Symbiotic Prosthetics

Manufacturing

The creation of Symbiotic Prosthetics in Aeldrithius is an intricate process that blends natural magic, botanical science, and artisan craftsmanship. Each prosthetic is not simply manufactured but grown, carefully nurtured to become a functional and living extension of its intended wearer. This process requires expertise across multiple disciplines, including botany, druidic magic, alchemy, and biomancy.
The first step in creating a Symbiotic Prosthetic is the selection of a compatible plant species. Not all flora in Aeldrithius can be used; only plants with innate magical properties and regenerative capabilities are viable. Among the most commonly used are Lianora’s Moss, Whisperwill Vines, and Ironbark Saplings. These plants are harvested with care, as their vitality and magical essence must remain intact.
Harvesters, often druids or botanists, perform rituals to attune the flora to the life force of the wearer. These rituals ensure the plant will bond harmoniously with the recipient. For example, Lianora’s Moss is ideal for creating lightweight and responsive prosthetics, while Ironbark Saplings are preferred for warriors requiring durability and strength.
Once harvested, the flora undergoes a process of magical infusion. Enchanters channel specific spells to awaken and amplify the plant’s latent properties. This step requires a delicate balance, as over-enchanting can make the flora too aggressive or unstable, while under-enchanting reduces its effectiveness.
The enchantments are tailored to the prosthetic’s intended purpose. A limb meant for combat may be imbued with defensive spells, enabling it to grow protective bark or generate thorny outgrowths. Conversely, a prosthetic designed for an artisan may receive enchantments enhancing precision and dexterity.
After enchanting, the flora is shaped into the desired form. This is not done through conventional carving or moulding but through a process known as Guided Growth. Biomancers, specialists in manipulating living organisms, use their magic to guide the plant’s development, shaping it into a functional limb. This phase often takes weeks or even months, as the plant must grow organically to ensure a seamless bond with the wearer.
Guided Growth also allows for customisation. Prosthetics can be designed with additional features, such as extending vines for manipulation or specialised nodes for emitting light or healing energy. This stage requires collaboration between the biomancer and the wearer, as the prosthetic must align with the recipient’s unique physiology and needs.
Once the prosthetic has taken shape, it undergoes the Bonding Ritual, a sacred ceremony overseen by druids and healers. During this ritual, the prosthetic is connected to the wearer’s body, typically at the site of amputation. A specialised salve made from enchanted herbs is applied to the connection point, encouraging the flora to integrate with the wearer’s nervous and circulatory systems.
The bonding process is both physical and magical. The plant adjusts to the wearer’s energy, forming a symbiotic relationship where both entities benefit. The wearer provides sustenance to the prosthetic through their life force, while the prosthetic enhances the wearer’s abilities. This stage can be painful, as the prosthetic roots itself into the wearer’s body, but the result is a seamless integration that feels natural.
Unlike traditional prosthetics, Symbiotic Prosthetics are living entities that require ongoing care. The wearer must periodically nourish the prosthetic with a blend of magical nutrients and maintain its connection through meditation or druidic rites. Over time, the prosthetic adapts to the wearer’s changing needs, growing stronger or more specialised based on their experiences and environment.
The Verdant Healers Guild plays a critical role in this stage, providing guidance and resources for maintaining the prosthetic. They also perform periodic tune-ups, reinforcing enchantments and addressing any issues that may arise, such as overgrowth or decay.

Access & Availability

It’s widely available to anyone who needs, or wants a prosthetic.

Discovery

The origins of Symbiotic Prosthetics in Aeldrithius can be traced to a time of crisis and ingenuity, when the boundaries between magic and nature were explored in unprecedented ways. It began during the Age of Ruptures, an era defined by widespread conflict and environmental devastation. The Elder God of Time’s temporal manipulations caused a cascade of injuries among the inhabitants of Aeldrithius, particularly in the battle-hardened elven and human populations. Traditional healing methods proved inadequate to address the vast number of amputations and maimings, prompting scholars and artisans to seek more innovative solutions.
Among these innovators was Lendira Vayeth, a renowned elven botanist and mystic from Cairnwood’s Greenbelt district. Lendira had long studied the peculiar relationship between the enchanted flora of Aeldrithius and the life force of its sentient beings. During her research into Lianora’s Moss, a magical plant known for its regenerative properties, she observed a curious phenomenon: the moss, when applied to a wounded limb, not only healed the injury but began to mimic the structure of the missing tissue. This discovery ignited the idea of creating living prosthetics, not from cold metal or lifeless wood, but from flora imbued with magical essence.
Lendira and her team, composed of alchemists, druids, and engineers, began experimenting with different plant species, combining their natural attributes with enchantments. Their breakthrough came when they successfully bonded a prosthetic vine arm to a volunteer soldier, Kerrick Aelthorn, who had lost his arm in battle. The enchanted flora adapted to Kerrick’s body, growing into a functional replacement limb over several weeks. It responded to his thoughts and movements, as if it were a natural extension of himself. The project was a resounding success, but the true potential of Symbiotic Prosthetics was yet to be uncovered.
As Lendira and her collaborators refined their techniques, they discovered that these prosthetics could do more than simply mimic lost limbs—they could enhance the user’s abilities. Enchanted bark limbs provided not only mobility but also defence, growing protective layers during combat. Prosthetics fashioned from Whisperwill Vines extended manipulators capable of gripping tools, scaling walls, or even entangling foes. Additionally, these prosthetics began to exhibit a curious synergy with their wearers’ emotions, growing stronger or more intricate when driven by intense resolve or creativity.
The implications of these prosthetics transformed the lives of their users and reshaped societal norms. Warriors maimed in battle became more formidable with limbs that grew into shields or weapons. Farmers and labourers gained tools that seamlessly adapted to their tasks. Even artists benefited, their prosthetics allowing for unprecedented precision and expression. The fusion of plant magic and prosthetics symbolised not just physical restoration but a deeper integration with the natural world.
In recognition of her contribution, Lendira Vayeth was enshrined in Aeldrithius’ lore as the “Mother of Symbiosis.” The discovery of Symbiotic Prosthetics also spurred the establishment of the Verdant Healers Guild, an organisation dedicated to creating and maintaining these magical limbs. The Guild’s mission was not only to help the injured but also to preserve the balance between civilisation and nature.
Today, Symbiotic Prosthetics are emblematic of Aeldrithius’ resilience and ingenuity. They remind its inhabitants that even in the face of destruction, harmony with the natural world can lead to solutions that are both beautiful and transformative. The discovery of these prosthetics stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Aeldrithius, where magic and nature entwine to heal and empower.