True Love's Rose

Ailed as I was, I could not accompany him with those outings we so cherished, and it left me feeling quite miserable. Twice a week, and only ever that much, he'd stop by our home to visit. Each time, he would bring the most fantastic flower I'd ever seen. A rose with shimmering red petals that seemed to flow with a single twirl of the stem. Sets it right in the same vase by my bedside. "It's true love's rose," he would say with that soft smile. If I ever told him I missed him, he'd remind me to give the flower a quick sniff. As pleasant as they were, I thought it had been so silly to always to turn to that. I'd asked him that I would much rather see him every day than have to smell a flower. But, he only ever kept visiting for only those two days. I'd felt cross with him a few times, though with how gentle he'd been to me, it wasn't something that lasted. Eventually, I did feel better, and not too long after, we'd gone back to seeing each other every day.
It wasn't until years later, once I'd gotten over that awful spell of illness and frailty, of what the true love's rose could do. Of how it could heal those its fragrance and its petals touch. Only years later, when I could rest my easy against his arm, did I learn of how he'd trek two days out and two days back in search for a single rose. Just so he could it bring it back to me. Just so I could get better. And just so we could be together.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The true love's rose's flower typically has eight to ten deep red petals which seem to flow out from the pistil. Due to its many petals, the rose sometimes takes on the appearance of two smaller rose flowers. Its stem has leaves that are borne alternately and prickles line its length. The true love's rose grows on a shrub.

Additional Information

Domestication

Since 3400 3E, the true love's rose had been so heavily harvested in the wilds of Varia that various alchemist guilds and the Arcane Society collaborated to ensure their preservation. Major cities that can accommodate greenhouses usually dedicate resources to cultivating the rose.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The true love's rose is often harvested by alchemists, mages, and scholars for use in magical and medicinal concoctions. The rose's petals and scent possess healing properties, the potency of which can be manipulated via magic or alchemy. The petals are often used to create higher grades of healing potions and philters to recover from disease and ailments beyond physical injuries.

Scientific Name

Rosai amore

Lifespan

40 - 50 years

Conservation Status

Rarely found in the wild
Cultivated in captivity

Average Height

Between 3 and 7 feet

Average Length

Stem: 20 to 30 inches