Ebon Jasmine

This variety of jasmine flower is subtly magical in nature, and was created by mages.

## Description

The Ebon Jasmine is a magical bush with black flowers and shadowy, matte leaves that fade from green to dark violet-black. Its floral scent is a much weaker than that of a standard jasmine. It is only found in magical gardens or magical homes, though its most herbal common uses are no different than that of nonmagical jasmine (in tea blends).

### Magical Properties

This plant is subtly aggressive against other plants and will blight most other herbs that cannot tolerate its subtle leech magic. Perhaps surprisingly, it is not one of the poisonous varieties of Jasmine, as it is descended directly from the Jasminum sambac non-poisonous species. It is safe near animals and people, but dryads and wood nymphs are advised caution in handling it for any prolonged period.

As an herb, the following magical traits are ascribed to Ebon Jasmine:

* Astral realm
* Dark Aether/Shadow
* Anti-Transmutation
* Lunar magic and Moonlight
* Water magic specifically at night, in deep pools, or subterranean
* Cooling, (sometimes used in nonmagical burn creams and antiseptics)
* Sleep
* Calming

## Gardening

The Ebon Jasmine is not particularly difficult to care for aside from its tendency to slowly blight other plants within 5' of it. It makes a decent potted bush for decorative purposes, if kept away from other plants. Some magical homes and gardens favor them purely for their appearance, but they have no specific strategic use like that of Pterippi Crocus or Mercurial Roses.

It handles full sun and part-shade very well, though it is **sensitive to overloads of Solar Radiant** magic. For this reason, caution should be taken if providing it light indoors or overwinter to not scald the plant, as it cannot tolerate the same thresholds of solar magic that most other plants do.

### Harvest

Ebon Jasmine is best harvested in predawn anytime after it has bloomed, before the sun has risen, when the flowers are tightly closed. Trim off stems of leaves and closed buds, which can be hung in bundles to dry. It blooms from spring through mid-fall.

### Preparation

Fresh Ebon Jasmine is best for any uses relating to deep water magic, but otherwise, dried buds and/or leaves are the best for long-term storage and availability. Traditional (nonmagical) drying methods can take 6-8 weeks in a cool, dry, dark place, and is the highest quality method for Ebon Jasmine preparation, since drying charms can faintly impact the subtle magics within the buds.

**Aetherized Ebon Jasmine** is sometimes used for truly powerful enchantments and potions, and is created by drying the fresh buds in a high-pressure alchemical chamber with a flow of raw aether passing through over the course of those 6-8 weeks. It is the most expensive preparation sought on the market, and is usually only available by special order at apothecaries or the Black Market unless made yourself. It is primarily used in artifice for crafting specific magical artifacts, rather than making potions or enchantments.

## Known uses of Ebon Jasmine

* Astral Elixir
* Lightsbane Enchantment
* Seaward Enchantment
* Trueform Elixir
* Doppelganger potion