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{{Info flora
{{Info flora
|image          = empairina.jpg
|officialname    = Empairina
|officialname    = Empairina
|commonname      = Harbinger
|commonname      = Drow Wand, Harbinger
|classification  = Fern
|classification  = [[Grass]]
|origins        = [[Drowda]].
|origins        = [[Drowda]]  
|habitat        = Dark forested areas of Drowda, underground citadels.
|habitat        = Forests and subterranean areas
|commonuse      = Light source.
|commonuse      = Decorative
|}}
|}}
Empairina is a strange fern known for its unique physical structure which many attribute to the [[Fifth Void Invasion]] that took place 300 years ago. However, this plant is far older, perhaps dating back to the [[Meraic Civilization]], and always looked as it does now. Disliked as a source of food, it instead has great symbolic value for its ability to recoil in the face of extradimensional [[Essence]].


The Empairina fern is a small, four leafed plant with large stigma in the center that glow a faint blue. These plants seemingly live off of nothing but water, as the sun never shines on them, yet they bloom every year in vibrant green hues. There are theories that their stigma and roots absorb magic from the air and ground respectively, and this keeps them alive, but no research has been done, considering [[Drowdar]] care little for the study of flowers.
==History==
Unlike other plants native to the [[Forsaken Continent]], Empairina looked as it did even before the transformation of the world of the Fifth Void Invasion and the [[Cataclysm]]. It may have even existed before the [[Altalar]] altogether, in the time of the [[Meraic]], due to scant records from the Vaults of that long-dead [[Race]]. What is known for certain is that the [[Drovv]] considered the plant a harbinger of Essence, as the plant naturally recoils from [[Exist]] and [[Void]] Essence in any form it exists, from the [[Afflicted]] to other flora, to even sorcerers. They also saw it as a warning against “The End” which was a vague concept in their cosmology that was part of a battle for the end of the world and its rebirth in a new form. As a result, the plants were actively cultivated, though they provided little to no nutrition or real practical benefit beyond a pleasing aesthetic. When the Altalar warred with the Drovv, it was said many Drovv citizens escaped the approaching front lines by the reaction of these plants to the approaching magical prowess of the Altalar. As for the Altalar, they considered the plant some sort of failed creation, an outcast from [[Estel]]’s vision for Altalar dominion over the world, and it was attributed to corruption by [[Demons]] rather than any of the [[Pantheon]] deities, or even the more negative [[Unwritten God]]s.  


==Origins==
By the time of the Cataclysm, however, the plant was growing wild from years of the intermingling of trade and meeting between the [[Ailor]], the Altalar, and more within Drovv territory. It is said that when the [[Veil]] tore open, all Empairina across the world recoiled harshly as if a shockwave had wracked the world, yet only affected them. They appeared to wriggle and writhe in pain for many weeks as the Invasion continued, before almost all examples of the plant burst in a pop of light. What caused this pop is uncertain, but many suspect that it was the combination of so many magical events on top of each other. This event essentially eradicated the plant from its spread across Aloria, but the plant survived in [[Drowda]] for unknown reasons. As the decades wore on after the Cataclysm, the plant appeared more frequently on Drowda, capable of the same effects and embraced for its role as in the days of old. As the [[Sihndar]] moved beyond their shores, Empairina went along for the ride, both intentionally and not, and is now clustered in areas surrounding Sihndar enclaves across Aloria. While some view it as no better than a weed, others plant it and hope to keep themselves safe as the Drovv of old supposedly did.
Empairina was twisted and mutated into the fern we see today after the catastrophic [[Void Invasion]], where magic spilled forth into [[Drowda]] and drastically changed the ecosystem. Today one can see the corrupted black plains of sharp purple grass, once lush and verdant, with an abundance of ferns and shrubs. The ferns were morphed into sickly, stalk-like contortions of their former selves, now reduced to pale and small plants with a sickly green color and ominous glowing fronds.


===Etymology===
==Appearance==
In the dialect of [[Nelfin|Elven]] which the Drowdar speak, the fern was given the name “Empairina”- A crude translation being “Luminous feeder” (a means of relating the Empairina to its lightly radiant tip). Drowdar also frequently call it the “Harbinger” in reference to its frequent position around void tears, which makes it a good warning against the possible presence of demons in the vicinity
Empairina can grow up to two feet in height and have a fairly mundane structure. Their root network is small and made of several short tubers, with one central pale green stalk emerging from a bulbous base growth that serves as the anchor point for the plant. Three to five smaller offshoots emerge from the central stalk, each generally slim and short with a curled or curved straight shape alongside faint purple veins and dark green coloration. The top of the central stalk splits into four to six thick and mossy petal-like protrusions, from which emerge a bushel of thin, anther-like growths, each tipped with several fibres that glow in various shades of blue. These fibres are often dim during the daytime but grow more intense at night, enough to even light the way in some situations.


==Primary Use==
==Uses and Abilities==
Empairina is commonly used within the citadels of the Drowdar as a makeshift candle, often found within carved alcoves lining passageways or in stone pots around rooms. Able to grow outside of the tainted plains, both sets of Nelfin have taken to cultivating it and using its soothing blue light in favor of common fuels.
Empairina primarily serves as a decorative plant, and while it can be eaten, it has little to no taste, even upsetting some stomachs. It can also be used as a source of illumination, but this is very rare as individual members of the species glow in different levels of intensity, and based on their growth location, might not be useful to light pathways. The plant does have one ability which it is well known for, and that is its reaction to Planar Essence. In the presence of Void and Exist [[Afflictions]], [[Mutations]], and essence-influenced individuals, Empairina actively recoils away, its leaves curling up while its luminescent fibres retract. '''Note: If Empairina exists In-Game, it can only exist in a purely aesthetic way, and cannot be used to out an individual hiding Essence-related traits or any Afflictions. Instead, only when an outwardly and clearly Essence-ridden individual approaches and consents OOCly can this plant bend at their approach. Any player at any time can also give consent to having the plant bend toward them should they have Exist or Void connections.'''
*Crowning the Empairina’s stalk lie numerous little, delicate fronds which glow florescent when dark, and even brighter when magic is plentiful.
*After traversing the dangerous southern grasslands of Drowda to join another citadel, a group of Drowdar came across bunches of the ferns thriving upon the diseased grasslands. Not caring much for botany, the sole reason why they took interest in the plant was its luminescent stigma- Finding it to be a useful substitute for candles, and hence causing it to be used widespread within the citadels of the south.
*The Drowdar elves have no real interest in plants or horticulture, and so how the Empairina may affect other races is currently unknown. Its sole use is as a faint bringer of light to the denizens of the tainted northern continent.
*Whilst the Empairina fern feeds off of water, it primarily thrives upon magic- the glowing stigma where magic is absorbed in an unseen vortex-like fashion into each of the stigma’s fronds. When potent amounts of magic are available, the stigma will therefore glow brightly.
 
{{Floratable
|name      = Empairina
|appearance = Small and thin with a straight, withered stalk of a pale green color and four curling green fronds at the base. Upon its tip rests a drooping stigma with several tendrils which glow a faint blue color when dark or when magic is abundant.
|habitat    = Magically-rich areas of southern Drowda with copious amounts of water and nutrients. Can be placed into small vessels or vases and grown as a pot plant within Drowdar citadels.
|}}


==Trivia==
*Empairina convulsions have grown in frequency in the past several years as a myriad of magical events have exploded across Aloria. In fact, they have grown to be so frequent that some view their ability to warn of coming disasters or arcane forces to be useless, triggering many false positives across Aloria.
*Empairina is based on the Altalar name for the plant, which roughly translates to “Rejection of All.”
{{Flora}}
{{Flora}}
{{Accreditation
{{Accreditation
|Artists =
|Writers = HydraLana
|Writers = 0romir
|Processors = FireFan96, MantaRey, Azas
|Processors = Shayin, Green_Hood
}}
}}
 
[[category:Flora]] [[category:Grasses]] [[category:Drowda Flora]]
[[category:flora]][[category:Trees, Bushes, and Grasses]]

Revision as of 17:09, 5 February 2022

Empairina
Empairina.jpg
Flora
Official Name Empairina
Common Name Drow Wand, Harbinger
Classification Grass
Common Use Decorative
Origins Drowda
Habitat Forests and subterranean areas

Empairina is a strange fern known for its unique physical structure which many attribute to the Fifth Void Invasion that took place 300 years ago. However, this plant is far older, perhaps dating back to the Meraic Civilization, and always looked as it does now. Disliked as a source of food, it instead has great symbolic value for its ability to recoil in the face of extradimensional Essence.

History

Unlike other plants native to the Forsaken Continent, Empairina looked as it did even before the transformation of the world of the Fifth Void Invasion and the Cataclysm. It may have even existed before the Altalar altogether, in the time of the Meraic, due to scant records from the Vaults of that long-dead Race. What is known for certain is that the Drovv considered the plant a harbinger of Essence, as the plant naturally recoils from Exist and Void Essence in any form it exists, from the Afflicted to other flora, to even sorcerers. They also saw it as a warning against “The End” which was a vague concept in their cosmology that was part of a battle for the end of the world and its rebirth in a new form. As a result, the plants were actively cultivated, though they provided little to no nutrition or real practical benefit beyond a pleasing aesthetic. When the Altalar warred with the Drovv, it was said many Drovv citizens escaped the approaching front lines by the reaction of these plants to the approaching magical prowess of the Altalar. As for the Altalar, they considered the plant some sort of failed creation, an outcast from Estel’s vision for Altalar dominion over the world, and it was attributed to corruption by Demons rather than any of the Pantheon deities, or even the more negative Unwritten Gods.

By the time of the Cataclysm, however, the plant was growing wild from years of the intermingling of trade and meeting between the Ailor, the Altalar, and more within Drovv territory. It is said that when the Veil tore open, all Empairina across the world recoiled harshly as if a shockwave had wracked the world, yet only affected them. They appeared to wriggle and writhe in pain for many weeks as the Invasion continued, before almost all examples of the plant burst in a pop of light. What caused this pop is uncertain, but many suspect that it was the combination of so many magical events on top of each other. This event essentially eradicated the plant from its spread across Aloria, but the plant survived in Drowda for unknown reasons. As the decades wore on after the Cataclysm, the plant appeared more frequently on Drowda, capable of the same effects and embraced for its role as in the days of old. As the Sihndar moved beyond their shores, Empairina went along for the ride, both intentionally and not, and is now clustered in areas surrounding Sihndar enclaves across Aloria. While some view it as no better than a weed, others plant it and hope to keep themselves safe as the Drovv of old supposedly did.

Appearance

Empairina can grow up to two feet in height and have a fairly mundane structure. Their root network is small and made of several short tubers, with one central pale green stalk emerging from a bulbous base growth that serves as the anchor point for the plant. Three to five smaller offshoots emerge from the central stalk, each generally slim and short with a curled or curved straight shape alongside faint purple veins and dark green coloration. The top of the central stalk splits into four to six thick and mossy petal-like protrusions, from which emerge a bushel of thin, anther-like growths, each tipped with several fibres that glow in various shades of blue. These fibres are often dim during the daytime but grow more intense at night, enough to even light the way in some situations.

Uses and Abilities

Empairina primarily serves as a decorative plant, and while it can be eaten, it has little to no taste, even upsetting some stomachs. It can also be used as a source of illumination, but this is very rare as individual members of the species glow in different levels of intensity, and based on their growth location, might not be useful to light pathways. The plant does have one ability which it is well known for, and that is its reaction to Planar Essence. In the presence of Void and Exist Afflictions, Mutations, and essence-influenced individuals, Empairina actively recoils away, its leaves curling up while its luminescent fibres retract. Note: If Empairina exists In-Game, it can only exist in a purely aesthetic way, and cannot be used to out an individual hiding Essence-related traits or any Afflictions. Instead, only when an outwardly and clearly Essence-ridden individual approaches and consents OOCly can this plant bend at their approach. Any player at any time can also give consent to having the plant bend toward them should they have Exist or Void connections.

Trivia

  • Empairina convulsions have grown in frequency in the past several years as a myriad of magical events have exploded across Aloria. In fact, they have grown to be so frequent that some view their ability to warn of coming disasters or arcane forces to be useless, triggering many false positives across Aloria.
  • Empairina is based on the Altalar name for the plant, which roughly translates to “Rejection of All.”

Accreditation
Writers HydraLana
Processors FireFan96, MantaRey, Azas
Last Editor HydraLana on 02/5/2022.

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