Driftery (Dormitio vespera)
Fast Facts
Size: Grows up to 2 meters in height;
Rarity: Common
Harvesting Requirements: Apprentice Farming/Survival;
Cultivation Requirements: Apprentice Farming;
Notable Risks: Consumption of berries can cause muscles to relax; Best consume in a safe environment:
Appearance and Biology
Driftery are a type of prostrating, woody shrub which grows about 12cm to 2 meters in height; With simple, opposite arranged, acuminate shaped leaves that is about 5-7cm in length to 4-5cm in width; the margins of the leaves are crenate (rounded teeth) that has arcuate veins.
The white to cream flowers of the Driftery are urceolate (urn-shaped) with 4 petals that are connected to a pair of spathes which is usually fused down on one side, and is joined by a papery membrane to make it appear as a single flower.
The fruit is a type of berry which grows about 7-25mm in diameter with a flared crown at the end where the flower grows. The fruits are of a purplish blue hue upon being ripe with a light fragrance of white soft florals that could be interpreted as lilies or peaches. The berry has a 4-point triangular pattern where the crown meets the shrub, and are also known as Dreamberries.
Life Cycle & Habitat
Driftery are often found in colder climates (insert nations & areas that are cold); Preferring to grow in clay as well as loam based soil, usually around forests, rivers, & mires. The shrub usually starts off as a single pit covered in a fleshy fruit, which would usually be consumed by various birds, and mammals which upon digestion and excreted out, provides a sufficient amount of nutrients to begin the germination process.
As a seedling, the Driftery extend out shallow roots that further assist the shrub in growing. It forms a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhiza fungi exchanging sugars for mineral, and micronutrients.
The shrub reaches maternity around 7 years of age but starts producing the berries at the age of 2-3. The average lifespan of Driftery is about 17 years but cultivated Driftery have an average lifespan of about 24 years.
Upon reaching the age of being able to produce fruit, the berries start off as a pale green hue that is covered in a thick layer of white fuzz that slowly drops off with the fruit turning a snow white color before ripening into a deep purplish-blue berry. These berries require insect pollination for the berries to form, and it is highly ill-advised to have access to apiaries since the honey produced from Driftery is consisted a restricted material due to being an extremely potent sedative.
Uses
Known for its sedative properties; Driftery have been used in the production of medicine in the form of infusions, tinctures, and syrups in simple medication creation.
The combination between leaves as well as berries is important as it has been noted by experienced apothecaries, and herbalists that the leaves provide a mild sedative effect compared to the berries which are far more concentrated. Driftery is also a reagent component for more complex medications for sleeping aid.
Drifter’s Voyage is one of the more well-known wines produced in Lorien as skilled brewers would take large quantities of berries, and mix it with grapes to produce a sleeping-aid wine. Leaning into towards the sweet category of wines that of Moscato or Riesling, which carries the sedative effects albeit far weaker compared to when it is made from from the leaves, and berries directly.
Drifter's honey is considered a restricted item due to its history of it being used as a form of assassination by acting as a potent sedative/muscle relaxant despite it being a delicious, fruity food ingredient that used to sweetened a wide variety of beverages, and foodstuff alike.
It should be noted that large consumption of either leaves, berries and/or wine has been reported to stop a person’s diaphragm as their muscles cease to function, essentially asphyxiating in their sleep or as they fall asleep.
Created By: Treachery/Broodboy;
