Million Flower

Overview

The Million Flower (also known as the Mil Flower, Lightpetal, or Child's Burn) is a flowering plant native to the the western side of the continent, west of Sariiga and Srhalena. In ancient times, the seeds were used as a mild pain killer when ingested or their secretions rubbed on the skin. Their leaves were also used as deterrents for insects. The pain relieving effects are still in use in traditional medical practices, the growth of the plant is illegal in both the Eoion Empire and the Yzel Kingdom due to its use in the production of the highly addictive drug celestial.

Biology

Million Flowers grow from small seed pods, which are deposited onto the ground by animals after ingesting the head of the plant. Natural deposition spreads the seeds across the western side of the long mountain chain. Temperate, wet climates are necessary for the growth of the plant, along with the ability to absorb a great deal of sunlight.
Adolescent plants reach approximately 0.5m tall and, at six months of age, begin sprouting their first leaves. These are 0.2m long in young plants, but can reach 0.5m in adults. Each leaf arises from a thick branch with a diameter of 0.02m on a mature plant. The thickness is necessary to hold up multiple leaves and allow them to face the sun. Each leaf is coated in a waxy substance and hundreds of sharp barbs as a defense mechanism against predatory animals. The wax and barbs contain a bitter tasting substance that can become poisonous when ingested in large quantities. At one time, children would touch the leaves and their hands would become coated in the substance, which caused a burning sensation.
After one year, the first flower will appear. This is generally 0.3-0.5m across, with between 5 and 7 large petals. The bright yellow and white coloring of the flower is the origin of its colloquial name, Lightflower. The petals are used to draw in animals and direct them toward the many seeds at the center. While the plant takes its name from the number of seeds, there are not actually one million produced. The true number is closer to 200, but due to the small size and large number produced, they were mistaken for more.

History

Records of the plant's use have been found tracing back to the time of the original six kingdoms, almost 1000 years ago. These show that the plant was not cultivated, but found in the wild and harvested for its seeds. Later use of the leaves was incorporated, but this was limited only to those who worked deep in the mountains and used a concentrated form as a method to ward off predators.
The seeds were often ground into a paste to extract the viscous substance within. This was then added to honey or milk and used as a mild painkiller for various illnesses and joint issues. The first records of its use in something similar to that seen in modern times is from approximately 850 years ago, in which a sect of followers of Bolugama ingested the leaf and seed together in order to commune with Bolu during religious rituals.
Over the next several centuries, many products were made using the Million Flower, such as more advanced painkillers, wines, and insecticides. However, the addictive nature of the plant began to surface in the year 534 when its Cael-esh began using the wax obtained from the leaves in their wind practices. This resulted in hallucinatory and anesthetic effects on those who breathed in the vapor.
After this point, many cael-esh and alchemists began working to concentrate the substance. At first, the resulting drug, called Flower's Balm, was legal and used to treat minor illnesses and as a legal recreational drug. However, by 900, addiction rates had climbed to the point that both the Eoin and Yzelian governments forbade the growth of Million Flowers.
Since that time, an illegal market was created in order to grow the flowers and distribute the addictive substances made from its parts, most famously celestial.

Modern Uses

The growth of Million Flowers is illegal in both Yzel and Eoion. However, poor conditions on the western side of the mountains have encouraged those living there to engage in this growth, funded by various gangs, particularly Seraph Rae, as the only viable path to earning a living for their families. The gangs then refine the seeds and leaves through various methods into the different types of celestial. 
Despite the outlawing of the plant, some workers in traditional medicine still attempt to grow it for uses in ointments and poultices, although this is a much smaller market for the crop than that provided through recreational drug use.

Lifespan

5 years

Average Height

1.0 to 1.5 meters