Jaydes' Ichor
The Twilight Isles is a region stuck between the very concepts of life and death. From the unending dusk to the tormented soil to the flora that grants the lands an ironic beauty, the Twilight Isles stands alien to even the most knowledgeable of scholars. Undead monsters roam the earth openly and fearless, yet they may not be the ones to fear.
For there lies a plant so cruel and beautiful that citizens of the Twilight Isles fear it to this day: Jaydes’ Ichor, a chrysanthemum that stands as the largest of its kind.
Known as the Macabre Blossom, it is a plant characterized by its penchant for theatrics and interest in corpses. There are few known cases of sentient plant life in Prostesa, and Jaydes’ Ichor appears to be the only of its kind in the Twilight Isles.
Despite the history surrounding it, that the plant is not actively malicious but amoral, a trait that lends itself to cruelty.
Part of the infamy surrounding this plant comes from its persistent nature. It is notoriously difficult to eradicate, capable of withstanding intense heat and drought. The toughness of the plant’s stems is comparable to tightly-wound coils of rope, coarse and lined with thorns that cause swelling should they prick flesh. The only way to destroy a Jaydes’ Ichor is to use a cutting tool that has been blessed by a cleric and sever the base of the plant. The remaining matter must be purged in holy flame.
Yet, even death does not sully the beauty of this plant, for in the moments approaching death, it achieves a variety of vibrant colors. Its flowers part from the stem and the petals of each scatter to the wind in varying shades of red, blue, and violet. Not even dust is left behind as it is completely disintegrated.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Jaydes’ Ichor’s natural state is that of a cluster of black chrysanthemums. There are typically 500 to 1500 flowers that form a dome. From the base of the plant come thorny vines strong enough to burrow through solid rock. It uses this power to ambush unsuspecting fauna, and it is estimated that the reach of these vines extends up to 300 feet (91.4 meters). Common causes of death are strangulation or a cervical fracture. Once the victim is dead, the plant inserts its vines to manually animate the corpse or position it in any particular pose it desires. The vines then drain the blood of each corpse and feed the blossoms, turning them a deep red. The bigger the flower cluster, the more it must feed.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The area a Jaydes’ Ichor can reach with its plants is known as its “stage.” With each corpse the plant collects, its stage becomes personalized to its tastes. If there are any loose articles of clothing around, the plant will dress the body up. Sometimes, it will create entire outfits that mimic attire overseas. A Jaydes’ Ichor, should it sit close enough to civilization, tends to mimic events that have occurred recently such as holidays.
This phenomenon has both fascinated and horrified botanists, who have sought endlessly to understand the nature behind the plant. It appears to enjoy visitors, propping up its corpse actors and re-enacting anything it has seen for the entertainment of its audience. It ends every “performance” with a bow from each corpse, and it revels in applause should it receive any.
A Jaydes’ Ichor that has fed is docile and will even protect the land it is capable of reaching from foreign threats. Ophion has said that the flower is his favorite. The blood from the flowers, with the right method, can be harvested.
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