Telgar/Plants

Plants of Creation

Spider Orchids\\ These plants are quite common in the forests and jungles that range from the Pole of Wood to the Southern Boundary Mountains. They grow in the bottom branches of trees and feed off both the nutrients of their host tree and the sunlight. Spider Orchids get their name from their roots, which are thread-thin and hang down from the branches, reaching the ground and tunneling into it, where they form a complex and very sturdy underground system. The root-filaments between the plant in the tree and the system underground are stretched taut and happen to be as strong as good steel wire. Because of their thinness and lack of color, the root-filaments form a web of nearly invisible deathtrap. For this lethal web, the Spider Orchids gained their name. Some savants theorize that the Spider Orchids use their root-webs to kill passing animals and let the blood attract insects, which pollinate the Orchids.

Siren Plant\\ The Siren Plant is a deadly thing. Found in the deep jungle, it’s stunning crimson blossoms have been measured at over two yards across. The petals are, on average, three inches thick. The plant gets its name from its pollen, which contains a very potent drug. The drug, Sirensong, induces euphoria and compels anyone affected to seek out more, drawing them closer to the plant. When pressure is applied to the petals of the Siren Plant, they quickly fold up into a leathery prison, which secretes digestive acids while squeezing its prey to death. The stamens of the Siren Plant are covered in a sticky ooze that paralyses the victims so they cannot escape the Siren’s deadly embrace.

War Coral\\ Responsible for a number of deaths, War Coral is a rare life form that dwells along the shore of a number oceans. It appears to be normal corral growths that might appear in the area. In reality, War Coral is a Wyld-touched menace. When it senses the approach of a boat or slow-moving animal, the War Coral grows toward the victim in a lightning-fast surge. These coral ‘spears’ are able to pierce wood and flesh easily, skewering the War Coral’s victim. The Coral is actually not attacking, but defending itself, although overzealously. It does not eat, or in any way gain nourishment from the victims it impales, it is trying to prevent them from attacking it. Because of the method of it’s defensive attack, old colonies of War Coral often resemble gigantic sea urchins. War Coral is easily defeated. Once extrusions are separated from the main body of the colony, they are no longer able to draw on conserved energy to accelerate their growth. The colony, once deprived of its attackers, is slow to re-grow new limbs.

Shock-tangles\\ Commonly found in swamps of the Southeast, these plants are large leafy spheres about a foot across. They have several tentacle-like extrusions that they dangle either from trees or in water to attract prey. When an animal comes too close, the tentacles whip out, snare the unwary creature and send a powerful jolt of electricity into it. The electrical charge kills most small animals, which are the plant’s preferred food. Against a large animal or human, it can cause unconsciousness, but not death.

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