Gallowsroot
From Changeling Venue
Contents |
Physical Description
The Oddment known as Gallowsroot is a woody perennial vine that produces fruit on the current season’s shoots. The buds that produce these shoots are formed the previous year. Care of the plant after harvest is important to the formation of buds for the next year. Gallowsroot is attractive in the landscape of the Hedge and can be trained to provide shade with time and care. This Oddment is fairly tolerant of soil fertility, pH and drought and with proper care, can continue to be productive for years.
Cultivation and Propagation
Gallowsroot must be trellised for good production. Choose and install trellis systems prior to planting new vines to prevent damaging the roots. Trellising permits sunlight to reach each flower cluster and promotes growth. Trellis systems determine how plants should be trained and pruned but should be planted no less than eight feet apart.
If row planting is planned, arrange rows pointing at the sunrise to allow maximum exposure to sunlight. As Gallowsroot grows, continue to trim off any long or broken roots. Prune the top removing all but the most vigorous cane. Cut this cane so that only two buds remain. This seemingly drastic pruning is done to train the vine to the trellising system and allow the shocked root system to catch up with the top growth.
Allow any cultivars that grow at or just below the soil line to grow unhindered. It is these cultivars that will eventually grow into the harvestable, noose shaped Gallowsroot Oddments.
Properties of the Plant
Physical and Medical Properties
Though most Changelings are only interested in the noose shaped ends of these thick vines, the rest of the plant is still capable of aiding a resourceful visitor to the Hedge. The fruit it bears, much like our grapes, can be used to produce a potent, sweet wine. And the leaves of the plant are harvested and used as wraps containing foods like minced meat, rice or grain seasoned with onion, parsley, herbs and spices. Meatless fillings are cooked with olive oil and include dried grapes, nuts or pulses.
Mystical Properties
When harvested, be severing the end of a vine, and placed or slipped over the head and around the neck of any living victim, the root immediately constricts like a hangman’s rope. The Gallowsroot “attacks” as a Strength 3 combatant wielding a garrote for three turns. The Gallowsroot may not be attacked in return. All the victim can do is hope to hold it at bay or break it like a garrote.
Rumors About Gallowsroot
Gallowsroot is just as dangerous to harvest as it is lethal to its victims.
~Free to add additional rumors here~
OOC Information
Gallowsroot is an Oddment that is explained in White Wolf's Changeling: The Lost book on page 224. The real world counterpart to our Changeling Gallowsroot is Grapevine and the flavored text above I included based on the information we have about the real plant.
