True Name | Piersule |
Frequency | Uncommon |
Quantity | 1d100 |
Locale | Desert, wastelands |
Form | Vine |
This plant grows in the form of a thick cluster of knotty vines. Each vine grows twisted and iron hard. The surface of the vine bares dozens of large red-tipped thorns. Small curly yellow leaves decorate the vines between thorns.
The thorns of the firethorn vine are poisoned. A single prick of the skin will cause the flesh to erupt in a nasty sore. The affected limb will become bloated, red and inflamed. The wound will ooze pus and the victim will be overcome with wracking pain, fever, weakness and delirium. This affect can last up to a day.
Firethorn can be found in arid scrublands and deserts on all three continents.
The baenites and some humanoid races, most notably the orcs, have been known to use carefully cultivated firethorn vines as a form of fence or natural barrier. It can be made to grow along fences, up walls and block of passages. Firethorn is difficult to bypass. It is difficult to cut and does not burn easily. However, firethorn is a difficult plant to work with and requires time, patience and skill to master.
Firethorn gets its name from the burning sensation that the poison causes. Also, the small curly yellow leaves flicker in the wind and look a bit like flames.
Attempts have been made to bottle firethorn poison and use it on weapons. However, the liquid poison is notoriously difficult to harvest and loses its potency within minutes once removed from the thorn.
This website was last updated February 29, 2024. Copyright 1990-2024 David M. Roomes.