Bloodroot

Bloodroot is the orange-red root of a perennial white flower by the name of sweet slumber. This is a rare case where the name of the root is better known than the name of the plant itself, due to the unique properties it bears.
The sticky sap stains skin blood red, leading to more than a few false arrests, with innocents being caught "red-handed".
Bloodroot is emetic, and consumption of high qualities causes considerable vomiting, which is partly the source of its medical usefulness.

Properties

Physical & Chemical Properties

Level 1 Properties

Fortify seduction (aura)

Level 2 Properties

Repel spirits (incense)
Damage constitution (ingest)
Thirst (ingest)
Damage perception (ingest)
Damage balance (ingest)
Abort (ingest)

Level 6 Properties

Restore wound levels

Level 9 Properties

Damage HP (necrotic)
Damage HP (acid)
Damage appearance
Cure disease

Reaction Conditions

Bloodroot can serve as a substitute to blood in spells, rituals, and alchemical processes.

Compounds

• Anaesthetic tincture (level 6)
• Black salve (level 9)
• Caustic poison (level 9 with sandbath)

Geology & Geography

Sweet slumber grows in cold to temperate environments near ravines and within wooded areas. It can also be cultivated in gardens if given ample shade and moist, nutrient-rich soil. Its native range includes:

• Entrum
• Daemlaw, specifically the Nullax Varathro
• Ferax
• Otia
• Nemin
• Athium
• Saccos
• Decas
• Dratoran Isle, in numerous wooded locations

History & Usage

Everyday use

Myrmidons harvest sweet slumber seeds and farm the plants extensively, particularly vampiric myrmidons, which is partially responsible for the misconception that all myrmidons are sanguinivorous.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Before restrictions on blood magic began to be enforced, bloodroot was used as safer alternative to blood as a spell component. Since it does not offer up a portion of one's soul, bloodroot can be used with minimal risk to the caster at the hands of demonic forces. If the component needs to be the blood of an individual, bloodroot can be steeped in wine containing some DNA or other biomass from the individual to emulate their spiritual imprint.
Dyes made from bloodroot are popularly used as warpaint that simulates the appearance of blood splatter.

Industrial Use

• Blood wine
• Laced blood wine

Refinement

Bloodroot should be foraged in Autumn after the leaves have died, should be diced or powdered, and then should be stored in red wine for a month.

Manufacturing & Products

• Blood-red dye
• Witchbane bag
• Blood wine

Byproducts & Sideproducts

• Withering poison (failed level 6, successful at levels 4-5)

Hazards

Handling bloodroot can stain exposed skin blood red, and the juice from bloodroot is caustic and harmful in nature.

Br

Type

Biomaterial

Value

4 silver pennies

Rarity

γ-tier ingredient

Odor

Odourless

Taste

Bitter and nauseating

Color

Brick red