 |
 |
|
||||
|
 |
EpzeabDeep within the lust jungles of Jindiara where the Keid live, there grows one of the most dangerous plants in Riiga. The Keid call it epzeab, and the humans have borrowed this name. Roughly translated, it means blood bulb. It is aptly named. MaturingOn the outer tip of a mature Epzeab root grows bulbs. These bulbs form new plants over time. The plant is a ground vine. A new bulb grows to about fist-sized before it opens and begins to spread its own roots. The casing of the bulb is a tough, stringy skin on the outside. As it opens, it begins to spread roots above the surface of the ground. They spread in all directions and strangle almost any other plant. A bulb opens on the top end like a mouth with five pointed lips. An enticing and sweet fragrance emerges from the small mouth and insects and rodents soon end up within. Inside, a baby epzeab has nothing more than a tiny pool of an acidic subtance which gives it the distinct smell. When a creature is lured in, hairs trigger the mouth to close tightly -- tight enough to trap the foot of a large feline -- and it doesn't open until about a week later, once it has extracted nutrients from the dead creature within. As an epzeab grows, the roots become thick, tangled, and woody, and the bulb itself also grows, though about a quarter of it remains beneath the ground level at all times. Its skin becomes thicker and tougher. The roots grow in such a fashion that the plant takes on a volcano shape, making it as easy as possible for an animal to walk in even by accident. The interior walls (not the floor) of the bulb grow many spines that can be as long as an adult human hand and sharp enough to pierce leather with ease. This is to put off any animal that may try to tear its way out of the sides, though it would only be faced with wood roots if it managed to do so. They also often have sticky vine-like appendages hanging inside, to catch birds and flying insects that may refuse to land and be eaten by the plant. Some epzeab bulbs grow so much that a human can stand up while inside. Of course, the surrounding roots of such an epzeab would cover a large area. InteriorThe fluid within the bulb, though acidic, is a favourite medicine used by the Keid. Obtaining such a medicine involves carefully descending a bucket into the plant without triggering it to close. Because of the acidic nature of the substance, it is useful for cleaning the digestive system, but must be flushed with lots of water. A closed bulb can also be opened. It was discovered, mostly by accident, that certain bodily substances, such as the urine of most animals, will open a closed bulb. This was discovered when a young Keid fell into the bulb, and was so cared that he wet himself. The bulb opened in disgust and he was pulled out by his friends. Foolish young Keid often dare one another to lower a rope into a large bulb, jump inside, count to 20, urinate, and then climb back out again. Unfortunately, the inside of a bulb is very dangerous. The hanging appendages force anyone within to move out of the way, as the sticky substance on them burns the eyes and skin, and the large spines have a tendency to pierce anything that moves, so such foolish Keid do not always escape. All it takes is one slip in the knee-deep fluid within. Epzeab will try to eat anything that enters. If something cannot be dissolved, such as stones or metal, it will be excreted dispersed into the soil beneath the plant.
|
 |
 |
|
|
