Nerium Cupidinis
Racial Magic
First Ability
Zithvek's Vision
Able to enter a meditative state in which this plant can explore and peek through portals or windows within Zithvek's Plane. Mostly used by humans to induce visions related to Zithvek.
Lothvem's Vision
Able to enter a meditative state in which this plant can explore and peek through portals or windows within Lothvem's Plane. Mostly used by humans to induce visions related to Lothvem.
Second Ability
☀️Rithaldis' Diet
They are able to consume or absorb radiant energy as sustenance, healing or to replenish their magic energy. They cannot be harmed by radiance and instead consume it, magical or natural. This includes ionizong radiation.
Torith's Diet
Can consume or absorb any kind of poison without ill effect and these can be eaten for sustenance, healing or to replenish magic energy.
Veksit's Diet
Can consume or absorb any kind of bacteria or virus without ill effect and these can be eaten for sustenance, healing or to replenish magic energy. They cannot be harmed by or get sick from these organisms.
Martor's Diet
Can consume a kind of metal for sustenance, healing or to replenish magic. Cannot be harmed by metals either, instead absorbing them.
There are many variants and names for this species as it can be found across Emynea. Eros Nerios, Difla 'iirus, Aishen Jiazhutao, Pythia's Nerium. Which racial magic combination these have tends to reflect its environment but it is also popular in gardening. This is a shrub or small tree which prefers temperate and subtropical climates. It is extremely flood and drought resistant, surviving even in the Shamsi Desert, Arabiyyah and Xishi Shamo. It is believed to originate from Dawn Ahrayn, thriving alongside the radiant waters of Lithmor's Seat.
Nerium is poisonous, not having any direct culinary or medicinal uses. Instead it is used for poisons, Material Magic and as an ornamental plant or windbreak. Eastern variants of Yaxiya are known to possess Lothvem's Vision while eastern variants in Alkelbulan and Eluziar have Zithvek's Vision. Both are useful in amplifying fortune telling and clairvoyance related to their aspects, popular for predictions or insights into romance.
by Lee Stepp
Its second racial magic varies most by region but all are Diet Physical Manifestation, allowing them to gain energy, healing and nutrition from these materials or energies. They will naturally sprout along waterways which are contaminated with their aspect whether these waters are radioactive, poisoned, diseased or even laced with dangerous metals. They will also sprout on craggy mountainsides in Zhongguo overtop metal deposits. Locals know wild Nerium near sources of water are a warning of its contamination and on mountainsides they indicate where best to mine.
Basic Information
Anatomy
by Lee Stepp
This is a shrub or small tree with erect stems which splay out as they mature. The leaves are thick and leathery in pairs or whorls of three, dark green and narrow. Flowers grow in clusters at the end of each branch and are showy, profuse and fragrant. The fruit are long and narrow pairs, splitting open at maturity and releasing downy seeds.
Original Ancestor
Height
Length
Flower Diameter: 2.5-5 cm (1-2 in)
Fruit: 5-23 cm (2-9 in)
Coloration
Biological Traits
by Lee Stepp
Despite their beauty, every part of this plant is poisonous! Ingesting any part of this plant will effect the gastrointestinal system, the heart and the central nervous system. A high enough dose can be deadly. Despite this, the plant's racial magic imparts visions or hallucinations of Zithvek or Lothvem's Planes, seeming to bleed over into the physical world as they continue to feel the physical effects of the poison. Inhaling the smoke from burning these plants is the usual method, peeking into the planes for romantic predictions or insights. However, they must be careful with their dosing.
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There are a number of compounds but the primary ones are oleandrin and oleandrigenin, both of these cardiac glycosides. GI side effects can include nausea, vomiting, salivation, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and colic. In the cardiovascular system it can cause irregular heart beat, the heart will race at first but then then slow below normal. One might even grow pale and cold due to poor circulation. Finally, in the nervous system these toxins can cause drowsiness, tremors, seizures, collapse and even coma and death.
Smaller doses of these toxins can result in blurred visions, vision disturbances and halos appearing around objects. The sap can also cause skin irritation, severe eye inflammation and dermatitis. Dried materials from this plant still contain toxins and these are hazardous for animals like sheep, horses, cattle and other grazers. Ordinarily the leaves are too bitter but they have been known to kill horses, sweet when dried. Using the branches for cooking fire, spearing food or skewering food is also dangerous.
Smaller doses of these toxins can result in blurred visions, vision disturbances and halos appearing around objects. The sap can also cause skin irritation, severe eye inflammation and dermatitis. Dried materials from this plant still contain toxins and these are hazardous for animals like sheep, horses, cattle and other grazers. Ordinarily the leaves are too bitter but they have been known to kill horses, sweet when dried. Using the branches for cooking fire, spearing food or skewering food is also dangerous.
Genetics and Reproduction
by Lee Stepp
These plants can be propagated from cuttings or seed, readily rooting in the presence of water or rich organic material. They require visits from insects to seed and pollinate via a deceptive mechanism. The showy flowers act as advertisement, attracting pollinators from a distance, but actually possess no nectar.
Ecology and Habitats
by Lee Stepp
Nerium sprouts around stream beds in river valleys but is actually extremely flood and drought tolerant. It can survive poor souls, intense heat, salt spray, continued drought and periods of inundation. It will grow in subtropical and tropic climates. They can be found all across Emynea. In Alkelbulan they are found in the Arabiyyan Desert and Shamsi Desert, Arya and Sesli Plato while in Eluziar they grow in Flumen Pontem, the Eluzian Valley, Hellas and Mexica. Finally, in Yaxiya they will grow in Bharat, Dizhenbei Dong, Kunlun Shan and Xishi Shamo.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
by Lee Stepp
This is a component used in material magic and True Magic to enhance or focus visions. It is especially potent for insights or fortune telling for matters of love, passion and romance. It allows the caster to peek onto or at least pull wisdom from either Zithvek or Lothvem's planes. It is best to smoke a small amount of their leaves for this purpose. Aside from its use in magic, it is popular as an ornamental plant in Quiris and Huaren gardens. It is featured similarly in their art. They are often planted alongside citron trees near swimming pools in Quiris palaces. Otherwise it will be grown in parks, alongside roads and privately. Because of it's deer-resistance and use as a windbreak, it is also grown as a hedge and at the edge of fields.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
There are invertebrates known to be tolerant or immune to the oleandrin toxins and will feed on the plant. Caterpillars and moths eat just the pulp surrounding the leaves veins, avoiding any fibers. Larvae of certain butterflies and hawk-moths also feed on this plant, retaining or modifying the toxins in order to become unpalatable to birds. Solar Moths are among these species, especially the Nerium Solar Moth.
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
by Lee Stepp
Culturally, this plant is seen as a symbol and plays a part in various legends. It is featured in a tragic love story and, in floral arrangements or language it expresses caution and the complex nature of romance. It can also symbolize desire, destiny and romance overall. To the Hellenes, it represents endless love and charm.
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