SAYINGS/TERMINOLOGY ↴ To "blow smoke up your own nose" → a phrase used to describe someone who is overreacting "Hey, don't go blowing smoke up your nose; it isn't that big of a deal!" "Scorcher" → an informal term referring to something annoying and unfortunate "Ugh, that's a real scorcher, dude." Sorcerer → a human/oid able to control and wield magical spells based on hand motions and ancient speech Elemental → a dragon/wyvern able to control and wield magical abilities based on one component of nature (ex. fire, water, earth, etc) some elementals are specifically called "breathers" of their element (ex. "fire-breather) PLANTS/HERBS ↴ Moonflowers → Moonflowers are small, white four-petaled flowers that can be found in meadows and northern forest regions. During the winter, they don't wither but rather retire underground to return next spring. It's said that when a moonflower is shared between lovers, their love will remain true so long as the flower stays alive for the next spring. The petals can also be crushed into a fine powder that makes a sweet tea for soothing colds and stomach aches. Fire-eyed flowers → Fire-eyed flowers are large tropical flowers that grow on vines in dense forest areas. The petals of this flower range from bright red and yellow to indigo and maroon. The center of the plant holds a black powder that can cause rashes when in contact with bare skin. Snow daisies → Snow daisies are pale tropical flowers with white speckles along their petals imitating snowflakes. They grow on tall stalks that produce Snowberries; small blue fruits similar in appearance to a blueberry. The seed inside is bitter but can be removed, and dried or fresh Snowberries are sold all across Illitrical, well-known for their sweet taste. Dragon tails → Dragon tails are a type of seaweed that can be found hanging from the roofs of underwater caverns. In appearance, as their name implies, these plants are long and spindly like a dragon's tail, bearing a bioluminescent "bulb" at its end. Dragon tails can be used as a light source since even when picked their light continues to shine for up to a day, and it provides nourishment to various underwater herbivores. Wyrmsnare → another tropical plant, wyrmsnare are massive carnivorous vine-like plants that crisscross the forest floor. Their "mouths" hang open emanating a sweet-smelling sap to attract small animals like birds and mice as well as insects. Its jaws will snap shut on unsuspecting prey and the plant will gradually coil inward like a snake, bringing the food closer to its stomach to digest it, then straighten out for its next meal. Some wyrmsnare can grow to be up to 20 feet long with jaws wide enough to trap a human infant. The sap can also be harvested and used as a sweetener in certain meals. OTHER CREATURES ↴ Cerberus → Illitrican Cerberus, unlike in ancient folktales, are large one-headed canines with thick builds, some bearing curled horns or spines. Cerberus are very elusive in the wild and savage in captivity, difficult to train. Though it has been done before, it takes an expert to truly tame the wild Cerberus. Phoenixes → the Phoenix is a predatory bird commonly kept as pets and trained as messengers. There are two breeds of phoenixes; the common Messenger Phoenix and the more elusive Bullphoenix. While Messengers grow to be around 37 to 39 inches long, the Bullphoenix can typically grow around 5.5 m. in length and 3.6 m. in height. When trained, these colossal birds can be ridden to reach different destinations across Illitrical. Phoenixes are very fire-based creatures; while the Messenger Phoenix has no natural magical abilities, the Bullphoenix is able to breathe small spurts of defensive flame. Hydra → the Hydra is a very long and large serpentine creature, typically reaching lengths of around 26 feet. Hydras can survive on land as well as in the sea, as they have gills and retractable fins along their spines. Typically these creatures are difficult to tame, but it isn't unheard of for another creature to have one as a pet. Black Dog → Black dogs are a breed of dog typically trained as sheepdogs. They have dark pelts that are typically so black their fur absorbs all light. They also have curled antlers like a deer and white or off-white eyes. Unicorns/pegasi/peryton → Equidae-like creatures like unicorns, pegasi, and peryton can often be found as steeds in most human civilizations. Unicorns specifically are often tamed for their magical qualities; while the magic their horns possess isn't as advanced as that of a sorcerer, they do have natural bioluminescent and psychic properties. Sorcerers communicating with pegasi through telepathy has been documented on more than one occasion.
