Ashbloom Vines

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Ashbloom Vines are often found growing near Frozen Grief Pools or in areas where despair is strongest, serving as a barometer for the emotional weight of the land. They provide some structure to the otherwise barren landscape, creating natural barriers or overhangs that creatures of the Abyssal Gloom use as shelter or camouflage.

Behaviour

Ashbloom Vines are not inherently hostile but possess a semi-sentient awareness of their surroundings. They react to nearby creatures by subtly shifting and tightening their grip on objects they cling to, giving an eerie impression of malevolence. However, they do not actively attack unless provoked. The magical despair that fuels these vines can seep into nearby beings. Prolonged exposure to areas with dense Ashbloom growth may cause feelings of lethargy, hopelessness, or even vivid hallucinations of personal grief and loss. The vines themselves are mildly toxic if handled without protection. Contact with their sap can cause irritation, a numbing sensation, or a cold burn, as the sap carries necrotic energy. Ingesting any part of the vine is deadly, causing severe necrosis of internal tissues. When damaged, Ashbloom Vines grow back quickly, feeding on the despair of the attacker. This makes them difficult to eradicate entirely without magical intervention.