Thursday, March 26, 2015

Plant Eidolons (Binding Universe)

For today's foray into the Binding universe the author has compiled a few of the more well known or interesting magical plants known in the first three timelines of the Binding universe. It does not include any native to the Second Timeline, and those will likely be the focus of a later post.
Enjoy!

Bellweed is a small shrub, with tough, not quite barklike stems. It’s leaves, stems, and blossoms are all the same light silver green, and also small, round and boxy, it’s blossoms resembling sleighbells or paper lanterns. Its main feature of interest is the ringing sounds it makes, which imitate the emotions of creatures that get close, and induce them in others that hear it. This is its primary defense, alerting the presence of things that would eat it to predators.
It is very closely related to Chimeblossom, and they have been known to change into each other in the course of one generation, as appropriate to the environment, suggesting them to both be forms of the same plant.
They are valued for their application in telepathy enchantments, and are a common base ingredient in emotion inducing potions. Less frequently, they will be used to boost musical skill, although they are generally too small to craft instruments from.

Chimeblossom is a tree of moderate size, that very closely resembles Bellweed. The major differences are in size, as Chimeblossom can grow nearly as tall as an oak in the most extreme cases, and in the fact that Chimeblossom actually has proper bark rather than just a tough, leathery skin. Slightly more subtle is the difference in blossoms, which resemble pears or raindrops in shape more than balls, and the leaves also get longer and broader at the ends. The cadence and volume of their ringing are also different from Bellweed, but its effects are not.
Chimeblossom are a somewhat popular choice for carving instruments from, although many people prefer a more natural sound for their wind instruments, stringed instruments are considered far more compatible.

Willowvein, as the name implies, is a relative of the weeping willow. It has a clear skin, thin bark, and red sap. It can be eaten by carnivores, and has some use in healing potions. It is probably artificial.

Oreseeker is a plant that begins as a shrub and can grow into a tree, if it has sufficient materials. Its unique aspect is that it only grows in high metal environments, as it absorbs those metals through its very extensive roots, which actively seek out veins of ore granting it it’s name. When it absorbs metal, it purifies it and grows. It may be entirely metallic, with no organic portions at all, but either way they are highly prized for their rarity, beauty, and mining value.
They do not, despite rumors to the contrary, feed on the iron in blood, unlike some plants.

Widowroot is a mild toxin, a depressant, and has a death aspect. It is so called because it is traditionally gathered by widows and spinsters who can never bear children, and it carries aspects of loss and lacking. It can fetch a moderate price, as it is frankly one of the most benign things that can be found with a death aspect. It is also quite rare in the wild, and generally only shows itself to those who have lost something very precious.

Reclusive Breachweed, also known as Durnwort, is a small grass that grows in crevices. it hides from predators by turning itself invisible, and is sometimes harvested for this property, but is otherwise very benign and inoffensive. When all observers are properly concealed, it is a light, clear green similar to onion shoots, with light brown roots. Like many reclusive plants, it may be approached by most elemental spirits without triggering its defensive properties.

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