(*)- Denotes names given to a plant by a member of the Hierarchy, and not a name given by the ancients.Introduction:
This book is meant to acquaint the reader with all of the various plants that can be found around Uthgol. It can also be used to help locate these plants as well as give the reader an in depth look into what these plants can be used for. The knowledge found within this books is the culmination of years of study, observation and experimentation. As more is continually found out about the Plant Kingdom, this book will continue to grow and be added to. New chapters may be added, as well as information to the existing chapter. Information accumulated in this book was gathered by Malice the Minotaur, Warlord commanding, and Peyote the Minotaur. Any information donated by an outside source will be thusly labeled as such. This book and all the content therein are sole property of Warlord Malice the Minotaur, commanding, and sub property of The Hierarchy. Monster of Uthgol, expand your knowledge of the third and often least recognized Kingdom of Uthgol. The Plant Kingdom.
Chapter I: Plant Life in Uthgol
In my travels and studies I have found many plants of interest growing around our Isle. I have carefully catalogued and recorded individually the appearance, and other characteristics attributed to these plants. In some cases I was able to come up with the ancient name given to these plants. In others a simple name was given, or understood to be used. In a rare few cases I have added a name to a plant which has either not been officially named, or whose name has been forgotten over the ages. Plants named by the Hierarchy I have labeled with an asterisk (*) to denote that it is not a name which our ancient forefathers have labeled. The overall plant life found in Uthgol is marked by special characteristics. These characteristics separate plants from sentient beings, such as my fellow Earth Dwellers, and Chimera and possibly some few Undead. Hence I have classified them as a kingdom amongst themselves, to battle amongst themselves, and grow amongst themselves, but never to be so dominant that they must live by themselves lest they lose their purpose and an important counterpart. Therefore, the three kingdoms I have been able to identify within Uthgol are: "The Kingdom of the Divine", "The Sentient Kingdom", and "The Plant Kingdom". I have been able to further subdivide the Plant Kingdom amongst plants with similar characteristics. I call these subdivisions "tribes" as they are essentially grouping plants in the way that sentient's group into clans. The lowest level of the Plant Kingdom being the individual plant. For easier reference I have listed plants based on the tribe they are in. There are eight (8) tribes that I have found in Uthgol. Those tribes are, Fungus & Mold, Vines, Grass & Weeds, Ground Plants, Flowers, Shrubs, Bushes & Bramble, and Trees.
Fungus (& Mold): Fungus are parasitical growths often found in lairs, tombs, crypts, and other dark, moist places. Fungi are able to grow complimentary to its hosts form. These types of plants reproduce by giving off spores. Types of Fungi found in Uthgol are:A small, bulbous dark green fungus: This is a small bulbous fungus which is dark green in color. It has a spongy texture, and you notice that the edges are a bit ragged as if something has been gnawing on it.
A spongy yellow mold coated in slime: This bubble of slimy mold is an uneven shape and size. The surface of the mold is spongy and slick, coated with a thin layer of slime.
A patch of blood red algae: This growth of algae is the same bright red color as pink-skin blood. It is growing in a splatter pattern over the ground.
Sigligoo~ A blue, medium sized bubbling fungal growth: This is a medium sized fungal growth and is covered with a blue slime. The slime on the top will bubble occasionally.
Blachugh fungus~A bright red and orange disc: This is a type of fungus I have found. I've been unable to collect much information on it however. It is a bright red and orange disc on the ground here. It is is dotted on the top with small white spore sacs. The red top is spongy and stings to the touch.
A small dark gray fungus: No information available.
An ivory colored protrusion latticed with fungi and dotted with glistening green spore sacks: This is a rectangular substance that looks almost flakey. It is ivory colored and latticed with a spongy, off-white fungus. Dotted acrossed the surface is slimy, glistening green spore sacks.
An ivory colored fungus that resembles a hand with each 'finger' tipped in brown: This is a rubbery, ivory colored fungus. It looks like a hand growing from the ground, and each of the 'fingers' are tipped with a brownish spore sac.
An irregular patch of brownish yellow mold: This brownish yellow mold is pockmarked with porous holes. It bubbles and pops, belching small clouds of foul smelling gas.
A segmented, oval shaped grey slimy mold: This slimy mold is light gray and oval in shape. It is about two feet long and a foot wide. The mold is divided evenly into two segments, with a thin depression between them. The surface of the mold is covered in wavy ridges.
Narrow gray mushrooms with crimson gills: These mushrooms usually grow in groups forming circular patterns. They grow in moist soil almost exclusively.
A slimy film of blue-green algae coats: This thin slime of algae is blue-green in coloration. It has a slick coating of moisture.
Ichtwort fungus~ A small patch of flat black fungus: This is a flattened patch of black fungus. It has a irregular round shape that lies on top of the ground. The sides are somewhat dry and floppy.
Flash~ A deep yellow fungus shows up as a bright flash: This deep yellow fungus has orange veins running right under the surface of its rubbery top. It has a slightly domed structure and quivers at the touch.
Vines: Vines are weak steam-like plants. They derive from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface. Types of Vines that can be found around Uthgol are:Alniss vineA short stubby brownish plant with white star-shaped flowers: Any ugly looking, but rugged plant.
Rat Berry vine~ A long, creeping vine with grayish bark on its stem and blood red fruits among thorny green leaves: These long, creeping vine are marked by tough grayish bark on its stem. Blood red fruit gleams from its thorny green leaves. The glossy red berry of this vine gleams almost like a malevolent eye. It exudes an earthy, musky scent fills your senses making your head swim in a most pleasant fashion!
Ropeweed vine~ A scraggly pale green vine with tiny leaves: The long stems utterly dwarf the tiny leaves.
Hayrack Weed vine~ A huge rambling vine with prickly leaves and large bright orange flowers: The leaves are dry and prickly to touch, and feel like they would crumble easily.
A large spreading grapevine: Tendrils of this vine will curl around any support they can find.
A flat, ribbon shaped vine with irregular green leaves: This vine is flat, almost looking like a pale blue ribbon. It spirals in loose coils and has light red spherical flowers at uneven intervals along the vine. The bright green leaves are irregular in shape, and some even look like the ill formed letters an troll might write.
A thick black vine covered in small suckers: This is a long black vine that is around three inches in diameter. The surface of the vine is coated with a slick oily substance and covered in a spiral pattern of small suckers. Each of the suckers has tooth-like thorns in its center.
A patch of tough and thorny creepers: These plants grow mostly under the ground, occasionally sprouting to the top of moist soil. There is nothing extraordinary about them.
A small pale green vine with delicate pendulous lavender flowers: Unlike most vines, this one is completely covered with leaves.
Borage vine~ A down-covered pale green vine with lavender-blue flowers: The leaves are fairly small for such a large vine.
Green Sage~ A small gray-green vine: The plant is very nondescript.
Bai vine~ A sturdy gray-green vines with light blue flowers: The large leaves are pointed and tinted with gray. This vine is extraordinarily parasitical and will take over area's very quickly.
Jalaeus vine~ A small straw-colored rambling vine: This vine almost always has a 'dead' looking appearance to it. I have not discovered much about it.
Paicorn vine~ A rambling brownish-green ivy: A truly ugly plant.
Flowering Serpent vine~ A thick scaly vine with curved thorns and a large leaf at the end: This vine resembles a languidly moving serpent crawling from a hole. One end of the scaly vine is buried in the dirt, and the other end has a large leaf growing from it. The leaf resembles an open mouth, complete with curved thorns that look like fangs. The vine is covered in small green leaves and short, curved thorns.
*Wyvern Tail~ A scaly vine sprouting sharp thorns: This long, thin vine resembles a tail of a wyvern, obviously contributing to where it's name comes from. Its surface is segmented into diamond shapes of bright red, blue, green, and purple. Sharp, serrated thorns poke forth from the vine, each dripping a small globule of fluid.
A vine with small dark green leathery leaves: This vine is a reddish green and coils around, with small dark green leathery leaves at irregular intervals.
Trumpet vine~ A climbing vine with large, toothed grey-green leaves: This vine has dark green stems that sprawl over anything. The grey-green leaves are rather large and have jagged teeth.
Strawberry~ A small strawberry vine: The red berries on this plant are tiny. Strawberries are a tasty treat.
Grasses & Weeds: Grasses and Weeds are thin, usually bladed plants rooted in the ground in clumps generally. The plants usually lack flowers, but may have seeds attached to them.Swamp Grass:~ Sickly yellow marsh grass: This weed grows in patchs of swamp and is made up of hundreds of blades of grass growing from a central location. Each blade is green for the barest portion of the base. The rest of each blade is a sickly yellow color. The grass is bent down to the ground, but appears to be in good health.
Flax~ A tall spindly weed topped with pale lavender flowers: This plants stem is tough and fibrous.
Clovers:~ Clovers are generally unremarkable weeds. They grow almost anywhere their is soil for them the root in. They usually grow in small clumps of between five (5) to fifty (50).
Green Frog grass~ A dark green blade of grass with an orange seed pod at the end sways above the ground: This plant seems to be comprised of but one long blade of grass with several bright orange seedpods at the end. You take a bright orange oval seedpod that is sticky. It has a florid scent that fills the air, mixed with the twang of mineral and scent of flesh, captivating in its complexity!
Ground Plants: Ground plants are plant life that is generally characterized by a rooted, stemmed plant which sprouts leaves, or occasionally small, branches. Ground plants may produce flowers, however, the flower is not the primary part of ground plants.Aloe~ A small pale green plant with thick spiky leaves: The thick leaves have jagged edges.
Celandine~ A small plant with ferny green leaves and yellow and white flowers: This small plant grows close to the ground, the feathery green leaves forming a mat around small cone shaped yellow flowers.
A green fern over twenty feet in length: This single fern is over twenty feet in length. It grows from one gigantic stem. The fern is soft and bright green. It bows down to the ground in a graceful swoon.
A green fern with long serrated fronds: This green fern has long, thin leaves with sharp, serrated edges. The leaves stick out at sharp angles, poking into the air around them like sword blades.
Chamomile~ A small plant with ferny green leaves and yellow and white flowers: This small plant grows close to the ground, the feathery green leaves forming a mat around small cone shaped yellow flowers.
Eyebright~ A small deep green plant with blue-centered white flowers: The flowers look amazingly like eyes.
Fan Fern~ A wide, fan-shaped fern: No information available.
Tobacco~ A large plant with enormous brownish-green leaves: The leaves on this plant are easily the length of an arm.
Garlic~ A small pale green plant topped with an explosion of white flowers: The entire plant has a strong wild smell to it.
Mint~ A tiny pale green leafy plant: The soft scent of mint drifts up from the leaves of this plant.
Yarrow bush~A small green plants with feathery white flowers: The delicate ragged edges of the flowers shiver in the slightest breezes.
Basil~ A small plant with large green and purple leaves: This plant is small and a vibrant green tinged with purple. The leaves are large, smooth, and shiny.
Skunk cabbage:~ This plant is rather large, spreading a good 4 feet in diameter. The dark green leaves are wide and deeply veined. They arch up from a central origin and trail down, almost touching the ground.
A pale green plant with heavy green seedpods: The heavy pods slosh when you touch them.
A small green plant with an open mouth: This small green plant has an open mouth with small vinelike growths ringing the edges. Small leaves sprout from a thin stalk. Inside of the mouth is a pool of liquid.
A tiny dark green plant dotted with tiny wrinkled seedpods: This plant gives off a spicy aroma.
Tough plants with barklike stems and white bell-shaped flowers: The plant gives off a pleasant smoky scent. No further information available.
A small plants with green needle like leaves: A small bushy plant. The stems grow thickly from a common base and are covered with dark greenish gray needle like leaves.
Oregano~ A fragrant plant with toothed green leaves: This plant grows upright with a green main stem. The leaves are toothed and grow in small clusters on side stems. White flowers adorn the top.
Flowers: Flowers are plants usually characterized by bright or colorful blossoms. Flowers wane from a state of a bud, or a small closed leaf, to a state of efflorescence when their leaves are in full bloom. Flowers can be a part of a larger plant, but are characterized under the tribe 'Flower' if the flowering part of the plant is considered the main part of that plant. The Flowers found around Uthgol are:Blue Wasp Flower~ A small plant with round green leaves and spiky blue flowers: This is a small plant with round green leaves. The spiky blue flowers seem to sparkle slightly and exude the most enticing aroma! This blue flower is spiky and crisp. It has thick petals that seem like they might be filled with some fluid. A sharp metallic scent tickles your senses, teasing and alluring, yet never quite identifiable. The smell of these flowers comes from the liquid inside the petals.
Carniverous Blossoms~Carniverous Blossoms are flowers made of thick, petals that come in a variety of colors including ebony black. The petals shiver, ravel, and unravel which is thought to be used to balance the plant. Within their depths, there is a ruddy red maw from which a sickly green gas rises. The bud itself is about the size of a human head, and the thick stack is as wide as a Minotaur’s leg. At the base of the plant, there is a rambling set of roots usually wrapped around decaying corpses, or other formerly living things. The Carnivorous Blossom is one of the hostile plants found in Uthgol. They are able to project their strong stomach acids out onto unsuspecting victims, as well as blow a potent noxious breeze. Exercise caution when studying these.
A small yellowish-leaved plant with blue-white flowers: Found in swampy or moist sand area's. This scraggly little plant looks badly beaten.
*Swamp Hydra Lilies~ A round floating green leaf with large white flowers perched on the centers: This floating plant is composed of a large dark green leaf which is generally round, but a cleft can be seen on one side. Perched on top of the leaf is a large white flower with a yellow center.
A small dark green plant with four-petaled yellow flowers: The double-lobed leaves of this plant are glossy.
Snapping Hydra Hyacinth~ Most commonly found in it's three headed variety: This flower has three blossoms, each resembling the mouth of a hungry hydra.
Hobgoblin lilies~This flower is quite simply named because of it's close resemblance of the foot of a hobgoblin.
Indigo Flower~ A tiny pale green plants with purple-black blossoms: The flowers look like bruises.
Chive~ A small clump of thin soft spikes with purple globe flowers at the top: This small clump of thin soft spikes is a dark green. There are feathery flowers at the top shaped like globes.
Twilight Blossom~ A fragrant black flower: These flower's are nothing too remarkable. They have a potent, fragrant black blossom with a pale stem.
Tiamat's Tulips~ This purple flower resembles the mouth of a great dragon: ?Named after the infamous Dragon, Tiamat. ?These flowers can only be found in a very few places around Uthgol. ?They were originally planted in honor of Tiamat, for his great feats.
Shrubs: Shrubs are small bushlike plants that grow close to the ground. They generally produce leaves, or occasionally flowers.A spiky dark green shrub with tiny soft blue flowers: The glossy dark green leaves contrast against the velvety blue flowers.
Forsythia shrub~ A large fountain-shaped shrub with lush green leaves: This large shrub has lush green leaves, and it is shaped like a fountain. It is larger at the bottom and then narrows to explode outwards in a cascade of branches and green leaves.
A climbing shrubs with slender green leaves and fragrant white flowers: This sprawling vine is covered with slender green leaves and star shaped white flowers.
A tall green shrub with drooping fronds and tiny berries: The fronds dip low and almost touch the ground.
Goldenseal shrub~ A small dark green shrub with knots of yellow flowers: The glossy dark green leaves are enormous.
A small green shrub with pendulous white flowers: The heavy flower are filled with a type of liquid.
Brown Monkey shrub~ A squat shrub with brownish green leaves and small yellow berries: This squat shrub is covered in leaves that almost look like they are dead. Amongst the greenish brown leaves are nestled some waxy looking berries that smell rather good. A sharp, acrid smell mixed with a smoky musk assails you, enticing in its repulsiveness!
Bushes & Bramble: Bushes and Bramble are medium sized plants. They are usually characterized with branches which produce flowers or leaves. The majority of them produce thorns and berries as well, both of which may or may not contain various types of poison.Mullein bush~ A large green bush with brilliant yellow flowers: There is nothing extraordinary this large green bush besides the fact it is adorned with brilliant yellow flowers which are harvestable. A blackberry bush: This bush is covered with sharp brambles.
Rose Bush~ The wild blooms are small, but smell sweet.
A blueberry bush: A medium bush with rounded green leaves and small blue berries.
A medium sized brown bush covered in thorns: This brown bush is a nestle of prickly thorns. It is about three feet high and about two feet in width. The thorns range in size from a half inch to over three inches, and look very sharp.
A large dark green bush covered with small yellow-orange fruits: There must be hundreds of the tiny fruits.
Lavender bush~ A medium bush with long silvery-green leaves and fragrant purple flowers: This medium sized bush has stiff silvery stems with long silvery-green leaves. The ends of the stems are covered in small light purple flowers.
Trees: Tree's are the largest plants found in Uthgol. Some may grow several hundred feet tall. Their branches sprout leaves, fruits, berries and flowers.
Chapter II: Basics of Mixing
The basic of Mixing, potion making, alchemy and all those skills that go with it is essentially quite simple. However, beyond the basics of such, there are literally hundreds of sub-fields to study, and learn, but perhaps never conquer. However in this chapter we will start by simply covering the basics of such. So what are the basics of mixing you ask yourself? Well that is easy. There are five main components to every potion. Those components are:
1.) The name
2.) The base cost
3.) The material catalyst
4.) The spiritual catalyst
5.) The enhancer
Some of these may seem fairly self explanatory. These are the basics remember, so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. However, for reference purposes I will describe them further.
First off, the name. The name is fairly obviously what a specific product of mixing is called. The most important thing about a name is that it can often give insight into what a particular product is capable of. Avian's Analgesic for example would elude to the fact that it allows a monster the ability to fly without the aid of wings or magic.
Next is the base cost. The base cost is the amount of resources that need to be invested into the product. Using the resources a shaman is able to synthesis or otherwise produce artificial materials able to be used in making his product. However, because these materials are artificial, they do not have the same potency as natural materials, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the final product. A product produced through only the use of it's base resources will not have the same potential as more well prepared products.
This brings us to the Material Catalyst. The Material Catalyst is the base, natural material used in making the product. This is the most important component of a potion, salve, or any other mixable product. Having this product on hand while mixing will greatly reduce the cost. The base price will only be 1/10th of the amount otherwise needed. It is strongly suggested to always use the Material Catalyst when available. This will save resources, as well as add the natural boost, not found in artificial products.
Next is the Spiritual Catalyst. Many monsters not adepts in the skills of mixing will say this is not an important component. Most accomplished shamen will disagree however. The Spiritual Catalyst acts as a link between the Shaman, the ingredients, and the Spiritual plane. When added to a product it gives the product a spiritual link to the user, and the creator. This makes the product much easier to be produced, and possibly adds some much less conspicuous results as well... The Spiritual Catalyst may not be a necessary component, but it is by no means and unimportant one.
The last, but certainly not the least important component in mixing is the Enhancer. As the name implies, the enhancer enhances the effects of the finished product. The enhancer works by complimenting the material catalyst with ingredients that cause the material catalyst to expand or multiply, and come to a state of 'super saturation'. This effect makes a product much more potent and the effects much greater and longer lasting than a product created without it.
Chapter III: Potions and Salves
This section will simply list the potions, salves and other products which are widely used by the inhabitants of Uthgol at this time. This list is currently incomplete, and by no means are these the only products made by Shaman in Uthgol. These however are the most popular, and those of which are most often used for their strengthening effects. For a better understanding of the ingredients in a particular potion, as well as a description of what they look like, refer back to Chapter I.
Rotgut Restorative
Base Cost: 1500 gold
Material Catalyst: An Aloe Leaf
Spiritual Catalyst: A Green Sage Vine
Enhancer: A Green Frog Seedpod
Visual: Pale Green liquid
Effects: Restores health
Alshank's All-purpose Antidote
Base Cost: 1750 gold
Material Catalyst: A Creeping Fig Leaf
Spiritual Catalyst: A Dog's Bane Flower
Enhancer: A Green Frog Seedpod
Visual: Teal liquid
Effects: Cures posion
Purliss Poultice
Base Cost: 1750 gold
Material Catalyst: The Seedpod of a Purliss Balm
Spiritual Catalyst: A Soapwort Flower
Enhancer: A Green Frog Seedpod
Visual: Grey liquid
Effects: Cures disease
Megalomania Milk
Base Cost: 3000 gold
Material Catalyst: A King's Penny Flower
Spiritual Catalyst: The Spore Sac of a Stinkhorn
Enhancer: A Monkey Berry
Visual: Milky white liquid
Effects: Authority enhancer
Transparent Tonic
Base Cost: 2000 gold
Material Catalyst: A Twilight Blossom
Spiritual Catalyst: A Creeping Fig Leaf
Enhancer: A Blue Wasp Flower
Visual: No liquid
Effects:
Stiff Salve
Base Cost: 2200 gold
Material Catalyst: A Gathracal Cap
Spiritual Catalyst: The Seedpod of a Purliss Balm
Enhancer: A Rat Berry
Visual: Chalky white liquid
Effects: Carapace inducing
Pugilist Philter
Base Cost: 3000 gold
Material Catalyst: The Bark of an Afreet Tree
Spiritual Catalyst: A Fireheart Mushroom
Enhancer: A Rat Berry
Visual:
Effects: Strength enhancing
Avian's Analgesic
Base Cost: 4000 gold
Material Catalyst: An Indigo Flower
Spiritual Catalyst: A King's Penny Flower
Enhancer: A Blue Wasp Flower
Visual: Sky blue liquid
Effects: Flying
Enervating Elixir
Base Cost: 3000 gold
Material Catalyst: A Flowering Serpent Vine
Spiritual Catalyst: A King's Penny Flower
Enhancer: A Green Frog Seedpod
Visual: Vibrant yellow liquid
Effects: Energy enhancer
Acrobat's Aromatic
Base Cost: 3000 gold
Material Catalyst: A Wyvern Tail Vine
Spiritual Catalyst: A Blueberry
Enhancer: A Blue Wasp Flower
Visual: Pure purple liquid
Effects: Agility enhancer
Denial Draught
Base Cost: 2000 gold
Material Catalyst: The Thorns of a Wild Bush
Spiritual Catalyst: A Venus Flytrap Bud
Enhancer: A Rat Berry
Visual: Silvery liquid
Effects: Endure inducing
Chapter IV: Plant Locations
The location of plants in Uthgol vary widely. This Chapter will eventually discuss those plants which are common and the locations they can be found most abundantly. Note that some ingredients for potions and salves are very difficult to find, and not common. Though these may be listed in the future, it is best to seek out a older, or wiser Shaman mixer and attempt to secure the knowledge in that way.
For location reference purposes please look at the maps hanging in the common room of the library. These will show you regional divisions.
Chapter V: Plant Usage
Besides being used for salves, antidotes, poisons and other potions, plants have a wide variety of other uses, from food to after effects. This chapter will discuss the other uses of these plants.
