Blood Lotus

Name: Blood Lotus
Availability: Autumn
Climatic Zone: Temperate
Locale: Demios Only
Cost: 300 crowns a flower.

The Blood Lotus is a flower which is native and unique to the island of Demios. This flower has never been spotted elsewhere because only the right mixture of humidity, warmth and altitude could accommodate the growth of such a delicated flower. The Blood Lotus is essentially a spice, it can be used in dishes to replace any spice and some say it is the ultimate spice. Dishes created with Blood Lotus have no real side-effects other than the fact that it is highly addictive, not because of any chemicals inherit the plant but because it brings out the full flavor of the dishes in an almost supernatural way. Records state that there was once a field of these rare flowers, but that has been burned and razed because authorities believe that the Blood Lotus shared too many characteristics with contraband goods.

Folklore Concerning the Blood Lotus:

Secrets : Rumor has it, that there is a flower native to Demios that grows only on the bark of the tallest of pines facing the sea. This rare specimen of plant life known only to the few who know of it's existence the Blood Lotus. This elusive and breathtaking flower however is supposed to be more than simply pleasing to the eye, according to folklore if a dish is to be served with spices and the Blood Lotus is used in it's place, the dish that would result from it would be so delicious that the person would find himself possessed by an almost otherworldly desire to have more. Of course this made the particular spice dangerous and legend states that the authorities back in the day burned the only existing field of Blood Lotus along with the farmers who tended to them in an overnight raid. The following morning after that, the field of Blood Lotus were reported to have been covered in ash that carried the a deep shade of red. Hence from that day forward, the flowers had been given the name Blood Lotus.