Sanguine Orchid

The Sanguine Orchid -- not considered by most botanists to be an orchid at all, but instead a member of the rose family -- grows only in a handful of deserts in the Runelands, and generally only on the sites of particularly bloody battles. Its seeds only germinate in bloody sand, and they grow quickly, dropping seeds that await more bloodshed as they dessicate.

Each plant bears one flower on a long stalk above a handful of leaves. The flowers are said to be of uncommon beauty, the petals a deep crimson surrounding a white heart. The black seeds are visible through the impossibly thin petals. The flowers are delicate; the only way to make one survive more than a day after its stem is cut is to feed it blood. Even then, they only last perhaps a week. It's rumored that the blood of sapient beings will make it last longer, though there are no verifiable sources for this information.

The sanguine orchid is valued for its fragrance -- a sharp, almost coppery floral -- and its alchemical properties. The nectar of the flower intensifies the properties of any alchemical, psychotropic, or medical solution it's mixed into. The nectar of a single blossom will increase the effects of a single dose of potion or medicine (or an average-sized bottle of alcohol). The petals of the flower are also edible and make a potent and sought-after flavoring -- sanguine orchid syrup was famously used to flavor the wedding cake of Cathrica Regina Imperatrix and Kal Invictus Rex. It adds a note of spice as well as the more predictable floral flavors, and mixes well with vanilla and tropical fruit.

The rarity of the sanguine orchid has been known to cause less than ethical behavior among foragers and merchants. In the absence of suitably bloody battles, those who would have orchids to sell have been known to take throngs of slaves and prisoners to replicate those murderous conditions in areas known to produce the flowers. Livestock slaughter is also said to work, though less reliably.

In the current era, the origin of the sanguine orchid is unknown. However, in the correct halls of forbidden knowledge the diligent scholar may be able to find mention of the Blood Goddess from ages past. It is certainly possible that these flowers formed part of her panoply.