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|image          = empairina.jpg
|image          = empairina.jpg
|officialname    = Empairina
|officialname    = Empairina
|commonname      = Harbinger
|commonname      = Drow Wand, Harbinger
|classification  = [[Grass]]
|classification  = [[Grass]]
|origins        = [[Drowda]]
|origins        = [[Drowda]]  
|habitat        = Forests and dark areas of Drowda
|habitat        = Forests and subterranean areas
|commonuse      = Utility, Alchemy, Culinary
|commonuse      = Decorative
|}}
|}}
Brought into the world by the cataclysmic events releasing swaths of magical essence into the world, Empairina is often used as a food source by the [[Drowdar]] and sometimes as a light source. Empairina illuminates the dark forest floor and cave systems in which it inhabits. Since then it has found its way to other corners of the world for being both an odd curiosity and its potential applications in alchemy.
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==
==History==
From ancient depictions and paintings, scholars have gathered that Empairina grew across the territory owned by the now extinct civilization known as the [[Drovv]] who used it for culinary purposes as a seasoning to their some of their cuisine. However, during the Fifth Void Invasion, the plant was mutated by the Void though while it physically appeared to wilt and sicken, it began to glow, illuminating demons, possessed people and corrupted creatures on their march forward. After the Cataclysm, Drowda became the only location that still bore the plant, and it was the [[Drowdar]] who rediscovered it. The Drowdar then cultivated Empairina as a light and food source once they had determined it to be harmless. It has since been used to small light areas of the Xaster citadels as well as the beginnings of pathways through the Drowda wilderness. It additionally serves as an occasional flavor booster in their cooking. A much more recent use for the plant developed when Empairina was first dried and removed to the Regalian Empire. Research conducted on the samples revealed that it could change the color of someone’s skin, which soon saw it put to use as one of the primary ingredients of the alchemical concoction [[Duister]].
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 [[Sorcerer]]s. 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 [[Demon]]s rather than any of the [[Pantheon]] deities, or even the more negative [[Unwritten God]]s.  
 
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 swept the globe, 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==
==Appearance==
With a large faint dark blue central stalk Empairina can grow at its largest up to two feet in length however usually grows up to only one in most cases. It has one central stalk that separates into four or five smaller offshoots that grow long sickly looking leaves. The ends of Empairina’s leaves look torn and mangled in appearance with purple veins stretching down almost black colored leaves. At the base of the fern is an unusually large bulbous growth that gives Empairina a bloated appearance. However, the most curious part of the Emparina are the small stem-like bulbs growing from a flower at the top of the fern. At the end of these are small bulbs of bright luminescent light that glows a vibrant indigo color. These bulbs are bright enough to illuminate a completely dark room or path at night. This feature of the Empairina has often given it the nickname of “Harbinger” as it lights the pathways of many Drowdar trekking through the darkness of Drowda.
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 fibers that glow in various shades of blue. These fibers are often dim during the daytime but grow more intense at night, enough to even light the way in some situations.
 
Empairina is a plant with greater longevity than most. Requiring very little in the ways of sunlight and surviving all year round in even the most frigid temperatures. It’s glowing bulbs only dull in the last few months of the Empairina’s life. Towards the end of its life, the luminescent bulbs glow a sky blue before finally dying out.


==Uses and Abilities==
==Uses and Abilities==
Easily cultivated and grown Empairina grows and spreads across the dark corners of the continent much like a hard to get rid of the weed. The Drowdar of the Forsaken Continent often harvest Empairina and dry for culinary purposes as it’s a staple of their day to day life and assisting them in navigating the darker terrain of the continent. While Empairina isn’t particularly flavorful on its lonesome, it is when combined with other foods. It has a distinctly tangy, earthy taste.
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 hidden Exist or Void connections.'''
 
Empairina’s other more widely known use is that when it’s ingested, it will temporarily turn a person’s skin a shade of lilac for an hour. Consuming Empairina in excess does not make the tone of lilac any darker or change and only adds to the duration. However over consumption for non-Drowdar can be toxic and should be avoided.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Some of the predatory animals of Drowda will lay in wait around the bright bulb and feast upon the those naive enough to be attracted to any random light shining in the dark.
*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.
*The glowing bulb of Empairina is edible and tastes like a very sour blueberry. One Drowdar tried to make a pie of them once, and the pie came out of the oven faintly glowing.  
*Empairina is based on the Altalar name for the plant, which roughly translates to “Rejection of All.
*Empairina taken outside of the continent almost instantly die and begin withering. The only way to remove or harvest Empairina outside of the forsaken continent is to dry it. The bulbs, however, seem to have a curiously longer lifespan outside of Drowda than the fern itself does.
 
{{Flora}}
{{Flora}}
{{Accreditation
{{Accreditation
|Writers = Caelamus
|Writers = HydraLana
|Processors = HydraLana
|Processors = FireFan96, MantaRey, Azas
}}
}}
[[category:Flora]] [[category:Grasses]]
[[category:Flora]] [[category:Grasses]] [[category:Drowda Flora]]

Revision as of 15:41, 18 July 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 swept the globe, 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 fibers that glow in various shades of blue. These fibers 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 hidden 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 07/18/2022.

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