Atharen, A Fantasy Roleplay Forum

Fast Facts

Size: Medium-sized Shrub;
Rarity: Common in Arid Environments & Uncommon in slightly wet climates;
Harvesting Requirements: Apprentice Farming/Survival;
Cultivation Requirements: Apprentice Farming;
Notable Risks: The resin & oil produced can soak deep into fabrics, skin, and even metal; Any small spark will ignite the oil, but can be doused in regular water to remove it. Soap is advised to remove oil from clothing & skin;



Appearance and Biology

Standing at between 60-72 inches in height by 36-48 inches in width; Emberheart is a mound-shaped deciduous shrub that has alternating, simple leaves, on arching stems.

The leaves vary from 3-12cm in length with palmately veined lobes. Emberheart is a fast-growing, insect, disease, drought resistant plant. It is able to grow in a wide range of soils and site conditions from moist to dry, acid to alkaline, and even from gravelly to heavy clay. Usually coming in hues of light oranges, yellows, and reds.

Having a deep taproot that can grow between 2-7m in length, coupled with laterally spreading roots near the surface; this allows the Emberheart to draw water from both surface precipitation and from the water table several meters beneath the ground.


Life Cycle & Habitat

Preferring a semi-arid environment such as savanna & deserts but Emberheart has been seen around chaparral & scrublands.

Emberheart is that it is a type of sporophyte; meaning that it releases spores during the blooming season to reproduce from the sorus which can be found at the base of the leaf that is connected to the petiole.

Emberheart grows at best during mid-Searing to late-Ash before laying dormant for Frost, and producing spores during Early Glade to Early Searing.

Starting off as a spore, it generally takes about 5-13 days for Emberheart to transition itself into a young frond known as a fiddlehead which will slowly unroll itself as it ages. Reaching maturity within a year, and is able to live up to 12 years.

What is interesting about Emberheart is that the taproot holds a flammable liquid similar to oil that it naturally produces as it ages by collecting excessive amounts of sunlight, heat, nutrients & water from its surroundings.
This oil storing property is so that it can conduct its own internal combustion to produce heat; hence why it is called Emberheart for allowing the surrounding area to be bathed in a tolerable warmth.


Uses

One of the unique properties is that the plant is able to keep its aerial body stable from fires, making it a stunning piece in open courtyards. Some wealthy merchants, and noble alike, would hire skilled artisans to shape & bend trees to produce stunning works of art with the added flare of fire.

Other than aesthetics; The Emberheart is usually grown for its capacity to be used as an alternative fuel source when it comes to burning as the secretions can be harvested as a form of primal oil that can be refined for combustion. Though most of the time, most of the aerial parts are harvested for kindling due its ability to catch fire easily even when the conditions are wet.



Created By: Treachery/Broodboy