Frozen Lilies

The warrior lay on the ground, surrounded by breathtaking chill, perfectly preserved, entombed in beauty.

— From a Weinadi fairy tale, translated.

You need to have another conversation with your son. He's been at the lily sap again.

— A note from an exasperated Garruw mother to her spouse

The Frozen Lilies of the Garruw are one of the most beautiful and strange plants of Thaiterra. It can be found all over the planet, but it grows in particular proliferation in the Agarruta Drei. Without it, the refrigeration technologies of the Garruw and the Weinadi would be significantly reduced.
Since the lilies grow at the boundary between the spaces claimed by the Garruw and Weinadi, they feature in both cultures, but for different reasons (as indicated by the above quotes). The term Frozen Lilies is the human translation of the name.

Among the Weinadi

The Weinadi words for it in the area are sazhen zaore, which roughly translates as "ice lily". The reason for the name is obvious, due to the appearance and icy traits of the flower.
Within the Weinadi, particularly the Dheizei who roam the surface, the flowers are usually associated with boundaries, and with great risk and greater reward. The flowers grow with Amdzha crystal, which is most typically found at the bases of mountains, which are the tradition home of the Garruw, who used to eat the Weinadi. Gathering the flowers could be crucial to survival, allowing the tribes to refrigerate their food, but it was incredibly dangerous. Even now in the wake of the Asayo-Djemndarra Accords, it's still a risky practice.
In mythology, the quest for the flowers is a repeated motif. And in art, when the flower appears, it can symbolize challenge and difficulty. For example, in classical art pieces, if someone is portrayed holding a Frozen Lily, it can be taken to mean that this person had recently undergone some great trial and emerged victorious.

Among the Garruw

The Garruw call it terzhid eyoze, a phrase which used to literally mean "cold drug flower." This is because they valued the flower more for its medicinal qualities. They could use it as a sedative or a numbing agent, and it was used to treat fevers in small doses.
However, the main use came from when the lily sap was distilled into an intoxicant substance, typically rubbed on the skin or smelled. The substance is popular with younger Garruw, as the effects can make flying in a storm a rather spectacular experience (which is significant considering the state of most storms on Thaiterra).

Basic Information

Biological Traits

The Frozen Lilies are blue, in varying hues that tend to blend well with the shades of rocks around them. The blooms usually develop a glow in a warmer color as they grow, depending on the type of crystal feeding them. Each typical flower will have six smooth petals. The stems are 2-3cm thick, and have a fuzzy exterior that is thought to deter herbivores for its unpleasant taste.

Genetics and Reproduction

The plant produces a thick pollen that is usually carried by the storm winds. After the seeds are created, it sprouts a tiny purple-gray fruit that most animals find very appealing. They eat it, carrying the seeds around. The seed will not germinate unless it is next to amdzha crystal, but it will usually remain dormant for a long time, until it reaches the crystal.
If one has access to active amdzha crystals, it is possible to cultivate and grow them, but the frigid effect is not as strong as those grown and harvested in the wild.

Dietary Needs and Habits

In order to grow as a Frozen Lily and not as another variety of plant, the lily must grow near Amdzha Crystal. The energies of the crystal infuse the plant with whatever is needed to allow it to grow with the properties it possesses. For more mundane requirements, it grows quite well in rocky soil with average access to water.
If not exposed to sufficient crystal, the lilies will grow rotten and foul, a noxious, poisonous substance.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

When properly distilled, it can be used by the Garruw as a powerful sedative and numbing agent, and in smaller doses is used to treat fevers. If improperly distilled, it's a drug with mild hallucinogenic qualities. Young Garruw tend to use it as a mild intoxicant.
The Weinadi used the sap for early refrigeration technology, and to preserve corpses. Gathering it in modern day is used as a rite of passage for warriors, since it grows so close to the Garruw.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Found at the base of mountains where there is sufficient Amdzha Crystal to allow for growth. Also found at the rim of caverns, again with sufficient crystal growth. Particularly common in the Agaridian Plains area. This lends itself to an unusual symbolic role in the cultures of the Garruw and the Weinadi both, as it expressly grows in an area that is the border between their two traditional spaces, the mountains and the valleys.

Conservation Status

Common, easily grown in the right conditions

Average Height

1 meter when fully grown, not including root system