Gloomsage

Gloomsage is a rare and mysterious moss found only in the darkest, most secluded caves of the Wildlands. It thrives in environments that are completely devoid of natural light, growing in the depths of underground caverns or subterranean tunnels. These mosses spread in dense patches, often covering cave floors, stalactites, and stone walls, where light is a rare commodity.

Gloomsage is pale-blue, with delicate fronds that shimmer faintly, like the glow of moonlight. However, the glow is often weak, and it becomes visible only to those who have adapted to the deep darkness of the caves. The moss flourishes in high-humidity environments, often near underground rivers or stagnant pools, where it can absorb moisture from the surrounding air.

It is typically found in the deepest and most isolated areas of the Wildlands' cave systems, places where few dare to venture due to both the perilous nature of the terrain and the dangers that lurk in the shadows.

The Gloomsage Moss is a plant of mystery and danger, offering both gifts and curses to those who seek its powers. With its ability to grant night vision and induce hallucinations, it plays a role in the cultures and magical practices of the Wildlands, though its effects are as unpredictable as the deep caves where it grows. Whether it is used by spiritual seekers or adventurers, Gloomsage is a plant that carries both immense potential and significant risks, making it a rare and coveted treasure

Basic Information

Biological Cycle

Gloomsage is slow-growing and delicate, with a lifecycle that spans over many years. It reproduces through spores released into the air, which are carried by underground currents or by creatures that traverse the caves. The spores can remain dormant for long periods, only sprouting when the right conditions of moisture and darkness are met.

Once the moss is established, it grows in a slow, creeping manner, spreading along damp rock surfaces and cavern floors. It thrives in places where no other vegetation dares to grow, often reaching out into areas that are untouched by light, giving it an eerie, ethereal quality.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

1. Night Vision Enhancement: The most well-known use of Gloomsage is its ability to grant temporary night vision when consumed. The moss’s unique properties stimulate the retina and allow the consumer to see clearly in complete darkness for a limited time. This makes it highly sought after by spelunkers, dungeon delvers, and underground adventurers who must navigate pitch-black environments without the aid of torches or magical light. However, the effects are not permanent, lasting only for a few hours before fading.
2. Hallucinogenic Effects: Alongside the beneficial ability to enhance sight, Gloomsage has a dark side. Consuming it often leads to hallucinations, which can be highly unsettling or even dangerous. These visions are often distorted and bizarre, ranging from visions of nightmarish landscapes to strange, incomprehensible figures that seem to linger at the edges of sight.
3. Spiritual Seeker’s Use: Some underground mystics or seekers of forbidden knowledge consume Gloomsage to experience visions that they believe offer insights into otherworldly realms or divine secrets.
4. Hazards: However, prolonged use of Gloomsage can lead to psychological instability. Its hallucinations can be so vivid and consuming that individuals may become disoriented, lost in madness, or unable to differentiate between reality and illusion, making it a dangerous substance if consumed recklessly.
5. Magical Uses: Due to its hallucinatory effects, Gloomsage is sometimes used in ritual magic, particularly by those seeking to communicate with spirits or enter dream realms. Some magicians or shamans use Gloomsage to enter a trance state, opening themselves to visions that can be interpreted as guidance or omens. However, these practices are not without risks, as the moss’s effects are unpredictable and potentially dangerous.
6. Alchemical Ingredients: Alchemists occasionally incorporate Gloomsage into potions or elixirs intended to enhance vision or even induce psychic states. While it is considered dangerous and unpredictable, when processed and carefully controlled, its properties can be harnessed for more controlled effects, such as potions that grant temporary clairvoyance or precognition. However, many alchemists choose to avoid it due to the potential side effects.

Gloomsage has a significant place in dark folklore and is often associated with the unknown. Among some tribal groups or cultures that dwell near the cavernous regions of the Wildlands, Gloomsage is viewed as both a blessing and a curse. It is often linked to spirits of the underworld or ancient gods of darkness, with rituals centered around the moss to gain divine favor or to commune with spirits from beyond the grave.

Some cultures believe that the hallucinations induced by Gloomsage are a form of divine communication, a method through which one can receive glimpses into other planes or gain forbidden knowledge. Because of this, the moss is sometimes used by cultists, heretics, or mystics who seek to transcend the physical world and commune with powers that are beyond mortal comprehension.

Conservation Status

While Gloomsage grows in the shadowed depths of the world, its existence is at risk due to mining, expansion of underground tunnels, and resource extraction. As more cave systems are explored and industrialized, the natural habitats of Gloomsage are being destroyed.
Additionally, Gloomsage is difficult to cultivate, making it a rare and precious resource that is hard to grow outside of its native environment. Some underground factions or ecologists are trying to protect the few remaining groves of Gloomsage, but its valuable properties often tempt adventurers and collectors to harvest it for their own uses, often without concern for its long-term survival.

Geographic Distribution

• The Shattered Peaks
• Wildlands