Eldermarrow

Taste, Smell, and Colour

The aroma is faint yet distinctive, a blend of fresh soil and blossoming wildflowers. On the tongue, it leaves an earthy, slightly sweet taste with a sharp metallic edge, a tribute to the raw magical energy it carries. Its deep amber hue, laced with golden veins, almost seems alive, shifting subtly as if responding to the ambient energy around it.  

Properties

Known for its unparalleled magical enhancement, this substance is a potent amplifier. Potions, spells, and enchantments treated with it become significantly more powerful, often lasting longer and exhibiting enhanced effects. It also serves as a stabiliser in alchemical concoctions, ensuring volatile ingredients blend harmoniously.  

Usage

Highly versatile, this magical substance plays a crucial role in numerous fields. In alchemy, it creates healing draughts of unparalleled strength, invisibility potions, and elixirs with prolonged effects. For spellcasters, it magnifies the potency of their magic, particularly for elemental or leyline-based spells. Enchanters use it as a binding agent, ensuring durability and strength in magical artefacts. However, before it can be used, the sap must be purified with enchanted tools to remove impurities and prevent instability.

Hazards

The power of Eldermarrow comes with significant risks. Overuse in potions or spells can lead to magical overload, causing unintended effects or violent reactions. Its potent energy can attract dark entities or corrupt the aura of those who handle it recklessly. Additionally, harvesting too much threatens the health of the trees that produce it, potentially disrupting the delicate balance of the leyline network. Only those with skill and respect for nature should attempt to handle this formidable substance.  

Origin

Eldermarrow is believed to originate from the leyline network, drawn up through the roots of ancient trees like the Gnarlwood Sentinel. It is most readily available during celestial events, such as full moons or equinoxes, when leyline energy peaks and the trees release small amounts of this rare sap. Its connection to the forest and the network makes harvesting a delicate process, requiring reverence and precision to avoid damaging its source.  

Discovery

The first known encounter with this magical sap dates back centuries, attributed to a nameless druid tending to a much younger Gnarlwood Sentinel. While its existence was acknowledged, only centuries later other druids unlocked its true potential. Through careful study and experimentation, they refined methods for its safe extraction and use.