Dryad Root

The Capital War brought with it some interesting technologies, amongst them biological engineering produced many deadly weapons of war but also tools of healing, building, and much more.
Dryad Root was one of these creations, produced to assist human combatants in the field this combat stim could be injected into a wound and act as a short term sealant and circulatory system. Dryad root was built to replicate skin, veins, arteries and to a lesser extent muscle by rapidly growing a root system through the wound, these hollow roots transport blood and pump it back into the nearby damaged vein or artery while consuming some of its nutrients much as muscles do. As this root system replaces a portion of the damaged circulatory system the "stem" grows over the open wound and releases anti-toxins and agents to keep the wound free of infection. This biological "stopper" will remain for up to 1 week and once medical attention can be reached a chemical agent is injected to kill and detach the plant.
Issues previously occurred with people leaving the plant in the wound for longer than 1 week, at this point if the plant has enough nutrition to survive it may continue to grow at a slow rate, if it continues to grow it may outgrow the wound or a process known as hematite symbiosis may occur. When Dryd is introduced it consumes a portion of the individuals blood stem cells to process what it needs to do, then releasing these infected "amatite" stem cells back into the blood. In small doses these amatite cells are harmless but the longer the Dryd remains in the body the more Amatite cells are released, should a large enough number circulate the body will begin to produce only Amatite cells, rebuilding portions of the body to match the Dryad Roots composition and effectively turning the person partially into a plant, a process few survived.
For over a century Dryad Root was left unused, warfare no longer required biological soldiers and as such such a potentially dangerous stim was untouched withe more effective means of medicine outside of combat zones. As of late the plant has found a new use however, through specialized treatment over the period of roughly a month an individual can have their skin replaced completely, allowing them to photosynthesis like that of a plant. This was originally developed for those with severe skin defects and diseases however the extreme end of the fashion industry has caught on, taking this expensive process to stand out.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Dryad Root has to be specifically created as it naturally does not grow with the capacity to reproduce. Some cases of Hematite Symbioses did show instances of what appeared to be sterile seeds growing within the infected individual.

Growth Rate & Stages

The growth rate of Dryad Root is rapid, taking around 1 minute for a small wound and up to 5 for deep or lacerating wounds.

Injection

Upon introduction the roots will latch onto the source of bleeding, consuming all eccess for around 10 seconds until stage 1.

Stage 1

Having grown its roots to attatch to all nearby veins and arteries it will begin pushing blood through the circulatory system, using oxygen and minerals from the blood to assist in stage 2.

Stage 2

The plant will grow outwards, spreading multiple small limbs across the wound opening and releasing a large burst of anti-toxins and biological nutrients to clean the wound. This is the longest stage taking roughly 30 seconds.

Stage 3

After the spiderweb of limbs has covered the wound the Ivy itself will begin to grow outwards, acting like strands of muscle and compressing against each other to ensure effective seal.

Stage 4

Having grown its cap the limbs will grow into the skin, hardening, allowing the cap to seal in place.

Dietary Needs and Habits

A wound treated with Dryad Root, if possible, should be kept exposed to the air and in sunlight, this is not neccesary but assists with the healing process and ensures when detached nothing has withered and detatched internally.

Scientific Name

Hedera Sanguis

Origin/Ancestry

Genetically modified English Ivy