Bestiary
Gemflowers are a rather unique and magical flower, akin to gemstones in texture and appearance. The petals often seem as if they ‘glow’ due to their gem-like properties catching the sun. They are flexible, and have a natural layered look as if tiny sheets of stone were layered on top of each other. Upon having one of the petals bent, cracks will start to appear.
The center of these flowers look like a raw gemstone, though there are many variants that have been cultivated by humans and dragons alike to appear more polished. Which gemstone they appear as depends completely on which region of the realm they are found in.
Gemflowers can be found all across the Realm, though they are rarest within the northern regions. Gemflowers can resemble any gemstone found within the realm, though some regions have unique variants that naturally occur there. Within the southern areas of the realm, Lapis Lazuli and Opal versions of these flowers can be found. The northern regions have garnet and labradorite. Specific areas, such as central Cyr, have a pink diamond flower. While central and southern Theavia feature a Jade variant.
The shiny nature of these flowers are a favorite among birds and lesser wyverns, or rather, a favorite among the creatures which call them their prey. If given enough time, birds will pry the centers of these flowers off from the rest of the plant and take it back to their nest where they will crack open the pod and eat the seeds within. For some reason, this hasn’t had any negative impact on the animals, and none have been recorded gaining any magical mutations. Scientists say it is due to the fact these animals crack open the gemstone façade that keeps the seeds safe, which releases the reserve of magic within before consumption.
The way these flowers interact with plants must be carefully considered. Since the flowers produce no pollen, or go through photosynthesis themselves, they must receive their nutrients elsewhere. If planted near another plant, their roots will often burrow in and ‘connect’ with those of the other plant. The Gemflower will start to take nutrients from the other plant, and fuel it as its way to grow. For trees, this isn’t much of an issue, as the flowers don’t require much in comparison. However, for other flowers, the presence of a Gemflower patch could mean certain death. Gardeners have to be careful with these hungry flowers, as if they aren’t careful, their entire garden could be compromised with enough of them. Trying to uproot these flowers isn’t easy either, as their black roots stick stubbornly in the ground and to other plants. It takes a lot of time and energy to remove their roots from another plant, and generally isn’t an advised endeavor unless the plant is particularly loved.
Another circumstance these flowers grow in are at the corpses of creatures such as dragons, or other magical beasts. Rather than needing to feed on the nutrients of other plants, the residue of magic leftover within the bodies of such creatures is more than enough to feed these alluring flowers for even a few decades. Of course, this has caused an abundance of these flowers to start growing at the border between the Land of Rivers and Xocrium. They are also found in the areas of the aftermath in war within Hovell, and many other places where the blood of dragons and magical creatures has been spilled. This also includes places that are overflowing with magic, such as Magehaven in Ironbrook. As long as there is suitable soil, the flowers will take root. However, areas such as the Shimmering Wastes and the Frozen Gates lack their presence, for the ground is not suitable enough for the plants.
Another way to keep these plants satiated is to pour potions in the area you wish for them to grow, though offensive or harmful potions are generally not recommended for this technique as it tends to end up killing the flower. Some potions such as a sparkle potion, or lantern potion, may leave the flowers looking more sparkly than usual, or have a slight glowing quality to them at night. This method of growing the flowers is possible, but generally seen as a waste of resources.
Uses for these flowers can vary, though their main use is in alchemy. Their magic infused nature tends to make them highly sought after ingredients, mainly the gem-like centers that are said to be the most potent with magic, though the whole flower also works. Best used in plant and cosmetic related potions, be it temporary illusions or permanent changes to the body. It is generally not advised to consume their false gemstone centers, as consuming too many can give minor mutations, though little more has been achieved by them. If the centers are dried, they become very brittle and are used in fake jewelry. They must be handled with care, lest they fall apart and break. It’s hard to sell these off as real gemstones, as a small stress test can easily show the difference.
The petals of the flowers, once dried, can be ground into a fine glitter powder that is edible, often put into drinks to make them look prettier. The powder can also be mixed into paint to achieve similar results. They have no discernible taste, and are safe to eat with no magical side effects.
Due to their existence in most places in the realm, there have been many stories that have come up about them. In Dutoria, it is said that Gemflowers bloom wherever the goddess Blóm has shed tears. It had been a story shared amongst the Children of Blóm, especially those who have gone through great suffering. Only the nickname coined to these flowers spread amongst the people of the Dutoria, often calling these flowers ‘Blóm’s tears’.
In the Land of Rivers, Gemflowers are often cautionary tales of where not to go, as they can be found frequently at the border along Xocrium due to the mass amounts of knight attacks. Many often say to check the soil underneath a particularly large patch on their lonesome, as the body of a dragon may be underneath that requires a proper burial.
Within Xocrium itself however, these flowers are often used in funeral arrangements, for their similarity to stained glass in appearance. It is said that they help make the journey to the afterlife a smooth one, where their souls can be claimed by the Phoenix where they wait to be reborn.
The Tyr kingdom uses the flowers for similar purposes, keeping them near the glass urns as they are exposed to the sun and sky. Seen as a sacred flower to the followers of Hyleg for its ability to reflect the light of the sun god.
The Fireworms use these flowers as an export, especially for the rare opal variants found only in the southern regions of the realm, as it is highly sought after by plant collectors.
Springsingers find use in the flower in woven accessories such as flower crowns during festivals. They are also harvested to be used in paint and alchemy as well, for those that practice it. Otherwise, many find themselves uprooting the parasitic flower if it starts to get out of hand in certain areas.
In Stormherald Territory, the gemstone pod to these flowers are often kept on travelers that dare to travel near the Wastes. If the pod starts to sprout, one knows they have traveled into the Shimmering Wastes, as the flower feeds on the magic in the area.
Ironbrook has had a small fascination with the flowers in the past, and still occasionally tests their potency in potions. Gemflowers are carefully cultivated here, as they have proven rather useful.
The center of these flowers look like a raw gemstone, though there are many variants that have been cultivated by humans and dragons alike to appear more polished. Which gemstone they appear as depends completely on which region of the realm they are found in.
Gemflowers can be found all across the Realm, though they are rarest within the northern regions. Gemflowers can resemble any gemstone found within the realm, though some regions have unique variants that naturally occur there. Within the southern areas of the realm, Lapis Lazuli and Opal versions of these flowers can be found. The northern regions have garnet and labradorite. Specific areas, such as central Cyr, have a pink diamond flower. While central and southern Theavia feature a Jade variant.
The shiny nature of these flowers are a favorite among birds and lesser wyverns, or rather, a favorite among the creatures which call them their prey. If given enough time, birds will pry the centers of these flowers off from the rest of the plant and take it back to their nest where they will crack open the pod and eat the seeds within. For some reason, this hasn’t had any negative impact on the animals, and none have been recorded gaining any magical mutations. Scientists say it is due to the fact these animals crack open the gemstone façade that keeps the seeds safe, which releases the reserve of magic within before consumption.
The way these flowers interact with plants must be carefully considered. Since the flowers produce no pollen, or go through photosynthesis themselves, they must receive their nutrients elsewhere. If planted near another plant, their roots will often burrow in and ‘connect’ with those of the other plant. The Gemflower will start to take nutrients from the other plant, and fuel it as its way to grow. For trees, this isn’t much of an issue, as the flowers don’t require much in comparison. However, for other flowers, the presence of a Gemflower patch could mean certain death. Gardeners have to be careful with these hungry flowers, as if they aren’t careful, their entire garden could be compromised with enough of them. Trying to uproot these flowers isn’t easy either, as their black roots stick stubbornly in the ground and to other plants. It takes a lot of time and energy to remove their roots from another plant, and generally isn’t an advised endeavor unless the plant is particularly loved.
Another circumstance these flowers grow in are at the corpses of creatures such as dragons, or other magical beasts. Rather than needing to feed on the nutrients of other plants, the residue of magic leftover within the bodies of such creatures is more than enough to feed these alluring flowers for even a few decades. Of course, this has caused an abundance of these flowers to start growing at the border between the Land of Rivers and Xocrium. They are also found in the areas of the aftermath in war within Hovell, and many other places where the blood of dragons and magical creatures has been spilled. This also includes places that are overflowing with magic, such as Magehaven in Ironbrook. As long as there is suitable soil, the flowers will take root. However, areas such as the Shimmering Wastes and the Frozen Gates lack their presence, for the ground is not suitable enough for the plants.
Another way to keep these plants satiated is to pour potions in the area you wish for them to grow, though offensive or harmful potions are generally not recommended for this technique as it tends to end up killing the flower. Some potions such as a sparkle potion, or lantern potion, may leave the flowers looking more sparkly than usual, or have a slight glowing quality to them at night. This method of growing the flowers is possible, but generally seen as a waste of resources.
Uses for these flowers can vary, though their main use is in alchemy. Their magic infused nature tends to make them highly sought after ingredients, mainly the gem-like centers that are said to be the most potent with magic, though the whole flower also works. Best used in plant and cosmetic related potions, be it temporary illusions or permanent changes to the body. It is generally not advised to consume their false gemstone centers, as consuming too many can give minor mutations, though little more has been achieved by them. If the centers are dried, they become very brittle and are used in fake jewelry. They must be handled with care, lest they fall apart and break. It’s hard to sell these off as real gemstones, as a small stress test can easily show the difference.
The petals of the flowers, once dried, can be ground into a fine glitter powder that is edible, often put into drinks to make them look prettier. The powder can also be mixed into paint to achieve similar results. They have no discernible taste, and are safe to eat with no magical side effects.
Due to their existence in most places in the realm, there have been many stories that have come up about them. In Dutoria, it is said that Gemflowers bloom wherever the goddess Blóm has shed tears. It had been a story shared amongst the Children of Blóm, especially those who have gone through great suffering. Only the nickname coined to these flowers spread amongst the people of the Dutoria, often calling these flowers ‘Blóm’s tears’.
In the Land of Rivers, Gemflowers are often cautionary tales of where not to go, as they can be found frequently at the border along Xocrium due to the mass amounts of knight attacks. Many often say to check the soil underneath a particularly large patch on their lonesome, as the body of a dragon may be underneath that requires a proper burial.
Within Xocrium itself however, these flowers are often used in funeral arrangements, for their similarity to stained glass in appearance. It is said that they help make the journey to the afterlife a smooth one, where their souls can be claimed by the Phoenix where they wait to be reborn.
The Tyr kingdom uses the flowers for similar purposes, keeping them near the glass urns as they are exposed to the sun and sky. Seen as a sacred flower to the followers of Hyleg for its ability to reflect the light of the sun god.
The Fireworms use these flowers as an export, especially for the rare opal variants found only in the southern regions of the realm, as it is highly sought after by plant collectors.
Springsingers find use in the flower in woven accessories such as flower crowns during festivals. They are also harvested to be used in paint and alchemy as well, for those that practice it. Otherwise, many find themselves uprooting the parasitic flower if it starts to get out of hand in certain areas.
In Stormherald Territory, the gemstone pod to these flowers are often kept on travelers that dare to travel near the Wastes. If the pod starts to sprout, one knows they have traveled into the Shimmering Wastes, as the flower feeds on the magic in the area.
Ironbrook has had a small fascination with the flowers in the past, and still occasionally tests their potency in potions. Gemflowers are carefully cultivated here, as they have proven rather useful.