Adrian Almanac I: Flora

[RatFromTheTrash 531]

 

[ Tʜᴇ Fʟᴏʀᴀ ᴏꜰ Aᴅʀɪᴀ ]

 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴏʟʟᴏᴡɪɴɢ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴡʀɪᴛᴛᴇɴ ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʀꜱᴇ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴇᴠᴇʀᴀʟ ᴍᴏɴᴛʜꜱ ᴀꜱ ᴍʏ ᴄᴏᴜꜱɪɴ ꜰʀᴇᴅᴇʀɪᴄᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴍᴇᴛɪᴄᴜʟᴏᴜꜱʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴘɪʟᴇᴅ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴀʀɪᴏᴜꜱ ᴘʟᴀɴᴛʟɪꜰᴇ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴏᴡɴꜱʜɪᴘ ᴏꜰ ʙᴇʟɢʀᴀᴅᴇ.

 

ɪɴᴄʟᴜᴅᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍᴀɴʏ ꜱᴜᴘᴇʀꜱᴛɪᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍʏ ᴏᴡɴ ᴏʙꜱᴇʀᴠᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ꜰɪɴᴅ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴇɴᴅᴇᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇɴʟɪɢʜᴛᴇɴɪɴɢ, ᴀꜱ ᴀ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴅᴇᴀʟ ᴏꜰ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ʜᴀꜱ ɢᴏɴᴇ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴇᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʟᴍᴀɴᴀᴄ.

 

ᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴜʙꜱᴇqᴜᴇɴᴛ ᴇᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴅʀɪᴀɴ ᴀʟᴍᴀɴᴀᴄ, ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱʜᴀʟʟ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪꜱ.

 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

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[ Tʜᴇ Fʟᴏʀᴀ ᴏꜰ Aᴅʀɪᴀ ]

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

「I」

Aɢʀɪᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴀʟ Fʟᴏʀᴀ

« Crops and garden flowers cultivated by Adrians »

 

Cᴏʀɴ | Aᴅʀɪᴀɴ Fᴇᴇᴅ Cᴏʀɴ

The common field corn found planted in the Duchy of Adria is known colloquially as ‘feed corn’, in reference to its frequent application as food for livestock. Additionally, cornmeal flour is often made from it and used by the local families for a variety of purposes. This is why carts carrying corn are regularly seen waiting outside the Mill.

 

Sᴜɴꜰʟᴏᴡᴇʀ | Sᴛᴇꜰᴀɴ’ꜱ Sᴍɪʟᴇ

A sight well associated with the rural Duchy are its bountiful and various sunflower fields. Colloquially called ‘Stefan’s Smile’ in reference to the former Duke of Adria Stefan Euler, these tall and golden flowers are grown for their wonderful seeds. These seeds make for a popular snack, as well as being used for oil and birdfeed.

Cᴜᴄᴜᴍʙᴇʀ | Bᴇᴢɴᴏᴠ Gʀᴇᴇɴ

Tucked away and well cared for on the outskirts of Belgrade is a lone cucumber patch, reportedly a favourite of Duke Zygmunt who has been seen sneaking away to tend to it in his free time. This watery vegetable is often put in salads or pickled by the people of Adria, a staple of their diet. It is not easy to protect this patch from thieves who covet the fabled Beznov Green.

 

Tᴜʀɴɪᴘ | Aʟʟ-Wʜɪᴛᴇꜱ

Scattered here and there are small turnip patches, the hardy vegetable grown in reserve to ensure that winter supplies never completely run out. Some recollect the failed harvest of 629 during which the population of the town found great reprieve in exploring the culinary possibilities of the humble turnip. Turnip stew, stuffed turnips, roasted turnips–even a maligned and failed turnip cake was attempted! The turnips of Adria are oddly completely white, a small quirk which makes them stand out.

 

Cᴀᴘꜱɪᴄᴜᴍ | Rᴇᴅ Bᴇʟʟ Pᴇᴘᴘᴇʀꜱ

The favourite spice of the people of Belgrade is the vibrant red bell pepper, which is regarded worldwide as distinctly sweet and spicy. The people of Belgrade have seemingly accepted these humble peppers as a staple of their diet, frequently inserted into meals which do not call for their use. Perhaps their popularity is a direct result of the failed harvest of 629, a year in which the absence of their flavour was deeply felt as turnips took centre stage.

 

 

Pᴜᴍᴘᴋɪɴ | Hᴜɢᴜᴇꜱ’ Hᴇʟᴍ

It came as little surprise to the Adrian settlers of this continent that the autumn hills made for good pumpkin-growing land. The name ‘Hugues Helm’ is in reference to Hugues the Headless, a former Duke and legendary figure from the Duchy’s venerable history. These are most often made into stews and pies by the people and shared with strangers on the last day of every fortnight. It is said that anyone who receives a gift made of these pumpkins will have great fortune.

 

Aᴘᴘʟᴇ Tʀᴇᴇ | Hɪʟʟꜱɪᴅᴇ Pᴇᴀʀʟ

The apple trees grown on the hillside near Belgrade’s chapel are known for growing apples called ‘hillside pearls’, small and varying in colour. These are balanced in their sweetness and tart and regarded as having an exceptionally crisp and juicy first bite. A common sight when passing by the orchard is seeing the local layabout eating a single apple in the shade on a sunny day.

 

Lᴇᴍᴏɴ Tʀᴇᴇ | Gᴏʟᴅꜱᴇᴇᴅ

A staple among most devout True Faith settlements, lemon trees find themselves well cared for in the Duchy of Adria. They are a much beloved inclusion to most sweet dishes, but more interesting is their application in Adrian drinking culture. It is said that the acidity of a lemon brings out the best in most drinks made here, and perhaps that belief translates best in Euler Sprint, the exceptionally successful younger brother of cultural mainstay and international juggernaut Euler Max.

 

Jɪᴍꜱᴏɴᴡᴇᴇᴅ | Eᴜʟᴇʀꜱʙᴜʀɢ Mᴏᴏɴꜰʟᴏᴡᴇʀ

A curious trait among one of Adria’s stalwart families is their penchant for cultivating herbs with psychoactive properties. Though it is unknown when the tradition started, it was popularized by the Turtle Knight of legend–a mysterious benefactor and protector of the Euler family and Adrian people who is said to have always been high on something. Among his favourites were the Eulersburg Moonflower Seeds, a tremendously dangerous and potent psychedelic ingested for the purposes of visiting the ‘otherworld’.

 

Eꜱᴘᴀɴᴅ | Eᴜʟᴇʀꜱʙᴜʀɢ Wɪʟᴅ Rᴜᴇ

It is a well known fact that Adrian’s have a robust smoking culture, not only because they produce high quality tobacco which is carefully hand-rolled into the respected ‘Adrian Smoker’s Collection’, but also due to the copious drugs produced and smoked by the Euler family. Among their most sold products are these so called ‘Wild Rue Blunts’, which when smoked supposedly aids in creative thinking and relaxation. Some claim every Adrian has an ‘emergency blunt’, for particularly troublesome days.

 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

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[ Tʜᴇ Fʟᴏʀᴀ ᴏꜰ Aᴅʀɪᴀ ]

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

「II」

Nᴀᴛɪᴠᴇ Fʟᴏʀᴀ

« Plants indigenous to the autumn hills »

 

Bɪʀᴄʜ Tʀᴇᴇ | Hɪʟʟꜱɪᴅᴇ Bɪʀᴄʜ

The most common tree found in the forests surrounding Belgrade is the humble Hillside Birch, growing in various sizes to fit the rugged terrain of the foothills. These birches are now often associated with the town itself–the white bark of this fitting the names of many of our institutions.

 

Mᴀᴘʟᴇ Tʀᴇᴇ | Jᴏꜱɪꜰ’ꜱ Wɪᴛɴᴇꜱꜱ

A tall tree scattered throughout our forest with stark red leaves in the autumn season. The vibrant colour of its leaves reminded me of the stories of Josif ‘the Red’, a Duke to whom much bloodshed is attributed. Fortunately, these fair trees gift us a wonderful maple syrup which has become more and more popular among townsfolk as a rare dessert.

 

Pɪɴᴇ Tʀᴇᴇ | Pᴏɴᴅᴇʀᴏᴜꜱ Pɪɴᴇ

The highest rising trees in the surrounding forests are these uncommon pines. These evergreen trees and their needle-like leaves remain the same throughout the year, and the hardy wood used for construction framing by the settlers of Belgrade. Unfortunately, a few too many of these trees were cut down and their number has dwindled–Duke Zygmunt proposing a ‘protected’ status for this tree’s survival.

 

Oᴀᴋ Tʀᴇᴇ | Fᴀɪᴛʜꜰᴜʟ Oᴀᴋ

Hardy with large roots, these trees are frequently made into furniture and barrels by the townsfolk who have grown reliant on them for such. It is said that the acorns on these oak trees are particularly large, and as such Adria has something of a squirrel infestation in the surrounding forests. They are titled faithful, on account of the tradition of making wooden crosses out of them.

 

Sɴᴏᴡᴅʀᴏᴘ | Lᴀꜱᴢʟᴏ’ꜱ Tᴇᴀʀꜱ

A small and gentle flower can be found around Belgrade, its head hung low in sadness. It is said that they represent not sorrow, but renewal. They reminded me of the tale of Laszlo Euler, whose life was cut short in a gruesome manner during the days of the League of Veletz. Yet the Eulers persisted, with hope in their hearts that their family would move on from the tragedy–and so they did.

 

 

Rʜᴏᴅᴏᴅᴇɴᴅʀᴏɴ | Wᴀʀɴɪɴɢʙʟᴏᴏᴍ

A beautiful yet poisonous flower is scattered across the Duchy, maligned and respected by the townsfolk of Belgrade. It is said that the first Adrian settlers within Azuras saw the wonderful colours of this flower and gifted them to their lovers, who developed rashes and skin irritation and swiftly grew irate with their would-be suitors. So it was that the unfortunate titled them Warningblooms, as they warned of an individual’s carelessness.

 

Bɪʟʙᴇʀʀʏ | Wᴀʟᴅᴏ’ꜱ Gɪꜰᴛ

The humble bilberry can be found roadside throughout the Duchy, a popular snack for any peckish travelers. Many believe these were left by Saint Waldo the Wayfarer to aid rovers in their travels across the lands. Townsfolk have taken to using these berries in trail mixes, as well as creating a delicious bilberry marmalade which in turn led to the creation of the Adrian Traveler’s Sandwich–bilberry marmalade spread between two slices of bread.

 

Bʟᴜᴇʙᴇʟʟ | Sᴏꜰɪᴀ’ꜱ Cʜɪᴍᴇ

In my time documenting the flora and fauna in our fair Duchy, nothing has quite captivated me like the fair and gentle bluebell. These small flowers enchant me with their kindly and humble posture, heads nodded in humility to the glory of God. Those who sight them often describe feeling a certain quiet devotion which is well reflected in the people of this Duchy, who toil gratefully to no end.

 

Lɪʟᴀᴄ | Fʟᴏᴡᴇʀ ᴏꜰ Bᴇʟɢʀᴀᴅᴇ

All around and throughout the town of Belgrade, one might find various patches of lilacs which remain undisturbed. The people of Adria believed the Lilacs represented the innocence of God’s creations and wished not to uproot or destroy them, instead constructing their homes humbly around them. Such a righteous gesture and quiet admiration has aptly earned this flower its place as the de facto Flower of Belgrade.

 

Lᴏᴛᴜꜱ | Mᴀɢᴇɴᴛᴀ Lᴏᴛᴜꜱ

Within the nearby pond and river there are these vibrant, beautiful flowers with roots which go all the way down to the riverbed. These lotuses are believed to be signs of good fortune and purity among the townsfolk, who believe that so long as there are lotuses in the waters around Adria, their water supply remains clean and unpolluted. They are much beloved by the folk of Belgrade, though not quite as much as the venerable Lilac.

 

 

Bʀᴏᴡɴ Mᴜꜱʜʀᴏᴏᴍ  | Bᴇɪɢᴇ Hᴀʀᴅᴄᴀᴘ

The most common fungus found in the forests surrounding Belgrade is the Beige Hardcap, a mushroom which has ingrained itself in the diets of most settlers of the rural township. Though fine to eat raw, if a bit nasty, they’ve been found to be at their best when fried or made into a stew. They are certainly a mainstay of an Adrian’s winter diet, second only to the humble turnip.

 

Rᴇᴅ Mᴜꜱʜʀᴏᴏᴍ  | Aᴅʀɪᴀɴ Aᴍᴀɴɪᴛᴀ

A somewhat less regular but more striking sight are these Adrian Amanitas, which are most well known to be an insidious killer. Uneducated peasants have frequently tried to snack on the red and white capped mushrooms in their boredom, only to die in excruciating agony of poisoning soon after. It is unlikely this will ever truly change, for their friendly and joyous appearance masks their toxic nature quite well.

 

Dɪᴅᴅʏꜰᴜɴᴋʟᴇ | Kɴɪɢʜᴛ’ꜱ Rᴇꜱᴘɪᴛᴇ

Though found in many places around the world, Diddyfunkle is well liked by the people of Adria, in particular the Turtle Knights of the Ivory Tower of Eulersburg. Commoners look up to the stalwart and joyous knights in black, who enjoy inducing illicit substances for the sake of clarity and creativity. This flower suits their temperament quite well, and unlike the cultivated Moonflowers and Wild Rue can be found in the wild–earning the title of Knight’s Respite.

 

Aꜱᴛᴇʀ | Eᴠᴇɴᴛɪᴅᴇ’ꜱ Sᴍɪʟᴇ

Somewhat rarer than most of the other mentioned flowers is the white Aster, found growing in sunny western-facing spots along the hillside. The people of the Duchy claim this flower faces the west as it enjoys watching the sunset, nicknamed Eventide’s Smile for this perceived quirk. Interestingly, this flower is often associated with the Turtle Knights as well, said to represent patience in the way it awaits the setting of the sun every day.

 

Wɪʟᴅ Rᴏꜱᴇ | Mᴏᴜʀɴɪɴɢ Bʀɪᴀʀ

In the wilderness of Adria one might find this particularly thorny sort of roses. A flower frequently associated with love and romance, the townsfolk of Adria see in it a far different message. They call them Mourning Briars, given to grieving families alongside condolences by neighbours and friends. They say that Mourning Briars represent a noble death, and they are commonly placed on memorials as a sign of respect.

 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

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[ Tʜᴇ Fʟᴏʀᴀ ᴏꜰ Aᴅʀɪᴀ ]

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

「III」

Iɴᴠᴀꜱɪᴠᴇ Fʟᴏʀᴀ

« Undesirable weeds and the like »

 

Nɪɢʜᴛꜱʜᴀᴅᴇ | Pᴀᴜᴘᴇʀ’ꜱ Pᴏɪꜱᴏɴ

A famously poisonous and common weed, Nightshade is frequently brought up in fairy tales and stories as a method by which assassins and rogues poison victims. This has made it the go-to for most people with evil intent, which in turn has led the Duke to officially outlaw carrying large amounts of nightshade. Many beggars and homeless people have been arrested and tried on counts of possession.

 

Dᴀɴᴅᴇʟɪᴏɴ | Zʏɢᴍᴜɴᴛ’ꜱ Wɪꜱʜ

The much beloved Duke of Adria, Zygmunt Euler is afflicted by a most particular problem–his deep love of Adria. His love for his home runs so deep, he rarely has time for breaks or relaxation–always planning, always working. I remember when I was a little girl, he taught me to blow a Dandelion and make a wish; I believe I know now what my brother wished for. He wished for peaceful days and prosperous unity among the folk of Adria.

 

Pᴏᴘᴘʏ | Bʀᴏᴀᴅʟᴇᴀꜰ

An interesting quirk of the botanists of Belgrade is a distinct dislike towards Poppy. Perhaps it is due to its incessant growth, though I suspect the real reason is that Poppy is made into a drug that induces neither psychedelic visions nor creative bouts–instead being a mind-dulling substance which reduces people to less than they are meant to be, instead of guiding them to greater heights. This flower’s leaves are broad, hence the name.

 

Cʟᴏᴠᴇʀ | Lɪᴛᴛʟᴇ Lᴀᴅʏ

Large patches of clover may be found all over the Duchy, referred to by the people as ‘little ladies’. Each and every single little lady is said to be her own little bundle of luck, supposedly spreading that good fortune into the very ground upon which they have settled. They believe these little ladies are in no small part responsible for their bountiful harvests!

 

Cʀᴀʙɢʀᴀꜱꜱ | Sᴛᴏɴᴇɢʀᴀꜱꜱ

Pale, dried grass finds itself settled between rocky crags and outcroppings all along the mountainside. This grass makes for excellent kindling and provides shelter for small critters who like to rest within. Stonegrass itself is incredibly easy to differentiate from other kinds of grass given its pale and brittle blades and specific growing habits. On particularly hot days, one might find scorched patches of ground where the exceptionally flammable and dry grass once stood.

 

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

 

Lady Sofia Euler, Bookkeeper of Belgrade, Adrian Artificer

 

SIR Frederick Euler, Knight-Captain of the Turtle Knights of the Ivory Tower, the Silver Shield of Idunia, Thalion-Knight of Idunia, High Captain of the Host of Idunia, and Slayer of the Gilded Queen

 

Spoiler

 

BIG THANKS TO GAJA FOR ACTUALLY WRITING THIS WHOLE POST!!! I just sat here and helped format c: Everyone say thank you Gaja

 

 

[Gaja 1311]

Spoiler

i loved writing this post im not gonna lie

 

[Baccaaa 490]

A woman of elven descent, as many have come to find Adria a home the past decades, has immediately asked on the Adrian Library for a copy, later working on its translation to elven. Every flora would be added in the conjurer's flora book and perhaps even secretly collected for anatomical research...

[Frisket 4538]

Gonna add this to my collection of mundane plant life to reference in my spell crafting rp. :D