Mercurial Rose Petal

This particular variety of rose was created by mages, and though gorgeous, it is extremely difficult to care for due to its deadly nature.

## Description

This variety of magical rose usually consists of a single, enormous bloom per stem. Its thorns are metallic and serve as an excellent deterrent for garden security purposes on their own, but it is the shimmering, reflective quality of the bloom's petals that make it so prized... and utterly dangerous. The petals as well as the long, thorn-spined leaves around the bloom are extremely sharp.

If the plant feels threatened, it will lash out with that razor-sharp bloom and latch onto whatever creature is trying to harm it (or prune it or just happened to be trying to get a closer look!). The stem is far more flexible than it appears. The bloom then secrets a caustic sap to burn and corrode whatever it has clasped. These defensive strikes have caused much damage to novice gardeners, wildlife, and naive passerby alike, and reports of permanent blinding have been noted in cases of extreme facial damage.

The Mercurial Rose seems to ignore anything the size of a honeybee, for pollination purposes, unless it feels chewed upon. Small plant-eating insects are often mauled in an instant by its thorned leaf tendrils even if the flower has not yet bloomed.

### Stats

A fully mature stem of Mercurial Rose has a 10' reach, and will "bite" for heavy (1d8) damage while attempting to grapple/latch on to that which it perceives as a threat, but is blind in full darkness. It sees via the stem and leaves. Any target it "bites" must make a 12+ Strength save or is grappled, suffering 1d4 Acid (Nature) damage AND 1d8 slicing damage per round.

An immature stem itself will hit for 1d6 damage, but cannot bite. It will attempt to ensnare targets smaller than itself, dealing 1d2 slicing damage per round with its thorns and requiring a 12+ Strength save to escape.

Some roses are even stronger, while others are weaker or less reactive.

### Magical Properties

The plant itself has some innate magical resistance, but the bloom itself it able to reflect some weaker magics. These properties are often ascribed to the Mercurial Rose, and its mirror petals are the most magically potent part of the plant.

* Reflection and mirrors
* Secrets
* Love
* Connections
* Joy
* Wrath
* Traps
* Aggressive Defense

## Gardening and Habitat

This rose variety is not natural, so is not found in the wild. It requires fertilization with aether-aerated soil, so it rarely survives outside of maintained gardens and greenhouses. However, if cautiously tended to, it makes both a beautiful ornamental plant and a great way to deter wildlife or would-be thieves from a garden, as well as a source of income if you are able to safely harvest the petals.

### Harvest

Due to the plant's innate magic resistance and tendency to reflect spells when in full bloom, the petals are best harvested on a moonless night in late spring or summer, when the flower bud has fully developed but is closed. The darkness means the plant is less likely to notice movement; it does not need eyes, and instead sees light and shadow with the chlorophyll of its leaves. It is possible to simulate this by covering the plant in a pavilion with magical blackout curtains for at least two hours to "lull it to sleep" and close the razor-sharp bud.

Then, with telekinesis or extremely long pruning sheers, clip the stem just below the bloom, catching the falling flower head in a chainmail bag (ideally held by magic or a pole). It is heavier than it appears. The bag should be left out of reach for at least two days, or the leaves and flower petals will still attack. Care should be taken when collecting the petals from the bag, as they will remain sharp and mildly reflective of magic; they are best stored in glass jars.

### Preparation

Prepare according to the recipe. Caution is advised to prevent the petals from interfering with a magic cast or slicing your hand, even when powdered. Powdering petals requires a very durable mortar and pestle, but any minor disintegration/powderizing enchantments should be avoided as the petals are likely to reflect it back and cause injury.

As long as the petals were **harvested while in bloom**, the **effectiveness is not impacted by freshness** for at least a few years, at which time the magics begin to fade and the petals begin to "melt" into metallic goo before dissipating as well.

***Novices are encouraged to simply buy it from an apothecary as whole petals or pre-powdered.*** It is routinely available at magical apothecaries due to its use in defensive enchantments and in construction of wards for homes and businesses, magical mirrors, and similar magic devices.

## Known Potions/Enchantments that use Mercurial Rose Petals

* Reflect
* Invisibility
* Some rare defensive enchantments
* Some mirror-illusion enchantments