Malevolent Moonflower of Murky Waters

The Malevolent Moonflower of Murky Waters is a rare species that is found in the deep jungle forests on the Gooseberry-Ninth State border. This flower, which is native to colder regions far north of the tropical Glowing Lands, does not grow very well in the tropical rainforest, but for some reason it is found in great quantities despite the location. Botanists and Plant Mages have remained puzzled by this, because the heat and humidity of the rainforest can be considered an inhospitable place for the Malevolent Moonflower, but its seeds and young plants can be found all over the forest.

Inhospitable habitat

The Malevolent Moonflower is a small vine, not unlike general white and purple moonflowers typically found in the subtropics. What distinguishes it is the bright streaks of red running out from the bloom towards the end of its petals. It is usually found alongside the forest riverbanks in Murky Water, where the cooler temperature helps it survive. Most Malevolent Moonflowers that attempt to grow or go beyond a certain range away from the nearest river will usually wilt or at least look very sickly. These usually cannot be transplanted and can only be studied in the jungle itself.
However, Malevolent Moonflowers found near the riverbanks are much hardier, though that is not saying much. At least they can bloom, even if it is with sickly colours at the edge of the petals. The Malevolent Moonflower will also avoid any spots where the sun shines on; it has developed certain traits to enable it to wrap around sturdy trees without exposing itself to the sun. There is some speculation that the Malevolent Moonflower can even communicate with plant life this early on in their lives, creating favourable conditions for growth in an inhospitable place.

Dangers of the Malevolent Moonflower

Under a full moon's light, the Malevolent's blood-red stripes can pass off as purple, causing many people to bring home the pretty purple blossom. In a vase it will release scents of lilies, jasmine and chocolate, creating a rich summer bouquet of decadent smells, before slowly morphing into bergamot and vanilla. This is when the Malevolent Moonflower is at its dangerous, for the scents often lull people into a false sense of security, and it will then proceed to harvest the souls of the unwary who brought it home.
The Malevolent Moonflower can also be planted in the home. It is usually planted from the blossom, not from the root or the vine like other plants. Once transferred to soil, it will grow like most other moonflowers by winding up a trellis or whatever is available. Here too, it can strike the unwary, as it is said that the Malevolent Moonflower gains sentience after several weeks or months. At this point, the Moonflower may actually try to control another sentient being within its range. This often begins by an invasion of dreams followed by hypnotic suggestions and finally, a deep whiff of the flower's very essence through the primary bloom. The sentient being is usually enticed by a Moonflower to press its face into its petals and to breath deeply into the moonflower for several long minutes. During this time, the Moonflower extracts the soul of the being, uses it for nourishment, and then channels it back into the body of the sentient being, effectively taking over.
Once the Moonflower's consciousness has been transferred, it must keep its original plant form safe, as the soul of the body it has stolen still breathes within. If the plant is destroyed, the Malevolent Moonflower will experience an incredibly painful disassociation and then death, killing itself and its host.
There is currently limited treatment for sentient beings whose souls have been stolen by the Moonflower.

Malevolent Moonflower in spellwork

Despite the dangers, the Malevolent Moonflower can be used in spellwork, most noticeably by Plant Mages. When growing the Malevolent Moonflower, most Plant Mages utilise a special mixture to tamp down on the Moonflower's bloodthirstiness. Meanwhile a spell cage around the Moonflower also ensures it cannot grow beyond a certain size, reducing the number of blooms and suppressing the strength of its scents from lack of blooms to deliver it. If done right, the Moonflower can thus be tamed to be a Plant Mage's familiar. There are other rituals and practices to follow if a Plant Mage wishes to turn the Moonflower into their familiar.
Otherwise, and this is the most common use, the Malevolent Moonflower may be burnt, chopped, diced and more for creating spells to counter other malevolent spells and curses. Because of its patience and stubbornness, most minor curses flee at the sight of a Malevolent Moonflower, rebounding terribly on their masters and slavers.