The Nightfall

Nightfall is a green, though otherwise milk-like substance that can grow in nearly every environment. It is most commonly found among the dreary swamps and among the reeds that grow on the riverside. However, finding them is quite rare. The plants they come from, commonly known as Dusk-reeds, have evolved to share similar traits with whatever reeds they grow. If done quickly enough, these reeds will still change moments after being cut, matching the colors of whatever other reeds they're placed with, much to the astonishment of children. They hide in plain sight, thus associating themselves with chameleons and assassins.

Finding them is only the first of many problems.

Because of how indistinguishable from common reeds and branches they are, it is more efficient to harvest all of the plants in the area, rather than seek out the individual Dusk-reeds. Then, once they are separated, the arduous task of extracting the Nightfall begins. Each reed must be carefully cut a quarter of a finger from the top, and the liquid pushed out of the reed gently enough for the stem to not break and waste the precious material. It takes roughly half a dozen plants to gather enough Nightfall to ease most common ailments, such as sore muscles or minor infected cuts.

To gather enough Nightfall to be useful for its most common purpose, numbing emotions, dozens of plants must be harvested. Due to its rarity and the increasing demand for it, apothecaries have begun selling their small, already overpriced bottles with water and thickener. With some dye, the off-brand bottles have become the standard. Few can tell, except others well-versed in the medical practice, most of whom follow similar protocols to ensure a profit is being made.

Nightfall is also used by the Orcs, who, after encountering the reverent approach Humans took towards these plants, would gather these plants, using their strong scent to lure unsuspecting victims into ambushes.