Wildfire
Wildfire belongs to the heather family and is exclusively found growing the mineral-rich soil of the caldera island Brixilian.
The little plant got its name due to the flame-like colours of its flowers. The flowers only bloom during spring and in this period the petals change colour depending on the warmness of weather, and the age of the new flowers. The new petals will be yellow, softly at first, then they will gradually turn orange, and at last, they will turn into a burnt red, which grow darker the warmer the environment is, and the older the plant gets.
Not many flowers, or plants, are found naturally in the habitat of Brixilian, however, this delicate plant seems to thrive in the black soil, and heated weather of the small country. Delicate as it might seem it is highly usable for the people of Brixilian and serve two main purposes. The first being the only way to obtain true Brixilian Red, and the second being a component substitute in many Alkymist's (English: alchemist) work. Due to the rarity of wildfire, it is the national symbol of the Brixilian and the red colour of the flowers a symbol of wealth and power, both in and out of Brixilian.
It is near impossible to distinguish wildfire from true wildfire since neither vary from the other in looks or scents. The plants can only be told apart during the late spring months, where both wildfires will carry full-red flowers. Different approaches might be used to decern which is which, and the most commonly one would be lightly warming a red petal in one's hand, or rubbing it between one’s finger, to observe whether the red colour starts tainting one’s flesh. If red colour does come of the flower, it is a true wildfire, and one should immediately stop warming it, activating the colour pigments of the flower is very poisonous, and should be avoided if possible. Despite the danger most fieldworkers use this approach since it is fast and able to either completely dismiss or confirm which type of plant it is. Just holding a petal would not be enough to completely colour and object or piece of fabric, if tainted by a petal one could wash away the colour and then continue the work. If not washed away the coloured flesh would start to tingle and if consumed might to lasting danger, or in larger quantum, cause death.
Since the manual heating of a petal is highly dangerous a safer approach has been developed to decern whether a plant is true or not. This approach relies on simply observing the plant and activity of life around the flowers of the plant - specifically the insect life near the flower. This takes a bit longer that the first mentioned approach, but with no actual contact it poses less danger, and is therefore highly suggested, if one has the time. One must observe the plant a couple of minutes and see if any insects at all are in contact with the flowers, or if seems to be completely abandoned by insect life - a greater hint would be a small number of dead insects near the flower as well, though such signs are usually only found in books.
If a plant is not at all bothered by insects - or dead insects surround it - it is a true wildfire, what is poisonous for humans affect the insects as well. Both flowers are being cultivated, though for different purposes, true wildfire are used in the colour and dye industries, while just wildflower are mainly used by alkymists. An alkymist could also use true wilfire, though this is usually viewed as idiotic and thoughtless, since the same minerals making the flowers a great component, are also present in the non-poisenous version of the flowers.
The little plant got its name due to the flame-like colours of its flowers. The flowers only bloom during spring and in this period the petals change colour depending on the warmness of weather, and the age of the new flowers. The new petals will be yellow, softly at first, then they will gradually turn orange, and at last, they will turn into a burnt red, which grow darker the warmer the environment is, and the older the plant gets.
Not many flowers, or plants, are found naturally in the habitat of Brixilian, however, this delicate plant seems to thrive in the black soil, and heated weather of the small country. Delicate as it might seem it is highly usable for the people of Brixilian and serve two main purposes. The first being the only way to obtain true Brixilian Red, and the second being a component substitute in many Alkymist's (English: alchemist) work. Due to the rarity of wildfire, it is the national symbol of the Brixilian and the red colour of the flowers a symbol of wealth and power, both in and out of Brixilian.
Types of Wildfire
Only two types of wildfire are known to exist, one is simply called: wildfire, and the other: true wildfire. Both types of wildfire have flame-coloured petals, and both are exclusively found in Brixilian, however, only true wildfire can be used for colouring, and obtaining the burnt red colour identified with the little flowers. This colour, Brixilian Red, is the most expensive colour in the entire world of Kaarisan. This is not only due to the rarity of the flowers, more importantly, it is because of the extremely dangerous process of activating the colour pigments in the flower petals.It is near impossible to distinguish wildfire from true wildfire since neither vary from the other in looks or scents. The plants can only be told apart during the late spring months, where both wildfires will carry full-red flowers. Different approaches might be used to decern which is which, and the most commonly one would be lightly warming a red petal in one's hand, or rubbing it between one’s finger, to observe whether the red colour starts tainting one’s flesh. If red colour does come of the flower, it is a true wildfire, and one should immediately stop warming it, activating the colour pigments of the flower is very poisonous, and should be avoided if possible. Despite the danger most fieldworkers use this approach since it is fast and able to either completely dismiss or confirm which type of plant it is. Just holding a petal would not be enough to completely colour and object or piece of fabric, if tainted by a petal one could wash away the colour and then continue the work. If not washed away the coloured flesh would start to tingle and if consumed might to lasting danger, or in larger quantum, cause death.
Since the manual heating of a petal is highly dangerous a safer approach has been developed to decern whether a plant is true or not. This approach relies on simply observing the plant and activity of life around the flowers of the plant - specifically the insect life near the flower. This takes a bit longer that the first mentioned approach, but with no actual contact it poses less danger, and is therefore highly suggested, if one has the time. One must observe the plant a couple of minutes and see if any insects at all are in contact with the flowers, or if seems to be completely abandoned by insect life - a greater hint would be a small number of dead insects near the flower as well, though such signs are usually only found in books.
If a plant is not at all bothered by insects - or dead insects surround it - it is a true wildfire, what is poisonous for humans affect the insects as well. Both flowers are being cultivated, though for different purposes, true wildfire are used in the colour and dye industries, while just wildflower are mainly used by alkymists. An alkymist could also use true wilfire, though this is usually viewed as idiotic and thoughtless, since the same minerals making the flowers a great component, are also present in the non-poisenous version of the flowers.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The wildfire closely resembles the common heather, or ling, in build, however, its flowers look more like the ones on a lithodora.
It is a low-growing evergreen shrub, and never seems to grow taller than 15 cm, it usually grows in clusters over larger areas - however, smaller sections of wildfire can be found. The stem is mildly twiglike and brown-green in colour.
The colour of the petals are, as mentioned above, yellow, orange and red. At the beginning of the flowering season, the petals will be yellow, a soft yellow at first but stronger in colour later. It gradually changes into orange, and a spot-like pattern may occur during the colour-changing period. During the last month of flowering the orange petals will turn red, this also occurs gradually and the same spotted pattern will be visible once more. It is important to mention these flowers do not always change colour at the same time, this is primarily the reason for the name of this heather plant. All throughout spring both yellow, orange, and red flowers can be observed at the same time, this portrays a firelike quality to heather fields. The contrast between the dark and black soil and dirt compared to the bright colours of the wildfire are truly mesmerizing and astonishing during springtime in Brixilian.
It is a low-growing evergreen shrub, and never seems to grow taller than 15 cm, it usually grows in clusters over larger areas - however, smaller sections of wildfire can be found. The stem is mildly twiglike and brown-green in colour.
The colour of the petals are, as mentioned above, yellow, orange and red. At the beginning of the flowering season, the petals will be yellow, a soft yellow at first but stronger in colour later. It gradually changes into orange, and a spot-like pattern may occur during the colour-changing period. During the last month of flowering the orange petals will turn red, this also occurs gradually and the same spotted pattern will be visible once more. It is important to mention these flowers do not always change colour at the same time, this is primarily the reason for the name of this heather plant. All throughout spring both yellow, orange, and red flowers can be observed at the same time, this portrays a firelike quality to heather fields. The contrast between the dark and black soil and dirt compared to the bright colours of the wildfire are truly mesmerizing and astonishing during springtime in Brixilian.
Genetics and Reproduction
The plant reproduces by spreading pollen during the springtimes - the pollen is found in the flowers and usually caught by the wind to blow the pollen all over Brixilian.
Ecology and Habitats
The plant can be found all over Brixilian, due to the various and high concentration of minerals in the soil, which Brixilian contains due to the once volcanic activity that created the caldera landmass
Besides the geological nature of the caldera island, a more mystical phenomenon is also present: the notion of Arkaniskenergi (English: arcane energy). This energy, also highly present in the soil, air, and everywhere, is also present in the plant, and the plant seems to thrive in the environment where this energy is more present.
Wildfire can be found freely in the land of Brixilian, however it is also cultivated in large greenhouses. Despite being able to cultivate the plants it seems near impossible to keep alive outside the borders of Brixilian. Even if the plant is planted in imported soil from the island, they cannot be kept alive. This is thought to be because of the lack of concentrated Arkaniskenergi outside of Brixilian.
Besides the geological nature of the caldera island, a more mystical phenomenon is also present: the notion of Arkaniskenergi (English: arcane energy). This energy, also highly present in the soil, air, and everywhere, is also present in the plant, and the plant seems to thrive in the environment where this energy is more present.
Wildfire can be found freely in the land of Brixilian, however it is also cultivated in large greenhouses. Despite being able to cultivate the plants it seems near impossible to keep alive outside the borders of Brixilian. Even if the plant is planted in imported soil from the island, they cannot be kept alive. This is thought to be because of the lack of concentrated Arkaniskenergi outside of Brixilian.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The wildfire plant lives of the minerals found in the soil, as well as the water and oxygen around it - more peculiar it also needs Arkaniskenergi to stay alive.
Biological Cycle
Wildfire is able to grow all year in the hot climate in Brixilian, though it might dry out if the weather gets extremely hot during the summer months.
Though it grows all year it only blooms during spring, and only in these months, one can pick the flowers, for either alchemical or colouring purposes.
Though it grows all year it only blooms during spring, and only in these months, one can pick the flowers, for either alchemical or colouring purposes.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
As mentioned under Types of Wildfire both wildfire and true wildfire serve two different purposes.
Depending on the darkness of the wished colour, the flowers will either be harvested early in the last spring month, when the petals have just turned red or late in the last spring month when the petals are the darkest they will be. When harvesting this plant, only the flowers are picked, and no new plants are needed to be planted for the next season - unless the plants have outlived their years.
When picked the petals will be washed and the process of activating the colour pigments can begin. The red petals must be heated, this is commonly done by boiling them in water, and then separating the petals from the water, which now contains the active colour pigments. During the heating process, the flowers will start to excrete a poison, which will mix with the water and as the water starts steaming will create a poisonous fume. These fumes are deadly and the most common cause of death among workers in dyeing factories, as well as with alchemists who decided to use true wildfire instead of the safer choice, wildfire.
The petals, and the water, is only dangerous as long as it is warm when it has cooled, and the petals have successfully been removed from the water, the dyeing or packaging can begin. Only the coloured water is now needed, and one could either chose to colour with it immediately - if one has a dyeing factory, this would be common practice - or one could distribute the colour pigment into jars or bottles to then sell to either dyeing or paint factories, or independent buyers. The colour achieved through this process is called Brixilian Red and is the single most expensive and desired colour in Kaarisan. It is common practice for the Royal family of Brixilian to gift a piece of clothing or decoration coloured with wildfire to a trading partner or allianced nation.
True wildfire
This type of plant is mainly used for dyes and colouring purposes.Depending on the darkness of the wished colour, the flowers will either be harvested early in the last spring month, when the petals have just turned red or late in the last spring month when the petals are the darkest they will be. When harvesting this plant, only the flowers are picked, and no new plants are needed to be planted for the next season - unless the plants have outlived their years.
When picked the petals will be washed and the process of activating the colour pigments can begin. The red petals must be heated, this is commonly done by boiling them in water, and then separating the petals from the water, which now contains the active colour pigments. During the heating process, the flowers will start to excrete a poison, which will mix with the water and as the water starts steaming will create a poisonous fume. These fumes are deadly and the most common cause of death among workers in dyeing factories, as well as with alchemists who decided to use true wildfire instead of the safer choice, wildfire.
The petals, and the water, is only dangerous as long as it is warm when it has cooled, and the petals have successfully been removed from the water, the dyeing or packaging can begin. Only the coloured water is now needed, and one could either chose to colour with it immediately - if one has a dyeing factory, this would be common practice - or one could distribute the colour pigment into jars or bottles to then sell to either dyeing or paint factories, or independent buyers. The colour achieved through this process is called Brixilian Red and is the single most expensive and desired colour in Kaarisan. It is common practice for the Royal family of Brixilian to gift a piece of clothing or decoration coloured with wildfire to a trading partner or allianced nation.
Wildfire
The more common wildfire is, much like true wildfire, quite desired and cultivated in the greenhouses of Brixilian, these flowers, have no national importance, and is not desired outside of Brixilians borders, but in Brixilian they have a very important role and purpose:
Arkanologi (English: arcanology). The flowers are used for basic component and component substitutes in alkymi (alchemy), this is possible due to the mineral-rich soil from which they grow.
The colours of the petals can be used to determine how powerful a given spell or enchantment might be - or how many petals one must use to achieve wished power of a spell. The petals can be used as a component for almost any alchymist effect and is a great substitute if an alkymist have not got the exact mineral needed, chances are a wildfire petal might contain the needed mineral, simply because it grew at the right spot, and was sustained by the right minerals in the soil.
The colours of the petals can be used to determine how powerful a given spell or enchantment might be - or how many petals one must use to achieve wished power of a spell. The petals can be used as a component for almost any alchymist effect and is a great substitute if an alkymist have not got the exact mineral needed, chances are a wildfire petal might contain the needed mineral, simply because it grew at the right spot, and was sustained by the right minerals in the soil.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The flame-coloured heather is exclusively found growing in the soil of Brixilian. The soil of this island is filled with various minerals and make for a perfect environment for the wildfire plant.
Brixilian soil is packed with minerals due to the once volcanic activity, which created the double caldera island, now the nation of Brixilian.
Brixilian soil is packed with minerals due to the once volcanic activity, which created the double caldera island, now the nation of Brixilian.
Scientific Name
Parvi-Soles Ericaceae or fire ling
Lifespan
Wildfire has a lifespan of 15 years
Average Height
A single wildfire flower, with a stem, usually does not get any taller than 10-15 centimeters.
Kommentarer
Author's Notes
For any questions, wonderings, or comments regarding this plant, or anything else in this article, feel free to ask or write :) I feel I must apologize for all the linked articles being written in Danish, I am working on a translated version, however, this might take some time.