Powdered Lichleaf

Extracted from the Wraithspur flowering plant, powdered Lichleaf is a botanical ingredient known for its pungent smell often associated with rotting flesh.   Despite its traditional connection with death in lore, powdered Lichleaf is a key ingredient in many apotheric potions, elixirs and tonics aimed at treating certain ailments and conditions. Therefore, it is regarded by Herbalists and apothecaries as a life preserver rather than a bringer of death.  

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Harvest

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  Lichleaf consists of the powdered, dry leaves of the Wraithspur plant which are very useful for herbalists and apothecaries.   The Wraithspur, native to the darker, cooler areas of the Elvara Forest, has long, white, tubular flowers with joint-like segments, that grow towards sunlight from a thick, gnarled stem. As a typical Wraithspur will have 4—6 of these flowering appendages, they are widely thought to resemble the spindly hands of the Wight Lord Marni, and his skeletal servants, reaching up from their unnamed graves.     Whilst alive, the leaves of the Wraithspur are thick, dark and falcate. When picked or damaged, they release a vitriolic substance regarded as one of the worst smells in Elvaran nature.   Pure Lichleaf is regularly collected by experienced elvaran herbalists. The smell is so potent it can linger on the skin if handled, so it's very important to wear very thick, preferably disposable, gloves.   Once harvested, the leaves are placed inside tightly sealed vessels for transportation.  

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Extraction

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"I've smelt death. Real death and lots of it. The putrid smell of infection, bile and flesh rot pales in comparison to the smell of the Lichleaf, believe me."

from the journal of Matron Renae Aloran of the Wallows Leech-House 1319

  Lichleaf is handled at specialist botanical farms, where it is then transferred to large clay urns decorated with mathidonic runes and filled with salt crystals. These containers are sealed with wax and then buried six feet below the surface in warm soil for three moon cycles whilst the salt works to remove the bulk of the acrid smell, drying out the leaf entirely.   Before the salt traps are dug back up again, it is traditional for the herbalist to recite a prayer, calling on Arawyn, to collect any restless spirits contained within the vessels and carry them away from the mortal realm, beyond the Ebonveil.   The leaves, now in a somewhat workable condition, are ground into a fine greyish powder. Though nowhere near as potent as the pure leaves, the dried leaves and powder still smell appallingly, so it's common for the herbalists handling them to wear both gloves and nose plugs.  

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Uses

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  Lichleaf has a variety of uses and is a handy ingredient for apothecaries and medical practitioners alike.   It is perhaps most commonly used in Purging Tonic, a foul draught used to treat mild poisonings and specific conditions such as Bileskin Sickness. The tonic contains two whole phials of powdered Lichleaf so it's no wonder it makes people vomit!   With its powerful smell, it's rarely used in poisons and venoms, as its stench makes it ill-suited to shadowy deeds. However, it is not immune to occasional mischief.   In 1392, an unknown prankster caused furious indignation when a stolen crate of powdered Lichleaf exploded in the High Town markets, causing minor damage to merchant goods in its vicinity and showering the rancid powder all over the square. Reportedly, it took nearly an entire moon cycle for the smell to dissipate. For a reason unknown, the scandal was found hilariously funny by the children of the district...