Ysharra exclaims, "Good afternoon, how wonderful of you all to stay!"
Ysharra says, "And new arrivals, as well."
Ysharra says, "Well, we will get started in just a few minutes, but let me go ahead and welcome you all, to the last event of this year's Faendryl Symposium."
Ysharra exclaims, "This is our seventh year! I can barely believe it!"
Ysharra says, "I see many familiar faces here, besides my fellow Enclave members, and that is why they are so wonderful- you all coming, year after year."
Ysharra says, "We thank you for your support and kindness, over these seven years."
Ysharra says, "Not just for the Symposium, but for our game nights, our balls, the annual Masque, and the Vespertine Ball."
You say, "We appreciate the opportunity to share more about our people more than we can say."
Ysharra says, "You put us through our paces, coming up with new events and topics to share with you."
Ysharra says, "And that's a wonderful process, too."
Ysharra says, "If Magister Svala was here, she would say that curiosity should be rewarded."
Ysharra asks, "So with that in mind, how about I get started, eh?"
Ysharra says, "Some of you may have heard this before, it is a topic that I am very keen on, you might say."
Ysharra asks, "Does anyone know what this is, specifically?"
Ysharra taps a black-throated ghostly white orchid with trailing lace-like petals, which is in her right hand.
Desorceri says, "A fascinating one indeed."
Kethrain asks, "A flower?"
(Ysharra holds the flower aloft in her hand, displaying the trailing petals and snow-white, black-throated coloration to you all.)
Speaking to Ysharra, Desorceri asks, "Making lemon meregue pie when life hands you lemons?"
Speaking tentatively to Ysharra, Rohese offers, "Is it some kind of orchid?"
Ysharra informs, "This is the ghost orchid, one of the rarest flowers on the continent. It only grows in swamps, on the trunk or large branches of cypress trees. During most of the year, the plant is nearly invisble, just a tiny string of woody, brown-green roots winding around its host. But every summer, that clump of tendrils will erupt into ten or more of these, so large and bright that they appear to float in the air, hence their name. They fill the air with the scent you're all sure to notice, a rich melange of apple and honey."
Cryheart says, "Interesting."
Mandy says, "But I'm sure it's more than just a flower."
Speaking to Mandy, Ysharra says, "You are also quite correct."
Ysharra continues, "I have brought this to show you today not because it is a Faendryl flower- it is not, it is a bog specimen- but because it is a symbol of two things: adaptation, and determination. It is a personal metaphor for the Faendryl plight during our sojourn into the dead wastes of Rhoska Tor. Poets may find secrets and philosophies in the coils of rosebuds, but for me, it is the orchid that holds sway over my faith. There are thousands of varieties, going from the special epiphytes like this one here, to weeds that grown in midden heaps."
Ysharra gazes with awe at the white orchid in her hand.
Ysharra says, "The ghost orchid first entered my life almost thirty years ago, when I found it growing on a tree in the Vipershroud SWamp during my first trip to Ta'Illistim. I was immediately captivated by their beauty, an after decades of research, trial and error, here is one of my few victories."
Ysharra teases, "Gardening is often regarded as a hobby for those in their dotage, fiddling about with their verge and borders, their picket fences. We go around with dirt in our hair, under our fingernails and humblebrag about the size of our roses."
Ysharra smirks.
Desorceri chuckles.
Missoni gazes in amusement at Ysharra.
Ysharra says, "...I have been known to do far more than just humbleness, perhaps."
Ysharra chuckles to herself.
Ysharra muses, "For me, gardening is an admission, that my passion is for that which grows. My industry, my energy, flourish to their full potential when I see a hint of color, a soft petal bloom, or a scent in the air. I have not grown this orchid, no, it has seduced me, with its beauty, into being its caretaker- and this is why I chose this topic- this flower's adaptation, combined with my determination. To bring forth life from the soil."
Ysharra says, "I am making this my contribution to the Faendryl Symposium not just to show off my flowers and rattle off amateur botanical theories. I want this to illustrate my Faendryl kin's experience in their own adaptation- of bringing life to the barren wasteland of the south. And I hope by the end of this, you will see some common themes take root, if you will forgive the pun."
Ysharra appears to be trying hard not to grin.
Melikor smiles.
Speaking sweetly to Ysharra, Rohese says, "You are forgiven."
Ysharra explains, "The first garden on my family's compound is what they have spent most of the last few thousand years upon- survival. As you all know, Rhoska Tor and its surrounding environs were mostly a toxic wasteland, a place saturated with mana and the taint of Maelshyve. What the first Exiles planted either died or came up twisted and inedible."
The sharp scents of ozone and ash linger briefly before a passing breeze dispels them, leaving only a trace of incense in the air.
Ysharra says, "No, of course not, mine are very good puns."
Ysharra continues, "Thus, my family and the rest of the Faendryl set about the task of conditioning the hydrophobic and cursed earth, in a way still used by them today, in times of drought. They took to the Southron Wastes, used their Summoned and their own elemental and sorcerous talents to slay the wasteworms and sandworms, which they then ground up to use as mulch to grow herbs. Herb crops, you see, have the sparest requirements for water and soil nutrients."
Riend nods faintly.
Ysharra says, "A cupful of water and a dusting of nitrate, you have food aplenty for a yardful of mint, for example."
Ysharra says, "Chamomile, chives, pepper plants, caraway and mint began to flourish in their garden, giving them two benefits- first, it made eating what animals were to be found as food much more palatable- but it also aided the process of fertilizing the soil, so when it was sprayed with conjured water, it would absorb it into the sand, rather than repel it as it once did."
Ysharra says, "To this day, Faendryl spices are world-famous for their hardy, savory and rich natures and flavors. In fact, chamomile, treasured across the continent, means energy that overcomes adversity, in the old lore of the flowers, harkening to their triumph over deprivation."
You nod appreciatively.
Desorceri says, "Ahh."
Ysharra offers, "Once food was no longer the primary goal, my family and the other Faendryl could focus on specialities, such is the case with my cousin, Giliad. He travels the continent with a theatre company, one that...assists in spreading the Faendryl reputation and uncompromising might to the world."
Ysharra flashes a wolfish grin.
Ysharra says, "Just in case the rest of the continent underestimates them due to their desert sojourn, yes? To this end, he performs for an elite group of patrons, and leaves them with the lingering effects of his dramatic gifts. Glorious, breathtaking fatality. When his troupe's curtains fall, so does the audience."
Ysharra says, "Within his courtyard at home, Giliad grows a diverse group of plants that have something singular in common: they are all toxic, most of them lethal. Nightshade, her deep black berries are so sweet, makes a delectable wine. Monkshood or castor beans mixed into their chocolates and sweetbreads, bringing death within the hour."
Ysharra asks, "So many of what we use as medicine and food are a slight dose away from the same, no?"
Ysharra says, "Perhaps the intermission concessionaires might offer the more peckish customers some cheese or meats slathered with cocklebur, knowing the slightly bitter flavor will be hidden by their gluttony. Or for those meant to be a living warning against arrogance, a dusting of hogweed in their faces, where it will leave a miasma of photosensitive burns, which will last for years of agony."
Ysharra says, "Up to a decade, in some cases."
Ysharra warningly asks, "Nightshade's lore associates it with sorcery, thanks to being named by the Faendryl. But it has another meaning, too, silence, for what it does to your heartbeat. A lesson taught by her dark beauty, along with the other blooms in the poisoner's garden: adaptation is not always about mutual survival, hmm?"
Ysharra continues, "Many of my Faendryl kin are mages and sorcerers, and within their gardens grow a bounty of flora for their potions and charms. Crimson dragonstalk, ayana leaf, larkspur, and then protected groves of lor, witchwood and bloodwood for wands and runestaves. The healers have their own crops of woth, acantha, valerian and fennel."
Ysharra says, "Those last two have their own poetic green echo, as well, valerian is known as accommodating, due to its pain relief properties, and fennel repeats the chamomile in meaning strength and resilience."
Ysharra says, "All of these smaller gardens have a singular focus, but my fourth and last example is much more diverse, for it is the great commercial plantation of my uncle and family leader, Dyvim Kalal. The northernmost acreage holds a lush orchard of gum lac trees, a drought-hardy species that is the main source of food and breeding grounds for a special beetle. The females of this insect secrete a resin that can be used to lacquer jewelry, furnishings or to dye wool and silk. It can even be made into a vibrantly-hued ink that is resistant to smudging."
Speaking softly to Missoni, Rohese whispers aloud, "And make delicious infusionss."
Ysharra points at Rohese.
Missoni nods knowingly at Rohese.
Ysharra elaborates, "Thickets of jasmine, ginger, vanilla and rose bushes cover much of the rest of the plantation, the building block for many nestled enterprises. The flowers are harvested and combined with the oil from the gum lac trees to make fine perfumes, and they also attract bees and spiders. The bees produce honey for the spice and tea markets, as well as being used in the scents. The arachnids are dissolved with mages' steam bolts and then their silk harvested to weave spidersilk. This is then dyed with the beetle resin to create brilliant, rich bolts of the lightweight and strong fabric we all know."
A snow white raven tilts her towards Teveriel, fixating with a hungry look in her unblinking eyes.
Speaking to Missoni, Ysharra asks, "Maybe they should branch out into shiensilk, no?"
Ysharra asks, "I wonder how each the shien are to farm...?"
Speaking to Ysharra, Missoni says, "The would be well suited for it already."
Ysharra marvels, "My uncle is a prominent member of the Emporion, the sect of Faendryl society most affiliated with trade. Through his efforts and the Agresti, the agricultural caretakers also numbered in my kin, they have aided in the return of the Faendryl to continental influence and power. By taming and bringing life to the harshest of environments, the Faendryl have turned exile into strength, beauty and mastery."
Ysharra affirms, "Our ancestors and sorcerous kin have flung their arms to the sky, reaching through the valences to wield power and knowledge that has changed history. And the Faendryl today have learned from their sacrifices, to reach down as well as up. To look up to the cold stars and dark voids, and to dig their fingers into the warm earth, as well, and there find the soul to fuel the Faendryl eminence."
Ysharra concludes, "Thank you all for coming, and listening to my lecture. All of you have given me your time, and to express my gratitude, allow me to translate one last thought from the language and lore of the flowers. I wish you all the message of the red ginger flower, just like the ones growing in my uncle's gardens: enduring passion and questing curiosity."
Rohese beams at Ysharra, her eyes filled with delight!
Cryheart says, "Thank ye both, Ysharra and Missoni."
Ysharra says, "Let me also thank you yet again, for givins us your time this weekend."
Ysharra says, "Without you, we would just be here drinking tea and trimming the verge."
You say, "Poetry writ in flowers and soil; that was lovely."
Rohese lightly says, "Any excuse to visit a library."
Ysharra says, "Did anyone have any questions? I admit my gardening is very personal, rather than an industry, but I can certainly attempt to answer."
Ysharra says, "Well, in that case, I thank you al again, for letting us host you for another year."
Desorceri says, "I am reinvigorated by today's presentations. Thank you, Faendryl Enclave, for exemplifying what it is to be upstanding members of a society."
Ysharra exclaims, "A round of applause for our audience!"
Zahiris says, "I could not have done it without you."
Ysharra says, "And they help to ward off stinging insects."
Ysharra exclaims, "Of course, thank you!"
Zahiris says, "I should return to the capital. I will have to answer for whatever the Watcher reported to them."
Teveriel says, "I only regret having missed so much of it. Still, a fine presentation."
You say, "Give my regards to Lihukshi. And to the High Legate, should you see him."
Zahiris says, "I will certainly give me regards to Lihukshi. If I encounter..."
Ysharra says, "For now, I must be on my way, but again, I hope you all return next year."