Glowmoss

Plant Type

Damp-Seeking Moss

Rarity

Common

Description

Upon aged trees deep in the forests where water is prevalent lies a thick and heavy moss. Its surface always faces away from the strongest light that may fall from the canopy, towards the North, or South on the cardinal points. The color of this moss varies from a dark and mottled-green grey to a brilliant bright jade depending on how much exposure to sunlight it had before it was harvested. There are also bright green and almost glowing speckles which give it its name, Glowmoss, which always give a strangely glowing effect when light dances over it. It appears similar to a lichen, with leafy extraneous elements upon thick, and dark tightly woven root-like rhizoids. These root structures burrow deep into elder trees, and draw from them nutrients that pass along the core of the living flesh.

In larger trees, this parasitic relationship is mostly ignored, the Glowmoss' lower structure, a gametophyte, adheres to the tree's flesh, and forms a pseudo-bark that protects it from the elements. Though, should Glowmoss become present on a younger tree by some fluke, it is likely the tree may suffer and perish under the ravenous draw, itself being unable to supply its growing needs.

In the season of breeding, late in the summer, Glowmoss expands, and the bright green speckles bud upon its thickest rhizoids, releasing clusters of spores that shift about the air to land upon other trees and begin their growth. These spores shine brilliantly during the night, where they almost appear as flora-like fireflies that gently flow through the air.

Location

Glowmoss is found in deep forests, below the chill of the Arctic lands, and north of the scorching Deserts. It is most prevalent in the deep thickets of dense canopied forests, such as jungles or more compact woodland areas, though it can be found elsewhere with a bit of searching.

Development

Glowmoss develops slowly, as its life-source relies upon the growth and draw of the tree it attaches to. It is for this reason, that large quantities of Glowmoss are hard to acquire. Even with large amounts of time it only grows a few inches, forming splotch-like collections upon the Northern and Southern compass points of a tree.

Once a colony of Glowmoss reaches twelve Tsels of age it becomes mature, and may begin to produce bundles of spores from its rhizoids. As the spores lift into the air, they become pollinated by the male-oriented gametes of another Glowmoss plant nearby. However, due to their rarity, most spores die without ever becoming pollinated.

A singular colony of Glowmoss may only exist on a single tree. Enzymes fed into the tree which are indicative of a single plant containing its specific pheromones force any other spores to reject their host, dying on the vine.

Material Properties

Glowmoss is neither tough, nor incredibly durable. Its fibrous and self-woven properties give it use as a primitive form of clothing, or even as an emergency wrap of gauze if none if avaliable.

Though it gives off a moss-like smell, it is neither pungent nor offensive and merely smells much like the earth, even Tsels after its removal. Many bugs find the smell unappealing when looking for places to land, and it acts as a natural camouflage for the more blood-sucking varieties of pests.

• A powerfully fibrous plant, it can often be used for clothing or as a replacement for more thorough medical materials in a pinch.
• It is soft and damp when first removed from a tree, and it can be used for padding.
• Alchemical effects apply if the situation is correct when used for padding.

Alchemical Properties

Glowmoss is correctly known by the most skilled of Alchemists and those who stumble upon it by accident as a potent coagulant. It possesses a trait within its structures that when properly or accidentally removed causes coagulation.

However, due to the nature of a moss the trait that lies within Glowmoss cannot be removed by simply boiling the plant. In fact, boiling it will cause it to denature, and become destroyed. Instead, it requires collection via crushing and absorption. It increases in potency the more purified the nature of collection is.

Consumption of Glowmoss in large quantities is often fatal as the stomach lining constricts and dies after 12 OOC hours, causing ulcers, rot and eventual death.

• Glowmoss possesses a trait that works as a potent coagulant, though it cannot work miracles. Underlying condition, or too grievous wounds can be beyond its abilities.
• Glowmoss trait cannot be extracted by boiling. It is destroyed with high temperature.
• The more purified the Glowmoss extract is, the more powerful the Coagulant.
• Consumption of Glowmoss, in natural or purified form causes stomach issues and eventual death.

The Realm of Ephimoria • Beyond the Fracture