Zephyr Moss

A rare, floating moss that drifts through the air, moving with the currents. It is believed to store electrical energy, making it valuable for enchantments.

Zephyr Moss is a fascinating and rare species that has adapted to the extreme and ever-changing conditions of the Skyward Pillars. Its ability to absorb and store electrical energy makes it highly prized for magical and arcane uses, while its mysterious nature and connection to the Everstorm add to its spiritual and cultural significance. Whether as a source of storm magic, a powerful enchantment ingredient, or a sacred relic, the Zephyr Moss is a symbol of the volatile, awe-inspiring force that shapes its world—the Everstorm.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Zephyr Moss is a rare and remarkable plant species found in the highest, most turbulent regions of the Skyward Pillars, where the Everstorm’s storm currents are at their most intense. Unlike most plants, Zephyr Moss does not anchor itself to the ground or cling to surfaces; instead, it floats freely in the air, carried by the unpredictable wind currents created by the electrical storms that constantly batter the pillars.

The moss has a unique adaptation—its fibers are light and airy, and the plant can drift through the air, resembling a floating cloud of green and silver threads. Zephyr Moss has been seen moving in patterns that mirror the currents of the storm, almost as if it is guided by the energy of the weather. The moss tends to gather in swirling clusters, especially during high-energy storm surges, where it forms large, bioluminescent clouds that glimmer with absorbed electricity.

Zephyr Moss is often found in high-altitude crags or turbulent air pockets within the Skyward Pillars, where the most intense wind currents converge. These areas have little in the way of vegetation, but the moss thrives on the abundant electrical energy in the air, which is its primary food source.

Biological Cycle

Zephyr Moss has an extraordinary biological cycle that is tightly tied to the storm patterns of the Skyward Pillars:

1. Dormancy Phase: During periods of calm or when the storm temporarily subsides, Zephyr Moss remains largely inert. The plant settles in low-lying air pockets and barely drifts, awaiting the return of the Everstorm’s electrical energy.
2. Energy Absorption: As the storm returns and the sky crackles with lightning, Zephyr Moss begins to actively absorb the electrical energy from the air. It feeds on this energy in much the same way that other plants absorb sunlight, except it does so through its fine, electric-capable fibers. The moss is able to store and process this energy within its tissues, giving it a glowing, faintly bioluminescent appearance when charged.
3. Reproduction & Dispersal: During storm surges, the moss releases tiny spore-like particles that are carried by the winds to new locations. These particles are often carried vast distances, which is why the moss can be found drifting across large expanses of the Skyward Pillars. The spores form new colonies when they land in areas where conditions are favorable—usually in locations where storm currents are frequent.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Due to its unique ability to store electrical energy, Zephyr Moss has become highly sought after by several groups, especially arcane researchers, enchanters, and elemental mages. Here are some of its primary uses:

• Enchantment Material: Zephyr Moss is often harvested for use in enchantments that require electrical energy or storm magic. The moss can be used to create magical artifacts capable of storing and releasing electrical energy, which is highly prized by storm mages for casting powerful lightning-based spells or protective barriers.
• Energy Storage: The moss is an excellent natural conduit for storing energy, making it valuable for crafting energy cells, mana crystals, or battery-like items used to power storm-based devices or traps. These devices can absorb the stored energy in the moss for later use or release it in controlled bursts.
• Healing & Alchemy: Some healers believe that Zephyr Moss, when prepared correctly, can be used in potion-making, particularly for creating elixirs that restore vital energy or increase endurance. The absorbed electrical energy is thought to boost circulatory or nervous system health, though these uses remain unverified.
• Magical Foci & Talisman Crafting: The electrical charge held by the moss makes it an ideal material for creating foci used in storm magic. These foci are often embedded in amulets, staffs, or wands, enhancing the effectiveness of storm spells or rituals involving lightning.

However, harvesting Zephyr Moss is extremely dangerous. The constant exposure to powerful storm currents means that any attempt to gather it requires expert climbers or fliers, as well as specialized equipment to withstand the intense electrical discharges that can be fatal to the unprepared.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

In addition to its practical applications, Zephyr Moss holds spiritual significance among certain storm-worshipping groups, particularly the Stormcallers who view it as a sacred symbol of the Everstorm’s power. The moss is often believed to represent the storm’s vitality and is treated as a living manifestation of the storm’s divine will.

• Stormcallers: The Zephyr Moss is seen as a holy plant in some sects of Stormcallers. It is said that the moss is favored by the storm spirits, and those who seek the favor of the Everstorm may carry it as a talisman or adorn themselves with it during rituals. Some believe that consuming small quantities of the moss or sleeping near it during a storm brings them closer to the storm’s power, granting them insights into the Everstorm's will.
• Storm Seekers & Arcane Seekers: The plant is also sacred to those who study the ancient runes and mysteries surrounding the Skyward Pillars. Zephyr Moss is believed to hold arcane significance, and many believe that understanding its patterns or tracking its movements may reveal important clues about the ancient civilization that once dwelled within the pillars.

Scientific Name

Bryophyta Caelus

Geographic Distribution

• The Skyward Pillars