Icebrush Shrub
These thorny shrubs grow in the most inhospitable places, their branches coated in layers of frost. They are used in the crafting of potions and elixirs that offer protection from the cold.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Icebrush Shrubs are low, sprawling thornbushes with twisted, gnarled branches that glitter with a natural coating of rime-frost year-round. The bark is a pale gray-blue and cracks like frozen bone when broken. Their needle-like leaves are stiff, silver-green, and covered in tiny ice-crystals that never melt, even when brought into warmer environments.
During the coldest months, the shrubs produce small, waxy blue-black berries that are bitter to the tongue but potent in magical use.
Icebrush is naturally resistant to extreme cold and absorbs ambient frost magic. The thorns, bark, and berries each serve unique purposes:
- Thorns: Ground into powder and used in cold-resistance salves and potions
- Bark: Used in alchemical brews to ward off frostbite and chill-related afflictions
- Berries: Brewed into elixirs that grant temporary resistance to freezing temperatures or cold magic
When burned, Icebrush gives off a pale blue smoke and a cold, minty scent said to repel frost-spirits or chill-born undead.
Ecology and Habitats
- Windbreaker Shrub: Helps prevent the erosion of snowbanks and ice hills by breaking strong glacial winds
- Foraging Plant: The berries are occasionally consumed by frost-adapted animals, though toxic in large quantities
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
- Potions of Cold Resistance: Icebrush is a key ingredient in many such concoctions
- Winter Gear Enchantments: Cloth or leather infused with Icebrush extract gains minor resistance to magical frost
- Ritual Components: Used by frost-witches and cryomancers in ice-binding spells, snow-warding charms, and necromantic cold rites
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
- The Frost Dwarves and Icy Wastes Orcs see the Icebrush as a symbol of survival through pain—harsh, thorny, and enduring.
- Among Castle Emberfrost’s witches, Icebrush is burned in seer-rituals to reveal truths hidden by cold or time.
- Warriors traveling the tundra often tie Icebrush thorns into braided cords worn around the wrist or neck as protective charms against frostbite and spirit-chill.
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