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 Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:07 pm
 • The Living Roots •
This thread is still slightly under construction, but most of the important information is where it needs to be, so... here goes!
This is a concept thread for the Raevan I want to try for.
Any feedback or critique is much appreciated!
• INDEX •
◦ intro post ◦
◦ fel essence ◦
◦ soul ◦
◦ raevan ◦
◦ guardian ◦
◦ worldbuilding ◦
◦ reserved ◦
◦ contact info & credits ◦
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:26 pm
• Fel Essence •
Fel Essence #75  Upside Down Onion Everyone knows that plants are supposed to grow with roots in the ground, drawing nutrients from the earth, and leaves are supposed to grow above the surface, processing light into energy for the plant to grow. However, this onion seemed to had gotten the wrong memo. As it's roots grow upwards towards the sky, and the leaves growing into the ground. Even with the hardness to penetrate dense earth, much like the most stubborn of roots. They seem to work as intended as their position though, the roots absorbing sunlight while the green leaves absorb nutrients from the ground. Status : Inactive - Available
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:27 pm
 • Soul •
Mandrake Root
The mandrake is a plant with both medicinal and magical properties, according to folkloric tradition. Its root often grows in a human-like shape, with a branching form resembling a torso and limbs, and is especially prized as a talisman. Harvesting the root is difficult, however, since legend holds that it will scream horribly if pulled from the ground, killing anyone who hears its voice.
The plant itself, especially its roots and leaves, is both poisonous and psychoactive; if ingested, mandrake can cause vomiting, diarrhea, visual impairment, hallucinations, changes in mood, unconsciousness, and other adverse effects. Nevertheless, it was used in ancient times as an anaesthetic, as well as other medicinal applications, such as the treatment of convulsions, mania, and even depression.
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:29 pm
• Raevan •
 NAME: Voynich Voynich's name is derived from the Voynich manuscript, an illustrated, as-yet undeciphered codex most likely written in the 15th century. The contents of the codex may be scientific, magical, or somewhere in between; the vividly colored drawings include astral charts, human n***s, pharmaceutical drawings, and over one hundred botanical illustrations depicting unidentified plants.
GENDER: Female (she/her/hers) ALIGNMENT: True Neutral SOUL: Mandrake Root FEL ESSENCE: Upside-down Onion LIKES:• Booming thunderstorms • Karaoke (proceed with caution) • Exploring • Loud music • Sleeping on the ground • Being around lots of plant life DISLIKES:• Hot, dry weather • Long stories with no punchline • Spending too much time indoors, especially on the higher floors of multi-story buildings POSSIBLE POWERS:Hideous Voice: Active - If Voynich raises her voice to a shout or a scream, anyone within earshot will experience symptoms of discomfort/illness, ie. ringing in ears, headache, disorientation, dizziness, nausea and stomach cramps, temporary paralysis, unconsciousness. She can't prevent or control the effect of this power. NOTE: More intense effects would correlate with strengthening of abilities, and any effects will be at the discretion of the other RPer(s.)
Ears of Iron: Passive - Unlike most creatures, Voynich suffers no ill effects from hearing the screams of a mandrake.
Strange Scent: Passive - Under normal circumstances, Voynich has a faint vegetal scent to her, smelling variously of scallions, savory herbs, ginger, and/or dirt depending on the day (and what she's been feeding on). Injury, ie. bruised or broken skin, releases a noxious odor of cut onions that is a powerful eye irritant at close range. Her sweat and tears have a similar, though less intense effect; both have an oniony smell, and sting horribly if they come into contact with another person's eyes or any broken skin.
It's My Party/Cry If I Want To: Active - Anyone who hears Voynich crying will also start crying; conversely, anyone who hears her laughing will feel compelled to laugh. NOTE: This is not an irresistible impulse, and its effect is up to the discretion of the other RPer(s.)
Taproot: Active - Through physical contact with a plant, Voynich can learn certain things about the plant and its environment, eg. the health and reach of its root system, the quality of the soil it's growing in, and even, with practice, the presence of nearby objects underground. This requires concentration- if she's distracted, she can't discern much, if anything- and consumes energy.
That Peeling Healing Feeling: Passive/Active - Voynich's outer layer of skin can slough off easily if injured, to speed up the healing process. (Her skin also starts to rumple and peel if she is dehydrated or spends too much time in the sun; this is harmless beyond looking kind of gross.) She can also shed her top layer of skin at will for other purposes, such as quickly removing a harmful substance.
FOOD SOURCES:Dirt: Just what it says on the tin: dark, loamy dirt, the richer in organic material the better.
Sulfur: Voynich's favorite treat, sulfur (aka brimstone) in its elemental state is a yellow crystalline solid which, when present in soil in its biologically available form of sulfites/sulfates, improves the potency and flavor of onions. Shiny has learned to keep the sample cabinets in their workspace locked to prevent Voynich from snacking around in them. Makes a great quick pick-me-up when other food sources are unavailable, but too much will make Voynich nauseous, just as overly rich or sweet foods might for a human.
Grounding: Voynich's main source of sustenance. As both Voynich's Fel essence and soul are derived from roots, Voynich can feed from prolonged direct-skin (or ribbon) contact with the ground, in particular by embedding part of her body, such as her fingers, in the earth. (This only works through contact with the actual ground— barriers like concrete or wood cancel out this effect, and jamming a hand into a bag of potting soil would accomplish nothing, unless to grab a handful as a snack.)
PERSONALITY: Voynich is a low-energy Raevan in most respects. She has a tendency to dawdle and lag behind, and doesn't usually express herself in exuberant or showy ways. This disposition shouldn't be mistaken for shyness or a lack of interest in the world around her— Voynich is observant, curious, and keen to learn new things. When she's with other people, she follows the lead of those with more outgoing, assertive personalities; left to her own devices, she'll move at her own pace, exploring her environment and poking around to uncover the new and unfamiliar. She's not very easily distracted, and has very little sense of urgency about most things, so she isn't prone to hurrying without being pressured to do so. Voynich forms opinions about things slowly, but once she does, she can be weirdly intense about them. Once she sets herself to a task, she's difficult to budge, and when she decides that something is or isn't so, it can be very hard to change her mind. She makes assumptions about things based on the information available to her, and while she is fairly intelligent, those assumptions are not always correct. She also tends to be very blunt and straightforward, since she has a very limited understanding of social norms, or what constitutes rude behavior. This, combined with her innate curiosity, has the potential to get her into trouble; she's generally up for any kind of new or interesting experience, regardless of safety, propriety, or legality. Voynich is awkward, but very earnest, and she carries her thoughts and emotions close to the surface, even if they're hard to read at first. Her affect tends to come off as serious, since she's not quick to smile or laugh; she's actually pretty laid-back in social situations, it just takes her some time to warm up. Among people she's comfortable with, Voynich is talkative and engaged, and even a little silly on occasion. She can't usually sense what people need from her emotionally without being told, but does her best to be supportive in her own way. OTHER TRAITS:• Doesn't like being out in the sun for extended periods. Voynich's eyes are very light-sensitive; she usually wears sunglasses or a shady hat outdoors unless it's overcast (or nighttime.) Prolonged sun exposure causes her skin to peel in thin, papery wisps.
• Excellent low-light and night-vision.
• Prefers cool, damp environments. Usually has a humidifier running while sleeping.
• Likes loud music and noisy places, but when feeling overwhelmed or upset, she'll seek out a quiet, dark, confined space to calm down.
• Has a tendency to float upside-down when not making a conscious effort to remain right-side-up.
• Enjoys pungent smells that others might find unpleasant (rotten eggs are a particular favorite, as are most fermented foods.) She can usually pick up and identify smells from a considerable distance.
• Tends to value straightforwardness over nuance— for instance, she appreciates big, loud, uncomplicated art more than delicacy or fine detail. Perhaps along a similar vein, she's not very good at thinking critically about the things she likes.
• Very credulous when it comes to dealing with others, and will assume someone is telling the truth unless given a very good reason to think otherwise.
• Clothing choices tend to be a mix of earth tones and primary colors in saturated or jewel tones; she prefers natural fabrics like wool, cotton, and linen, as synthetic fabrics aggravate her skin.
• Cranky when tired.
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:30 pm
• Guardian •
Shiny is currently awaiting approval in the non-owner profiles thread.
 NAME: Shiny Fairbottom
GENDER: nonbinary; they/them pronouns
AGE: 33
OCCUPATION: Botanist specializing in the study and conservation of magical plants
RACE: Gnome
LIKES:
• Working ahead of schedule
• Propagating new plant specimens from clippings
• Mushroom pie
• Powerpoint presentations
• Keeping things neat and tidy
DISLIKES:
• Missing deadlines
• Being obligated to attend social functions
• Plant pots with no drainage
• Being unprepared
• Confrontation
LOOKS: At just over three feet tall, Shiny is a solidly average height for a gnome, and considerably smaller than most human adults. Their hair is dull auburn, curly, and is usually pinned or slicked back in an attempt to keep it out of the way while working. Their skin is on the fairer side of tan, and freckled. Their ears are large and pointed, though nowhere near as long as an elf's; their build is stocky. Shiny's wardrobe isn't particularly whimsical, and skews much more toward function than form, consisting of a lot of very practical slacks, collared shirts, and drab sweater-vests (with a few modestly peaked caps and a simple tunic-style robe for when they need to look Fancy.) These are topped off with an apron and other protective gear when Shiny is working, though their clothes always get dirty regardless. Their large, white acetate-framed glasses are swapped out for a pair of custom prescription safety goggles when needed.
PERSONALITY: Shiny is a conscientious and responsible gnome who gives their best effort in everything they do. They're very dedicated to their work, and can talk about it at great length at the slightest provocation; they're also earnestly interested to hear about other people's jobs and hobbies, or whatever it is that someone is passionate about. They enjoy meeting new people, but dealing with crowds and large gatherings (of strangers especially) takes a lot out of them, so they're the type that tends to leave parties early. Shiny prefers a calm and quiet environment, and gets nervous when feeling out of their element; they're most at ease when they have the opportunity to prepare for an unfamiliar situation, ie. looking up a restaurant's menu online before eating there for the first time. Shiny is easily startled, and is prone to tripping over their words when excited or nervous. They are respectful to everyone, especially the elderly and cats.
One of the most valuable lessons Shiny learned when living in a mostly-human community for the first time is how to make eye contact with someone several feet taller than themself without seeming to be looking up at the person. Shiny is used to being the first gnome that most Gaians have met; fielding questions about whether gnomes actually live in gardens can be annoying after a while, but Shiny does their best to take it in stride.
HISTORY: Shiny grew up in a gnomish community in western Gaia, a middle child in a family of seven children. The Fairbottom household was a typical one, large (by human standards) and bustling, with anywhere between fifteen and twenty-five immediate and extended family members coming and going all the time. These days, that number has settled closer to twelve, as Shiny and several of their siblings have chosen to pursue work or education in different parts of Gaia. In general, the Fairbottoms are close-knit and supportive of each other, but not overbearing. Each member of the family is enouraged to follow their own passions without interference, since taking pride in one's work is particularly important to gnomes. Still, in a family of that size, the inevitable lack of personal space can be tough for an introvert, which was one of the deciding factors in Shiny's choice to attend college away from home, pursuing an interest in magic they'd had from an early age.
Seeking a career in a magic-related field isn't unheard of among gnomes, but it is somewhat unusual; Shiny's parents were kind of confused by this choice (think: a family of lawyers learning that their child wants to be a stage magician.) Shiny started out in a fairly ambitious program for high-level pact magic, but found themself very ill-suited to the pressures of working with an arcane entity, and they floundered more and more each semester before finally switching majors to a less spell-heavy field of study. Eventually, they graduated with a degree in magi-botanical sciences. Afterward, they moved back home briefly before finding employment near the Port of Gambino at Little Leaf Research Center, a botanical research lab (and occasional garden shop), working with both magical and non-magical plants.
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:35 pm
 • Worldbuilding •
◦ Mandrake Lore ◦
Mandrakes can be generally divided into two categories: magical and non-magical. Both belong to Solanacae, the nightshade family, and share some similarities in appearance, but are sorted into different genera. Non-magical mandrakes (hereafter referred to as mandragora) do not have any supernatural properties of their own, but are used in spells, potions, charms, etc., especially as a substitute for "true," or magical, mandrakes.
Mandrakes are much rarer than mandragora, partially as a result of their historic overuse by practitioners of magic. They are difficult to harvest, but very potent, and populations are vulnerable to over-harvesting; since the root is the most prized part of the plant, those roots are not left behind when the plant is collected for use, slowing the recovery of mandrake groves. Legal protections for wild mandrakes have been difficult to secure, due largely to disagreements on whether they should be classified as plants or creatures, and a lack of data on what a healthy grove of mandrakes should even look like. In the meantime, efforts have been made by the magi-botanical community to encourage sustainable harvesting practices and responsible stewardship of wild mandrake populations, as well as establish "farmed", or domesticated, populations of mandrakes.
These efforts are in their experimental stages. It's thought that mandrakes were farmed many centuries ago, but most information on practices used to farm them has been lost; there is also often confusion as to whether ancient texts refer to mandrakes or mandragora. Current research is focused on gathering data on mandrake growth to aid in the maintenance of wild populations, as well as encourage them to thrive in a controlled environment; mandrakes are notoriously finnicky about their growing conditions. Once best practices are established, more attention can be given to truly domesticating the mandrake. Several cultivars have already begun to differentiate themselves, and in the future, they may even be selectively grown for qualities like size, speed of growth, vigorousness, hardiness, magical potency-- even toxicity levels or, perhaps, temperament.
There is some disagreement within the magical community as to the ethics of using mandrake root as an ingredient in spells. Biologically, mandrakes are considered to be plants, as much as their cousins the mandragora; they have no internal organs, nervous systems, or brains, and sustain themselves through photosynthesis, like most other plants. Despite this, they are considered by a portion of the community to be creatures, due to the behavior of their roots upon being pulled from the ground. Studying the potential intelligence of mandrakes has thus far proved to be impossible, since they will generally only scream, thrash around, and occasionally bite when uprooted. The most widely accepted opinion among botanists is that this behavior is an involuntary response to stimulus, like the movements of the Venus fly-trap or the sensitive plant, and that mandrakes are neither sapient nor even sentient. Even so, many vegan and vegetarian magic users choose not to use mandrake root in spells, opting instead to use only their leaves or, more commonly, simply substituting root of mandragora.
Mandrakes are a diverse family of plants, found in many sizes and shapes. The most common species have large, fleshy green leaves, bell-shaped flowers, usually in purple or white, and small fruits ranging from yellow to orange. The roots themselves grow as they age, typically reaching the size of an adult human's hand after three years.
◦ Some (G)notes on Gnomes ◦
i will never apologize and i will NEVER log off
Gnomes are a short, humanoid race that mostly live in the hilly inland areas of western Gaia. They are no more inherently magical than humans, but they do tend to be longer-lived; 120-130 years is considered the average life expectancy for gnomes, with 150-170 being exceptionally elderly.
Most gnomes stand between three and four feet tall; individuals taller than four feet are incredibly rare. Their proportions are similar to humans', usually slightly stockier, with heads larger relative to the body, and ears which are large, pointed, or both. Other features- skin and hair color, shape of facial features, etc- are as variable as they are in humans. Traditionally, many adult gnomes wear beards, though younger generations have increasingly been choosing to go barefaced. Kids these days!
Gnomes tend to be much less cosmopolitan than elves, and therefore are less commonly seen in the larger population centers of Gaia, though this, too, has been slowly changing. Most gnomes live in more rural areas in large nuclear or extended family units; three or more generations living under the same roof is common. These family units are called halls (or holds, depending on the region,) and can include one or several houses. Some of the largest gnomish halls, formed through marriage, friendship, convenience, social and political alliances, business interest, or some combination of any or all of these, function almost like small towns.
Being a race with no exceptional magical inclination, gnomes usually occupy themselves with mundane jobs and pursuits, as most humans do. Of course there are all kinds of professions in gnomish society- doctor, teacher, lawyer, chef- but gnomes are best known to the outside world for their skills as engineers and tinkers. An aptitude for building and maintaining intricate, whimsical, yet eminently useful machines, both large and small, is perhaps the most stereotypical gnomish trait known to the outside world— aside from "garden gnome" caricatures. (Some gnomes find these stereotypes offensive, but most just think they're annoying.)
◦ Little Leaf Research Center ◦
Little Leaf Research Center is a complex of numerous buildings, including seven greenhouses, four warehouse-style structures that have been converted into enclosed growing facilities with attached offices, several sheds, and a combined conservatory and storefront— the only part of Little Leaf open to the general public. The purpose of LLRC, as stated on its website (which looks like it was designed to be hosted on Geocities in the mid-aughts), is to "support the magical community by expanding our knowledge and understanding of the botanical world." This vague mission statement doesn't do much to describe what actually goes on at Little Leaf, mostly because Little Leaf's operations are so varied that describing them in any detail takes considerably more than a sentence.
The majority of LLRC's research is focused on magical plants— that is, plants that have their own inherent magical properties. Though they are highly prized among the practicing magical community, the care and cultivation of these species is often poorly understood; some are difficult or dangerous to handle, while others have very specific care requirements that are difficult for hobbyists to meet, and misinformation abounds in the form of superstition. LLRC's aim is to improve both scholarly knowledge and the general public's understanding of the unique needs of these plants. This includes, for instance, determining the plant's preferred environment for growth, the most suitable type of substrate for planting. whether the plant can be grown indoors or should be considered outdoor-only, identifying and differentiating between breeds and cultivars of a species, etc. LLRC often works with schools and outside researchers in finding new magical, scientific, and medicinal applications for these unique plants, and often supplies specimens to scholarly institutions for study.
Magic is not used regularly in the course of everyday operations at Little Leaf, as the resulting spillover energy could affect the health or properties of the plants being studied. Some exceptions are basic warding spells and other enchantments that may be necessary to safely handle or contain more hazardous specimens. Other species may thrive only under exposure to magical energy; in such cases, the specimens in question are kept under strict quarantine and insulation, to prevent contamination of other plants. For the most part, magic use is kept to a bare minimum on-site, to ensure a consistent research environment.
Little Leaf also has a fairly large growing stock of mundane plants— ie. those used for magical practice or other ritual purposes, but which are not themselves inherently magical. Different cultivars of many species are kept on-site, including some that are scarce or threatened in the wild. Only mundane plants are available for purchase from the Center's storefront. The "storefront" is, in fact, little more than a glorified supply shed attached to a small greenhouse; its selection is usually pretty sparse and utilitarian (think sturdy gloves and antifungal soil treatments, rather than cute flower pots or terrarium kits.) Still, Little Leaf has a reputation for offering high-quality, healthy specimens and seeds, even if their selection is unpredictable. (LLRC does occasionally sell magical plants directly to practicing magic users, but their policies are strict; only certain species are eligible for sale, and the process often involves the signing of waivers, a statement of intent from the buyer, and even background checks.)
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:51 pm
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:09 pm
• Contact Info & Credits •
Please feel free to post any feedback, suggestions, etc. in this thread!
you can also PM me if you'd like, or ask for my discord handle.
Lab 305 and Raevans created by Kyoupiruchi.
Upside-Down Onion Fel Essence belongs to the Lab.
Characters by Hedjrebl.
Thread art and graphics by Hedjrebl,
based on illustrations found in the Voynich Manuscript.
and a huge thank-you to everyone who has helped me brainstorm and develop these ideas, including kotaline, Cynnybun, alpha lyrae, Pyry, Subobo, ex o ex Snoof, Rookeries, The Semblance of Unity! thanks so much for your encouragement! and all of the shrek jokes
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Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2019 3:02 pm
This is a very interesting and well thought out concept. I look forward to seeing if it comes to fruition!
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