• Lore • [Rharne] Flora

[Oracle]

The Mauraders

Name: The Marauders

Appearance: The Marauders are not exactly easily described. Their height, weight, and entire appearance is dependant on the body that is being controlled. But one thing is for certain -- all Marauders will have moss, plants, and sometimes insects living on them, as if they were part of the forest. Logs and other Marauders that do not naturally have limbs will regrow them in the form of wood, and fungi will encompass parts of their body, usually around the chest or head area.

Description: Those who enter the Ywyngyll Forest and never return are expected to have been swallowed up alive by the living forest, but a fate far worse encompasses them. If someone were to stray within it's woods with any intention other than pure, the lush and violent forest will attempt to not only push away or kill the intruder, but to take their body and infuse it within itself. The nature found in the forest is far more vicious and brutal than most, and the Unabor that connects everything intends to keep it that way by setting up intense predators along it's borders. Should someone enter the wood, they would find beings - simple logs or trees, dead animals, or sometimes even other humanoid races completely devoid of emotion, or thoughts, with fungi growing out along their body. The fungi, referred to as The Marauders by the hearts, are another precaution of the forest. Along the border, these moving, dead creatures are almost completely invisible to the naked eye, camouflaging as simple logs or animals. Once someone falls deeper within the wood, and strays near a heart, The Marauders track and follow their prey, believing that they might turn back, or perhaps be friendly to the forest. Should someone aggravate them, by attacking the creatures there, going near a heart, cutting down too much wood from it's trees - The Marauders will lash out.

These creatures purely aim to kill, and although completely docile before they are activated, they should be approached cautiously. Should someone cut themselves on the defensive fungi found later in the forest, The Marauders are part of the creatures that will attempt to secure and kidnap the person and bring them towards the hearts, but this doesn't always happen, and The Marauders sometimes kill their target. They do this in any way necessary, logs will simply ram their target, animals will use claws and teeth, and humans will attempt to wrestle and beat their opponent. A single Marauder is not lethal usually to any competent person, but they are extremely dangerous in numbers, as dozens can overwhelm a single foe.

Should one of these creatures be captured, they will wilt and immediately die upon being taken out of the forest. A necromancer will not be able to revive it in any way, for The Marauder is not an entity, but a part of the forest, and an invasive fungi that attaches and redirects plants and animals to defend the forest. It has no purpose beyond this, and does not need food or water to survive, as it is not truly living.

Frequency: Uncommon (only in Ywyngyll Forest)

Level of Danger: Medium

Special Properties: The Marauder that attaches itself is able to control and pivot the body or tree to work in favor of the forest.

Additional Information: None

Credit: Ministry

[Oracle]

Gasping Orchid

Name: Gasping Orchid
Appearance: The Gasping Orchid is roughly 6" in height, but as most parasitic orchids are wont to do, will wrap around tree trunks with scarlet tendrils in order to fight for a place in the sun. Their leaves are small, roughly the length of a man's thumb. Though green in hue they are veined in the same blood-red color as the vine itself. The leaves grow in bunches, with foot-long bare intervals where they are few if any leaves at all. What makes this plant most striking is it's flower. Larger than an ithecal's fist, blood-red, and sticky, they bring to mind a red mouth opening to consume some poor creature. When not open, these flowers seal themselves up in fleshy, veiny 'pods' that are nearly impossible to cut through. These flowers are crepuscular, and bloom at early morning and sunset. All other times they are sealed.

Description: Gasping Orchids are native to the swamps of Rharne. They exist by winding up trees, sinking their roots deep into the flesh of the tree. Their aim is not to kill their victim, though the trees infected with Gasping Orchids often fail to thrive and wither away within a few arcs, leaving the orchid to capitalize on the corpse. Gasping Orchids reproduce in a strange way. A pair of white swellings at the rear of the "throat" of the flower will become monstrously huge in late Ymiden. By early Saun the swellings have grown to a point where the flower can no longer shut itself. When the pressure becomes too immense, the flower will explode. A hail of wet, sticky seeds each the size of a flea will fly through the air and (hopefully) stick to a nearby tree.

Beware; though these bursts are relatively harmless unless you happen to be a tree, Gasping Orchid seeds are designed to stick and hook onto a warm, viable host. Once they find one, be it the surface of a man's skin or the sun-warmed trunk of a tree, they immediately send a root down. This root is tipped in barbs. The longer the itchy seed stays on a man's skin, the deeper the root goes. The root will eventually mistake muscle tissue or bone for a tree, and will start to sprout. Once a man has been affected with this level of Gasping Orchid, it is too late. No matter how hard he tugs on the plant, or attempts to cut it out, the roots will allow it to leech energy from a man's flesh and regrow itself. Gasping Orchid infections can last for decades and decades. Skeletons of the afflicted look like swiss cheese where the roots have bored holes in and out of the bones to more securely anchor itself. Death is slow, and agonizing, and takes dozens of arcs. A man will shamble along until he is no longer recognizable, with flowers sprouting out of his back or arms, and vines consuming his features. If the roots manage to bore into the brain, a more severe symptom occurs; madness.

The plant will burrow deep into the brain and begin to drill holes into it for nutrients. Seizures, hallucinations both complex and simple, swelling in the brain, and eventual death are all symptoms of a poor mortal afflicted with a Gasping Orchid that has made its way to the brain. These individuals can be unspeakably violent, and will often attack friends and family members. The afflicted are known as Gaspers. Gaspers will shamble through the swamps of Rharne and stand in sunny spots to allow their vines to soak up the sun. They live a meager, horrific existence, until someone comes along to either cure them, or end their suffering.

The treatment for Gasping Orchid is currently unknown.

Frequency: Uncommon

Level of Danger: Extremely High

Special Properties: Psychotoxins; the Gasping Orchid seems to have the power to convince its mammalian victims that it is somehow beneficial, to prevent them from removing it. This is derived from the roots of the plant, and can be ground up and added to food to temporarily make an individual highly suggestible. However, due to the instability of the compound, the difficulty in harvesting the orchids without oneself becoming infected, and the relative rarity of the plants, only a master alchemist or chemist would have the skills to produce such a serum. Alchemists lower than Master will find that their serums only aid in suggestibility of a varying to lower degree, and run the risk of the serum backfiring and infecting the intended target with Gasping Orchid seeds.

Additional Information: Hi, I love you, this is for the contest.

Credit: Jon/Braker

[Oracle]

Knight Bloom

Name: Knight Bloom
Appearance: Blossoming plants, standing between 2 and 3 inches tall. Their white trumpet-like bloom is usually a pretty white but the plants glow in a comforting light when in the presence of someone marked by, or born of Ilaren. In the presence of the Immortal herself, they glow twice as brightly.

Description: These beautiful flowers are known to have originated in the Mistal Woods where they used to light the way for the Lightning Knights who had entered the forest to help others - hence their name. There, they literally have been known to light up a path for those who are lost or who seek to help innocents. In recent arcs they have become a more common sight around Rharne and some make beautiful displays in gardens around the Cathedral.

During the night, or throughout all of Cylus where no sun lights the sky, these beautiful blossoms give off a comforting glow in when someone who bears the mark of Ilaren is nearby. They also, whilst in the glowing state, emit a beautiful fragrance which is said to boost the powers and abilities of Ilaren's chosen, while harming those who would seek to do them harm. Thus, rather than being used as a detection system, those who would wish harm to Ilaren's faithful tend to avoid these. The more devout the follower - either in terms of the level of their mark or their role in Ilaren's factions in Rharne, the more powerful the effects of the bloom.

Frequency: Uncommon. Requires Expert Gardening to care for due to their extremely fragile nature.

Level of Danger: Depends on who you are. Potentially high.

Special Properties: For Ilaren's marked being in proximity of these blooms adds a single level bonus to combat skills (eg: Competent becomes Expert). The light does this. For those seeking to harm Ilaren's marked, the reverse is true, and they will lose a single level of skill in one skill, usually the one they are using to attack. This only works at night.

Additional Information: There are rumours about what these flowers do in the presence of one of Ilaren's children or the Immortal herself. These are, as yet, undiscovered.

Credit: Faith

[Pig Boy]

Ice Nip

Name: Icenip
Appearance:
This small flower is roughly the same size as a daisy - the petals are larger, though, and seem to be made of wafer-thin ice. The center of the flower is bright green. At night, the petals emit a soft glow.
Description:
Found on the shores of Lake Lovalus in Cylus, this plant doesn't appear anywhere else or at any other time. Attempting to cultivate it requires at least Master Gardening.
Frequency:
Extremely Rare
Level of Danger:
Non-Existent
Special Properties:
The Icenip is a beautiful plant with a number of properties:

• Glowing Petals The petals glow in the dark - whether attached to the flower or not, they glow.
• Edible The plant is edible - the leaves have the taste of sugar and the stem tastes like mint. However, it's very fragile and will spoil easily. Expert Cooking required.
• Birds & Bees The birds and the bees love this plant and it will attract all manner of birds and insects.

Additional Information: I'm going to make a small series of threads about finding this and then studying it. I'd like to add some properties as I go, if that's ok?
Credit: Faith

[Pig Boy]

Guardian Flower

Name: Guardian Flower
Appearance: This flower has dark green stalks that grow up to 1' tall, and pointy dark green oval shaped leaves with serrated edges. The stalks have short thin spines that look almost like white bristles but they come off easily if disturbed, and can embed themselves in any exposed skin they come into contact with. These spines contain a mild toxin that will cause an intense stinging sensation much like that of stinging nettles. If someone gets pricked by these spines a lot while trying to pick the flower or harvest its leaves, the toxin can cause numbness that will last from a few bits to a few breaks depending on how sensitive the victim is to the toxin (and drugs/alcohol in general). When the toxin wears off, sensation will return slowly with a mild tingling sensation that feels like pins and needles that progressively becomes over a break then fades quickly. It is an annual plant that produces fragrant large blue, palm sized flowers. These flowers blossom only at night, and they appear to glow. During daylight hours, they close up into a bud like form. If the flower is picked, it will not close up again during the trial, and the flower will last for five trials or so before it wilts.
Description: They grow in forests and meadows, especially near streams, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. They can also be cultivated.
Frequency: Common near water, uncommon otherwise.
Level of Danger: Low due to the stinging pain and possible temporary numbness caused by exposure to its spines. Wearing thick gloves while picking the flower negates the risk.
Special Properties: The flowers, leaves, and the dew collecting in the flowers before the sun has risen are edible
Additional Information: These flowers are difficult to grow in a garden because they are an invasive plant that will spread quickly and take over a garden if not handled properly, they require specific nutrients in the soil that may be difficult for an inexperienced gardener to provide, and their spines present some risk to the unwary when weeding near them but they can be grown by someone with expert gardening.

Fast Facts:

Knowing It
-- Rharne: Novice
-- Idalos: Competent for people who have traveled to Rharne or are interested in the culture and traditions of other places, Expert otherwise
Wealth Tier
-- Rharne: Tier 4 (less if someone wants one enough to pick it without the gloves that will protect their hands from the spines
-- Idalos: Tier 6
Sell/Buy It
-- Rharne: Novice
Rarity
-- Rharne: Common
-- Idalos: Uncommon due to nutrients in the soil
Finding It
-- Rharne: Novice
-- Idalos: Competent since it isn't as common
Collecting It
-- Rharne: Novice
-- Idalos: Novice
Using It
-- Giving it to someone/displaying it in a vase: Novice
-- Growing it: expert
-- Cooking/Brewing with its ingredients: Novice to Expert depending on which ingredient is being used and how it is being used
Killing It
-- Novice
Capturing It
-- NA
Danger
-- Low
Tending It
-- Expert
Credit: Seira Shiryu

[Pig Boy]

PumpScare

Name: PumpScares
Appearance: PumpScares follow the general width, weight, height and color as regular Pumpkins. The only difference is each PumpScares seems to grow already carved with realistic faces of sorrow that vary/differ between them. No two PumpScares share the same face, but those grown from the same vine often share the level of pain/sorrow post/pre removal.
Description: PumpScares have similar biology to pumpkins. They grow underground however and only the stem protrudes from the ground. The stem is very sensitive to physical stimuli and and their defensive mechanism to keep from being uprooted is a scream that has a unique effect. PumpScares favor dark, damp sand but only appear to grown naturally along the Zynyx Market shores. Once uprooted (safely or not) their expression freezes in pain and after ten days they begin to turn grey and mold over. Before the mold appears, burying them in damp sand (and keeping them moist) for the average pumpkin (90-120 days) their stems should sprout signaling them ready for harvest. Unlike pumpkins, as long as PumpScares remain on the vine and under damp sand they don’t rot.
Frequency: Uncommon
Level of Danger: Low to High
Special Properties: PumpScares scream for 15 trills (seconds) when touched or longer depending on how long physical contact is maintained.
Additional Information: When touched, they growl lowly, causing mild paranoia. When pulled they scream, causing paranoia equal to a competent level. When removed from their vine they let it a loud screech that freezes their expression of pain and causes heavy paranoia to those with low mental fortitude who hear it.
Fast Facts Skill Levels Required

Fast Facts

Knowing It
-- Rharne: Uncommon (Rare outsize Zynyx Market)
-- Idalos: Extremely Rare
Wealth Tier
-- Rharne: T6
-- Idalos: T10 (Seed/Crop Start)
Sell/Buy It
-- Rharne: T6
Rarity
-- Rharne: Uncommon
-- Idalos: Extremely Rare
Finding It
-- Rharne: Uncommon (Very Rare Outside Zynyx Market)
-- Idalos: n/a
Collecting It
-- Rharne: Expert
-- Idalos: N/A
Using It
— Decorative
Killing It
-- Expert
Capturing It
-- N/A
Danger
-- Low to High
Tending It
-- Competent

Credit: Margarita

[Pig Boy]

Rainbow Wheat

Name: Rainbow Wheat
Appearance: Rainbow wheat closely resembles normal wheat in height, and appearance. The main difference is small white flowers, marked with darker lines that form a set of nested arches, growing from the florets.
Description: Rainbow wheat naturally grows wild in the Stormlakes region and along the edge of the Stormwastes, particularly close to water and in areas rich in clay, but can also be grown in fields all over the Stormlands. It resembles common wheat in all aspects and grows from seed to harvest-ripe in about 60 trials. When fully ripe, it stands between 3 and 4 feet tall, on a long stem of straw.
Frequency: Common
Level of Danger: Non-Existent
Special Properties: If Rainbow Wheat is processed into beer, it causes the drinker's hair to turn a random colour as if dyed. If ground into flour and processed into bread, instead of hair changing colour, the consumer's fingernails and toenails change to a random colour as if painted with nail varnish. In either case, the consumer has no control over what colour their hair or nails becomes. The change lasts for 1 trial after consuming the Rainbow Wheat and then the hair or nails revert to their original colour.
Additional Information: Some people use rainbow wheat as a cheap substitute for make up. Others as a prank item.
Fast Facts Skill Levels Required

Fast Facts

Knowing It
-- Rharne: competent (while it is new)
-- Idalos: expert
Wealth Tier
-- Rharne: 2
-- Idalos: 6
Sell/Buy It
-- Rharne: Novice
Rarity
-- Rharne: Common
-- Idalos: Uncommon
Finding It
-- Rharne: Novice
-- Idalos:
Collecting It
-- Rharne: Novice
-- Idalos: Novice
Using It
-- Use 1 Competent to grow it yourself from seed
-- Use 2 Novice to cook with it
-- Use 3 Competent to brew with it
Killing It
--
Capturing It
--
Danger
-- (if applicable)
Tending It
--

Credit: Dandelion

[Pig Boy]

Dog Berries

Developed by Elowen

Short Description Small black berries that always grow in pairs. Herbalists use them to induce diarrhoea.
Forums Found ~ Along bodies of water, marshes, damp forests.
Toxicity/Hazard ~ If mistaken for black blueberries and eaten in high quantities, it literally makes you sick like a dog (diarrhoea and vomiting). Risk of dehydration due to loss of fluids if untreated could result in death.
Appearance ~ Looks exactly like your usual blueberry bush which is why it is easily mistaken. However, the berries are missing that belly button like formation at the bottom that blueberries have. Dog Berries are more rounded, black in nature.
RPG Properties
Property 1 ~ This is a medicine plant used by herbalists and apothecaries to treat constipation and go easy on haemorrhoids. Berries are eaten as they are (quicker effect) or they are part of tea mixtures. In high controlled doses, it can be used in combination with other herbs to remove intestinal parasites.
Property 2 ~ N/A

Rarity Common
How To Use On its own or in teas.
Side Effects Unmedicated - all 9 yards of dehydration. Medicated - headache, dry mouth.
Status ~ Legal
Price ~ Wealth Tier 3
Notes
Fast Facts Skill Levels Required ~ please fill this in using this page for reference.

Fast Facts

Knowing It
-- Rharne: Novice
-- Idalos: Novice since this plant is very versatile in any climate and possibly well known for how easily it is mistaken with black blueberries
Wealth Tier
-- Rharne: Tier 3
-- Idalos: Tier 3 again due to how common it is
Sell/Buy It
-- Rharne: Novice
Rarity
-- Rharne: Common
-- Idalos: Common
Finding It
-- Rharne: Competent
-- Idalos: Competent
Collecting It
-- Rharne: Novice
-- Idalos: Novice
Using It
-- Giving as a remedy for constipation: Competent
-- Giving as a remedy for intestinal parasites: Expert (due to a high dosage required and a more fragile balance needed to be struck between other herbs involved)
Killing It
-- NA
Capturing It
-- NA
Danger
-- Only if eaten as black blueberry by mistake - dehydration and if untreated then death
Tending It
-- Novice

[Pig Boy]

Hunter's Eye

Developed by Elowen

Short Description ~ Low growing flower bush that tends to form attractive mounds or carpets with white flowers and red veining on petals.
Forums Found ~ Grows mainly in shaded places, along screes or where there are loose rocks so its roots can wiggle between the stones.
Toxicity/Hazard ~ Only mild toxicity due to the acid that's present in its leaves. After consumption, nausea proportionate to the quantity will set in.
Appearance ~ A low growing bush that spreads over vast shaded regions. It has vibrant green leaves and white flowers with visible red veining.
RPG Properties
Property 1 ~ Hunters will chew on the leaves since the acid in there carries an additional property and that's sharpening of the five senses. Effects take a bit or two and those who had chewed on the leaves are recognized by the red veining in their eyes, suspected to be the effect of blood coursing through eyeballs.
Property 2 ~ Whilst senses are heightened if consumed in high dose, reasoning side of the brain subsides proportionately to the quantity consumed.

Rarity Common
How To Use Chew the leaves and then spit out. The more one takes, the greater the effect but also the greater the nausea after. Greater quantity consumed does not affect how long the effect lasts, but the degree of the effect. For the effect to last longer, one has to chew new set of leaves before the effect subsides. Once nausea sets in, one has to wait for it to pass before chewing the leaves again.
Side Effects Nausea proportionate to the quantity consumed that sets in after the main effect has finally worn off.
Status ~ Legal
Price ~ Tier 4
Notes
Fast Facts Skill Levels Required ~ please fill this in using this page for reference.

Fast Facts

Knowing It
-- Rharne: Novice
-- Idalos: Competent
Wealth Tier
-- Rharne: Tier 4
-- Idalos: Tier 5
Sell/Buy It
-- Rharne: Novice
Rarity
-- Rharne: Common
-- Idalos: Common
Finding It
-- Rharne: Novice
-- Idalos: Competent
Collecting It
-- Rharne: Novice
-- Idalos: Novice
Using It
-- Senses sharpener: Novice
Killing It
-- N/A
Capturing It
-- NA
Danger
-- Not really
Tending It
-- Competent due to the specific conditions it needs such as shade and/or rockier ground