Dream Flower

Altario Shialt-eck-Gorrin

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Re: Sleepflower

« Reply #15 on: 03 January 2012, 08:32:34 »

Nope, not Antislar territory. Ice elves live up there. I'm good with it, however.


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Ridgen Sú'ufanán

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Re: Dream Flower

« Reply #16 on: 05 April 2012, 08:05:39 »

Finally done

Comments welcome


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Val O´Neil

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Re: Dream Flower

« Reply #17 on: 05 April 2012, 08:50:35 »

Hello, Ridgen!

Very lovely flower you have here. I like everything about it. You can place it mainly in the tundra of Guldor, if you like. The general layout of the three mainland islands are written out on my master work thread, so you can decide on the areas it grows in that provides the right kind of terrain for it. Just keep in mind that there are heavy winds in Cyhalloi, so if it needs protection from the wind then place it appropriately.

My only request is that you think beyond the Kasumarii being assassins, and find uses for the plant that would aid their survival in their everyday lives on Cyhalloi. If it helps the body retain heat, then they could use it like a lotion for the skin to keep them warm as opposed to wearing bulky clothing? They could cultivate it, and have it as a dependable resource. Or perhaps, in very small doses, it can provide a state of "waking dreams"- used to speak with the tribe's gods or something? All just suggestions, of course, as you should take your plant in the direction you desire.

Also! What does the flower smell like, what kind of fragrance does it have? What does the liquid from it taste like? I'm pretty sure that I didn't see anything written about that.


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Ridgen Sú'ufanán

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Re: Dream Flower

« Reply #18 on: 05 April 2012, 10:57:08 »

Hello there! Thanks for taking the time to have a look at my little plant here ^^

Quote

My only request is that you think beyond the Kasumarii being assassins, and find uses for the plant that would aid their survival in their everyday lives on Cyhalloi. If it helps the body retain heat, then they could use it like a lotion for the skin to keep them warm as opposed to wearing bulky clothing? They could cultivate it, and have it as a dependable resource. Or perhaps, in very small doses, it can provide a state of "waking dreams"- used to speak with the tribe's gods or something? All just suggestions, of course, as you should take your plant in the direction you desire.

I am afraid that the plant only appears on Cyhalloi in small numbers. I can put it there, but the Kasumarii will have to use it rather sparingly, as a medical tool as opposed to using it for warmth. Perhaps, though, the very rich could afford to buy it as a means of keeping warmth in? I've edited that little detail in, if you don't have any objections.

Quote

Also! What does the flower smell like, what kind of fragrance does it have? What does the liquid from it taste like? I'm pretty sure that I didn't see anything written about that.

I believe I have mentioned in there somewhere that the liquid tastes very sweet - almost like honey. I do admit, though, that I have neglected the matter about the fragrance, and I hope that my edits have fixed that.

I believe I have addressed all of your comments. If you have any more, they are more than welcome

Thanks for taking the time to look over my entry


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Bard Judith

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Re: Dream Flower

« Reply #19 on: 10 April 2012, 10:24:04 »

Hey, Ridgen! As requested, I've gone over this with a bit of Judicial revision (in-joke, never mind) and a flea comb. I have NOT marked my changes as I'm working from my office computer with a few moments to spare, but if you read over the entry you'll see the suggestions flow. You have a tendency to overuse certain stylistic devices such as 'the said flower', which I've fixed, and there are some details I've added which were just crying out to be there!

Of course, if you don't approve, do feel free to add and replace further. The names, though, were essential... the 'substance' just isn't good enough and 'P. Owens' is not a medieval formulation. Detail, detail, detail, and enjoy - this is a sweet little plant (no pun intended) and will have a useful place as an expensive sophorific and medicinal drug.

Thumbs up, and an aura for you for keeping at this!

Hugs,
Judith


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"Give me a land of boughs in leaf / a land of trees that stand; / where trees are fallen there is grief; / I love no leafless land." --A.E. Housman

Bard Judith

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Re: Dream Flower

« Reply #20 on: 10 April 2012, 10:24:30 »

EDITED and JUDICIZED - see what you think!

The plant known to researchers by the name of 'the Dream Flower' certainly looks as if it's daydreaming as it stands in the frozen Forest of Contamar, in the northernmost part of North Sarvonia. The Dream Flower is often found growing in large groups with others of its kind, and when the plants begin to flower, they create a subtle kaleidoscope of colours that match the snow that so often surrounds them. This lovely yet seemingly insignificant plant arguably has played a major part in revolutionizing the science of medicine within Santharia.

Appearance:

The Dream Flower fits its name in more ways than one - and its appearance is by no means an exception. Standing there as one plant amongst many others, the flower gives the impression of being locked in a reverie as the cold breeze sways it first one way, then another. Its large, icy blue petals are its defining features - growing up to a palmspan long, these sharply shaped petals look like ice shards arranged into a pinwheel formation. About two of these, laid from tip to tip, would measure the full length of a mature plant's stem.

This dark green stem is fairly thick, especially at the base, where it spreads out into the plant's roots. Said stem is usually rather flexible, and is covered with a thick, sugary substance that seems to prevent it from losing heat. This substance, named “Xha’laa’ or ‘Dreamsap’ by the elves of the area, is also present inside the flower. Dreamsap is very sweet - thus making the plant a favorite snack for some of the animals that live in the frozen forest, many of which have developed a resistance to the drowsiness that comes with eating the plant.

Territory: The Dream Flower can be found in the mystifying Forest of Contamar, on the northernmost tip of the Iol Peninsula, Northern Sarvonia. It is believed that it can also be found in some areas of the Cyhalloi mainland, albeit in small numbers. When it is taken out of its natural habitat and brought into warmer places, the Dreamsap inside it dissolves into nothing and the plant turns a considerably darker shade - roots, stem, petals and all.

Usages: Researcher Sully Powenspense has found that, under cold enough temperatures, all parts of the plant contain a very sweet white fluid that induces a simple yet extremely useful effect, - drowsiness, then eventually, various stages of sleep – not to mention the ability to prevent heat from escaping whatever it is covering.

The fact that the substance can induce sleep is its most useful trait - this, in itself, has a great amount of uses. Its most significant use, however, lies in the world of medicine.

"When taken in large enough quantities, the substance will induce a sleep that will render the consumer completely unconscious as to what is happening around him or her - this extends to their sense of feeling and pain, as well. They do not respond to injury or retain a memory of injury during their period of sleep," Sully Powenspense explains. "This means that otherwise extremely painful and dangerous operations can be performed with a much lower risk ratio."

Not only does the plant make otherwise risky surgeries possible, but it is also an effective treatment for those who find it difficult to find sleep at night; consuming small amounts of Dreamsap will guarantee a sound sleep. However, consumers have to be careful that they do not drink too much of the substance, for taking it in large enough doses may shut the body down at a rate so fast that one’s heart will stop completely. A further risk is that in certain concentrations, the user may fall into a sleep from which it seems impossible to wake, thus making the substance a favourite amongst some assassins.

There are also a number of nobles who enjoy the sweet, honey-like aroma of the flower, and will use it as a base for the ‘Dreamer’s Scent’, a very expensive perfume. Since animals are often attracted to this scent as well, it has not proved popular with the middle classes, even those who might be able to afford the nearly prohibitive prices at which the scent is sold.

The Evathonrhim elves are said to be able to extract Dreamsap from the plant and use it as a lotion on their bodies to keep themselves warm without having to wear too much clothing.

Reproduction: These flowers are in full bloom all year round, despite the climate, relying solely on other life-forms to spread their seeds around. These life-forms initially feast on the plant's sweet flowers, and the seeds are excreted along with their waste products. If the plant has been undisturbed for several months for whatever reason, such as growing in an inaccessible area, the plant is able to release its seeds into the air, allowing the wind to carry them to wherever it will, and the seeds grow wherever they chance to land.

(describe the shape of the seeds and how they are able to be carried by the wind…)

Myth/Lore/Origins:

The Evathonrhim Elves have a number of tales associated with this plant, one of the most notable describing a large, four-legged beast that feeds of people's dreams to survive. It may view the dreams of others, but cannot have any dreams of its own. Thanks to its terrifying appearance, and thanks to its feeding habits, the elves of a local village were very scared of it, and considered it a threat. Though it had the power of speech, nobody would listen to its claims that it meant no harm; it was driven away every time it was seen too close to the village. It did indeed mean no harm, and only wished to survive. And then an incident happened - the home of one of the village elders went up in flames, killing its inhabitants despite the cold of the winter. The culprit blamed the incident on this dream-eating beast, and claimed that he saw it performing some form of magic to burn down the home. The outraged villagers believed this culprit, and as a result, decided to kill off the beast.

The beast, weakened because it was unable to consume dreams, could not fight back against the elves that have come to kill it off. They came, and they did their grisly task. As the dream-eater took its dying breath, it whispered one last wish, its final desire. "I wish that I could dream, just this once." With that wish, its corpse dissolved into nothingness, leaving the first of the Dream Flowers behind in its wake. It is thought that the dream-eater's soul lives on in the plant, living away the rest of its existence in an endless dream.

It is also believed that keeping a live Dream Flower at your bedside at night can drive away bad dreams. We have very few reports to substantiate this belief, as finding and harvesting the flowers in the wild is difficult enough. Also, the flowers prefer a very cold climate much of the time – not a comfortable state for one’s bedroom! However, more research might certainly be beneficial as to whether the mere scent of the bloom is sophorific in nature.


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"Give me a land of boughs in leaf / a land of trees that stand; / where trees are fallen there is grief; / I love no leafless land." --A.E. Housman

Ridgen Sú'ufanán

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Re: Dream Flower

« Reply #21 on: 12 April 2012, 09:11:29 »

Thank you for looking this over. I shall integrate the comments right away.


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Deklitch Hardin

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Re: Dream Flower

« Reply #22 on: 12 April 2012, 09:20:26 »

I have auried both the Bard and Ridgen for Judith's helpfulness (as always) and for Ridgen's willingness to work with her and take on the suggestions offered. I could learn a lot from Ridgen, I do believe in that regard.


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Dream Flower