[Lore Addition] Epiphytes & Faerie Gardens

[marsloll 1384]

Spoiler

 

= F A E R I E  G A R D E N S =

C O U R T S  O F  T H E  F A E

⚘. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⚘

 

[By NaChosOMG]

 

It is said that beneath the light of a full and pale moon, the border between the realm of the fae and the mortal world is at its thinnest. During these twilight hours, a faint spore or seed might slip through a fae ring, the contact points of these realms, and out into the mortal world. These journeymen of the fae will seek to root, and grow, and thrive in this new world. Yet they stand alone and vulnerable, so they seek out a host to bond with. 

 

Despite the strength they now shared together as host and plant, the mortal realm was no less cruel and foreign to both fae creatures. In an effort to make it feel more like home, the fae plant allowed its mana and magic to bleed out into nature around it - slowly changing its surroundings like it did to its host. Slowly but surely, plants began to change hue and grow in strange and unruly ways unbefitting of the mortal realm. Animals that scampered into the reach of this magic and the fae plant would also find themselves changed into demifae, adopting the same qualities of the Fae Plant. Its influence only continued to spread through everything it was able to get its hands on - spreading further and further.

 

Soon enough, other Fae Plants began to slip through the cracks and nestle themselves in this growing field of otherworldly creatures and plants - filled to the brim with strange oddities that one would only see in stories.. Fae creatures, once lost in a world unknown to them, were able to find solace with others like them. Sprites, wisps, and other dryads could feel the very surge and pull in their core, something familiar that they could not deny. A feeling of home, calling to them. What they would find was just that - a home, away from home. Their own Eden.

 

· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·

 

[By Alexander Suchkov]

 

O V E R V I E W

When a Fae Plant emerges in the mortal realm, they will always first seek a host to bond with. However, after this occurs, it is still a singular organism and a bonded descendant can only do so much. Seeking further companionship and influence, the Fae Plant will continue to convert its surrounding environment to better suit its needs - changing nearby plants and animals into fae as well. Like roots spreading out underneath the earth, the Fae Plant will continue to spread its influence outwards as far as it could get to fully feel comfortable in such a foreign place. Given such an influx of fae energy coming from the strange place simulating the Fae Realm, other fae naturally begin to flock to a familiar location - further spreading the Fae Plant’s control. Due to this, the Epiphyte and the Fae Plant itself have been granted greater boons; being in an environment better suited for their fae nature has lessened the strain upon their forms, allowing them to have better control of their essence. 

 

P R O C E S S ⚘. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⚘             A Fae Plant will passively begin to extend its influence where it is stationed as soon as it is able to secure a host - such is the nature of such symbiotic creatures. Its spread is slow, and grows over time - marking stages of growth by a set amount of tiers. The appearance of these Gardens may vary from plant to plant - a fae mushroom may cover its entire area of various coloured fungi of different types and qualities like a rotted log, while a fae tree would seek to create a small thicket of other trees like itself. In the case that multiple Fae Plants have settled together, they may essentially merge their Gardens into one large garden - influencing their areas with a mix of the others and creating a homogenous zone that is fit for all of them.             Epiphytes marked with the knowledge and effects of Blood Magic may have a more corruptive-looking Garden. Plants and animals within their gardens may react hostilely to any that enter, and bear more corroded and dangerous appearances. Spikes, spines, thorns, and rows of sharp teeth may line the various corrupted animals and plants that grow within the Garden.    · · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·   T I E R S   T H E  C O P P I C E  -  T I E R  I             This is the beginning stage of a Fae Plant’s influence - only now having gained a host and has turned its sights outwards. Still weak, the energy from within a Fae Plant is negligible - only recognizable by other Fae creatures. The plants by its roots have turned hue or changed shape by the Fae Plant, and small bugs may have been turned similarly to the Epiphyte. This area of influence is about a [5] block radius, with the Fae Plant as its centre. This stage lasts for [2] OOC weeks.   T H E  W E A L D  -  T I E R  I I            Further pushing the limits, the Fae Plant has reached out further where it has rooted to alter more of its environment. At this point, it has anchored itself properly in the mortal realm and has grown stronger - its energy is palpable now to druids, who are able to recognize the plant as fae. The Fae Plant’s grasp has expanded and strengthened, now having the ability to alter larger plants like flowers and bushes to resemble itself, as well as change animals no bigger than a dog into demifae. This area of influence is about a [10] block radius, with the Fae Plant as its centre - a song seemed to hum now from within the radius, similar to that of a Fae Ring. This stage lasts for [2] OOC weeks.   T H E  A R B O R E T U M -  T I E R  I I I           Reaching as far as it can go, the Fae Plant has total control over its given domain. Fully immersed in its small patch of paradise, the Fae Plant and its surrounding Garden exude fae energy - undeniably distinguishable by Epiphytes, Druids and those with the right equipment to perceive mana. At this point, other small fae like hobgoblins and wisps have felt the draw to the area - settling there as their new home. Other Fae Plants may have also settled in the area - finding it safe to do so alongside its brethren, as even larger animals seem to have been overtaken by the Fae Plant’s power. With the surge of natural energy in the area, Kuila may begin to grow in clusters of varying types - the fae nature of the area allowing regional variants to grow where they otherwise would not. This area of influence is about a [15] block radius, with the Fae Plant as its centre - the song from within the radius was louder now, transforming from a soft whisper to an alluring hymn, drawing in other fae to settle in its borders and allowing fae and those attuned to find solace within the space.    · · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·

 

Spoiler

R E D L I N E S

➺ Epiphyte plants still must adhere to their physical fae tell appearances, it is simply how their fae mana is perceived to Epiphytes, Druids, and those with the ability to view mana that changes.

 

➺ Do not use the Fae Ring-like effects of a Faerie Garden to FTB and or do bannable RP.

 

➺ Faerie Gardens in general cannot be used to metagame the Epiphyte associated with it.

 

➺ The song within a Faerie Garden is not enough to disorientate or estrange any of those within, simply be more of a nuisance to those unattuned or unable to handle a Fae Ring’s song.

 

➺ Plants and animals morphed within a Faerie Garden may adopt similar fae tells as the Fae Plant.

 

➺ Demifae animals cannot exceed the size of a moose.

 

➺ Demifae animals produce mundane materials - simply reskinned as fae. Meat may be differently coloured, pelts may change into coats of leaves, etc.

 

➺ Blood Mages do not have to have a corrupted Garden, it is merely an aesthetic option that they can access.

 

➺ A corrupted Faerie Garden may not be used to metagame that the Epiphyte associated with it is a Blood Mage.

 

➺ A Blood Mage’s Faerie Garden cannot mortally harm or cause lasting damage unless OOCly agreed upon.

 

➺ The mutations of a Blood Mage’s Faerie Garden are not restricted to those listed, but should be reasonable.

 

➺ The corruption of a Blood Mage’s Faerie Garden can be cleansed via Blight Healing, albeit temporarily. Should an Epiphyte will it, it may go back to its corrupted appearance after [2] OOC hours.

 

➺ Plants and animals within a Faerie Garden can be felled, removed and or destroyed the same way their mundane counterparts can be.

 

➺ Anything harvested within a Faerie Garden is player signed, and considered mundane. This includes plants from the Fae Realm, Kuila Crystals, etc.

 

➺ The fae that can be found within a Faerie Garden are purely player-available fae, NPC-level fae, and or general minor fae. They cannot participate in CRP in any way and will simply flee or hide at the sight of conflict.

 

➺ The fae that can be found within a Faerie Garden can be communed with, but cannot be used to metagame any knowledge without OOC permission.

 

➺ The fae settling in the Faerie Garden may be used to apply for player CAs and FAs, such as Sycophants, Epiphytes and Sprites.

 

➺ Other fae will not settle within a Blood Mage’s Faerie Garden should it be corrupted.

 

➺ Small animals (the size of a fist) and bugs will take [2] OOC hours to become demifae. Animals up to the size of dogs will take [6] OOC hours, while anything larger will take [1] OOC day.

 

➺ Tiers of the Fae Plant should be tracked by the character on a player-made sign, including the effects and appearance of the area.

 

 

[By F3LC4T]

 

B L E S S I N G S

With the growth of the Fae Plant’s influence over the mortal realm, the Faerie Garden has become a safe haven for various fae. As the Fae Plant’s power grows, so does the Epiphyte - with the strengthening of their bonded pair, the Epiphyte has greater control over the mana that flows within their body. As soon as the Fae Plant has established its Garden to its fullest potential, that energy is also able to be tapped into by the Epiphyte - granting them various new blessings and boons at their fingertips.

 

Spoiler

R E D L I N E S

➺ Blessings are only accessible once an Epiphyte’s Faerie Garden has reached T3. They lose access to these abilities should the Fae Plant and or Faerie Garden be moved, and or destroyed.

 

➺ When casting, tells must be visible / noticable, and cannot be subtle.

 

➺ Should the Fae Plant need to be moved, it will reset to T1 once planted and the area it once inhabited will return to normal over the course of [3] OOC days.

 

CAMARADERIE [Noncombative]  

 

With the connection between the Faerie Garden and the Epiphyte sound, some of the fae may come to an Epiphyte’s aid or beckon should they will it. Over the course of [2] emotes, an Epiphyte may summon up to [5] denizens of their garden to assist in various menial tasks, like watering some plants, cleaning up a space, playing a prank on someone, etc. They will linger around the Epiphyte, up to a [20] block radius around them and will not venture out further beyond. After [2] OOC hours, the fae will leave the Epiphyte and return back to the Faerie Garden.

 

Spoiler

R E D L I N E S

➺ Fae summoned may only be NPC-level fae. Other CAs that may be a part of an Epiphyte’s Faerie Garden may not be summoned.

 

➺ Fae summoned may be used as a flavourful way to send letters. This may be indicated on the letter itself, however it cannot be used to bypass the aviary system. 

 

➺ Fae summoned cannot be used in any level of combat, and will flee or hide at the sight of it.

 

➺ Fae function the same as Housemagery Living Dolls in all senses - they may choose to communicate in the blinking of flashing lights, humming, etc. but will never be able to fully replicate or produce a descendant voice. 

 

➺ Fae summoned are capable of mundane tasks and instructions but will not be able to do anything overtly complicated.

 

➺ A Blood Mage Epiphyte with a corrupted Faerie Garden is unable to use this spell, given the lack of fae within the Garden in the first place.

 

CHAMELEO [Noncombative]  

 

Like their smaller counterparts in the Sprites, Epiphytes are able to conceal themselves within the flora by further manipulating their changeling abilities. Over the course of [3] emotes, an Epiphyte may blend into a natural environment to change the colours of their skin and form to better reflect their surroundings, effectively blending into the background. While in this state, their body is actively changing to match their environment - forcing the epiphyte to only move half of what they can while visible.

 

Spoiler

R E D L I N E S

➺ This ability may only be used [2] times per OOC day.

 

➺ Epiphytes cannot use this ability while in the middle of combat.

 

➺ Epiphytes are unable to use this ability in areas that lack nature, such as towns, cities, etc.

 

➺ Seers are able to see Epiphytes as if they were normal while in this state.

 

➺ Those with Heat-Sight, Arcana Flow, or any other method of detecting mana will be able to see the Epiphyte's signature as described by the medium.

 

➺ Should an Epiphyte traverse from a place of nature, into an area without it, they would find themselves revealed. A place of nature is defined as a forest, a garden, or anything that is more greenery than structure.

 

➺ Should an Epiphyte attempt to attack, or do anything other than movement, they would find themselves revealed.

 

POLLINATING [Noncombative] 

 

It is in the natural order of most living things to spread their reach as far as possible to survive - hyphae webs of mycelium, flying dandelion seeds, and even hooked, spiky burrs. Acting as an extension of their Fae Plant, an Epiphyte will slowly begin to spread its energy to its surroundings all the same. In this, an Epiphyte’s natural abilities are also heightened - able to perform minor aesthetic changes over the course of [2] emote within a [5] block radius of them. This may include the subtle discolouration and alteration of their environments to reflect their Fae Plant, or more simple actions such as branches and brambles shifting out of their way, herbs and plants harvesting themselves in the Epiphyte’s presence, or the spontaneous growth of other plants at the Epiphyte’s touch.

 

Spoiler

R E D L I N E S

➺ Plants grown through this ability can be communed with and used in further spells.

 

➺ Plants grown are strictly considered mundane, and will lack any alchemical symbols or medical properties associated with them.

 

➺ Plants grown may only be relatively small, like wildflowers or a small bush. Pollinating is unable to grow a whole tree, or a forest out of nowhere.

 

➺ Plants grown may adopt similar fae-like traits to the Epiphyte and their Fae Plant - this does not make them fae, however, as it is just an aesthetic change.

 

➺ Discolouration or the changing of nature to become more Fae is temporary and those affected will revert back to their original form after the end of the roleplay encounter.

 

 

[By Jeremy Adams]

 

P U R P O S E 

I love the Epiphytes lore, as some of my favourite characters that I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with on the server have been Epiphytes. However, much of it still left a lot to be desired on a personal level, even if it was something for a readily-available CA. Given how freeform and eccentric the Fae Realm is supposed to be, I wanted to inject more of the whimsical nature of the Fae into one of the Fae CAs. I thought another layer of complexity would create more interesting interactions between Epiphytes and other lore they often intersect with.

 

C R E D I T S

Writer: @marslol

Consultation: @Fleur___ @ClassyDryad @EndRealms @RMW01

Original lore: @ClassyDryad

 

R E F E R E N C E S 

The Fae Realm

Epiphytes 
 

 

[ClassyDryad 2368]

Photosynthesizes aggressively

[EndRealms 132]

+1 Please give us fun little things to do with our plants!!

(Also oh my god the formatting is so pretty-)

[Tav 4339]

make epiphytes not incompatible with every magic on the server next plz 

[ClassyDryad 2368]

Also epi gardens did exist in prior lore and only got removed because the previous druid lt ruled that an area being fae like (which can be done a lot of ways under current lore now)  would constantly sound blast mundane people. Hopefully now this isn't the case the lore can return.

[Akrasia 265]

rip sproutlings

 

[Vertigo_Round 335]

I love this, my kelp grove will grow even more strange and possibly evil, +1

[Pallodium 3779]

Amendments/Additions implemented into main lore post. Thank you for your submission. Moving to correct subforum to prevent redundancy and clutter.