature and condition of the water they sprout in
- Jellycaps derive their name from their similar appearance to jellyfish; they’re small, bulbous mushrooms that are entirely translucent, rooted into the surface they sprouted from by multiple thin, interwoven stalks. The caps are almost gelatinous, squishy to the touch, and deceptively delicate-looking, but the stalks are unmistakably firm and keep the caps rooted quite tightly into the seafloor, seacliff, or whatever it’s attached to. The mushrooms themselves can come in any color, but most commonly come in pale pinks and lavenders. They give off a faint glow.
- Jellycaps have a wide variety of uses; one of the most common ones, surprisingly, is as a… makeshift torch for mages. If you peel the edges of the cap up just so and create an orb of light small enough to insert within the mushroom’s cap, you can grip it by the (completely unrooted!) stalk and use it as a weird, nontraditional torch. Not my recommendation, but to each their own. The mushroom itself is inedible, but contains multiple useful properties; the venom contained within the stalk can be used both as a numbing agent (when diluted) and as a form of poison, and the spores contained within the cap can be used as catalysts for alchemical reactions, making them great for potions.
- Toxicity: Moderate. The stalk, much like its namesake, will sting you if you touch it in order to protect the cap; however, it can no longer administer any venom once it has been uprooted and left to rest for a short period of time, making it mostly safe afterward. The venom in question really mostly just hurts you– it will sting for several hours, though, and make you especially susceptible to any pain that follows. Be careful.
- Additional notes: If you are looking to harvest one, just do so with protective gear. Also, if you’re looking to use one as a torch, just bring an actual torch. What a waste.
Fool's Feast
- Found primarily in the Moonglade, particularly in the Moonveil Forest, in small groups at the bases of trees
- The Fool’s Feast Mushroom, as it has come to be known, is a deceptively simple mushroom– at least during the day. It’s a plain, white mushroom– white stalk, white cap–, with almost indistinguishable spines and little other noteworthy features. Their plainness is what makes them so exceedingly dangerous– but during the evening, or in darker, less-illuminated areas, traces of bioluminescence can be discerned on the cap and along the spines– usually in spots of bright, glowing blue.
- This mushroom is the most poisonous fungi discovered across Charon to date; it is harmless when touched, but consuming it is nearly a guaranteed death sentence unless you have a way to flush out the toxins immediately. Once digested, or once the toxins within it are absorbed into your system, there is no saving you without the aid of magic. (see toxicity) The uses of the mushroom itself are just that: as poison. The toxins within it can be concentrated into more precise poisons, or the mushroom can be ground down into powder for similar uses. Its only recorded uses are harmful.
- Toxicity: Extreme; Where do I begin with this one? As mentioned, upon absorption of the toxins contained within the mushroom, its lethality rate escalates to one hundred percent; symptoms manifest gradually, with hot flashes and feverishness usually being the first to set in, later followed by migraines, nausea, and delirium. Next is usually audiovisual hallucinations, muscle aches (and sometimes, I’m told, paralysis of the extremities, but this is a rarely-observed one). Eventually, total organ failure sets in, and… well, I’m sure you know what happens when your organs fail. Stopping this requires magical aid.
- Additional notes: Please, please do not eat mushrooms you cannot properly identify in the wild– the Fool’s Feast mushroom makes it extremely easy to confuse it with other harmless mushrooms, which leads to a higher volume of consumption, and a greater number of consequent deaths. Keep a fungi guide on hand and remember to forage smartly.
Punching Posies
- Found primarily in the Marsh Flats and Moonglade, typically in more densely forested and less-traveled areas
- For a plant so prone to violence, the colloquially named Punching Posie (which are actually a type of rose) are extremely pretty; they’re brightly colored flowers with glittering petals, curly leaves, and they produce a fine, sparkly, silver pollen. They are also massive in size, with some even growing to be up to seven feet/just over two meters tall in height, with the blossoms themselves sometimes even having a diameter of up to two feet/half a meter. Not all of them grow to be so big, with most being smaller than the average human, but that’s still pretty big for a flower.
- Punching Posies, as the name entails, will close all of their petals and rear back to hit you for one hell of a punch if you intrude upon their space (and oh, they hit surprisingly hard for a flower); but such is necessary to make use of their multiple qualities. The petals contain invigorating properties, and can be used in potions or powders for alchemical potions of strength and rejuvenation; their silvery pollen is a useful calming agent, and also has a surprisingly good taste, comparable to confectioner’s sugar. The pollen can be used in luxury desserts for both good taste and peace of mind. Good, considering how much stress it takes just to obtain it.
- Toxicity: They themselves are not toxic, but they’re still… not the safest plant to harvest unless you’re a proud member of the Fighter’s Guild. Considering the stereotypical physique of most mages and alchemists, they have a low harvest rate. (Fun fact: a lot of members of the Guild sometimes get commissioned by alchemists and witches to go out and obtain these for them!)
- Additional notes: These plants are extremely territorial and not particularly welcome to travelers invading their personal space. They’re harmless if you leave them alone and respect their territory, but try to harvest them, walk through them, or interact with them in any way, and they’ll give you an uppercut that would make any senior Fighter’s Guild member tremble with pride and fear. Imagine being Guillotine Dropped by a flower.
Lunala’s Blanket
- Found in the Moonglade and Crescent Islands, most commonly growing on trees and rocks in the Eclipse Jungle or the Bamboo Forest
- Lunala’s Blanket is a type of closely clustered bioluminescent moss; it’s usually pale blue in color and only shines brighter beneath the light of the moon, and tends to grow in dense colonies across various surfaces– more commonly rocks than trees– not unlike a blanket draped across them. Lavender or even white variants have been spotted within the Crescent Islands, but the blue variant is the most common.
- Lunala’s Blanket, like several other mosses, has a key use as a cooling or soothing agent; it’s great for easing fresh burns, sores, rashes, and, when clean, open wounds. It works wonderfully in poultices, and has a lot of value in general for being an accessible and quick remedy to injuries obtained in the Moonglade, especially when full medical care is out of reach. I wouldn’t advise it as a cure-all or as a substitute for full-on medical treatment, but it is great for easing pain and holding you over until you can get to a medic or mage.
- Toxicity: None! It’s more likely to help you than harm you.
- Additional notes: The name is derived, naturally, from the goddess Lunala, and a belief spread among some of her past followers that encountering a colony of this moss would bring about comforting dreams when you slept that night, or that making camp by a colony of it would lead to the goddess herself visiting you in your dreams.
(more to come, as always)
protect him at all cost. (can’t use discord anymore so making use of this here)
