#spellpower bank

[dndtreasury]

Spellpower Bank by Mithral Canvas

[herbalcompendium]

Silkweed

A verdant, floral wetland herb used in an ancient form of brewing as well as alchemy. 

Colloquial names: Milkweed, Butterfly Plant, Swampstill Physical Description: Silkweed, also known as Milkweed, is a swamp and riverbank-dwelling plant most commonly found in the Valley of the Four Winds in Pandaria. It is notably found on the banks of the Yan-Zhe river that borders the southern portion of the valley, and in the wetlands near the lush, beautiful and abundant farmlands of the Heartland. These farms, like a painted and jeweled mosaic of living flora, provide much of the fruits and vegetables for Pandaria. The streams that water the farmlands stem from the running waters of the Veil of Eternal Blossoms. These waters are thought to have some sort of magicks within them, allowing the cultivated plants to grow to enormous size. So too does this affect the Silkweed there- it can grow one to two meters in height. It is characterized by it’s lustrous blooms, slightly wavy and boxy diamonds pointed downward like an umbrella, with a smaller cluster attached thinly on top, pointed upward like a bowl with two petals in the center. These interesting, hourglass-shaped flowers are a deep, shining green on the bottom layer, and a pale jade to cream white on the top. They are very soft to the touch, feeling rather unsurprisingly like silk. The stems, however, are thick and strong green-grey, fading to a rust at the base and wreathed by thorns of a similar color. The leaves are a similar shade of grey-green, deeply veined and ovate in shape along strong stems. The plant’s nectar is thought to be a source of food for silk moths and monarch butterflies that inhabit or migrate to the region. 

Described Usage: Silkweed is used in a traditional and beloved Pandaren brew known as Silkstout, popular in the Heartland and Halfhill. As Silkweed grows year round on the farmland, it is enjoyed throughout the entire year, especially in times of harvest bounty or celebration. The brew is said to be relaxing and rejuvenating, as well as smooth on the palate. The recipe goes as follows: combine an equal amount of Silkweed blooms and leaves, fresh, with an entire root of freshly grated ginger. Allow to fully steep in steaming water, then add the juice of two orchard lemons. Combine an equally weighed amount of cane sugar to the ratio of Silkweed, and finally, add yeast and allow to ferment in a warm, dry place. In time it becomes a delicious, silky smooth brew, tasting of earth, ginger, citrus, and caramel. The farmers of the Valley are a clever brood, however, and do not use Silkbrew as a restoring tonic alone. If their land is threatened, two different, but equally weighed distillations can be poured into one another to create a ruby hued, aptly named potion of weaponry. This elixir increases the force of blows a great deal, as well as prowess in combat. The farmers have also been able to create a few different effects by combining certain teas with Silkbrew, or reducing the ratio of Silkweed by half, and substituting with another herb. With blackened Green Tea Leaf, it creates a potion of the Jade Serpent, increasing wisdom and spellpower that glows a bright chartreuse. With rain poppy, it creates a yellow Monk’s elixir, increasing vitality. Fool’s Cap added provides a shining effect to weapons and armor upon movement when imbibed, blinding the opponent- known as an elixir of mirrors. Lastly, a fully bloomed Snow Lily tea, half mixed, will create an elixir of perfection, a deeply jade liquid said to make blows more deadly in combat. I consider this a great lesson in humility, and to never underestimate what a seemingly simple plant is capable of in the right hands.