Rharne Development Contest (Flora)

[Oracle]

Rharne Development Contest!

Welcome to the Rharne Development Contest!

This is a contest that I will be running from time to time that will allow you guys to get the chance at awesome prizes for submitting development articles! I will be choosing a Development Catagory for each contest we run. That category defines the type of development that you are to submit for a chance at winning prizes!

This Contest's Category is FLORA

How This Works:

• I will be choosing a Development Category for each contest. (This contest's category is Flora)
• Players wishing to enter the contest will post their submissions to the Rharne Development Thread and a local Prophet will review it for approval. You may register your unapproved Flora in this thread for the contest but they will not go up for the final vote unless they are approved. We will be making every effort to handle all approvals in a timely manner because of this rule.
• The Winners of the development contest are decided by a poll I will post after this contest has been running for a month. The players will vote on their favorite and the top three will win amazing prizes!
• IMPORTANT- Your flora must be approved in the Rharne Development Thread before it can be voted on.

Submission Form

Name of Flora and Link to Development Write-Up:
Flora Appearance (Please include an image as well):Height, weight, common features used to identify it, etc
Description: Habitat, biology/behaviour, interaction with mortals, etc
Frequency:Common, Uncommon, Rare, Extremely Rare
Level of Danger: Non-Existent, Low, Medium, High, Extremely High
Special Properties: For Flora only
Additional Details (if any):

Code: Select all

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[b]Name of Flora and Link to Development Write-Up: [/b]
[b]Flora Appearance (Please include an image as well):[/b][i]Height, weight, common features used to identify it, etc[/i]
[b]Description:[/b] [i]Habitat, biology/behaviour, interaction with mortals, etc[/i]
Frequency:[i]Common, Uncommon, Rare, Extremely Rare[/i]
Level of Danger: [i]Non-Existent, Low, Medium, High, Extremely High[/i]
Special Properties: For Flora only
Additional Details (if any):
[/style2][/style][/center]

Prizes
So this is the fun part. There will be three winners chosen, assuming I have at least three contestants . Lets hope so anyways. So winners are chosen via a poll that is presented to the Rharne player base. The top three contest entries are allowed to choose from a selection of prizes. If you win any place higher than 3rd then you have the option to pick your prize from any of the lower tier prizes if they contain an item or pet that you would rather have. This gives our winners the freedom to choose their awesome stuff!

So these are the prizes available for this Flora contest.

1st Place Choices
Echo Scroll
Night Glow Gem
Lumen Wolf Pet

2nd Place Choices
True North Gem
Truth Serum
Fenrix Companion

3rd Place Choices
Cavini's Cloak
Engraving Quill
Any animal on the price list worth no more than 50gn

I hope you all enjoy this contest. This will hopefully be a great way for we Rharnians to contribute to our lovely area while also winning cool items and pets.

[Varlum]

Name of Flora and Link to Development Write-Up: Lightning's Grasp

Flora Appearance (Please include an image as well):

With a stem of around eighty centimetres and a small but beautiful bud, the Lightning's Grasp is a unique and notable plant. When night time falls these beautiful plants will glow in vibrant colors, making them easy to find and incredibly stunning to look at, especially when grouped together in a small cluster. Finally, they will drop bright purple seeds when they have fully grown to fill the ground, sometimes causing big waves of purple to flood the air, making for a stunning sight for anyone there to see it. Despite the awe these florae bring there is an inherent problem they cause, as they will oftentimes lean towards anyone that comes near, leading some to believe they have a level of intelligence to them. This, however, is a theory that can not be proven.

Description: Found in fields all around the Stormlands, and grown within the Thunder Priestesses bases, these plants are not uncommon to see and are actually spreading at alarming rates. With only forty trials needed to grow the plants to full size, the Lightning's Grasp have begun covering entire fields with their midnight glow, alluring many and drawing them closer to the plant. When a man or woman walks near them, the plants will learn closer in an attempt to touch the person in question. While many view this as a beautiful spectacle, avoiding the touch of the plant is crucial.

Frequency: Common

Level of Danger: High

Special Properties: Many people view this plant as cute, but the real danger comes from the paralytic moisture coating the petals. When touching direct human skin, the petals will drop a small dose of a contact poison on to the skin, quickly rendering the area of contact paralyzed. This, without a cure, can take up to a trial to be fixed. However, because these plants are often at leg height and the effect comes suddenly, it can cause many to fall and land deeper in the plants - rendering their entire body immobilized. Sustained contact with these plants can be lethal as the poison starts affecting any and all vital organs. As such, these plants are often taken by the Thunder Priestesses and turned in to a weapon smear, capable of taking down someone with little to no damage done to them.

Additional Details Watch your step

[Lucas Nardovino]

Name of Flora and Link to Development Write-Up: The Lightning Violet

Flora Appearance:The Lightning Violet is a bioluminescent flower thought to have originated on Isle Vyrelle however it can now be found all across the Stormlands. A highly adaptable species of violet the plant has an electric blue stalk normally around 6 inches tall and pale violet petals that shimmer like the water of an ocean. Dull and simple in the day it is at night that these plants truly show their beauty, it is also at night that they are most easily identified as their glow gives them away. Some might describe the spectacle of finding a meadow of these glorious flowers as ethereal and surreal, like one was walking through a sea of lightning. They truly capture the imagination and offer everyone a connection and sight into the domain that Ilaren controls, lightning.

Description: These plants are believed to have spread from Isle Vyrelle, perhaps through pollination of a more standard violet species upon the mainland. Their adaptability and toughness is hard to rival as they will flower throughout all seasons except Cylus in which they pass into a dormant state. The bioluminescence that is within them also causes them to radiate a slight heat. Scientists have speculated that this may be why they do not glow in the day to avoid over heating themselves and why they turn grey and dormant in the winter, only producing the glow deep within the cells of the flora. It is somewhat agreed that this is how they avoid dying during Cylus, the process keeping the cells from being destroyed during the freezing and eventual thawing that effects many plants. The only real interaction with these plants from mortals is one of watching them and occasionally picking them although they will only glow for one night after being cut from their roots. Following that they will turn grey and die.

Frequency: Common

Level of Danger: Non-Existent

Special Properties: These plants are surprisingly useful to the night time ecosystem of the Stormlands, their glowing attracts many species of insects which will feed upon the pollen of the Lightning Violet during the night. This allows the insects to feed while making sure the violet can easily reproduce. However, the plants also attract frogs and lizards that have learnt to seek out these plants in search of the insects that feed there. This miniature ecosystem acts as a limiting factor on the number of insects within the lands and also the spread of the violets, helping to keep a balance that is ever present in nature.

Additional Details (if any): It has been considered that these plants may be able to provide a form of glowing dye. However, no one has yet to manage it, most failing at the first hurdle of extracting the glowing matter without causing impurities or dilution that ruins the effect. Neither has anyone been able to figure out how to replicate the reactions that occurs within the plants either.

[Ministry]

Name of Flora and Link to Development Write-Up: The Marauders
Flora Appearance (Please include an image as well): The Marauders are not exactly easily described. Their height, weight, and entire appearance is dependant on the body that is being controlled. But one thing is for certain -- all Marauders will have moss, plants, and sometimes insects living on them, as if they were part of the forest. Logs and other Marauders that do not naturally have limbs will regrow them in the form of wood, and fungi will encompass parts of their body, usually around the chest or head area.
Description:Those who enter the Ywyngyll Forest and never return are expected to have been swallowed up alive by the living forest, but a fate far worse encompasses them. If someone were to stray within it's woods with any intention other than pure, the lush and violent forest will attempt to not only push away or kill the intruder, but to take their body and infuse it within itself. The nature found in the forest is far more vicious and brutal than most, and the Unabor that connects everything intends to keep it that way by setting up intense predators along it's borders. Should someone enter the wood, they would find beings - simple logs or trees, dead animals, or sometimes even other humanoid races completely devoid of emotion, or thoughts, with fungi growing out along their body. The fungi, referred to as The Marauders by the hearts, are another precaution of the forest. Along the border, these moving, dead creatures are almost completely invisible to the naked eye, camouflaging as simple logs or animals. Once someone falls deeper within the wood, and strays near a heart, The Marauders track and follow their prey, believing that they might turn back, or perhaps be friendly to the forest. Should someone aggravate them, by attacking the creatures there, going near a heart, cutting down too much wood from it's trees - The Marauders will lash out.

These creatures purely aim to kill, and although completely docile before they are activated, they should be approached cautiously. Should someone cut themselves on the defensive fungi found later in the forest, The Marauders are part of the creatures that will attempt to secure and kidnap the person and bring them towards the hearts, but this doesn't always happen, and The Marauders sometimes kill their target. They do this in any way necessary, logs will simply ram their target, animals will use claws and teeth, and humans will attempt to wrestle and beat their opponent. A single Marauder is not lethal usually to any competent person, but they are extremely dangerous in numbers, as dozens can overwhelm a single foe.

Should one of these creatures be captured, they will wilt and immediately die upon being taken out of the forest. A necromancer will not be able to revive it in any way, for The Marauder is not an entity, but a part of the forest, and an invasive fungi that attaches and redirects plants and animals to defend the forest. It has no purpose beyond this, and does not need food or water to survive, as it is not truly living.
Frequency:Uncommon (only in Ywyngyll Forest)
Level of Danger: Medium
Special Properties: The Marauder that attaches itself is able to control and pivot the body or tree to work in favor of the forest.
Additional Details (if any): None

[Mute]

Name: Prickled Fists

Appearance: The spherical cacti range from three to six inches in diameter and can weigh from two to ten pounds, all the depending on the quantity of the cluster growing together. The stems are a dull green color, though the dust from the Storm Wastes often clings to the plant, giving it a brownish tint during much of the arc. Tiny areoles sit between the stems, which ripple like that of a pineapple, and the spines grow out in a five-sided star pattern across the entirety of the plant. They bloom in the latter half of the Ashan season for about a fortnight, producing a vibrant purple color.


Description: One of the few plants that can survive the desolate Storm's Waste, these cacti grow in small clusters among rocky terrain and in the more shaded areas, few that can be found, in the area. Given the lack of extensive fauna in the region, this plant has evolved over the centuries to self-pollinate their seeds that then attach to the flower blooms in the spring season. As the flowers wilt, the wind carries the them far distances until the debris settles and the seeds germinate elsewhere. The Prickled Fist is a squat and tough plant, both of which are necessary traits in this harsh environment.


Frequency: Uncommon


Level of Danger: Low


Special Properties: Like most cacti, The Prickled Fist conserve water in their stems, making it a vital plant for any wanderer or resident who tries to travel in The Storm's Waste. The yield is low for any one plant, but these cacti tend to grow in clumps of eight to twelve, so there is often more than enough to sustain a small party as long as they're not solely reliant on the plants. The one downside is the water is tainted with the Fist's natural pollen which has a hallucinogenic effect if too much of the liquid is consumed. Side effects include feverish dreams and an increased reaction to visual stimuli.

Additional Information: Besides the water, the spines can also be harvested and are sturdy enough to be used as makeshift needles in sewing kits if necessary

[Faith Augustin]

Name: Knight Bloom
Link to Development Thread: here it be!
Appearance: Blossoming plants, standing between 2 and 3 inches tall. Their white trumpet-like bloom is usually a pretty white but the plants glow in a comforting light when in the presence of someone marked by, or born of Ilaren. In the presence of the Immortal herself, they glow twice as brightly.

Description: These beautiful flowers are known to have originated in the Mistal Woods where they used to light the way for the Lightning Knights who had entered the forest to help others - hence their name. There, they literally have been known to light up a path for those who are lost or who seek to help innocents. In recent arcs they have become a more common sight around Rharne and some make beautiful displays in gardens around the Cathedral.

During the night, or throughout all of Cylus where no sun lights the sky, these beautiful blossoms give off a comforting glow in when someone who bears the mark of Ilaren is nearby. They also, whilst in the glowing state, emit a beautiful fragrance which is said to boost the powers and abilities of Ilaren's chosen, while harming those who would seek to do them harm. Thus, rather than being used as a detection system, those who would wish harm to Ilaren's faithful tend to avoid these. The more devout the follower - either in terms of the level of their mark or their role in Ilaren's factions in Rharne, the more powerful the effects of the bloom.

Frequency: Uncommon. Requires Expert Gardening to care for due to their extremely fragile nature.

Level of Danger: Depends on who you are. Potentially high.

Special Properties: For Ilaren's marked being in proximity of these blooms adds a single level bonus to combat skills (eg: Competent becomes Expert). The light does this. For those seeking to harm Ilaren's marked, the reverse is true, and they will lose a single level of skill in one skill, usually the one they are using to attack. This only works at night.

Additional Information: There are rumours about what these flowers do in the presence of one of Ilaren's children or the Immortal herself. These are, as yet, undiscovered.

Credit: Faith

[Jonathan Burr]

Name: Gasping Orchid
Appearance: The Gasping Orchid is roughly 6" in height, but as most parasitic orchids are wont to do, will wrap around tree trunks with scarlet tendrils in order to fight for a place in the sun. Their leaves are small, roughly the length of a man's thumb. Though green in hue they are veined in the same blood-red color as the vine itself. The leaves grow in bunches, with foot-long bare intervals where they are few if any leaves at all. What makes this plant most striking is it's flower. Larger than an ithecal's fist, blood-red, and sticky, they bring to mind a red mouth opening to consume some poor creature. When not open, these flowers seal themselves up in fleshy, veiny 'pods' that are nearly impossible to cut through. These flowers are crepuscular, and bloom at early morning and sunset. All other times they are sealed.

Description: Gasping Orchids are native to the swamps of Rharne. They exist by winding up trees, sinking their roots deep into the flesh of the tree. Their aim is not to kill their victim, though the trees infected with Gasping Orchids often fail to thrive and wither away within a few arcs, leaving the orchid to capitalize on the corpse. Gasping Orchids reproduce in a strange way. A pair of white swellings at the rear of the "throat" of the flower will become monstrously huge in late Ymiden. By early Saun the swellings have grown to a point where the flower can no longer shut itself. When the pressure becomes too immense, the flower will explode. A hail of wet, sticky seeds each the size of a flea will fly through the air and (hopefully) stick to a nearby tree.

Beware; though these bursts are relatively harmless unless you happen to be a tree, Gasping Orchid seeds are designed to stick and hook onto a warm, viable host. Once they find one, be it the surface of a man's skin or the sun-warmed trunk of a tree, they immediately send a root down. This root is tipped in barbs. The longer the itchy seed stays on a man's skin, the deeper the root goes. The root will eventually mistake muscle tissue or bone for a tree, and will start to sprout. Once a man has been affected with this level of Gasping Orchid, it is too late. No matter how hard he tugs on the plant, or attempts to cut it out, the roots will allow it to leech energy from a man's flesh and regrow itself. Gasping Orchid infections can last for decades and decades. Skeletons of the afflicted look like swiss cheese where the roots have bored holes in and out of the bones to more securely anchor itself. Death is slow, and agonizing, and takes dozens of arcs. A man will shamble along until he is no longer recognizable, with flowers sprouting out of his back or arms, and vines consuming his features. If the roots manage to bore into the brain, a more severe symptom occurs; madness.

The plant will burrow deep into the brain and begin to drill holes into it for nutrients. Seizures, hallucinations both complex and simple, swelling in the brain, and eventual death are all symptoms of a poor mortal afflicted with a Gasping Orchid that has made its way to the brain. These individuals can be unspeakably violent, and will often attack friends and family members. The afflicted are known as Gaspers. Gaspers will shamble through the swamps of Rharne and stand in sunny spots to allow their vines to soak up the sun. They live a meager, horrific existence, until someone comes along to either cure them, or end their suffering.

The treatment for Gasping Orchid is currently unknown.

Frequency: Uncommon

Level of Danger: Extremely High

Special Properties: Psychotoxins; the Gasping Orchid seems to have the power to convince its mammalian victims that it is somehow beneficial, to prevent them from removing it. This is derived from the roots of the plant, and can be ground up and added to food to temporarily make an individual highly suggestible. However, due to the instability of the compound, the difficulty in harvesting the orchids without oneself becoming infected, and the relative rarity of the plants, only a master alchemist or chemist would have the skills to produce such a serum. Alchemists lower than Master will find that their serums only aid in suggestibility of a varying to lower degree, and run the risk of the serum backfiring and infecting the intended target with Gasping Orchid seeds.

Additional Information: Hi, I love you, this is for the contest.

Credit: Jon/Braker

[Oracle]

Rharne Development Contest!

I want to thank all of you for your wonderful submissions! We now have two pages of Flora in the Rharne lore section thanks to everyone's efforts. Thank you! So here is the survey link where everyone can vote on the Flora that is their personal favorite. Think closely on your choice and why you are picking it. Is it how the flora looks physically? Or does it have some neat effects that you really think will be fun for roleplaying? Make your choice and in two weeks time I will tally the votes and announce the top three winners.

Flora Contest Survey Link - Click Here

I will be pming the winners to allow them the chance to choose their prizes after the votes are tallied on September 19th!

Note: Anyone is welcome to vote for their favorite flora, you do not need to be a Rharne PC to vote

Prizes

Prizes
So this is the fun part. There will be three winners chosen, assuming I have at least three contestants . Lets hope so anyways. So winners are chosen via a poll that is presented to the Rharne player base. The top three contest entries are allowed to choose from a selection of prizes. If you win any place higher than 3rd then you have the option to pick your prize from any of the lower tier prizes if they contain an item or pet that you would rather have. This gives our winners the freedom to choose their awesome stuff!

So these are the prizes available for this Flora contest.

1st Place Choices
Echo Scroll
Night Glow Gem
Lumen Wolf Pet

2nd Place Choices
True North Gem
Truth Serum
Fenrix Companion

3rd Place Choices
Cavini's Cloak
Engraving Quill
Any animal on the price list worth no more than 50gn

[Oracle]

Rharne Development Contest!

Two weeks later and here we are! I'd like to announce the top three winners of the Rharne Flora Development Contest! First I want to thank all of the contestants for creating entries. Our avaliable Rharne flora has grown substantially thanks to everyone's efforts. All of the contestants made wonderful contributions to Rharne that will be enjoyed for a long time to come. Thank you all so much! So without further adieu let me announce the top three winners.

1st Place!

Lightning's Grasp - Varlum

2nd Place!

Prickled Fists - Mute

3rd Place!

The Marauders -Ministry

I will be pming the winners with your prize choices shortly! Congratulations!

Prizes

Prizes
If you win any place higher than 3rd then you have the option to pick your prize from any of the lower tier prizes if they contain an item or pet that you would rather have. This gives our winners the freedom to choose their awesome stuff!

So these are the prizes available for this Flora contest.

1st Place Choices
Echo Scroll
Night Glow Gem
Lumen Wolf Pet

2nd Place Choices
True North Gem
Truth Serum
Fenrix Companion

3rd Place Choices
Cavini's Cloak
Engraving Quill
Any animal on the price list worth no more than 50gn

Votes Breakdown