fatal

Chapter 17: Natural Substances
Valerian shrubs vary in height from 2 to 5
feet and have thick, acrid-smelling roots. Valerian
roots are also called all-heal, amantilla, and setwall.
Growing in cool and northern regions, this plant
may be found in marshy thickets and along
riverbanks. The roots of this shrub have many uses.
In ordinary doses, valerian root serves to quiet and
soothe. However, large doses cause pain in the head,
heaviness, and stupor. Made from the roots, a tea is
renowned to alleviate cramps. The roots are also
used as a diuretic and for its aroma. Aside from
medicinal uses, this root is used as a spice and as a
perfume. It is a custom to lay the roots with the
clothes as perfume. Magically, valerian roots are also
used to assist in banishing. Valerian root affects more
than characters. Both cats and rats are greatly attracted
to the scent of valerian root, which has an
intoxicating effect on them. Consequently this root
is used to bait rat traps.
Willow, as a shrub, occurs most often in the
tundra and above the timberline on mountains, although
it may be found nearly everywhere. Willow
bark is used medicinally to counter fever and pain.
If ingested, however, it is bitter and irritates the
stomach. Willow bark is a popular first choice for
fevers, mild to moderate pain, and inflammation due
to injury. Willow bark may be applied only once per
day per subject and heals 1 LP per wound. Repeated
applications soothe pain, but do not heal more Life
Points.
Yarrow is found in pastures and by roadsides,
and ranges in height from 1 to 3 feet. Other
names for yarrow include: milfoil, old man’s pepper,
soldier’s woundwort, knight’s milfoil, herbe
militaris (the military herb), thousand weed, nose
bleed, carpenter’s weed, bloodwort, staunchweed,
sanguinary, bad man’s plaything, yarroway, gearwe,
and yerw. It flowers from June to September. Yarrow
promotes the healing of wounds. Some directly
apply the plant to the wound, while others
prefer to make an ointment from it and apply the
ointment to the wound. Direct application instantly
heals 1d4 LP per wound. An ointment heals 1d6
LP per wound. Yarrow tea decreases the melancholic
temperament by 1d10 points. If a character
has a nosebleed, the application of yarrow will stanch
the bleeding. If a character does not have a nosebleed
and part of the yarrow plant is placed inside
the nose, the nose will begin to bleed. Nosebleeds
induced by yarrow serve to alleviate headaches.
Yarrow is used in divination spells and has been dedicated
to immoral gods. Flowers and leaves of the
plant have a taste that is bitter, astringent, and pungent.
As an infusion, yarrow is good for severe colds.
Aging males wash their scalp with yarrow and believe
it prevents baldness.
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