Table of contents

• Bald cypresses
• Black-leaved rowan
• Bloodgrowths
• Dragon bush
• Dream catcher
• Firefly bush
• Flakebloom
• Gigantic snaptraps
• Gnarled willows
• Hazy rose
• Hovershrooms
• Leafless oaks
• Mernonette
• Mistshrooms
• Nephente
• Nimbus blooms
• Orange Acacias
• Rottmos
• Sand puffers
• Snakevines
• Spellweavers cotton
• Swordgrass

– Plants (Botanica) – 

In the following section, you will find detailed descriptions of several remarkable plant species that play a vital role in both local ecosystems and regional economies. These plants are not only integral components of the native flora but also serve as significant export commodities. However, a subset of these botanical wonders possesses carnivorous and venomous characteristics, so for the purpose of safety some of the plants should be avoided at all cost.

Bald cypresses (Cupressus calvusphyllus)

Tall and straight bald cypresses are some of the least decorative trees ever found. They reach up to 50 feet (16 meters) but they lack branches, with only a few growing at their tops. Native to Waternia, bald cypresses grow in abundance there. They are tall and strong, and would be perfect for lumber if not for their meager thickness. They are cut down for fire and often glued or weaved together to increase their strength.

Black-leaved rowan (Rubroccasum amarissimus)

This ominous-looking bush has dark blue, almost black leaves and fruits that have a bitter taste. They can be used to make many things, from tinctures and balms to potions, but are quite difficult to find. Regional herbalists embark on days-long expeditions deep into the forest to collect their fruits. The biggest problem comes from knowing when to collect, as early fruits are of weak effect, and late fruits are poisonous. The right ones to collect are said to be the color of a deep red sunset, but onlyGods know what that really means.

Bloodgrowths (Gelatinalichenas sanguivius)

These dark red lichens can be found in many places devoid of life. They resemble veins, and when cut, they will spill a red acidic liquid. They seem to thrive in the most difficult terrains and gain most of their nutrients from the mist that eventually arrives. They are used to make some potions, notably the healing kind, but if prepared incorrectly, they can cause great harm.

Dragon bush (Renascitur flammis)

The best example of adaptation to the ever-coming fires of the savannah, this plant grows very tall and fragile branches that wait for the fire to arrive. When the time comes, the puffy flowers that grow at the tops of the bush, once colorful, will start to turn black and form bulbs. Then, when the fire comes, those thin branches will light up and start to build pressure at the top bulbs, popping a cloud of seeds that will glide atop the surrounding flames. These unique bushes can even cause the larger trees to catch fire, as the heat from them burning is higher than the regular fire of the wood. This, in turn, makes them a popular choice for use in ironworks and specialized workshops as it grows in abundance in its native envirement.

Dream catcher (Decipula somnus)

Plant-like growth that lives in the fog and troubles wandering folk. Once lured to the location of a person, they use some form of hypnosis or illusion to immobilize the person. They are not fast, but if successful, they can stop almost any creature, especially when that creature is alone. They look like a bundle of vines that snakes around slowly. However, in the eyes of a person they hunt, they look like nothing concrete, a mirage. They live in the Sea of Fog and are the sole reason for most deaths of travelers. While camping on the bottom of the sea, having a double watch while sleeping becomes a necessity.

Firefly bush (Nepenthes citriodor)

One of the few carnivorous plants of Worgos, this interesting fella has deep bells at the end of branches that it uses to feed. It has a very distinct smell, similar to lemongrass, that lures fireflies. On the top of the bell, there are glands that produce this smell. Smaller animals like lizards and insects that feed on fireflies often climb the bells with hopes of easy food. Then, when they reach the concave top, the slimy surface makes them fall into the bell. It slowly narrows, preventing the animals escape.

Flakebloom (Volantiscortex mebelandis)

Unique to the region of the Sea of Fog, it is the most important plant for the local economy. This magnificent bush grows to 7 feet (2.5 meters) in the mist and has a lot of branches of various shapes and sizes. They grow tall and have shining blue leaves at the tips. The bark of that plant sheds periodically and floats on the surface of the mist, where it can be seen everywhere. This property makes it essential in the production of mist ships that float on the top of the sea. Many families specialize in the collection of this material, as in bulk, it can fetch you a lot of money. Animals that inhabit this region, like Fog sliders and gigantic purple snails, feed on this substance and are the main competition for the folks who collect it.

Gigantic snaptraps (Nepenthes subterranea)

A gigantic plant that has a reversed bell-like shape underground and a sharp, hard growth that, when closed, tends to snap with so much strength that it can sever limbs from animals. From the outside it looks like two wooden half moons with a small opening between them. Around it are long tendrils that will pull the corpse inside if the animal dies from blood loss. Native to Zatara but can be found in other very wet places.

Gnarled willows (Salix miserprofundis)

Another tree native to Waternia, these tall willows are some of the most depressing trees on the continent. They grow tall and have dark green, almost black leaves that cascade down from their soft branches. They are twisted and bent in an interesting way that makes them look as if they are in constant pain. Their wood is surprisingly hard and, for that reason, was used to make ships. Now this practice is discontinued as the knowledge of how to straighten them is forgotten. In their natural form, they are useless for most of the woodwork purposes. Some like the grain of that tree, making it somewhat harvested but only in small amounts.

Hazy rose (Rosa lethargia)

Growing in the swamps of the Wild Lands, these flowers are some of the nicest-looking roses on the continent. They grow in a vine-like manner, climbing the walls of buildings and stumps in the swamps. Their big flowers have velvety red petals that grow black at their base. Inside, we can see short hair-like stamens that hold a substantial part of this flower’s pollen. They are wind-pollinated, and during their pollinating season, their black motes can be seen everywhere. It makes people sleepy and lethargic, hence the name. Outside of the Wild Lands, they are grown as a decoration, and those who cultivate them are often required to clip their stamens to prevent the negative effects in the surrounding area. They are a big problem in their natural habitat, and little can be done to prevent their lethargic effect.

Hovershrooms (Thelephorales tenuisstem)

Those mushrooms appear to levitate as their stems are extremely thin, while their caps are huge and wide. They are white in color and often covered with other plants that grow on top of them. Because of the shape of the cap, which gets slightly wider the higher it grows, they accumulate leaves and other organic matter on their surface. Plants that grow roots through the cap are often much healthier and bigger. Some grow rare herbs and other demanding plants on them in hopes of getting a much stronger effect. 

Leafless oaks (Quercus sinefoliare)

These ominous columns of wood are one of the strongest trees that grow in the Mebelands. They don’t have leaves, and their trunks have little to no branches. Looking from the top, we will see a deep black void with an indentation of black coal-like substance. Many birds of prey choose this place for their nests. The tree seems to be well-protected from the elements and tends to clean the area of fog, indicating some kind of reaction with it. The bark is extremely hard, to the point that special saws have to be used to cut them down; regular saws dull quickly. The inside, however, is relatively soft and of a slightly purple color. It is used by hex artisans to make their machines, as this wood retains its properties in the magical environment.

Mernonette (Temptatrix virosa)

Also known as the paradise flower, is arguably one of the most beautiful flowers in the world and one that is most dangerous. When someone inhales its pollen, they will immediately fall asleep, and that in itself might be a death sentence in the jungle. If victims are left around the flower to inhale pollen for much longer, they might fall into a coma and never wake up. There was an antidote made from the flower, but now almost no one knows how to make it. In Zatara, Virdis that isolate themselves from Humans grow this plant to deter any intruders, but simple filters are enough to avoid the pollen poisoning.

Mistshrooms (Nebularussula indigo)

Growing in places where mist appears often, they are as blue as the sky and about a foot (30 centimeters) tall. They can be seen shining in the mist where many avoid them, as in the mist they are poisonous. Some folks take them out of the mist and dry them in the sun. If prepared properly, they lose their poisonous properties. They are delicious and have a slightly zingy taste. Two pounds (kilogram) of dried mistshrooms can be sold for upwards of 50 hazels.

Nephente (Nepenthes distillatoria)

Commonly known as the pitcher plants, these vines are known for their bulbous flowers that collect water. There are over 26 known types of nephente with most being relatively harmless, the remaining few extremely poisonous. With stems having hook roots, they grow in abundance and in some places like Skogbog they provide ample amounts of water for folk living nearby. At pollinating season, their sap mixed with water becomes sweet and causes loosening of the bowel.

Nimbus blooms (Nubesflos)

A small flower originating from the Land of Nur that grows in the wetter regions and in the oasis. It is relatively tall, similar to sunflowers, and has big turquoise petals that spread out from the central part. The middle is made of soft, cotton-like bundles. Intriguing properties of that plant are mostly in its petals and they can be used to make mixtures and balms with many properties, mostly strengthening.

Orange Acacias (Acacia renitens)

One of the most recognizable trees of Kambala and one that has unique orange-yellow wood. This exotic material is used by carpenters in all kinds of works and by hex artisans to make machines, as it is not only quite hard but also shows no changes in the magical environment. It is not the rarest material in the land, but extensive felling of these trees has reduced the population quite visibly.

Rottmos (Anophyte mephitis)

This is a general name for a family of mosses that originate from Waternia but can be seen in many places throughout the continent. They are bumpy and bloated and have many colors ranging from black through red to green. They are all very spongy, and when dried, they resemble turf. It is often collected for the winter and kept in the basements dry to be fired later. When wet, it smells horribly, similarly to rotting flesh with ammonia and decay mixed into one.

Sand puffers (Pomuslichenas alucinatio)

Those funny-looking lichens have orange fruits that resemble bloated sacks. If squished, they will release spores with calming and slightly hallucinogenic properties. Not terribly addictive, the fruit that can later be eaten has a sweet and slightly sour taste.

Snakevines (Drosera longispinera)

Those indecently-looking plants grow on the trees in a way that keeps them suspended above bigger openings between trees. If it touches someone, it will latch onto the target with spiky vines and wrap itself around the unlucky victim until they die, either from blood loss or digestive fluids that it disperses. Funny enough, it is also one of the most popular spices in the region of Zatara jungle.

Spellweavers cotton (Gossypium magicaetexere)

This plant’s life cycle lasts only about 5 minutes, during which they sprout and die. With the mist of an orange desert, they pollinate and mature quickly. It can be collected to be used to make magical clothes, as if collected at the right moment, it will retain the magic collected from the fog. They look like a shimmering cotton that pokes out of the sand.

Swordgrass (Triraphideae acutus)

It is one of many types of grass that grows on the Kambala savannah. This particular type, however, is known for its hard and razor-sharp tips that can cause animals to bleed. The plant itself seems to gain some nutrients from the blood and can be found growing in the pits and around dying animals. Native tribes use the grass to make simple traps and weapons with special processing. If treated correctly, it can achieve the toughness of hard wood.