Ielipati Heartleaf Bush

Leaf of the Lakefolk

Fetch a batch of heartleaf and the whitebark! This lass is going to require the brew if we are to keep her alive. The foul sway of our foe has sunk deep into her thoughts. We mustn't linger!

— Aqere, Kireseria in Eilne

The Ielipati heartleaf bush is a species of tree native to the tip of the Tellaiti. The leaves of the plant are highly valued in Brelish society for their medicinal and psychotropic properties, which give a sense of hope and determination. They are commonly smoked or made into tea, depending on the consumers’ preference, and when boiled along with mariner's whitebark, the plants can be turned into a powerful Entheogenic brew.

Description

Heartleaf bushes are fairly short compared to most other trees in their native habitat, which is said to be the reason behind the plant’s misleading name. When growing in ideal conditions on rich, moist soil, the trees grow up to 5 meters, but in rougher conditions they seldom reach such heights. The leaves of the tree are short and broad and as the plant’s name suggests, they are red or at times vaguely orange. Heartleaf bark has a light brown colour and the wood beneath it is as light as birch.

Eqei is a good lad, but far too sensitive to work in the redyards. Last summer he nearly passed out from the thick scent that surrounded the bushes. He felt oddly overwhelmed by it all.

— Amalea, mother of Eqei

Citrus Scent

A powerful scent that resembles citrus emanates from heartleaf bushes. In dense clusters of the trees the smell can be powerful enough to cause a sense of drowsiness for some.
People have noted that the aroma is strongest at around the middle of summer, although the reasons for it are not yet clear.

Common Uses

For centuries the heartleaf has been a crucial part of Brelish life. Without the tree's red leaves, the locals of the lands that the plant inhabits would have no love for smoking pipes. Only in the late 14th century, when a young girl had experimented with smoking different plants, were the joys of the lakeleaf discovered. The child had supposedly grown an interest in pipes after a trip to foreign lands where the act of smoking was a common recreational activity.

Addictive Properties

Because of the plant’s properties, many of those who regularly consume it have developed a dependancy on heartleaf.
The sense of perseverance that either drinking or smoking the leaf provides makes it difficult for some to stop consumption. Withdrawal can be deadly for some, especially those who needed its effects to ward off depression.

Heartleaf Tea

Tea made from either fresh or dried leaves of heartleaf has been a staple of Brelish culture for as long as the lakefolk have been able to write. Even some of the earliest written records in Aiterean make mention of tea and the traditions surrounding it.
The average Brel has roughly two or three cups a day typically during their regular meals. Those who don't drink heartleaf tea or refuse it when offered are seen as strange and uncultured.

Been dependent on the pipe ever since they had to give me the brew. A day without it is just too much to bear. Horrors in my dreams, whispers in the dark. I’ve been told it gets worse the longer you stay away from heartleaf, but I don’t intend to find that out for myself if I can help it.

— Addict

Cleansing Brew

Ielipati heartleaf bushes holds special importance to all branches of the Abreanist faith for its use in a cleansing brew known as Ueqataci Eire. The Entheogenic brew is a mixture of heartleaf leaves, its sap, and mariner’s whitebark, which is boiled and prepared for a religious ritual that aims to ease the effects of Aberati corruption.
After the ritual, the individual afflicted with the corruption must drink or smoke heartleaf for the rest of their days to prevent the symptoms from returning. The purpose of the ritual is to weaken the corruption’s hold on whoever it has ensnared. Without it, regular consumption of heartleaf would have little effect on the symptoms.

by Public domain and edited by Dhelian

Other Names

Lakeleaf tree

Lifespan

c. 55 years

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Average Height

3 - 5 meters

Geographic Distribution

• South Tellaiti

Redyards

Because of their usefulness, people in South Tellaiti, especially those around the Ielipati grassland, grow the plants in large impressive orchards. Such places are commonly referred to as redyards and they are a source of great wealth to many of the local lords in the region.
The leaves and sap of the redleaf have become a significant export for the merchants of the Republic of South Peolotei who operate in the area, running a sprawling trade empire that stretches far and beyond the borders of the empire.
Redyards are also commonly operated by members of the Hillenist and Orthodox clergy who grow the trees so that they may use their leaves to treat those who may need their help.