Eion

Past, present, future and anything else you want

''Oh you

Eion

May you be praised

For you are all

Past, present and future

All which you represent

-

Oh you

Eion

May your tone shine

As bright as dark

For you are night and day

Extremes in you joining''.

-excerpt from a poem

A relatively small flowering plant that grows in the sparse forests of Eastern Ikaharin, eion has since time immemorial been highly sought after by the peoples of the Central Land, both for its remarkable dark purple colour, medicinal uses and deep symbolism, it being a representation of eternity for many.

General characteristics

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Morphology

''As the Three Routes all trace back to the Only One, the three stems of this most perfect plant trace back to a single core''.

-religious analogy

Above ground, eion shows three stalks of equal height from which stem many small flowers. These stems are then connected to a small rhizome that isn't buried too deep underground and also serves as the starting point for the roots.

Coloration

''Praise be upon you! For night and day came together to paint you''.

-small prayer

Probably the flashiest feature of this species, its flowers' petals are of an intense purple colour, one which is often described as both bright and dark at the same time and mixes fairly well with the reddish tone of the filaments.

Reproduction and life cycle

''Oh you

Eternity

Hidden treasure

For our mortal bodies

Can never aspire

To even see your grace

-

Oh you

Greatest of gifts

Why do you avoid us

In this land of pleasures

Yet seek us

In the afterlife

In that gray abyss?

-

Oh you

Cruelest of all

Why is the olive's friend

That small purple delight

The only one worthy

Of your grace in this world?''

-poem

Eion plants can be born either from seeds or by replanting a piece of the rhizome somewhere else. After doing this, the plant will grow its famous stems, which will stand there until the rhizome is dug out or otherwise destroyed, even if they shed their flowers seasonally.
Though they can grow their roots entirely independently and not rely on other species for sustenance, it is not unheard of for eion plants to tap into the root systems of neighboring trees (olive trees in particular), becoming a sort of parasite.

Uses

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Medicinal

''-Iaran! Iaran! Iaran! I sell eion flowers, harvested from only the best of forests, I swear! All would do good to visit me, for it is known by all the wise men that eating these is of great benefit to the loins. Iaran! Iaran! Iaran!
-He is not lying, may the king hang him from a pole if he is! My house was once in misery, for I could not pleasure any of my wives and they resented me for it. I thought all was lost until I heeded the wise man's advice and of this plant I made a fine dinner.
Afterwards the power flowing from my stem became so intense it became a tree and all the women in the neighborhood rejoiced in divine ecstasy, for upon them fell this great blessing!''.

-Trader

From the roots to the flowers and even the pigment of its flowers, this plant is a core ingredient of Ikaharinese Medicine and a vital component of any wise man's stock. Furthermore it is believed there is an eion-based product to cure any ailment or enhance any trait imaginable.

Ceremonial

''-(Hilku, visibly angry): You idiot! How on Earth did it cross your mind to sell the goddamn eion! How do you expect us to do the ritual without the only ingredient?
-(Lalnan): Calm down, I was hungry and that salmon looked too good to miss, I even kept some for yourself...
-(Hilku, sarcastic, then furious): Oh wow! Thanks for your kindness, I forgive you, I can totally see why you thought that fucking fish was more important than the spirit of my dead father''.

-excerpt from a theater play

Thanks to its great cultural significance for the Ikaharinese, eion has a lot of ceremonial and religious uses in the Central Land, it being visible in one form or another in nearly every special occasion in the calendar.
As it is seen as a symbol of eternity and long life, eion flowers are often used a sort of confetti that gets thrown around at any important occasions related to the beginning of new things, such as coronation ceremonies, as they think this ensures a long life/reign/career.

''Oh boy, so much purple! What is this guy trying to compensate...''

-gossip

Eion is also often seen decorating the gardens of most palaces and temples, as they are associated with high status and the divine (even if the wetter regions in the west of Ikaharin aren't well suited for its cultivation).
Finally, this plant is also a frequent element in ceremonial offerings and rituals of all kinds, similarly to olive oil.

Lifespan

Indefinite

Average Height

40-60 centimeters