Rift Flora¶
"When it comes to the Rift, you can't find anything that hasn't already been found." — a saying of the Rift (S017)
The Rift is a poor place for living things. "Things in the rift age much more slowly, rust slowly, decay slowly, burn slowly. The air feels heavy and stale and smells of constant decay... Elemental Magic is weakened", and "Most living things don't do well in the rift: digestion does not work properly... meaning you will starve to death if you stay long enough" (S017). The plants below are the exceptions, "magical plants that have adapted to life in the rift" (S045), recorded in the lore of Urdhar and repeated unchanged through four later sessions of the Proturan campaign (S046, S048, S049, S050).
The plants¶
Floatleaf Vine. "A delicate vine with ethereal, translucent leaves that hover and sway gracefully in the low gravity. They absorb ambient magical energy, shimmering with a soft glow and emitting a subtle harmonic hum."
Crystaline Fronds. "Tall and slender plants with slender, crystalline fronds that refract and scatter light, creating mesmerizing patterns on the ground. These fronds act as conductors of magical energy, attracting and channeling it throughout the realm."
Driftroot Tree. "An elegant, towering tree with roots that hang loosely in the air, floating and swaying with the gentle breeze. The Driftroot Tree absorbs magical energy through its aerial roots, and its golden leaves shimmer and tinkle like tiny wind chimes when touched."
Stardust Blossom. "A rare and coveted flower that blooms only during celestial events. When in full bloom, it releases sparkling stardust into the air, which grants temporary magical enhancements to those who inhale it."
Prismvine. "A sprawling vine adorned with multi-colored, crystal-like orbs. These orbs refract light and magic, creating vivid, ever-shifting displays of radiant colors that dance and ripple across the realm."
Euphoria Fern. "A small, luminescent fern that emits a soothing, euphoric fragrance. Its delicate fronds shimmer and release sparkles of magical energy, inducing a sense of calm and contentment in those nearby."
Shadestrike Vine. "A twisting and thorny vine that feeds off the shadows. Its tendrils writhe and reach out with a malevolent intention, draining the life force from any living being unfortunate enough to come into contact with it."
Bloodroot Blossom. "A rare flower with deep crimson petals resembling droplets of blood. Its enchanting scent lures unsuspecting creatures closer, only to release a cloud of spores that induce hallucinations and nightmares."
Soulspire Ivy. "A black and gnarled ivy that feeds on the residual essence of departed souls. It coils around ancient ruins and gravestones, whispering eerie laments and capturing the essence of those who dare to approach, trapping their spirits within its tendrils."
Wraithbane Orchid. "A hauntingly beautiful orchid with pale, ghostly petals that emit a soft, ethereal glow. Its nectar possesses the power to repel and weaken malevolent spirits, making it a valuable resource for protection against the undead."
Venomthorn Thistle. "A wicked plant with jagged leaves and venomous, barbed thorns. Its sap contains a potent toxin that induces excruciating pain and paralysis. Legends speak of powerful alchemists seeking its deadly properties for nefarious purposes."
Necrotangle Bramble. "A dense thicket of thorny brambles that seems to pulse with an unholy energy. The brambles possess a parasitic nature, draining the life force of anything that becomes entangled within, reducing them to lifeless husks."
Cursed Willow. "A twisted and contorted willow tree with drooping branches that seem to weep black tears. Its branches writhe and grasp at passersby, ensnaring them in its macabre embrace. It is said that those trapped within the tree are doomed to suffer eternal torment."
Corpse Lily. "A monstrous flower that blooms only in the presence of death and decay. Its colossal petals emit a putrid stench that attracts swarms of carrion insects. The flower's touch drains vitality and accelerates the decomposition of any living organism."
Sorrowvine. "A creeping vine that thrives on despair and sorrow. It entangles itself around the hearts of sentient beings, siphoning away their joy and replacing it with a never-ending melancholy, leaving them empty and consumed by darkness."
Where they grow¶
Rift islands take the character of the land they are attached to on the prime material: dead wood and dirt for a forest, jagged rock and dirty snow for mountains, flat dead grasses for plains, "jagged rock, caves, mushrooms" for the Underdark (S017). The gazetteer of the south-western Rift notes which islands are "inhabited by rift-beasts, elementals, demons or spirits" and which have been "Stripped of anything of value long ago", and records a few folds with unnatural daylight where the islands "seem to be in conjunction with the deep earth" (S066).
Gap
The sources do not say which plants favour which folds or biomes, how any of them is harvested or used in alchemy, or what the Rift's other fauna are; the Urdhar notes leave "Rift-Fauna" as a blank to be filled.