Appearance: Almost as tall as the trees themselves, and extremely wide with spikes pointing out from the entire flora, this fungi is very difficult to avoid. There isn't a set weight for the plant, seeing as some are larger and more mature than others, but a fully grown Defense can weight at least two hundred lbs. The entire Defense is purple, or a deep, sickening blue, and in some rare cases, a deceptive green or bright pink. Spikes support the entire plant from the ground up, and bulbous parts of the plant extend in multiple directions, with spikes attached to every part. At the very top of the plant are the hoods, which have far less spikes and are likely there for simple reproductive and survival reasons. Underneath the hood are clusters of seeds, which are stringed together in clumps through a mossy and sticky residue (which is harmless).
Description: It's rumored that the Ywyngyll Forest outside of Rharne is alive, filled with undocumented and lethal species of fauna and flora. Despite the lush habitat and impressive wood marking the forest, very few are brave enough to venture into it despite the potential rewards. The entire forest is a living, breathing entity, a collection of nature connected by the Unabor, and the five hearts of the forest are seen as it's lifeblood. Yet, there is little that stops aggressive researchers and woodcutters alike from venturing too deep within it's wood or near a heart. Many who explore the Ywyngyll are seeking to exploit it's ecosystem, and should someone explore the deep parts of the forest or venture near a heart, they will be met with the Ywyngyll's Defense.
These defensive fungi are extremely large and unable to be avoided, and they cling together closely. Each plant is perhaps 5 to 20 feet from each other, making some areas of the forest simply impossible to get through unless the plant is destroyed. If someone were to cut themselves on one of the many spikes, a toxin will be injected swiftly into the person. This toxin that the Defense produces is similar to the color of fungi, so either blue, purple, pink, or green, and it oozes out like blood from the plant, and can chew through and melt armor quickly. Despite the color, the effect remains the same: Any who gets the toxin merely on their bare skin will suffer from intense exhaustion, and they will faint usually shortly after being exposed. It is not lethal at all, but first paralyzes and exhausts the target, before forcing them into a dreamless sleep.
Yet, this is not the most terrifying part of the plant, for when something is cut on it, sometimes even the animals in the forest, the plant will emit an immediate and high pitched screeching. It serves as a defensive alarm for the entire forest, and it signals that something is near. The Ywyngyll's Heart and the animals alike will understand that an invader is near, likely with ill intent although not always, and so the animals drag the unconscious body of the person affected to the nearest heart. From there, the person will wake, and face judgement as to why they are there. Some may die, but few return if the heart decides that the person could benefit the forest. Those blessed by Moseke are most likely to be safe when traveling through the forest, as the hearts recognize they are normally kind souls.
If someone were to attempt to harvest the plant, they must do so in a specific way, they must harvest the sacs of seeds residing underneath the hood, however this is easier said than done seeing as large, poisonous spikes are in their way and the hoods can be up to 20 feet off the ground. If they were able to do this however,, they are able to plant the seeds collected and grow the plant for themselves or others. However the plant will only reach at maximum a quarter of the size outside of the forest, and it will no longer have any siren or 'alarm' abilities. The toxin however can be still secreted, but seeing as obtaining the plant is difficult and almost unheard of, the toxin is not sold on the public market usually and someone seeking to use it will need to find a highly specialized person, who will likely sell it at an outrageous price.
Frequency: Extremely Rare outside of Ywyngyll, uncommon in Ywyngyll (only found near hearts and in deeper parts of the forest)
Level of Danger: Low
Special Properties: This was described in more detail in the description section, but the plant produces a toxin which can chew through armor and then paralyze, exhaust, and eventually make those affected pass out or faint.
Additional Information: None.
Credit: Ministry
