Ephemeria Spring's List of Botanical Oddities: Volume I

Ephemeria Spring's List of Botanical Oddities! ⠀ Volume I ⠀ Firechime – Category: Arcane Ephemeria’s first arcane plant. A plant comprised of orange tones taking on a red gradient upwards, with a tall stem containing five to seven curled leaves. The leaves all have a series of smaller flexible leaves extending from them, and when in full bloom give off the appearance of a line of chimes as they lose all rigidity. It is said that when the area has an abnormally high amount of magic combined with strong winds, one can hear a magical chime when leaning in with ears close - before the plant bursts into a deadly flame that is quick to calm as it returns to a docile and harmless state. ⠀ Dead Man’s Glare – Category: Fungi Uncommon fungi found in parts of forests with a dense magical presence. It gives off a menacing appearance as ‘scales’ form on the top of fungus to form a face and screams danger through the ash stalks and long protruding caps. Whilst not arcane in nature, the fungus has been rumoured to help one influence events to their favour through a clairvoyant ‘Say and It Happens’ effect – with an unknown permanent price to come with, be it physical or mental. More often than not, it’s actually a really good meal! ⠀ Arabella Nox – Category: Rare Flower Known as the Moonlight Flower. It is a plant with a tall stem and bright long rounded leaves extending from the base. The stems are fully decorated from top to bottom with tiny dark purple flowers, exuding a sense of mystery and fine elegance. Those with weak minds may find themselves turning obsessed with the distant scent of the flowers, warped with an irresistible urge to seek the source like a siren’s call as they are lured to their deaths. ⠀ Glanthium – Category: Rare Flower Emerald flowers accompanied by long thin leaves that are surprisingly capable of causing cuts that sting for hours. The leaves can be used for incense, and often have been utilised to aid in the process of study and research as inhaling the smoke can elevate their mental faculties beyond natural levels. A common user can be identified by their eye whites turning dull grey through the permanent build-up of relatively harmless toxins with intervals of catatonic behaviour as a withdrawal symptom. ⠀ Wood Dew – Category: Arcane The name is a façade, going by Witch’s Elixir within privy circles, which Ephee herself, unfortunately, does not have the pleasure of being involved in. This plant takes on many forms depending on the growing environment, but those that carry a ‘curse’ may on close contact, find the external appearance vanishing into an inconspicuous yellow flower with abnormally large waxy leaves. Attempting to consume it may lead to feelings of the curse having been lifted… with a catch that assumes the individual has the willpower to stay convinced they have achieved clemency, as it otherwise acts as a temporary placebo with a devastating relapse when feelings of doubt begin to develop. Knowing what it does is paradoxical to the consumer, hence those who actually seek it end up breaking the effect from the beginning.