Sacred Plants & Martyrs' Blood

Plants Born of Sacrifice

In Némand's cosmology, profound sacrifice creates resonance so powerful that consciousness crystall izes into living form. These are not mere flora—they are echoes of heroic will made manifest.

Pare Siavoshan / Khoone Siavoshan (پر سیاوشان / خون سیاوشان)

Origin: When the innocent prince Siyavosh was martyred—his head severed in a golden basin—a drop of his pure blood fell to earth. From that drop, this plant grew.

Appearance: Red flowers, said to bloom where martyrs fell

From Shahnameh:

"جدا کرد از سرو سیمین سرش / همی رفت در تشت خون از برش
کجا آنکه فرموده بد تشت خون / گر وی زره بر دو کردش نگون
گیاهی بر آمد همانگه ز خون / بدانجا که آن تشت شد سرنگون
گیاه را دهم من کنونت نشان / که خوانی همی خون سیاوشان"

Magical Properties:

• Consciousness Echo: Contains fragment of Siyavosh's pure intent. When used in Chromaturgy, adds Integrity alignment to artifacts.
• Purification: Petals used in cleansing rituals against Angra corruption. Brew made from leaves clears mind fog caused by div influence.
• Martyrdom Resonance: Strengthens artifacts meant for sacrifice/protection. Used in Guardian-class devices (shields, wards).
• Rare: Only grows at true martyr sites. Cannot be cultivated—attempting to plant it in "unworthy" ground causes it to wither.

Tier: Component for Tier 3-4 devices (purity requirement limits use to advanced Engineers)

Story Hint: Protagonist discovers Pare Siavoshan growing at an unmarked grave—evidence of forgotten hero. Flower's existence proves location's sanctity. Could be used to create artifact protecting against Zahhak's corruption or used in final confrontation. Requires protagonist to be aligned enough (Spenta) to harvest without corruption.

Mehr Giah / Mardom Giah (مهر گیاه / مردم گیاه) - The Mandrake

Names: "Love Plant" (Persian), "Devil's Apple" (Jewish/Arab), "Apple of Love" (Greek), "Tree of Knowledge" (Christian tradition)

Appearance: Root resembles human figure—man and woman entwined. When split, reveals two faces.

Hallucinogenic Properties: Powerful consciousness-altering substance

Magical Properties:

• Affection Amplification: Carrying it makes bearer "beloved by all" (corrupted Peyvand—forces artificial connection)
• Visions: When ingested, grants prophetic visions but at cost of sanity. Corrupted Gardūn (Fate)—sees future but loses present.
• Dual Nature: Both sacred and poisonous. Can be used for healing or harm depending on preparation and intent.
• Dangerous Harvest: Screams when pulled from earth (legend says it kills those who hear it). Proper ritual required: tie dog to root, dog pulls while harvester covers ears.

Tier: 2-3 (potent but unpredictable)

Alignment: Neutral (can be used for Spenta or Angra purposes)

Story Hint: Black market alchemists sell Mehr Giah for love potions. Protagonist discovers this "love" is artificial consciousness manipulation—Angra corruption disguised as romance. Moral dilemma: someone asks protagonist to obtain it for dying spouse wanting to be loved again. Does forced affection count if intention is pure?

Story Integration

These plants demonstrate that consciousness persists beyond death in physical form. Martyrs' sacrifice literally shapes the world. The magic system allows botanical components—showing flora can be consciousness-imbued just as ore can be. This opens narrative possibilities: herbalism as magical discipline, garden cultivation as consciousness technique, plant-based artifacts vs. metal-based.