Flora

Bioluminescent algae is a favorite treat for many of Moren Ezen's fauna, in particular the beloved moonskink - whenever the little reptile and its stubby little legs are able to get at it, that is - and the jackalope. It is considerably less popular among people, for the algae offers absolutely no nutritional value, is foul to the human palette and is known to cause stomach cramps. It does, however, have one peculiar side effect that some are willing to withstand the unpleasantness for: consuming bioluminescent algae will make your tongue glow. (eat enough and you would glow all over - but you would likely get very sick before you achieved your goal) 

On the surface the plant appears as thin spikes of a pale yellow filament that spray out in a small wispy clump from a single point in the ground. In the early mornings the filaments are covered in dew and the water funnels down into the root point. When dug up, the filaments seem to join in the center and have about a hand or two of depth as a thick and sturdy looking stem. The stem ends in a bunch of larger round balls (Rhizomes) that are thick skinned and grow in bunches along the root systems. After rain they grow long papery dark green leaves that then dry out and dissolve leaving behind more filaments that form the leaves' stem structure.

Common through all desert areas, particularly along the coastline, but can occur anywhere in the soft sand/dune based landscape. Dewcatchers are the nomads' best friend in survival situations. They are common enough to be useful but not obvious enough for them to be easily noticed by the unknowledgeable. Dewcatchers grow in the soft shifting sands of the desert areas. They use their root systems both as anchors in the sands as well as storage for water and energy during the long dry seasons. They are a lifeline for desert life, both animal and human. The dew they capture from the sea mists + winds nourishes insect and small animal life, and the root systems are able to be dug up by larger animals who feed on the rhizomes to gain precious moisture in the dry environment. After the rains the Dewcatchers use the energy they have stored to grow some long papery dark green leaves that catch as much sunlight as possible while the water is available. These leaves eventually dry out and disintegrate (if not eaten or damaged) leaving behind the strong stem filament behind. The older the Dewcatcher plant, the more filaments they have. The root systems are capable of growing meters each day during this time and the plant as a whole reproduces through sending out runner networks of these roots that then break apart during the dry seasons as each Rhizome develops into its own new parent plant. The Rhizomes flesh is rather stringy and fibrous, however it is capable of holding incredible amounts of a sweet tasting water that can be squeezed out or eaten whole.

Original concept by sealle

It is not yet known whether this species is an algae, seaweed, or succulent type. It grows in both salt and fresh waters on the surface of rocks, and looks remarkably like a smooth, iridescent silver pebble - often including marble-like mottling or dark rings. It flowers at random intervals for no longer than a week, displaying a single, five petaled blossom on its top side. Eauhoney are not common and are very difficult to find by all but the most experienced farmers and scouts, but are worth a decent sum of valyut as their thick shells crack open like an egg to reveal a honey-like substance within which tastes delicious in tea or on any sweet bread or dessert. Some say the Eauhoney has healing properties beyond soothing the throat and stomach, but that may just be the spectacular taste!

Original concept by callmeFlo

A small (up to 3 meters) tree with a thick, grey-brown trunk in the eucalyptus family.  The broad, dense crown has shimmering and slightly transparent dark green-turquoise leaves, that with sunlight reflects many tones of greens onto the ground below it, and earning it its name. It produces a sweet sap that attracts many species of insects that dig burrows around the roots and provide nutrients.

Found largely around Ehiasall, most commonly along the coast from Prut Cove to Asag Bay. The tree's sap is extremely concentrated in its raw product but has medicinal uses for both animals and people when diluted properly.

Original concept by Kathiawaris

Elder's Leaf is the common name for a broad-leafed, herbaceous plant that thrives in the forests and woodlands of the temperate region in Aeslend aand Ehiasall. It is noted to grow to great proportions in the old world ruins where a single plant can reach three meters wide, though commonly only reaches to 1.5 meters maximum in other areas. Does not cope with frost or intense heat/sunlight, and is harvested year round with mature leaves being the most potent. 

Large reddish leaves with green veins grow from a spire in the center of the plant and gradually unfurl and expand sideways as they mature. Leaves are prone to holes developing as they reach maximum size.

Edible, non toxic, medicinal, psychotropic. Elder's Leaf is primarily used in pain management and ceremonies. Requires heat to truly activate the leaves' properties. Leaves can be kept dried or fresh depending on availability, but it has a bitter taste when chewed raw and only provides minimal pain management and has no psychological effects. Wild animals are noted to be found consuming the plant when injured or in pain.

Cooking with the fresh leaves, or smoking dried leaves is common for elders, especially those with arthritis or ongoing pain. Most commonly a small amount is cooked into a small strong-flavoured sweet cake that can be eaten through the day, or prepared into small rolled sticks that can be lit and inhaled, though the latter is very bitter. Both options provide an altered mental state and causes mellowed moods and euphoric sensations. 

Brewing strong teas with fresh or dried leaves is the strongest form of usage noted, but the flavour is so bitter it must be masked with honey or sweet syrups to prevent vomiting. Most commonly used during traumatic healing or treatments, it causes severe altered mental states, sending the user into vivid dreams and minimal sensory responsiveness to reality. This is also used for spiritual and magical ceremonies where visions or introspection are required.  

WARNING: This substance has addictive properties when used regularly. 

Original concept by sealle

'Tooters'

A small, stout plant with broad, hairy leaves that have a wobbly shape. Leaves are about 10 cm long and grow from a central root that buries into the ground. No stalk or trunk so the plant remains low to the ground, and often is covered by longer grasses and strangled or starved of sunlight. The plant reproduces by growing bunches of 'seed pods' from the center of the plant that are flexible and not woody in texture. These inflate into small teardrop balloon like structures as the seeds ripen. The seeds are actually minisucle spores, and the inside of the pod is covered in a vibrant purple dusting of these spores that releases like a cloud when the pod bursts. When the pod bursts is sprays this fine dust-cloud into the air and relies upon wind to spread it up to several kilometers away.

Grows primarily in open grasslands and rocky areas with good sunlight and space. Erlpers Weed is edible but not particularly pleasant as the hairs are irritating to the mouth and stomach. Most animals avoid it when possible and it is commonly thought of as a useless and annoying plant by the adult humans of Moren Ezen.  Due to the pressurized seed pods, the noises that the plant can produce when popped range from low squeaks to loud bangs depending on the ripeness/pressure. Less ripe plants release softer squeaking sound, but the ripe pods are known for creating loud and startling cracks of noise that can be shocking to humans and animals alike. To the children however it is a fun source for jokes, pranks and chaos. Children and pranksters are known to harvest these pods and place them under seats or carpets to shock or embarrass their victims. It takes skill to harvest the pods though as any sort of disturbance of the ripe pods causes it to burst and cover the would-be-prankster in its colourful spores. The spores do not stain permanently and can be used as a temporary dye, which normally only lasts one or two washes before the colour is completely gone.

Original concept by sealle

This species is very similar to the Eauhoney in appearance and is aptly named after it, but grows only in ocean environments and is more abundant - one is likely to drag these up in fishing nets as they don’t attach so well to the rocks either. Experts will be able to distinguish the False Eauhoney by the shell that lacks the true Eauhoney’s iridescent sheen (though when wet, it can be hard to tell), the sometimes rougher surface to it, and the flowers which have only three petals. The difference is more obvious when cracked open, for the nectar inside is slightly thinner and not nearly as tasty, and is a common allergy when ingested. However, it has been found that spreading the substance over nearly-healed wounds will make sure scarring remains clear and visible, whilst also keeping it from being tough or sore.

Original concept by callmeFlo

A climbing, carnivorous plant that grows on trees in swampy or humid regions. Dainty and numerous bell-like blossoms protrude from the main body of the plant, with sticky, false stamen that entice insects. When the insect lands, the stamen draws up into the flower where it is digested. A new stamen will slowly grow to replace the one lost. Some people try to cultivate this plant on logs to control pest insects, but this is mostly unsuccessful. More successfully, some farmers will transfer the plants to trees near their fields in the hopes it will help their crops.

Original concept by Finf

This tree grows at high elevation but tolerates all climates including both hot arid mesas and cold northern mountains. It grows crooked and twisted even without high winds stunting its growth, but its wood is strong and thick, and a rich dark chocolate in colour. The twisting shape makes this tree species ideal for various animals to climb for sleeping, hunting, and nesting. Shadowcats especially are known to enjoy scraping their claws on these trees, and the deep gouges reveal a layer of bright golden to red colouration beneath the bark. Its nutty fruit is barely edible and offers little to no nutrition, and the wood doesn’t light on fire easily, but this colourful hardwood is coveted especially for woodcarving ornaments, and also for making furniture and instruments.

Original concept by callmeFlo

A large serpentine-like climbing vine, with an invariably black, iridescent stem sporting three to six inch serrated thorns every half foot on alternating sides, and decorated with an arrangement of delicate opalesque white flowers. It emits a favourable rich, sweet essence.

A most poetic amalgamation of beauty and terror, as so are the Guardians. The Guardian’s Vine most notably swathes the outer walls of the Elder’s Temple upon Guardian’s Watch in Apora, where it grows in unusual congruence with the man-made structure. 

Elsewhere the vine is considered an omen, for though it occurs indiscriminately across all continents and landscapes, it is rare and thought only to sprout where the Guardians have touched the world. It grows rapidly, and is utterly unmanageable once it takes hold.

To some, keeping a cutting of Guardian’s Vine on the mantle of one’s home is thought to ward off bad spirits and bring good fortune. To others, tampering with the vine is considered sacrilege, and perpetrators are punished per the region’s law, up to and including the death penalty. 

If the vine offers any medicinal purpose they have not been discovered, for they have not been investigated, and for both its rarity and sanctity it is seldom seen even on the Black Market.

Original concept by Kurrumin

Brownish green, round, about fist sized. Grows in clumps and spreads spores when broken open.

Grows in damp and humid locations, primarily in the leaf litter in the forest floor, but also has been seen old ruins and anywhere that's moist and dank enough to grow. People usually consider it a useless plant. It doesn't smell good or bad, doesn't taste good but isn't toxic. It's not even flammable or useful medicinally. All it does is look less than ideal and annoy people when it infests anywhere near their home as it is very difficult to dispose of without it spreading  spores and taking up their time in another week when the next generation grows.

Original concept by sealle

Fragile looking plant with a single long narrow leaf that curls from the tip into a spiral shape. Each leaf has one stalk that sprouts from the base and curls out and sideways over the top of the leaf to end in a small rusty red coloured blossom. The flower is small and has a heavy bulb at the base to join the stem, framed by many messy and intricately curled petals around the far edge. A small black spire of the bulb peeks out from the middle of the petals as if continuing from deep within the flower. 

Only found in the tropical forests of Aesland, the Heartsbane flower grows in the canopy, surviving off rainwater that settles on its host tree or forms in pools in broken branches. It is incredibly delicate and does not travel well. It is also hard to harvest in the wild due to growing so high off the ground and being nearly impossible to see from the forest floor. 

This difficult task is however a very well paying one. It is one of the most chosen plants for criminals and assassins due to the toxic nature of the flower's bulb. The black spire contains a toxin that in small doses induces a state of madness in the victim, causing loss of control, intense fear, aggression, increased strength and stamina. Historically it has been used in combat to make fighters near impossible to defeat. However, it must be very carefully used, as anything more than the smallest of doses, cause irreparable damage and can even cause rupturing of the valves and arteries or heart muscle itself. This makes it a very effective poison as the bulb is tasteless and only has the faintest of peppery odors. No antidote is known for this plant, and although it takes great care and skill to cultivate the plant in a domestic setting, it is very much viewed as a sign of evil intentions for it to be a part of anyone's collection.

Original concept by sealle

The hibiscus is a common flower in the tropical forests of Moren Ezen, and the ‘Dragon Lure’ variety has been specifically cultivated by residents for its spectacularly colourful, striped petals. Unintentionally, it also developed a notably stronger sweet scent and taste, which is delicious in tea (known to help sooth anxiety and depression, and increase energy levels) but is also an utterly irresistible treat for Hibiscus Dragons, hence its name. The Dragon Lure hibiscus is a popular choice to grow in gardens in tropical areas to encourage wildlife to visit, and is also used to lure the dragons into traps to be sold as pets.

Original concept by callmeFlo

A large, low-lying plant bearing a single, tube-like flower with stiff, tightly interlocking green to purple petals. The petals create a resonating chamber, which when the wind blows over the topmost opening, creates a fluid sound. The length and width of the flowers vary greatly, from short and broad to tall and slim, and grow closely to one another.

The Highland Horn grows only in areas of continual high winds, primarily in the mountainous regions of Rigsang, but can also be found scattered throughout the lower mountains north of Eclein. They are revered for their eerie mountain song, and while the plant offers no medicinal purpose and is foul to the taste, some wandering tribes have fashioned them into workable wind instruments.

Original concept by Kurrumin

A medium sized dark brown and normally slimy green algae covered tube that thins out and then bulbs into an anchor point at one end. The anchor point is very tough and ropey but flexible and allows the plant to move with the waves and currents. There are many smaller 'unripe' fruit buds on the anchor point that can either break off and attatch on their own to form a new fruit if the main fruit is healthy. Or these buds can ripen if the primary fruit is damaged. The skin of the plant is thick and rubbery, and entirely un-appetizing to look at and touch. The 'fruit' of the plant is hidden inside under the thick rind. The flesh is a pale white colour with long fibers of tissue that separate the segments of pulpier fruit. 

Kihshfruit is a reasonably common marine plant all along the coastline of the Kihsh sea. It attaches itself to the rocky seafloor in the shallows and can be harvested after storms when the mature fruit washes ashore damaged, when caught in fishing nets, or more adventurous hunters can dive in the shallows to pick the mature fruit fresh. Most small fish and animals avoid it as the skin is very difficult to get through unless it has been damaged, so the harvest is normally plentiful for the humans who do have sharp enough knives to pick and cut into it. The unopened fruit is disgusting to look at and rather smelly for those unused to it, and it has developed a reputation as a weird local delicacy due to visitors not wanting anything to do with it. However, once it is cut open and the rind is removed, the fruit's flesh is a very different story. The segments are incredibly smooth and creamy in texture, and the taste is VERY sweet with a slight sourness that causes a burst of saliva that enhances the sweet flavour. It's traditionally served at betrothals or weddings, as it is rumored to have aphrodisiac properties.

Original concept by sealle

This wildflower is found throughout the grasslands and forests of Moren Ezen, growing at ground level. It has a distinctive rosette of richly coloured variegated leaves (the more sun it catches, the more white is displayed) and its 2 inch diameter, daisy-like flowers grow on individual stems of up to 8 inches tall. These flowers show an unusual variety of colours even within a single plant, varying through the entire rainbow spectrum, and on rare occasion will display white variegation on the petals too (finding a spotted Mavara flower is said to be good luck). These flowers dry easily and their tough but flexible stems make them ideal for crafting flower crowns and being used to decorate a horse’s mane.

Original concept by callmeFlo

A striking black and off-white mushroom that can grow to 6 inches tall. While the underside of the mushroom cap is a fleshy off-white colour sometimes tinged with pink, the outer layer of the cap grows in a pocketed, pseudo-flower-like way. The central 'pocket' of each tiny opening holds a dark clump of spores.

Nightstem mushrooms grow in shady, damp soils across the continent of Aeslend. They are a heat-loving variety and are most prolific in and around Yeshi, although small specimens can sometimes be found underneath damp logs or inside ancient ruins farther north. 

They do not pass the foraging test when raw, as many scouts will tell you. Rubbing the mushroom on bare skin produces a rash within thirty minutes, and ingesting these mushrooms raw causes stomach cramps, gas, and in extreme cases - vomiting and diarrhea. However, no current marketable poison exists. 

Once cooked these mushrooms lose most of their toxicity and can be safely consumed, although the flesh is somewhat watery and tasteless. Many scouts can attest to eating 'nightstem nuggets' (mushroom flesh diced and skewered on small twigs over the fire) when nothing else is available.

Original concept by parlaymars

'Ri'matya Tree, Ri'matyanut'

The Ri'matya tree is a stately mid-sized tree found in the colder northern forests of Aeslend and Ehiasall. The trunk is smooth and a mottled beige. Leaves have a finely serrated edge, and change colour during autumn. The nuts of this tree are one of the last harvests of the year before winter sets in, and ripe Ri'matyanuts are easily dislodged from the tree by wind. Horses, deer, and other hoofed animals love to eat the young leaves, and wild boar and bears are both known to frequent Ri'matya trees in late autumn to eat nuts that have fallen from the canopy. Beware!

Young, unfurled leaves of the Ri'matya tree can be eaten raw or baked, although they are not particularly tasty. Dark brown nuts that ripen in late autumn make for fabulous nut flour used as a flavourful thickener for soups, stews, and pastry. Nut oils and butters bring out the natural richness of Ri'matyanuts, which have a bittersweet, earthy flavor. The hard outer coating make these nuts difficult to shell when raw, but once roasted the shells come off easily.

Original concept by parlaymars

Found throughout the deserts around Kestrana and even, sparsely, in the Wastes, the Salvator is a mango sized cactus covered with particularly vicious, long, and solid spines. The spines thankfully don’t break off easily, but they’re tipped with a sap that causes hallucinations if injected beneath the skin. The risk is worth it however, as digging up a Salvator cactus will reveal its bulbous root, equal in size to the above-ground plant, which tastes great, is rich in nutrients, and is watery enough to last you an entire day - potentially saving your life.

Original concept by callmeFlo

A short and stout tree that rarely grows above 1 meter tall (unless properly cultivated). Shatterbush grows from a central trunk but normally has a very uneven or twisted appearance with many thinner trunks and branches extending outwards close to the ground to form a dense and tangled network. The bark is papery and fragile, and the pale leaves are small and round and extremely dense along the entire branches. The bark is made of many layers with the oldest outer bark being a pale grey and the fresh bark is a bright orange as you get closer to the wood of the plant. The wood itself is a rich red with dark/black veins and a rippled grain that is beautiful when properly lumbered. Needs an acidic and wet soil, can't tolerate anything sandy.

Shatterbush is common through the temperate areas of southern continents and sometimes reaching as far up as central Ehiasall. It is primarily known for its amazing resilience as well as the rare and beautiful woodwork that local artisans guard the secret of working. Shatterbush is an incredibly fragile plant and is prone to breaking easily with the lightest of winds or touches. This may seem detrimental to the plant's survival, however the tree has evolved for this and this is its primary means of reproduction. Even the smallest shards are capable of sprouting roots and establishing a new tree. It can regrow from any damage as long as a small amount of root is viable. Due to this it is almost impossible to exterminate. The bark is paper like but is not strong enough to function as paper on its own, though it can be pulped and then blended with a binding agent to form a decent parchment. The young bark can be used for dying and creates a beautiful vibrant orange or even reds when used with the wood. The wood itself is brittle and prone to forming sharp splinters when broken, however locals have hidden the secret of cultivating this tree for generations. The tree must be grown in sheltered canyons to allow it to reach the desired size, then the tree must be flooded for a season and then lumbered and boiled before it is ready to be used for carving or decorating. It does not have the strength for structural work, and outside Apora it is rare to see any piece larger than a small box. It is often a selling point for rare trinkets in the black market, and having any large decorative piece is seen as a sign of extreme wealth.

Original concept by sealle

Named for its silvery leaves and white flowers and berries, the Silverberry blends in very well with its snowy surroundings. It’s native to all islands of Moren Ezen but most plentiful in southern Apora and northern Ehiasall, where it grows exclusively atop rocks and boulders. The silvery leaves are tiny and moss-like in appearance, its flowers five petalled and small, and its berries hang down on short vines in bunches of three to fifteen. The berries are a food source for many arctic animals and travelers; they have an earthy taste, lots of nutrients, and fill you up quickly.

Original concept by callmeFlo

Sleep Lanterns are small bioluminescent fungi that grow clustered closely together, with long slender stems and delicate, lace-like caps no bigger than a fingernail. In the daylight they are stark white in appearance, but in darkness they glow with a warm, golden light.

The Sleep Lantern is found growing most numerous in the Sleeping Caves of Apora, but also not uncommonly in the densely tropical regions of Southern Aesland and Ehiasall, and is renowned for its sleep-inducing properties. Many households across the continents cultivate the fungi in small pots to be placed in the bedchambers of restless children, both as a soothing night lamp and for the hypnagogic spores that are released shortly after sundown, which alleviate wakefulness and are said to bring forth pleasant dreams.

Physicians may use a concentrate to sedate patients undergoing painful procedures, suffering severe injury or torment of delirium, though the product is difficult to make and expensive to purchase. Concentrated Sleep Lantern products are also a well sought after commodity on the black market, for those with the coin and incentive to use it.

Sleep Lanterns are generally not considered dangerous, as while they induce sleep the effects wear off completely after only a few hours, and no long-term aversions have been observed. However, wandering travelers would be well-advised not to venture too deeply where the Sleep Lanterns grow, for should one fall asleep beneath the canopy of a forest thick with Sleep Lantern spaws, they may very well never wake up. 

Sleep Lanterns are a favourite treat for the moonskink, which, like all reptiles, are immune to the sedative.

Original concept by Kurrumin

Found throughout Aeslend growing on the sandy-grassy border between the desert and steppe, this shrub grows to about 2 feet tall. Its leaves grow in opposite pairs right the way up the stem, and at the tip of each stem is a single small, yellow flower. Sovafolla flowers and leaves can both be used in tea once sundried for a few hours - you’ll know they’re ready to brew when the leaves take on a golden hue. Sovafolla tea tastes smoky but subtle and is easily hidden when combined with other leaves: one cup will put you into a dreamless, undisturbed sleep for several hours, which makes it often used as a drug for pain... and during cons and robberies.

Original concept by callmeFlo

This plant grows at the border of wooded regions and sunny fields, on arching, woody stems up to three feet tall. Elongated teardrop-shaped leaves with a smooth edge hide clusters of berries. The fruit starts out whitish green, turning golden, and then tinged with red when ripe. Generally, the fruits are around fingernail size and intensely flavored. 

Sulkberry plants often grow in colonies that can form dense thickets along the perimeters of meadows, fields, and plains. These fruits are a favorite of deer, birds, and humans alike. They bloom in late spring and their fruits ripen during the height of summer. 

Sulkberries are wonderful eaten fresh, but the deep, rich flavor of the fruits makes for delicious jams and jellies for use in all manner of desserts. Sulkberry sauces complement rich game such as venison, pheasant, and wild duck. It is almost impossible to exhaust a supply of sulkberries, but make sure to leave some for the wildlife!

Original concept by parlaymars

'Spirit Grass'

Soft olive grey when newly sprouted, but quickly bleaches to a pale white/cream colour. Flowers are small and delicate, with dark purple leaf like petals around a central spray of gold. When fertilised this develops into a small seed bunch that starts gold but develops a pale grey husk when the seeds are ripe. Large grass leaves are long and sturdy, capable of reaching great heights when not grazed but most often seen around 1 meter during the summer. 

Very common (bordering on a pest) throughout the entirety of the White Steppes Thyrian Grass is a tough and hardy plant. It thrives on the open plains and needs at least a foot of snow through the winter in order to sprout properly and blossom. When grown in warmer climates it struggles to reproduce. The seeds are edible when ripe and can be ground to form a flour/meal that makes a hearty nutty flavoured bread. The grass grows incredibly quickly after the snow melt and can reach its average height within a week and continues to grow through the warmer season until the snows return when it becomes dormant. It overwhelms and strangles other plants that compete with it, often resulting in large seemingly endless plains of white grasses. Once viewed as a curse from the Guardians that overwhelmed all other plants in the region, it has become a reliable and valuable food source for the herds in the area, providing nourishing fodder through the year. Some legends still say that one can lose their mind wandering the endless plains, or that the spirits of those lost wander among the tall grasses if you wait long enough. No matter the superstition it is advised that any humans wear eye protection in the region in summer as the light on the grasses can be quite blinding during the sunniest parts of the day.

Original concept by sealle

'Guardians Curse / Ythers Judgment / Shadow Water (depending on the region)'

A dark black Algal bloom that dries out to a muddy pink colour. Viewed as a curse from the guardians (Yther in particular) and a sure sign of evil happening in the region. This algae is common in all areas of the northern hemisphere, however it is rarely encountered unless it reaches a full 'bloom' when the right conditions are met. It thrives in saltier/mineral rich environments. Ground water in some areas, salt lakes, stagnant estuaries, abandoned mine pools, and thermal pools are particularly susceptible to blooms. There have been very rare cases of marine blooms but they are the rarest occurrence and often the quickest to abate. Some locations have very regular blooms through the seasons, particularly around the permanent salt lakes or old world mines. This has often led to legends of curses and bad luck.  

Blooms primarily occur in other regions after a sudden increase or change in the chemical composition of the water due to things like extreme weather, tidal events, or geological events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, or manmade excavation and dumping of minerals/salts. The algal bloom intensifies with the increased minerals causing the water to turn black and opaque, oxygen is removed and large scale fish and animal deaths are common. The algae is toxic when ingested in large quantities and large blooms should be avoided by animals and humans alike if it is occurring in normally safe drinking water. Blooms typically last a few weeks, however in locations with extreme mineral concentrations and influx. blooms can last months or even be semi permanent.

Original concept by sealle

Ochre coloured wispy lichen. Grows in a branching hair like structure without roots or any flatter leaf/scale shapes. It tangles itself into bark and branches as a way of anchoring onto their location. Easily broken and torn into smaller sections by strong winds or animals. When undisturbed in sheltered areas it can grow indefinitely and is only limited by space and the strength of its support structure.

Found in the polar/tundra regions of all landmasses in Moren Ezen. It is most commonly found in boreal forests, but can be found wherever there is a reasonably sheltered support for it to attach to. Slow growing during winter, but active growth during the warmer months where it can extend up to 10 cm per day when given enough moisture and sunshine. 

The Lichen seems to produce some kind of antifreezing property which allows it to remain flexible and still grow during the harsh winter months. Sadly it cannot be used as a food source as it is mildly toxic if eaten and can cause severe stomach cramps and gastric distress. However, the same property that prevents it freezing also are highly flammable and hold a flame well regardless of the moisture in the wood and air around it. This makes it invaluable as a tool for fire starting and survival in harsh areas. It is often harvested and carried by people in the regions for this purpose. 

It can be a dangerous pest though if left unharvested. Forests with large amounts of Winters Flame are a high risk for catastrophic wildfires. Once it starts burning there is no way of stopping such fires until it burns through. Due to this risk it is not normally farmed, and settlements are advised to keep utilising it and making sure it does not spread or grow too dense in the woods surrounding their homes.

Original concept by sealle