Phantom Flower

Along the fringes of the Valley of Undead grows a particularly ghastly, deadly plant, the Phantom Flower. The Phantom rings the Valley on all sides and the ring of Flowers is ever expanding. Lately, it has been found near the southern corner of the Altruan Wall. Understanding of the nature of this invader should lead to ways to stop the spread of Phantom Flowers into the Kingdoms.

One finds the Phantom Flower growing alone in the beginning of an infestation. These white stalks grow up out of the ground by using the living energy of their surrounding environment, leaving the area around it devoid of life. Little is known about the transmission of their pollen but, soon after the stalks have grown, flowers begin to form. These flowers build up air pressure in the ovary and when a stimulus occurs, the flower pops with a loud noise and the small dart-like seeds are dispersed. How the plant recognizes a host and has such accuracy in hitting it's target is still under research. The seed darts first inject a fast acting paralytic enzyme that causes death within days. Then, the plant feeds upon one's soul, extracting the host's essence to create a phantom soldier to protect the newly sprouted flowers. Finally, the seed excretes digestive enzymes to feed on the body. It is a hideous death as your organs slowly cease functioning and you are being consumed body and soul while you are fully aware but unable to move.
The Phantom Flower has now spread to within a few miles of the Wall of Altrua. It's spread is incredible given it was only first discovered a decade ago. It MUST be stopped at the Wall or all of the Kingdoms may become a desert wasteland!