Inking Erudus - Building the Vegetation of the Dragonveil Region
Building the fantastical vegetation on the fictional world of Erudus
“The Dragonveil Mountains are where the volcanic soil became rich, stone learned to bud, the sky glowed, and the mountains cloaked themselves in dynamic flame.”
The Cultivator for the Dragon Grounds
Region - Dragonveil Volcanic Mountains
The soil that exists in the region is mineral rich, but loosely packed and unstable. The soil builds around high mountains and cliffs. In sheltered valleys, the soil is fertile enough. that the Dragon Ryders can grow food crops. In really sheltered valleys and a few trees grow.
Steam vents, often associated with hot springs, spring up throughout the region. The dark volcanic soil is filled with mineral veins, and on one mountain. Mount Resili, deep veins of diamonds run throughout.
The Ashcon Tree
The Ashcon tree is a dark black conifer. It is a unique piece of vegetation, as after its roots are firmly embedded in the volcanic rock, it can withstand volcanic dust and ash. When the moonlight hits its sage green leaves they sparkle like little lights in the night.
Dragon Moss
A thick formation of moss that can float on lava flows. When the lava moves, the moss can get caught on rocks as the lava flows away. Here, the moss stays warm for days giving a resting place for animals. Many small dragon species sleep in the plants.
Sizzle Fern
A fern with maroon fronds that loves the mist and steam of the geothermal vents in the region. The leaves are warm to the touch, and provide shelter for small insects in the area.
The fronds are gathered in the spring and the fall by the people of the DragonVeil. They are served raw as a vegetable. Their roots are boiled before eaten.
Vein Grass
This is a common grass in the meadows of the region. The blackish-blue stalks with maroon veins are grazed upon by dragons and other animals. This plant is one of the most important food sources for grazing animals in this region.
Celestial Blossoms
These flowers have cobalt petals with silver spiky centers. They grow in the cracks high up in the mountains and they emit tiny specks of light at night.
The Ryders use these flowers in their initiation ceremonies, birthings, coming of age ceremonies, and mourning rituals.
Standing Shrubs
Standing shrubs lie high in the Dragonveil region. They have twisty, black branches topped by grayish-green leaves.
It roots set themselves deep into the soil on the volcanic rock making the soil stable. This helps to prevent landslides. Dragon ryders often will plant these shrubs on slopes that are unstable
Blood Vine
This plant climbs on cliffs. Its grey-green leaves hide crimson sap within them.
This sap is used by healers for headache relief, to soothe allergies, ease burns, and treat smoke inhalation.
The sap is also used when a dragon dies. The animal’s leather is cured with the sap of the Blood Vine.
Note: Dragon Ryders never kill dragons. They only cure a dragon hide after the animal has lived out its natural life and dies.
Croon Reeds
These reeds with blue-green leaves have hollow stems. Wind pass through them causing a low, mournful sound.
Dragon ryders from different regions use the reeds to communicate. Holes are carved into the stalks and then notes are played in certain sequences. Each sequence means something different.
Gem Orchids
These flowers have transparent petals that reflect and glimmer in the sunlight like gemstones.
The petal colors range from cobalt to deep purple or lavender.
A small bird native to the Dragonveil mountains lives in these flowers.
Nesting Willows
A willow found in the valleys of the Dragonveil Mountains. This tree has a massive black trunk that is streaked with silver. It also has a blue seed pod.
The trunk and the seed pods glow lightly in the night. When a dragon comes near, the light intensifies.
This willow is often planted near the dragon grounds because they provide shelter, warmth and nesting materials for the dragons species.
The tree’s sap is also boiled down to make several different types of medicines used by dragon healers.
Next Week
An introduction to the plants of the Water region on Erudus.
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