Dragonflower

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Dragonflower
Dragonflower.jpeg
Flora
Official Name Dragonflower
Common Name Flaming flower, Serpent’s flower.
Classification Flower
Common Use Decoration, Cooking
Origins Farah’deen
Habitat Farah’deen, Daendroc

The Dragonflower is native to the arid deserts of Farah’deen and are famed for their fiery taste and usage as a vibrant dye for clothing. The plant was found soon after the Great Storm consumed Farah’deen, leading to it becoming rooted as a staple of Qadir cuisine before being shipped across the sea and establishing itself in Daendroque cooking. It has attained popularity with non-culinary people for its use as a vibrant dye for clothing. What started out as a lonesome oasis flower bloomed into an iconic spice added to many Daendroque dishes.

History

The Dragonflower was first discovered in the summer of the year 146 AC, a short period after the fall of the Sariyd Empire. In the dying days of the Qadir’s polytheism, the flower was rumoured to be a remnant of their perishing gods, as the rarity of the flower suggested that it had more purpose than a simple herb. In truth, this was simply because it required water to survive and could only grow by oases for several decades. Throughout the next century, Qadir beliefs were renewed in the form of the creation of Esrah Alwattah, and the significance of the Dragonflower diminished. As a result, the plant was explored more as a resource which led to its use as a spice, becoming a cornerstone of Qadir cuisine. A century after tales of it first surfaced, it make the trek to Daendroc on newly established trade routes. The Daendroque people had already been influenced by the Qadir in the past and they accepted the plant into their lives as easily as their ancestors had. They also gave it is modern named as the chefs of Daenshore named the flower after the flames Dragons supposedly ejected from their mouths. This name then in turn rebounded back to Farah’deen where it has stuck ever since. The plant can now be found growing in those two different locations and frequently used in cooking by the locals. It is also used as a dye, the idea existing with the Qadir and transferred at the same time as the plant to Farah’deen.

Appearance

The Dragonflower is a five petaled flower, with a long, thin stem that has a slight droop due to the weight of the flower it holds. The flower can grow to have a diameter of about two inches on average, though it has been recorded to grow up to four inches across given the right conditions. The color of the plant can vary from light orange-yellows, to a deep and rich scarlet. It is not uncommon for a single plant to have flowers of various shades growing on it. The leaves of the plant are the most peculiar, appearing much like the wings of a Red Fire Dragon, and they have slight spikes that give a small prick to whoever grabs at them. The roots, likely the most crucial part of the plant, grow like curled up snakes, and when freshly picked have a slight slimy texture, giving rise to the name “Serpent’s flower.”

Uses and Abilities

The Dragonflower is primarily used for cooking, though it does have some minor uses that are not as commonly found. The flower is sometimes crushed to produce a brilliant scarlet dye, often used in dying clothes. The dye is tasking to make as it requires a large amount of the flowers, and typically sells for a large amount of coin. The most common use of the flower is in the production of a potent spice. Easy to make, the spice is sold for a low price in sharp contrast to the dye the flower can create. Often, even the lower class families have a bottle of the spice, and given how a small pinch to a dish could warm one up from the inside out, it proves to be cost-effective.

Trivia

  • A myth states that the Dragonflower only re-appeared as a symbol of the falling of the Qadir people’s 2400 gods, noting that their were initially only 2400 appearances of the flower before it was commercially produced and cultivated in mass.
  • In large enough doses, the spice produced by the Dragonflower can inflict burns to a person’s mouth and throat, just like an actual flame. It became a challenge among Qadir children to see how much one could take before tearing up from the pain.
  • It is believed that fabric dyed with Dragonflower retains its potent spice, and wearers of the fabric are often seen cleaning their hands after touching it to prevent stinging of the eyes. As a result of this near-obsessive cleaning of the hands, this rumour remains a myth to most.

Accreditation
Writers BleachForTheSoul
Artists AncientBean
Processors HydraLana, Enkiduu
Last Editor HydraLana on 06/10/2018.

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