[✗] [Flora Lore] - Torch Flower

[Suzzie 866]

 

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Torch Flower

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And so it stood defiant of the night, flickering like a flame out of spite. 

 

 

Summary:

The Torch flower is a unique oddity among Aevos and the world at large, one that flourishes where many others would perish. Found in areas where the land has been scorched, the vibrant flower comfortably makes its home along volcanoes, though it has been successfully cultivated amidst arid desert sands in recent years. The plant flowers in almost furry looking clusters of various hues of crimson, orange, gold and white, often times a variation of all three on the same plant, though it is not unusual to see one flowering in a solid color. When in full bloom, its flowers possess a faint sweet floral scent with a hint of black pepper notes, described as 'spicy' by some. The plant derives its name from the luminescent glow it possesses, offering a steady light similar to that of a torch. This flower has found itself transplanted among walkways particularly around mountains, offering a soft light to guide those up otherwise dark and treacherous paths.

 

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Harvesting:

 

The harvesting of the plant is a simple ordeal; One will snip the flowering stem at the base, leaving the plant to able regrow more flowers rather than outright uprooting it. These flowers still retain their glow and can be rendered into a pigment that can be added or combined with others to add a luminous quality to the paint or ink. Most commonly it is applied to signs to make text visible at night, but Torch flower powder has found itself favored among artists to add a certain flare to their paintings. In recent times, it has been discovered that the pigment is able to be added to tattoo ink, and while the glow is not as potent as a torch in this form, the tattoos will softly glow to a degree, driving up demand for the flower. One must be careful when handling the plant as its stem and leaves contain capsaicin, resulting in a mild burning sensation when precautions are not taken. It's this quality that results in a painful prickling sensation when eaten, but unlike other spicy herbs, every component of the plant tastes horridly bitter and is unfit for consumption.

 

Preparation of the pigment is straightforward; One must first separate the flowers from their stems which then must be dried for up to roughly one month. From here, the dried flowers are crushed and ground to a powder, which is further refined by sifting them and removing any impurities. This powder can then be added to any paint or ink. Attempting to combine with dyes would be unsuccessful, the luminosity failing to apply to clothing. White variants are most coveted, as the other colors tend to add a red or orange hue to whatever they are mixed in whereas the white will not. A less common use for the refined pigment powder is to condense it into incense, smelling like a 'sweet campfire' scent of sorts when burnt.

 

While harvesting may be simple, proper cultivation is not. Those attempting to grow the flower outside of its ideal climate will find lack-luster results. The plant will grow less vibrantly, smaller, and with a glow closer to a flickering candle than a torch. It seems to rebel against captivity in this sense, driving a further demand for the wild-sourced variety of the plant.

 

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Summarized Uses:

 

• The plant can be grown along pathways for illumination at night.
• The flowers can be processed into pigment that can be used on its own resulting in reds, oranges, yellows and whites, or combined with other pigments to result in paint and ink that its able to glow.
• Tattoos inked using the pigment produced are able to faintly glow, though never as much as the plant in its prime.
• The processed flower powder can be used as incense.

 

 

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Redlines:

 

• Torch Flowers do poorly in captivity unless the individual is in a desert region or near a volcanic area. It will outright die in colder biomes with snow unless grown indoors. When grown outside of its preferred habitat, the plant’s qualities are reduced being no brighter than a flickering candle, with dulled coloring and is near useless for its main use, being reduced to a red dye at best.
• Torch Flowers lose their glow 1 narrative hour after being picked, at which point the light 'extinguishes' like a torch burning out.
• Torch Flowers cannot be mass grown in captivity, but can be found in clusters in their natural habitats. They are common within their native region, uncommon (but not rare) outside.
• Paint imbued with Torch Flower pigment will be half as bright as a torch, while tattoos will be ¼ the potency. Attempting to dye clothing with the pigment will fail. 
• Torch Flowers and Torch Flower pigment are meant to be player signed and collected/created in roleplay. 

 

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Credits:

Suzzie - Art, writing

Kuebiko - spit balling ideas regarding incense, smell.

[Cheese 8874]

Can I eat it

[Lunan_EXE 223]

+1 I just wish I could properly grow it in Norland, my elf would've loved to try and grow one to replace actual flames in a fireplace.
Would also love to see something about what happens when its consumed, it'd help flesh out any potential rp involving the flower because people like to eat things they're not meant to. Even a 'this flower has no effect when consumed' would be great!

[MysticalWeasel 910]

+1

Add more herbs!!

[PestyWarlock 539]

+1

Love fantasy flora in general, love lore that contributes to artist rp, perfect addition

[Suzzie 866]

22 hours ago, Cheese said:

Can I eat it

Added | One must be careful when handling the plant as its stem and leaves contain capsaicin, resulting in a mild burning sensation when precautions are not taken. It's this quality that results in a painful prickling sensation when eaten, but unlike other spicy herbs, every component of the plant tastes horridly bitter and is unfit for consumption.
you can but it tastes bad

18 hours ago, Lunan_EXE said:

+1 I just wish I could properly grow it in Norland, my elf would've loved to try and grow one to replace actual flames in a fireplace.
Would also love to see something about what happens when its consumed, it'd help flesh out any potential rp involving the flower because people like to eat things they're not meant to. Even a 'this flower has no effect when consumed' would be great!

See above regarding consumption. I thought about it and realized I didn't want to block people from using the flower, so I changed it so it must be grown indoors (but will still be diminished!).

Other added details:

• When in full bloom, its flowers possess a faint sweet floral scent with a hint of black pepper notes, described as 'spicy' by some.
• A less common use for the refined pigment powder is to condense it into incense, smelling like a 'sweet campfire' scent of sorts when burnt.

Speaking with @kuebikomade me realize I neglected to denote a scent, and missed out on a potential for incense. I debated making it act like a type of pepper, but it's primary use is to try and be glowing ink/pigment/tattoos and piling on that seems like overload. 

[Islamadon 9158]

This lore has been denied. You will be sent a forum PM regarding the reasons for denial within the next 24 hours.

Red Nightglow . . . You can already dye Nightglow . . . Flora Bloat.