Mirkroot

Written by CrazyJack

Mirkroot is one of the most well known plants in the world, so much so that the region in which it is found, Mirkireth, derives its name from the plant. Mirkroot is also one of the most poisonous plants in existence, and is highly sought after by physicians and assassins alike, as even a small amount of any part of the flower can bring down the largest of creatures, and the plant can be processed using magic and alchemy to create even more toxic substances. Likewise, the plant can also be used to create a powerful healing potion called the Draught of Perpetua, which is so powerful that it can heal the most serious of wounds and diseases, although finding an alchemist skilled enough to brew the draught correctly is extremely difficult, as only a few in the entirety of Tal'rond possess the expertise. Even then, use of the potion is frowned upon and outright banned in many kingdoms, as a variant of the potion, named Perpetua Extremis, is notorious for being used in Necromantic rituals. The two main examples of poisons made with Mirkroot are Mirk and Decedus, the former being the weaker and causing a slow and painful demise, while the latter, even if touched, may cause almost immediate death.

ANATOMY & MORPHOLOGY

The plant itself is very rare and beautiful, with twisting roots that snake their way up other species of flora, often ending in a maximum of two or three bright purple flowers. Every year the flowers also produce extended yellow and orange tendril-like fruits which are just as deadly to ingest as the rest of the plant. Mirkroot tend not to have leaves, as they do not use photosynthesis as their main energy source. Their twisting roots can grow to extreme lengths, and can be overlooked as ordinary vines. Due to the flowers only growing at the ends of the root stem, they can mostly be seen high above the forest floor. The roots are the weakest part of the plant in terms of toxicity, while the flowers are the most potent.

GENETICS & REPRODUCTION

Despite the fact that the plant is grown and harvested by some Paédor Elf clans, the exact nature of how the plant reproduces remains a mystery, although Mirkroot tends to grow close to others of its species, suggesting some kind of process which is invisible to the naked eye. Some have also suggested that the mere presence of the plant is enough to 'spawn' others in the same area, and this may also have something to do with the Mirkroots extraordinary ability to drain the life out of other plants.

DIETARY NEEDS & HABITS

The Mirkroot plant seems to derive most of its energy from sapping the life out of its host plant as it grows around them. This is also an unknown and seemingly invisible process, but simply by touching another species, the Mirkroot drains it of its vital nutrients and after a while the host plant dies, and the Mirkroot moves on to another.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The Paédor grow Mirkroot in some cities, although the process is highly guarded and slow, as the plant can only be harvested when another grows in its place, to ensure the survival of grove. As such, even the largest Mirkroot groves only produce around 30-60 plants per year. The trade in Mirkroot however, is extremely lucrative, and a single flower of the plant can fetch a healthy pile of gold.

Scientific Name

Merethryll Anqua (Elven)

Lifespan

~30 years