Norsk Malurt

Norsk Malurt or Norsk Wormwood is a cousin species to Artemesia, also a resilient flowering plant of the aster family. It might also be called alpine or mountain sagewort or arctic mugwort. It grows at high altitudes in cold regions across Emynea, on every continent. Endlessly hardy, Malurt endures in frigid mountain slopes in some of the most unforgiving lands--Skaney and the Frozen Wastes. To protect themselves from overgrazing, this species makes use of chaos magic, sending grazers into a state of madness! Malurt even has a special place in Ostmen mythology, heavily associated with Thor (Beranok) and believed to have both protective and healing traits. Carrying around a dried out talisman is thought to protect the holder and attract good luck. Producer Deciduous Flowering Herbaceous Creeper Trichome

Kaithur

First Ability Malok's Aura Norsk Malurt with Malok's Aura can generate temporary emotions or states related to Malok in those around them. States caused by this aspect can be extremely cathartic if not overwhelming. Malok's Shield Thanks to Malok's Shield, these casters are immune to all Malok magic and can turn off their own ability to experience these emotions and memories. Second Ability Iska's Shield Those with Iska's Shield are immune to all ice magic and naturally occuring ice or cold, no matter how severe. Beranok's Shield Malurt with Beranok's Shield are immune to all lightning magic and naturally occuring electricity, no matter how severe.

Anatomy

Original Ancestor Lifespan Artemisia norvegica Norwegian Wormwood Perennial Height Leaves 8-23 in 20-60 cm 1-8 in 2-20 cm Appearance This is a small herb with yellow-green flowers, silvery or gray-green and feathery leaves and an almost woody stem. It has a large taproot and its stems branch out from a single basal stem. Its flower is disc shaped and point downward like a sunflower.

Habitat

Polar Montane Wetland Boreal Forest Shrubland Steppe Coastal Grassland Norsk Malurt grows in cold climates and high altitudes, thriving best in Skaney, Nordreyjar and the Frozen Wastes. They might even grow in the higher altitudes of the Tenebrous Chain, Kunlun Shan and Ural'skaya Belt. Norsk Malurt sprawls across rocky slopes at elevations between 2,300-3,800 m but might also be found along coasts, boreal forests, alpine meadows and tundra growing alongside grasses and sedges such as in Eldingfjord. In fact, it does well in distrubed or rocky soil.

Life Cycle

Angiosperm Asexual Cloning Stolon Achene While these wormwood usually reproduce by seed, they might also spread by sending out clonal growths through special stems called stolons. Meanwhile, their seeds are dispersed by wind and they rely on butterflies and moths for pollination. They have a distinct and strange flower which faces downward like a sunflower.

Uses

Medicinally, Malurt leaves and stems can be made into a tea or tincture which treats digestive upset, menstrual cramps, infection, pain and fever. Compounds within the herb are anti-inflamatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-tumor. Norsk Malurt is even useful for repelling insects. While on its own, Norsk Malrut is a bitter herb, it can be combined with other ingredients to make an Ostmen liquor called besk--a bitter liquor made from steeping spices in alcohol. Ostmen may also make a bitter beer called bjornol out of malrut, considered a therapeutic and refreshing drink. But the trickiest part for brewers is telling the difference between malrut with Shield manifestations and those with an Aura. While Shield will instill a resistance or immunity to chaos and madness, the desireable version is those with Aura which incite emotions related to Malok! The latter is far more cathartic but Ostmen will gladly imbibe either brew, loving a good brawl or a bit of chaos just the same. And what can be more cathartic than letting loose and getting a little crazy?