Shadow Tongue Clematis
The Shadow Tongue Clematis is a rare but beautiful flowering vine native to the furthest and most perilous reaches of the Tenebrous Chain. Deep within the ancient and gnarled forests below Murk Mountain, Zalikar's Seat, these starry blossoms creep in total darkness feeding on shadow rather than light. Only those able to see despite this darkness are able to appreciate these stunning flowers as even the slightest hints of light are immediately lethal to this plant, causing them to fade into shadow in a seeming puff of smoke. Despite its delicate constitution, Clematis is highly valued for its role in the creation of Shadow Tongue Mead and it's use in Material Magic or True Magic in general. Its flowers are also quite beautiful and aromatic, if one is willing to brave the desolate and perilous forests or caves it thrives within. The smell is complex, sweet like grapefruit at first before a bitter tinge becomes apparent, reminding one of almonds.
Azowyr's Diet
Azowyr's Diet allows this vine to consume or absorb shadow as sustenance, to heal or to replenish magic energy rather than absorbing sunlight. This can be natural or magical shadow, immune to all shadow magic by absorbing it instead. In fact, this plant is damaged by light!
Irkath's Sense
Clematis was gifted a unique version of Irkath's Sense which allows it to sense it's own fate, pulling secrets and cryptic knowledge from Irkath's Plane. It can sense when it is meant to germinate, whether its current environment is capable of sustaining it through the most important parts of its life cycle or whether it should continue to wait to germinate. This also allows it to sense where light will eventually shine, evading growing into these areas in favor of darkness. Surprises can still happen but this greatly increases its success given its particular sensitivities.
Anatomy
The President Clematis Vine
(2.4-3m)
Flowers: 7 inches (18cm)
The genus is composed of vigorous, woody, climbing vines. The woody stems are quite fragile until several years old. Leaves are opposite to each other and divided into leaflets and leafstalks that twist and curl around supporting structures to anchor the plant as it climbs. Clematis have dark green leaves with large, star shaped flowers. The stems and leaves are marked by bluish black patterns and drip a black ooze when cut. The flowers are purple-blue stars with black or bluish stamens and fluffy black seed heads. The pollen resembles charcoal dust while the nectar is thick and tarry. While most of the flowers are bluish purple, they appear to have charcoal stains along their edges and their eight overlapping petals are fainty silver on their underside.
Toxicology
This vine is poisonous if ingested directly. It is a skin and eye irritant and is toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Clematis leaves, flowers, and roots are poisonous when consumed and perhaps that is why vines are deer-resistant. Clematis is also rabbit-proof. Much like its original ancestor, ingestion of clematis can cause stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation and mouth ulcers. However, this breed of Clematis may also cause parts of the consumer's body to convert into shadow, in which state they too are damaged by light until the toxin fades. For this reason it is occasionally used in poisons. It can also be used to enhance predictive magic such as fortune telling despite the unpleasant side effects. The only edible use for this plant is as a honey, void bees seeming to process any toxins out of the nectar.
Perception
This flowering vine possesses a unique sense thanks to its secondary racial magic, a unique version of Irkath's Sense. Because even the slightest light is instantly lethal to this plant, it was given the ability to sense its own fate utilizing Irkath's Plane. It can sense when it is meant to germinate, when it's current environment is capable of sustaining it for it's entire life cycle. It will only begin growing when it reaches its intended home. On a smaller scale, it can sense where light will eventually shine and evade growing into this area. This predictive ability allows this uniquely delicate bloom to thrive but also makes it quite frustrating to grow in captivity, usual methods of germination falling short.
Ecology and Habitat
This flowering vine is quite rare, only able to grow in total darkness, found wild only in the deep forest surrounding Murk Mountain and deep within the caves of the Cryptic Karst in the Tenebrous Chain. A black mist laced with shadow magic continuously pours from the maw of Murk Mountain, draping the surrounding forest in eternal darkness.No natural light can pierce this pall. Despite the continual night, this environment is surprisingly lush and carries a delicate beauty for those perceptive enough to appreciate it. Much of the Chain's lifeforms are adapted to thrive in this environment, bioluminescence and shadow magic common.
Unfortunately, even bioluminescence is dangerous to the clematis. There are other species in this biome which use their bioluminescence to out compete the vine, wielded like a weapon against the delicate plant. However, in the deep caves of the Chain, Cryptic Karst, this is one of the few species that can thrive in such a pitch black environment. In either biome, the clematis will cling to trees, bushes or even rocky outcroppings and lap up the shadows for sustenance. Other locations of the Chain they might be found are Umbral Silva and Terror Thicket.
Diet
Unlike most plants, the Shadow Tongue Clematis sustains itself on shadow rather than sunlight thanks to its first racial magic, Azowyr's Diet. The plant is even capable of surviving purely on shadow but it still grows best with fertile soil. It prefers cool, moist and well draining soil which is slightly acidic to neutral.
Life Cycle
Shadow Tongue Clematis are best propagated with seedlings of new green plants. Aspiring cultivaters can cut a 1-inch piece above and below a leaf node. Cuttings only require one leaf stalk. Then one needs to cover it lightly with soil and sprinkle the surface with water. Clematis can be grown from seeds too but they take three years to germinate, even in ideal conditions! One must harvest the seeds in the fall. After planting them, they only need light watering.
Clematis requires a totally dark space and a cool environment. Even if the cultivator is meticulous in their care, the plant still wont sprout until it is meant to do so. It takes some time for this plant to become established and it won't bloom in the first year of life. It can take two years for it to come into its own. Despite this, it is very hardy once established. They become larger and stronger every year. Anyone cultivating this plant can guide the growth of the vines but must be careful with the vine shoots as they are extremely brittle.
Clematis requires a totally dark space and a cool environment. Even if the cultivator is meticulous in their care, the plant still wont sprout until it is meant to do so. It takes some time for this plant to become established and it won't bloom in the first year of life. It can take two years for it to come into its own. Despite this, it is very hardy once established. They become larger and stronger every year. Anyone cultivating this plant can guide the growth of the vines but must be careful with the vine shoots as they are extremely brittle.
Interspecies Interactions
Snails are a serious pest to clematis. Earwigs can also be a problem. They are heavily dependant on void bees for pollination, very few beasts or insects tolerant of their toxins or dark environment. The only other major pollinator is a particular breed of hummingbird and some Solar Moths which are seasonal visitors.
Human Uses
Shadow Tongue Clematis can be used in Material Magic and various forms of True Magic such as Enchantment and Alchemy. It is most famous and even sought after for the creation of Shadow Tongue Mead. The aspect of Shadow, Azowyr, greatly enjoys the scent of these flowers as well.
I liked the description of the plant and the many illustrations! You have gathered much more information than I could ever think of about a plant (e.g. propagation, pests). Very inspiring, thank you!
Thank you! I do a bit of gardening so I suppose it's natural for me to consider those things but also because of how it relates to the Shadowtongue Mead. It's purposefully difficult to grow in large quantities and very temperamental for that reason. Most of the rest is based on the real Clematis plant!