by Sliver on November 24th, 2012, 1:42 am
 Name: Cobalt Potatoes
Common Locations: All across Northern Taldera (requires the shelter of other plants or rocks to grow)
Frequency: Rare
Description: The section of plant found above ground displays forest green sword shaped leaves. Upon digging or pulling the plant out of the ground an individual will find deep blue purple tubers connected to the leaves. The skin is edible, though tough and chewy, but if cut through the inside which is an off white color is very tender.
Cooking: The Cobalt Potato is most commonly used in soups and stews, though it can be mashed as well as steamed, boiled, and served with other vegetables in cubes or sections. The inside of the plant is rather bland and tasteless, and though the outer skin is tough and chewy when raw, it is soft when cooked and adds a tangy flavor to an otherwise banal meal.
Uses: The sword shaped leaves have no medicinal properties, but are often used for decoration because once dried the leaf takes on an almost turquoise hue and purple veins appear in the plant, the tuber itself is one of the easiest staples to grow in the harsh landscape because this particular variety of potato requires little sunlight and water to grow and the thick skin acts as a protective mechanism, trapping in heat and water when the plant is lacking the necessary nutrients.
Miscellaneous: Sometimes the tuber is referred to as a Frostbite due to the color and several menus in Avanthal list Cobalt Potatoes as such, usually just for a point of discussion for newcomers. |
 Name: Morwen’s Orchid
Common Locations: Northern Wastes
Frequency: Uncommon
Description: A beautiful flower that blooms in various shades of blues and purples, Morwen’s Orchid creates only a few flowers on a long and delicate vine. Its leaves and stem are crystalline, and cold to the touch, shattering as easily as ice, so anyone who recognizes the flower approaches it with extreme care: Though the plant is easily broken it can be restored with careful and concentrated ice reaving.
Uses: While the stem and leaves have almost identical properties to ice, the colored blooms when not used for decoration can be melted down and used to help treat a number of ailments, ranging from the flu to shingles, but are most commonly used to make poultices for burns. While not as common as aloe, the effect of Morwen’s Orchid are twice as effective at numbing pain and healing burn marks.
Special INformation: A plant created by a traveling Alchemist who stayed in Avanthal after meeting and falling madly in love with the Ice Queen, he devoted his life to creating something that accurately portrayed her beauty and could live on after he had passed. Due to his use of magic and the way the Vantha treated him, he lived out in the tundra, and it was said that his skill with glyphs and spells made sure his home was always protected from attack whether animals or bandits, though no one knew the precise way he managed to survive for so long. The alchemist scoffed at any art made in Morwen’s image, thinking that creations that served no purpose other than aesthetic value were not worth the time it took to make them, and eventually using his skills with herbalism, created a plant breed like living ice that mimicked plants, and presented it to Morwen. It was said that once she received the token of affection the Alchemist died shortly afterward, his mission fulfilled. The legend of his house and laboratory located in the snowy wastes has consumed many an adventurous Vantha, and it is said that if ever found the tomes on alchemy and Talderan plants would be invaluable if still preserved.
Miscellaneous: Morwen's Orchid is a coveted flower for weddings and holidays, but due to the fragile nature of the plant it is extremely difficult to maintain as an ornament or decoration for long periods of time.
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Last edited by
Sliver on November 25th, 2012, 3:43 am, edited 4 times in total.
