Soul Fire Lichen

Many overlook the Soul Fire Lichen as just a dull and standard type of Rock Shield Lichen, but given its strange ability to separate parts of its body to go off and reproduce, and its preference for blood has caused a few to take a second look at just exactly what it is. Due to its rarity and remote and inhospitable locations, few have truly had the time and means in which to study this organism and the little that we do know of it, now seems questionable.
The best source of information would be the Rau Zlo dark dwarves, but few survive them long enough to inquire about lichens. We do know that they are poisonous, but the dwarves eat them, and we do know that they are used to make tattoo ink, but we don't know how, and why do they grow on blood soaked rocks, nobody knows.
The only thing that we can say for certain is that its name comes from these dark dwarves. Supposedly their souls become full of energy and they feel like they are burning when they use this lichen, or so they say.

Basic Information

Anatomy

This strange organism is often mistaken for a plant but it has none of the structures that a plant normally has.  Even its roots are not roots, but are actually modified structures that only anchor the lichen to the rock upon which it is found.  One could best describe it as a dark colored, wrinkly and folded, round, fibrous mass that resembles a leaf, but is not a leaf.

Genetics and Reproduction

This lichen can reproduce through two main processes.  The simplest way is for part of it to break off from its original and be carried to a new location.  If the proper conditions are present then it can anchor itself to a new rock and begin to regrow.  Parts may break off through physical tearing or even crumble away from itself as if dries out.  Wind, water, and animals are its main source of transportation. 
The second, but almost unbelievable way that it can reproduce, is to seemingly cause a section of its fibrous mat to separate away from the main body.  As the edges are not anchored, the newly broken piece is able to be carried to a new location where it may anchor and begin to regrow.

Growth Rate & Stages

This is an extremely slow growing organism that may live for several centuries if left undisturbed.  After several years of growth the lichen eventually develops dark purple veins or tubes of poisonous liquid just underneath of its surface.

Ecology and Habitats

This lichen requires specialized conditions in order for it to survive and grow. This rare combination of factors can only be found in a few locations across the planet.  Places with steady temperatures, stable humidity, and elements of sulfur and brimstone are necessary for it to survive.  However, one of the more gruesome requirements that it needs is a source of blood.  Observations suggest that the blood does not need to be fresh, as old battlefields and interrogation cells have been known to grow some of these lichen.

Dietary Needs and Habits

This lichen obtains all of its nutrient requirements from the symbiotic relationship it has between its fungal and algal organisms.  It mainly requires a moist environment containing blood, sulfur, and brimstone for it to survive.  Any disruption to these factors results in the eventual death of the lichen.

Additional Information

Domestication

This species is virtually impossible to grow or breed outside of its natural habitat. All know attempts have failed and collected species usually die within a month and often much sooner.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Aside from being the main component in the Rau Zlo coming of age ceremony know as The Seger Soulmasa, the dark dwarves also harvest its internal liquids for making a rare ink.  They have developed a secretive process that can extract the fluid from the so-called veins of the lichen and turn it into a special tattoo ink known as Soul Fire Ink. They in turn use this ink to create Soul Sigils in their unique Soul Fire Tattoos that give the dark dwarves various enhanced abilities.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

These rare lichens are found in inhospitable and volcanic areas that have seen a lot of bloodshed or even certain igneous rocks that had once been soaked in blood. The most notable locations have been in vicinity of the Hraun Volcano, the subterranean Bos Magara, the Execution Dias Of Poprava, the Widow's Wall, and the Bloodrock Penal Colony.

Average Intelligence

Plant

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

This lichen is a combination of rare fungi and algae that require moisture, sulfur, brimstone, and blood in order to survive. The algae live inside the cells of the fungus and gain protection, moisture, and iron from it and in turn process the sulfur and brimstone elements into usable byproducts that are required by the fungi.

“Pft. We thought it might be the iron too at first, but it ain’t. Definitely ain’t. We tried all kinds, all sizes, all percentages, all origins, all combinations, even different amounts of corrosion… It’s something else in the blood, or maybe where it originated, or even how it was spilled. As strange as that sounds… Hmm. Even stranger now that I think about it. I once overheard some of the Metal Callers and clerics saying that it has something to do with the soul and that is what it really seeks in the blood. But my hearing was never really that good anyway.”

— Slack Darkhelm, Rau Zlo dwarf serving five life sentences in the Spike

by by makamuki0 from pixabay adjusted by me

“Well, it doesn’t really matter what they think or want to believe. It’s what I know, that they paid for. This lichen, that you call it, is most assuredly a demonic life form. Although it appears very benign it should be destroyed immediately. There’s no telling what it can do or become in the future. The last thing we need is a demonic organism spreading unchecked across the planet.”

— Vanhin Rahasia, Demonologist And Expert On The Infernal

"I still haven’t figured it out. Why are they only found at sites where there was lots of bloodshed and volcanic elements? I can understand the volcanic relationship. Those processes release a lot of minerals and elements that plants can use, but the blood? Who needs blood?"

— Salvia Maior, foremost expert on plants species

by by Erik_Karits from pixabay adjusted by me

Scientific Name

Daemonis Parmelia Anima Ignis

Lifespan

The lifespan of this species in unknown and there have been reports of these being able to live for several hundered years.

Conservation Status

This rare species is not protected under any conservation laws or plans. The Rau Zlo do try to sustainably harvest it when they can.

Average Height

These lichen are known to grow out and not up, as a result most are paper thin with only the largest ever reaching a height more than 1 inch tall.

Average Length

Most individuals of this lichen are found to be no more than a foot across, but given enough time and proper conditions there is no telling how large an individual could potentially become.

Average Physique

This species of lichen grows as a flattened, wavy disk that radiates out from its center in a circular shield pattern.  It has not branches, stems, leaves, or true roots.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

This flat, rounded lichen has a dull maroon color that gradually fades to grey at its edges.  Streaking out in a branching pattern form its center are thin veins of deep purple.

Geographic Distribution

• The Bos Magara
• The Stone Web Canyons

Related Materials

• Soul Fire Ink

“Wait! Salvia, you want to go to the Spike to ask about plants?”
“Lichen. They are called lichen, not plants Bellrose.”
“Ok, but why travel all the way out there to that prison?”
“That’s where we can find a Rau Zlo dwarf.”
“What about talking to some of the dwarves here in town?”
“They are not Rau Zlo.”
“What makes you think that one of them will talk to us?”
“Oh, I might have procured a little hometown brew from Barlang Varos. One of them might like to taste it once again.”

— Conversation between Salvia Maior and her apprentice Bellrose before traveling to the Spike.

Excerpt from the tome Whispers In The Dark by Vanhin Rahasia
"Few realize that even the lower planes, or underworlds as they call them, each have their unique ecosystems. Despite whether or not we can really understand them or even identify them, they exist. There’s no telling what manner of lifeforms have made their way to our world through rifts, planar gates, or reality ruptures."