herbalcompendium

[herbalcompendium]

Hochenblume

Colloquial Names: High flower, Yserabloom

Physical Description: While often referred to as ‘high,’ one need not look far from the ground to find the most aesthetically pleasing – and useful – part of this flower. It presents a rather curious structure, but it remains the single most prolific and alchemically-relevant bloom in the Dragon Isles. “High flower” is a direct translation of its Draconic moniker. “Yserabloom” is a term coined by the Maruuk centaur, in reference to the former Green dragon Aspect with whom they had connected; to them, its ability to grow across the land indicates the tenacity of life itself, and the way in which the blossom points back toward the earth is representative of the eternal cycle of birth, growth, death and rebirth to which all things are held.

Structurally, hochenblume possesses several notable adaptations which enable it to thrive in the myriad climes of the Isles. The plant’s roots are small in number, but great in thickness and strength; it is with these anchors that it holds itself fast to the varied terrain in which it grows, and they dig deeply to draw what nutrients and hydration the bloom requires. It is little surprise then that a thick, hardy stalk breaches the soil and holds itself quite tall – proud, even – to present two sets of long, narrow leaves, wing-like in structure, flaring outward on either side and cresting both skyward and back toward the earth.

Such a strong stem is required to hold a rather weighty seed-bearing pod; were it any weaker, it would surely snap under the pod’s weight. This cone is comprised of thick, fleshy “petals” of tissue, which house the glands that, upon pollination, produce seeds. This pod is quite moist and slightly sweet when chewed, compelling its consumption by herbivores and allowing the spread of the seeds it contains.

While mostly green, vivid violet and thistle hues can be found streaking through its flesh and adorning the tips of its leaves, and the bloom itself is so pleasantly purple it practically glows in direct light. The stamen are lengthy and indigo-hued, while the pistil is a rich amber color and, in a particularly healthy specimen, does in fact glow as it emits a gentle bioluminescence at night.

Harvesting: The flower in question is rather delicate, particularly when compared to the rest of the plant, and its subtle intricacies are worth exploring before one attempts to collect it. The seed pod and all parts of the flower, if pulled on directly, are wont to snap and tear; this is due to tension from the connective tissue directly at the base of the seed pod. There is but a single strand holding the pod in place which runs the entire length of the stalk, but is notably weaker than the stalk itself. A simple smooth and firm twisting motion will easily separate the entire structure; doing so releases the aforementioned tension and allows lossless gathering of any desired materials.

Usage: There is not one standard recipe of which I am aware that utilizes the herbs of the Dragon Isles without including hochenblume. The flower itself has an energizing quality, while the seed pod confers restorative benefits; together, they act as a catalyst and “force multiplier” of sorts for the more focused properties of other native plants. The sweetness and aroma of the pod and petals, can be extracted via usual methods. The pod conveys a grassy, citrus-like brightness. The petals offer a scent rather similar to lilac and, when dried, can be milled to produce a bright pigment for inks and dyes.

As I sat before a rather lush specimen to pen this entry, I found myself musing on its appearance. One may find it curious that so many winged things are born of these lands, and draw a connection to hochenblume’s structure; whether there is empirical truth in this I cannot say, but that is perhaps for the best. There is something magical in the mysteries of this world, and such wondering is itself a most potent catalyst for exploration and experimentation, both of which are worthy endeavors in which I encourage you to engage.

[herbalcompendium]

Dear Reader,

If you are reading this, then of two things am I absolutely certain: first, that you are of the manner of soul which is most keenly drawn to the living places and things of this world; and second, that I have been successful, in some small way, in adding to the enduring legacy of this tome, without which I would have enjoyed but a fraction of Azeroth’s abundance and wonder.

I am Vexarion, an evoker of the dracthyr. In ways both different and yet not dissimilar to you, I am a student of the varied flora of the land and the sundry ways in which they may be utilized. The series of events by which I have come to inherit the mantle of steward of this compendium is one which I myself still work to understand. Despite this uncertainty, I am compelled to move forward without delay, that the work Greaves began may be continued with the care and dedication it deserves. The trust she has placed in me has inspired a renewed vigor in my own work, and I aim to align it with the purpose of this compendium that I may do justice to its legacy.

I will begin with the herbs I know best: those of the Dragon Isles, my homeland. It is my hope that by conveying the botanical information oldest and dearest to me, I will find the voice with which to most effectively and respectfully expand the depth and breadth of knowledge and wisdom contained herein.

I invite you, dear reader, to walk with me on this ceaseless journey as we stride ever-forward into the known, the unknown, and that which may lie yet beyond our very imagining.

– V

[herbalcompendium]

Edit: Still seeking an active writer.

See previous post for application details. ♥

[herbalcompendium]

A Small Announcement [OOC]

Hey y’all. 

I’m not actively playing WoW anymore. I haven’t been for a while. I love parts of the Moon Guard community, but I’ve seen a lot of things here. Some of them have been pretty traumatic. The company itself has had some pretty horrific problems that hit me pretty close to home.

Mostly, I’m both in paramedic school and a tattoo apprentice right now. While I’m still around for big online events, I can’t dedicate the time to maintaining this guide. This wild, lovely, incredible work of botany and fantasy is so dear to me. I cannot bear to let it die, if someone else is willing to water and tend its blooms. I have not written any Shadowlands entries, and am not sure I intend to. I am looking for a new voice.

If you would like to take over the guide, please send me a PM to greaves#5698 on discord. 

This message should include:

- a bit about you

- a description of your character 

- IC ties for contingency. how did they come upon this guide?

- a sample entry

This is not a first come, first serve basis. I really would like to pass this guide and its future entries onto someone I feel is right for this work. 

The outpouring of love for this guide moves me more than I can put into words, but I’d like to make a post on that itself at a later time. That compelling amount of love deserves its own space.

Drop a line if you feel compelled.

XOXO,

G

[herbalcompendium]

Kelpberries and Kelpberry Wine

Gotosh Nazjatar Logs- Studying in Newhome

Guest written by my friend @shamanofthewilds !

“Kelpberry wine is Maedin's favorite! She's always grateful when we replenish her supply” - Neri Sharpfin of Newhome

As my studies furthered among the citizens of Newhome, I began to learn more about the habitat and ecosystem of this underwater realm that wasn't just their medical practices but food as well.

Among the natural access to fish and snail, there is vegetation and fruit that grow in abundance all around. Some of it colorful and aromatic, while others more pungent and well...fishy in scent.

However there is one particular food source that is loved by almost all inhabitants. The kelpberry.

Physical Description: Kelpberries vary in size, ranging from small to actually quite large. They are round and grape-like in shape with varying shades of rustic orange and reds topped with very large and hardy leaves with wavy edges, very much reminiscent of sea dwelling plant life. One might compare these berries to the smaller fruit like berries that grow along certain coasts in Azeroth, where the leaves are large and sturdy for the harsh life of living shore side. When mashed and/or liquified, it's juice is a very vibrant burnt orange color. It's uncertain to tell if these berries are special to the area of Nazjatar due to the unique ecological make up of ancient Highborne ruins and preserved plant life. Or if these are more wide spread across the unexplored ocean floors. Budding fruits and flowers would seem to struggle to produce fruit underwater. Seeds need to anchor themselves into the soils after either being digested by another creature or sent off by the plant itself, since in the ocean this would result seeds just floating away. Somehow, these kelpberries have adapted to grow on the ground at the base of structures like coral trees and columns.

Described Usage: The taste is something unique entirely. It's an amazing combination of both savory and sweet, backed with a small hint of tartness. Despite being an oceanic plant, it still manages to be more than just salty and briny.

The kelpberry, among other food and plant life, is well known among those native to here. It's eaten often by themselves or surprisingly turned into a beverage. When mashed in great quantities the kelpberry can be turned into a juice, and if that process is furthered and prolonged a very memorable and beloved wine will be made that is popular among the locals. The process of the juice being stored in wooden barrels is an important step for the drink as it adds a rich undertone while it matures into wine. I had the blessing of seeing a sea giant create kelpberry juice in mass quantities as he smashed big bunches of them in a large empty shell, which seems to be the popular method! Even tortollon sing the praises of the kelpberry wine! The taste of kelpberry wine itself is a whole different experience from the berry by themselves. Kelpberry wine, after gone through the process of maturing is not just sweet but also a little acidic. The alcohol level seems to be at an average range, not too potent but not incredibly weak. I will say though, it's very salty. That should come to no surprise from an ocean berry based wine, but I was!

How this was discovered is beyond me, since Nazjatar from what I assume was largely underwater for most of their life... so it is interesting that beverages are enjoyed. Perhaps the waterless pockets that are accessible are where drinks can be consumed, like the hidden dive bars tucked away that I hear about. I know one thing is for sure, any time I come to Newhome now I will always ask to sample some of that famous kelpberry wine and continue to learn of the fascinating uses of this Nazjatar staple.

[herbalcompendium]

I just have to say how much i love this blog! I always reblogged the herb-texts on my rp-account. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas here they are just a joy to read!

thank you so much for sharing your appreciation!

[herbalcompendium]

You did such a great job with the herbs and alchemy blog. I was wondering if you ever plan to expand into the other professions and give them some immersive love, too?

greetings! I likely could at some point, depending on interest!

[herbalcompendium]

A Treatise on Transmutation VIII: Stones of Blood and Communion

A strange yet enjoyable facet of transmutation inhabits the twin isles of Zandalar and Kul Tiras. There, stones of transmutation are not tools for alchemists alone - but stones made and used by the community at large. Transmutational stones are there used more as personal boons and local offerings than tools of alchemy. The base stones of transmutation known to the isle people are largely available at any bustling market, and are carried in many a pocket as an indispensable asset during travel or adventure. Indeed, each village, town, and port boasts its own unique boon to these stones, in quite a clever manner: a village cauldron of transmutation. It is not the alchemist that transfigures the stone, but the cauldron, and thereby the place or community one finds oneself within. Many townships, from industrial to rural, pride themselves immensely on their ceremonial, communal cauldrons of transfiguration. Some have been far brewing longer than the average lifespan of a human, I am told. If one has demonstrated skill in transmutation using the stones and methods above, it should be a grand adventure to procure a market stone and explore the following cauldrons with said stone.

Eternal Alchemist’s Stone - Also called a Market Stone. This is a brilliantly turquoise stone, faintly glowing like shining seaglass. It is a powerful transmutational aide for reagents found on the isle, but is more commonly used for the purposes stated above. These are sold for a gold coin or so in Tradewinds Market or the Zocalo. For the purist and purpose of study, this stone can be transmuted by combining seventy blooms of the herb Winter’s Kiss with an equal portion of the herb Akunda’s Bite. This combination grants the stone its glassy blue hue. To this is then added twenty-five Anchor Weed pods with twenty-five motes of the volatile, sanguine substance Expulsom. This mixture tempers the stone, and grants it the ability to retain power. Finally, it is treated with two hundred motes of a substance aptly named the “Breath of Bwonsamdi”.

This chilly fog of death gives the stone its characteristic, ghostly glow, and allows it to be transfigured to other things with ease when dipped in an Isle Cauldron. This substance sounds like a fable, but then again, a form of transmutational stone owned by no other than Silas Darkmoon is also said to haunt this isle. When traveling in the Twin Islands, it is best to believe everything - especially in rural areas - until given empirical or intuitive proof of falsehood. I did overhear some young man say transmutation is “the only part of alchemy worth learning” while transmuting some isle shrubs to bubbles. This is assuredly false, as I assume the young man will remember when he is no longer a newt in a few hours. The rest of the transmutations listed below can be acquired by simply dipping a Market Stone in an Isle Cauldron with significant intention. Almost any of these stones can be transmuted from another, depending on the intended purpose of the alchemist. The cauldron’s locations, origins, and effects are listed below. I do caution against using most of these without the permission of their owners.Some of the wards placed on these Isle Cauldrons can be quite ... severe.

Sanguinated Alchemist Stone - By far the most dangerous stone to seek. The rusted, foul red brew of this Isle Cauldron seethes in the Blood Troll village of Zalamar, Nazmir.  This village houses many hungry Blood Trolls, Crawgs, and the Sanctum of Midnight, the loa Hir'eek's lair. It should go without saying that much blood is freshly brewed in this cauldron. There is speculation of Anchor Weed’s inclusion in this brew, due to its rejuvenating properties. Dipping a Market Stone within this bloody cauldron will transmute it to a glowing, brooding stone of crimson best suited to blood magicks and fleshcrafting.

Emblazoned Alchemist Stone - A proud and kingly stone, arising golden and bejeweled from a spectacular cauldron in the Zocalo of Dazar’Alor. The Zandalari take great pride in this cauldron, the brew inside ancient and the recipe closely guarded. This terra cotta and golden cauldron is easy to spot, for the brew within is a liquid gold and steams like glowing fireflies into the night sky. Market Stones are often transmuted here by artisans, as they are quite useful in both the cutting and transmuting of precious metals and gems. This cauldron is rumored to be powered by something called a Sanguicell, used for radical experimentation within the cursed halls of Uldir.

Imbued Alchemist Stone -  Whomever first put a Market Stone into this cauldron must have received quite a fright. It is a small, dark, and unassuming iron object nestled deep within the tree Gol Inath. This hallowed tree, located in the Crimson Forest of Drustvar, was worshipped by the ancient Drust. It is rumored to hold a path to the Shadowlands within its depths. Upon dipping a stone into this cauldron, which appears empty, it will be positively surrounded by turquoise light. This light explodes to a volley of screaming souls within moments. If the transmuter screams as well, the stone will turn to a useless lump of coal. If they do not, the stone will become a rounded phial filled with spectral light. This ghostly ichor can be imbibed to heal grievous or minor wounds, and takes only a minute to refill when used.

Spirited Alchemist Stone - Also quite a difficult stone to procure. The cauldron that produces this stone is in the heart of  the Temple of Bwonsamdi, Nazmir. It is a recipe only the Temple acolytes know, and should likely remain as such. The liquid inside is an inky black, and will stain the hands for roughly one year if touched. Dipping a stone in this liquid will produce a deeply black stone with an opalescent sheen. This stone is miraculous for communing with the dead, soul magicks, and the transmutation of death, water, and undeath. It should be noted that it is impossible to dip a stone in this cauldron without staining the hands, marking someone as what the Zandalari call a “Blackpalm”. Blackpalms are known to work with death, marking them as ally to some and foe to others.

Tidal Alchemist Stone - This stone can be transmuted in most places Tortollan are found. The great “Mother Cauldron” is found in Little Tortolla, in the city of Dazar’Alor. It is the shell of a great apothecary, seemingly filled with simple seawater. Like all Tortollan innovations, these shell-cauldrons are far more than they first appear to be. When used properly, a brilliant stone of glowing azure is produced, rippling like seawater. This stone may be held in the left palm to take on the form of a Tortollan for an hour or so - which may be a lifesaving act in certain circumstances. Siren's Alchemist Stone - This stone is highly useful for transmuting elemental water, air, and the making of isle potions. It is made from the Cauldron of Storms, a Tidesage cauldron found deep within Stormsong Valley. Specifically, it is in an area called the “Mother’s Mouth” within the Shrine of Storms. In the shrine is a mountain carved into the shape of the Tidemother's face. In her mouth is a barnacle and salt crystal-encrusted cauldron, a deep indigo brew swirling within.

Surging Alchemist Stone - This is a highly useful stone, and perhaps one of the most commonly sought cauldrons. It is transmuted from an Expulsom-rich brew deep in the Prickly Grove of Vol’dun. This Isle Cauldron is Vulpera in origin, brewed in the stump of an ancient barrel cactus. Dipping a stone within the vermillion waters will produce a glassy, warm, and glowing crimson stone. True to its name, this stone brings not a surge of water, but a surge of wind. Using it within the desert or isles will produce a cloud of shrouding sand, transporting the alchemist to somewhere safe and elevated nearby. Similar stones are said to exist amongst the tribes of Tanaris and Uldum. Interestingly enough, the realm of Nazjatar reportedly has similar methods for the making of their own transmutational stones. They are apparently not dipped within cauldrons, but uniquely tempered pools within the water’s depths and enhanced with naga machinery and power cores. Some of the oceanic herb Zin'anthid was brought back by those that delved below, now used in the following Isle Cauldrons to create the following stones:

Abyssal Alchemist Stone - A smooth, silky blackish-purple stone brought back from Nazjatar in droves. These plentiful stones were used as enormous freshwater pearls along the Isles until their true purpose was discovered. Suffice it to say: this stone should not be taken on a cursed ship if one likes being alive. Use, aside from plummeting ships to the depths of the ocean, is unknown. Isle superstition now makes these hard to sell amongst merchants, but some are used as display pieces or sold as trinkets.

Crushing Alchemist Stone - Formed by dipping an Abyssal Alchemist stone in the Mugambala’s Tidepool Cauldron. This cauldron is stationed in the Mugambala to specifically prevent certain individuals from forming this stone, as its properties are tenuous understood at best by the Zandalari. The warriors of the Mugambala seem to enjoy using this stone as a battle focus to strangle naga in an instant, and turn murlocs to ash. It shows promise as a weapon of war.

Ascended Alchemist Stone - An arrogant name given by an arrogant, seafaring ruler that shall remain precisely unnamed. This stone is rumored to be formed by dipping an Abyssal Alchemist Stone in a cauldron somewhere deep within Proudmoore Keep, with predictably disastrous results. It is perhaps more unwisely sold at market as a “cleansed” version of the Abyssal stone. Looking at the properties of the stone, it seems to mirror the alchemical properties of Azerite usage on a potion. Strangely, when placed near a vein or portion of Azerite, the stone will draw it inward before violently expelling it back towards the ground.

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A Treatise on Transmutation VII: Fleshcrafting and Demonic Transmutations

The introduction of fel to alchemy stones of transmutation is not unique to the clans of Draenor. The Burning Legion has made stones of foul transmutation since ancient history, for likely as sinister and unsavory purposes as one would imagine. These stones are shaped from the Infernal Brimstone of elemental demons, and then empowered with harnessed energy of fel. These stones are stones of war, used to transfigure and destroy within the Legion’s armies. Fortunately, perhaps, the means the Burning Legion uses to make these stones remains unknown. Instead, what is known is how to combat their magicks. The Illidari, or Illidan’s force of demon hunters, know much of cruel transformation. They were able to both recover and cast new alchemist stones from the remains of Infernals. The stone created, thusly known as an Infernal Alchemist Stone, is a powerful and strange tool of transmutation. The original Illidari ritual to make such a stone was perfected by Dalaran alchemists during the Legion’s invasion of the Broken Isles. While the Illidari were said to use such things as demon hearts and entrails in their Infernal alchemy stones, the apothecary’s prescribed fel infusion is far less… exacting in nature. Infernal Alchemist Stone - The core of this stone must be carved from infernal brimstone, a somewhat common resource of the Broken Isles. To this core is added the essence of the plant Felwort and a substance known as the Blood of Sargeras in equal measure. Some believe the latter material to be the actual blood of the Titan, whilst others see it as simply a valuable byproduct. The Blood of Sargeras can be found in the veins of the isles, as well as extracted from the blood of the isle’s creatures. This stone should only be transmuted by someone learned in the magic of fel, and likely only used by those who wield that particular variety of chaos. This particular stone is prone to wild transmutation, turning things like meat to clothing and fish to gems. Because of the nature of fel, it is somewhat unpredictable as a transmutational aide. Another caveat of this stone is its use in fleshcrafting, bringing homunculi to sentience from lumps of meat and bone. This certainly can be done, but likely shouldn’t be. Some of these homunculi come to life fully formed, but most do not.  

There are other more ancient stones borne from fel, notably the Astral Alchemist’s Stone from the Draenei homeworld of Argus. The alchemists of Krokuul, located in Argussian Reach, had the opposite approach to the Illidari in utilizing the stones of the Burning Legion. They instead took the Infernal Stone, tempered it with primal sargerite - a crystallized form of the blood of Sargeras - and cleansed the transmutation with the fel neutralizing properties of the herb Astral Glory. Upon learning Infernal Alchemy Stones were being used in Dalaran, the Krokuul Broken generously transcribed their cleansing process of their stones. The recipes for both Infernal and Astral alchemy stones can be found in Dalaran to this day. This shift of transmutational stone, from specialized tool of trade to resource widely available, is echoed tenfold in the neighboring isles of Kul Tiras and Zandalar.

[herbalcompendium]

A Treatise on Transmutation VI: Elemental Transmutations

The orcs of Draenor, specifically the Blackrock of Frostfire Ridge, use shamanistic means to create a powerful catalyst that forms the central root of their alchemy. Whether this knowledge is their own, gifted by the ancients of their land, or borrowed from another race is unknown. The ore of their great mountain, called Blackrock Ore, is sublimated to glass and fire by the addition of an equal amount of the herb Frostweed. A second measure of equal Frostweed is then added to create a substance known as an alchemical catalyst. The first few of these transmutations will likely resemble bumpy, glassy hollow rocks with a small measure of glowing green light within. With practice and a careful hand, the skilled alchemist can will the catalyst to the shape of a glassy phial, and simply cap it until it is ready for use.

This primal catalyst, called an alchemical catalyst, is the keystone to Draenic transmutation. It is somewhat of a temporal-altering reagent, allowing reactions that would normally take hundreds or thousands of years to occur to do so within mere moments. This catalyst is no liquid, as its appearance would suggest. It is more a mote of time. When it is ready to be used, it can be uncapped and beckoned onto the object the alchemist hopes to transmute. The base stone of transmutation to the Blackrock is known as a Draenic Philosopher's Stone. It has been suggested by certain scholars that while vastly different in construction, it possesses similar properties to the stones used by Romuul during the battles fought in Outland. The method for making this stone is described below.

Draenic Philosopher's Stone - A small sphere of True Iron ore should be treated with five alchemical catalysts. It is quite likely more than five catalysts will be needed for this process. The alchemist does not serve the catalyst, nor does the catalyst serve the alchemist. Their relationship is a symbiotic relationship, a beckoning much akin to shamanism. Should the catalyst seek to turn ancient ice to the water it longs to be once more, or the bones of an ancient hero to a long-deserved funereal pyre, it can and will do so in place of treating the stone. It should be noted that the catalyst can only accelerate reactions. It cannot turn back time, or push it forward in other ways. If it seeks to return elements to their desired state, so it will do so without knowing a trace of irony in its action. For these reasons, it is wise to transmute this complex stone in a place of relative peace. A successful transmutation cannot be missed, for the iron will turn to a golen and ruby-purple gem etched with the sigil of a mountain in its center. The mountain is somewhat unique as a facet of a transmuted stone. It is perhaps some form of crystalline memory transposed by hundreds of carvings over thousands of years by Blackrock orcs in the image of their great mountain. Others suggest it is the mark of the mountain Oshu’gun, and a fragment of the spirit-mountain is transfused within the stone by the catalytic treatment it receives. Whatever the derivation, this stone can then be transmuted in the following ways. Each stone can only in the order presented, for each stone requires its predecessor stone as a base. Most stones listed below are known to exist across the clans and races of Draenor, but some in far more abundance than others. Stone of Wind - An object used by the Blackrock and the Mag’har, the second primarily, to transmute sorcerous elements. It is made by surrounding a Draenic Philosopher's Stone with five motes of sorcerous air, then treating it a hundred times with a hundred alchemical catalysts. Making this stone is a process that requires days, many of them sleepless. To transmute a stone of wind successfully is considered a ceremonial rite of passage in Mag’har Shamanism - and for good reason.

Stone of the Earth - A stone transmuted rather unsurprisingly by the Bleeding Hollow clan of Draenor orcs. This requires a stone of air, treated with fifteen motes of sorcerous earth hardened one after the other around the stone. Each layer requires an equal amount of Draenic blood, unfortunately known as “savage blood” in alchemy, to soak and harden each layer. Some Blackrock are said to have used their own blood to transmute this deeply red stone, but it is more likely thought to be blood unwillingly borrowed from other unfortunate denizens of Draenor. When the blooded stone has dried its fifteen coats, it is then treated seventy times with an alchemical catalyst. The catalyst does something strange and unsavory to the iron in the blood, eventually producing a deep burgundy stone hued with glowing crimson. It is obviously an excellent stone for blood and earth magicks, and their associated transmutations. Stone of the Waters - A stone made by Draenei. It has origins as a stone of earth that was cleansed of blood magic use by the Draenei. To cleanse the stone of earth, fifteen motes of air are offered with fifteen drops of the Draenei’s blood. The result is a watery, pale blue stone that resembles a cloudy pearl. This stone is excellent for water and life-based transmutations, and the transmuting of blue-hued gems and Taladite stones originating from Draenor.

Stone of Fire - Known to the Arakkoa as a stone of Rukhmar. Few are found in the spires, and they are considered a highly specialized trade good. A stone of the waters is burned within fifteen motes of sorcerous fire by the Arakkoan alchemist. The alchemist then plucks fifteen bloody feathers from the skin surrounding their heart, dropping each into the flame. If not done properly, the stone will simply explode in countless fragments of shattered glass. For the lethality potential alone, stones of fire are costly and rare resources within Draenor.

Stone of the Wilds - An incredibly powerful, altered, and enhanced stone of fire. One hundred and seventy five treatments of alchemical catalysts are required to make such an object. Even if one can surmount this obstacle, one must either find or transmute a stone of fire successfully. However, even then, the alchemist must have enough intention and magical strength to hold fifteen motes of sorcerous air within fifteen drops of a substance known as Felblight. Felblight, as its name would suggest, is a viscous, fel-infused catalytic agent that bleeds from creature and rock alike within Draenor. Misuse of such a resource is considered certain death. Nevertheless, the Shadowmoon clan of Draenor orcs have managed to transmute at least a dozen of these hallowed objects, each one taking several years to complete. The final part of their transmutation is to bathe the treated and infused stone in a liquid known as Wildswater. This incredibly rare water comes only from the Botani of Gorgrond, and was considered a flight of fancy until Shadowmoon warlocks successfully located the reagent and produced this stone. It resembles a black and gold pearl wreathed with sickly yellow-green light, and is said to be a terrible tool to face within battle.

Stone of the Elements - A fabled object within Draenor, also called a “Stone of the Year”. This stone requires a stone of the wilds treated with something known as an Elemental Distillate. Creating the stone itself is not difficult, but finding a stone of the wilds and transmuting an Elemental Distillate are some of the most challenging obstacles within the art of transmutation. An elemental distillate is the distilled soul of a fire elemental, willingly given to make an elemental stone. A mixture of sixty motes of sorcerous fire and sixty drops of felblight must be transmuted within a stone of the wilds. Then, at the same hour each day, an alchemical catalyst must be applied successfully for each day of a calendar year. It is rumored the former warchief Thrall possesses such a stone, as does the most senior of the Shadowmoon warlocks. I know no other that is even rumored to possess such an object. If one has such a stone, they are said to hold certain power over the land of Draenor itself. It is believed that this stone allowed the manifestation of primal spirits among Draenor, a resource essential for some of their most impressive innovations.

[herbalcompendium]

A Treatise on Transmutation V: Stones of Peace

In pale contrast to this madness is the singular stone used in Pandaria for transmutation. The Pandaren, in all their wisdom, use an object pre-ordained for transmutation to transmute beautiful gems and rare, complex metals such as ghost iron and trillium. Their stones, known as Zen Alchemist’s Stones, are the literal eyes of non-living Mogu statues, wrapped in three petals of golden lotus - one each day for three days. The Pandaren believe the golden lotus, a symbol of heroic sacrifice, to remove all foul intention from these stones of transmutation. Each stone is registered to a tribal leader for two reasons. The first is a simple matter of responsibility, the second, a far more interesting reason. Mantid are known to steal and hoard these stones from Mogu and Pandaren alike, for the singular purpose of transmuting Kypari. Using a cleansed stone forged by will and petal for such a purpose renders the stone powerless after a few uses - yet the Mantid have blessedly either not the magic, knowledge, or willpower to make more of these stones.

This stone is a true masterwork of transmutation, and to make one successfully is quite a feat. If you are able to make one, you can make some truly beautiful creations with its magic. Pandaren attach complex, necessary hand motions to their transmutations, called Mudras. Each mudra signals an intention for a certain type of change. For example, the thumb and forefinger clasped in a circle with the rest of the digits in a loose line, known as the “Gyan” Mudra, signals the intention to transmute the stone’s Serpent’s Eye. Watching a pandaren transmute is much like a dance, an art form of itself. Learning this practice requires time and discipline, but it is one of the kinder fields of advanced transmutation.

An odd resource found only in Pandaria is a spirit of harmony, an elemental mote used to transmute ghost iron to living steel. These motes are powerful conduits of calm, ordered energy used to beckon one substance from another. They are used across Pandaria as a trade currency, as transmutation is a rather common - albeit regulated - practice of the isle people.

[herbalcompendium]

A Treatise on Transmutation IV: Stones of Frost and Destruction

The second known instance of alchemist’s stones being used as totems of war was born more out of necessity and macabre curiosity. The previous alchemist stones were used as spiritual lenses of focus, boons in times of war, and resources to change and empower gems and metals. The alchemy stones used during the Third War in Northrend, however, were used to change dust to diamonds, weak metal to titanium, and change eternal elements to different forms of the other. These three stones and their best speculative purposes are listed below. Indestructible Alchemist's Stone - This stone is indeed indestructible, and cannot be unmade once it is made. It grants a certain vitality to its creator, likely from the latent soul magics that cling to the reagents used in its creation. The recipe itself leaves little doubt that it was created in a Forsaken apothecary’s laboratory, or perhaps even a laboratory within the cursed citadel itself. It is made from a tightly compacted ball of twenty terribly spiky and painful deadnettle fronds, drenched in the horrific-smelling fish oil known as pygymy oil. Once this oil has been poured on the ball twelve times, it is buried in snow wrapped in a bloom of frost lotus. In a few hours, a deeply disgusting yellow-brown stone will be produced if the transmutation is successful. The best use for this object is likely the vitality it grants when carried. It does not smell foul, although it looks like it should.

Mighty Alchemist's Stone - This is, of all things, a Gorloc creation. It grants greater combat prowess, and my personal assumption is this recipe was transposed from some sort of titan relic the Oracles of Sholazar discovered. It is fifteen blooms of the flower Tiger Lily and fifteen fronds of the herb Adder’s Tongue, gently crushed in a small ball and more gently bound within a blossom of frost lotus and sewn shut. The Gorlocs throw this mass in the pool of River’s Heart, where it is transfigured to a “Mighty Alchemist's Stone” and sinks to the bottom of the pool. It is unclear if this is necessary, or simply enjoyable for the jovial creatures. The name they have given the stone is indeed humorous, but it is by no means false. This stone is powerful; best used to transmute eternal elements and Shadowspirit Diamonds - called “big shinies” by the Oracles.

Mercurial Alchemist Stone - This stone increases both quickness and the power of spells. For these reasons, it is thought to be a creation of the Argent Dawn. It requires twenty leaves of Goldclover, bound within a bloom of frost lotus by two motes of eternal life. It must be what is known as “hatched” in transmutation - held in the hands for a period of seven hours until solidified, in this case to a brilliant stone of gold and emerald coloration. It is best used for battle, to transmute motes of life, and to transmute metals from eternal elements found in Northrend. The next notable use of alchemy stones arrived during the cataclysm. Deathwing’s wrath and rending exposed the element known as volatile life. This substance can be transmuted with various amounts of elemental herbs: Aszhara’s Veil, Cinderbloom, and Heartblossom, to create a variety of different stones used for the rather tiresome purpose of transmuting elemental gemstones and various unstable elements revealed in the cataclysm. As the Quicksilver Alchemist Stone and Lifebound Alchemist Stone contain mercury and pieces of Therazane’s elementals, the Volatile Alchemist Stone is an instrument formed by the cult of Twilight, and the Vibrant Alchemist Stone is a sacred recipe guarded by a Darkspear apothecary, I cannot reasonably advise making any of these unless your work explicitly warrants using one. Many of these stones were used rashly and recklessly during the cataclysm, and still leave a bitter taste in the mouth of many an alchemist. 

Heavens above, perhaps one day we will all stop pulling things from Azeroth that should be left in her soil and veins.

[herbalcompendium]

A Treatise on Transmutation III: Stones of Distant War

Draenei, the great artificiers, created powerful versions of the alchemist’s stone used by the Shattered Sun Offensive to combat Kael’thas, the mad king, as his power spread like poison across Outland and Azeroth. It is quite likely that the great artificier Romuul used these stones for pure transmutational means aboard the Exodar, quite timely and resourceful on his part. In the true spirit of Draenei generosity, these stones and their creation process were made public knowledge accessible to all. Each subsequent stone made by the Shattered Sun, called a “sister stone”, seems to suit a certain race or fighting style within battle. This is one of the first known accounts of a transmutational stone being used to change the tide in a major modern battle. These stones are of course more commonly used now to transmute elemental motes found in Outland or stones and gems from the shattered continent, but at their time were regular tools carried by those who served the Shattered Sun. Their recipes are as follows:

Alchemist Stone - A transmutation formed by Romuul and enhanced by the Sha’tari. It is an advanced form of the primordial philosopher’s stone, and requires the Philosopher’s Stone created with black vitriol and herbs as a base for transfiguration. In the hands must be held the Philosopher’s Stone , an earthstorm diamond, a skyfire diamond, and two blossoms of Fel Lotus. Each object must be melded to the Philosopher’s Stone separately  with a mote of a substance called Primal Might. Primal might itself is a combination of equal ratios primal earth, air, fire, water, and mana. Both the creation of primal might and the creation of Romuul’s alchemy stone require patience, belief, and a surmountable but herculean amount of skill and will. Successfully transmuting an alchemy stone of this variety is ironically far more difficult than using said stone for its intended purposes - but such is the strange beauty of transmutation. Sister Stones, or stones that can be transmuted from a successfully made Alchemist Stone, truly showcase the ingenuity and skill of the various races of Outland. Their configurations are listed below.

Assassin's Alchemist Stone  - Thusly named for its sinister power of shadow, increased greatly in battle. The color of this stone resembles a calcified, bloody organ. This stone is perhaps amongst the rarest of the sister stones, and was made by the Arakkoa alchemists of the lower city for use by their people and those like them - cursed in some way, or users of shadow. This transmutation requires an Alchemist Stone bound by six motes of primal shadow, imbued to the stone with two vortexes of nether pulled from the twisting nether itself. In the right hands, it is a powerful tool. In the wrong hands, it is a sentence of death.

Guardian's Alchemist Stone - A Quel’dorei contribution, palm-sized and gleaming silver. This stone is made with six motes of primal air held by nether vortexes, bolstering defenses in battle by carrying the might of wind. It is a dangerous stone to make if one does not know how to control wind, and it is prone to slicing through flesh unless contained. The Quel’dorei have been known to use this stone to consecrate fallen comrades for burial.

Sorcerer's Alchemist Stone - Clearly a stone of Sin’dorei imagining, harnessing the power of spells - namely fire. Primal fire is bound sixfold with the vortexes of nether to create this amber object of rippling flame. The trouble of transmutation here is holding onto the stone as it is transmuted. It grows quite warm and then unbearably hot in the hands. For this reason, it is only used by those who can control or manipulate heat.

Redeemer's Alchemist Stone - This stone was rumored to be gifted to the Draenei by the Naaru A’dal herself. This stone is quite honestly more beckoned than formed, six motes of primal life whispered into stone by two nether vortexes and gently held in place. It resembles warm, verdant rainwater in a bumpy but beautiful glassy rock.

[herbalcompendium]

A Treatise on Transmutation II: The First Stones and Their Usage

To create a Philosopher’s Stone, four crystals of black vitriol (they are always similar to exact in size, for whatever reason), should be held in the hands with four small ingots or pieces of equally weighted iron, four blooms of purple lotus, and four blooms of Firebloom. Transmutation requires belief. Whether that belief is to something above or something within is entirely subjective. Believe that you shall create the stone, and so it shall become a teal, pearlescent orb within your hands. This powerful object can be used to transfer motes of elements to one another, iron to gold, and mithril to truesilver. It is an excellent beginner’s transmutational stone, so long as one accepts the transmuted substances may well revert to their original forms in time. Part of transmutation is patience - making a permanent transmutation may take years or even lifetimes to master. If that knowledge alone is not enough to dissuade the foolhardy apprentice from immediately trying to transmute iron to gold, perhaps this anecdote will suffice. When transmutation reached the human kingdom of Alterac, the land was rich with tin, iron, and coal. To a budding kingdom, this is a tremendous asset if used properly. To a kingdom so stationed on a treacherous mountain top with scarce resources, it is doubly so. To a foolish king or greedy magi, however, steel and fire pales in comparison to the promised glint of gold. Alterac’s mines were thusly transmuted by court magisters to mines of gold. Golden wagon wheels, armor, swords, bowls, anything and everything that could be smithed was smithed in gleaming gold. It was only when golden armor was crushed under strong steel, golden wagon wheels collapsed under oxen carts, golden bowls poisoned citizens, and golden trade goods begin to fade back to lumps of coal and iron did the kingdom realize their grave error. The gold mines of Alterac however still remain, more a curse than a blessing in the now forsaken lands. I have heard however the lands of Alterac are now under the fealty of lady Zaria Blackmoore, and are once again thriving. The calm and careful woman seems far more practical than her gilded predecessors in numerous ways, giving hope to the kingdom once more with ironclad discipline in place of fool’s gold. The Dwarves, more wisely than the ancient Alteraci, created an alchemy stone known as a Mercurial Stone. This stone is made by coalescing each a mote of primal earth, life, and mana. This stone alone gave them the power to transmute fire into their crafts, cut and shape gems previously too hard to cut by earthly means, and create a powerful metal known as mercurial adamantine. This is still a tool used by many Dwarven craftsmen, and the ritual to create such a thing is relatively guarded; only gifted to apprentices upon graduation. Goblins used similar stones to bring water to the thirsty desert of Tanaris, where their settlements to this day still remain. The garden variety of transmutation is quite a simple process at a glance. The object intended to be transmuted is held in one hand, and an alchemist’s stone within the other. This can also be done by placing the object on the ground, and sitting in front of it with the stone held in both hands. The alchemist then needs to visualize the object they intend to create - it helps to have such an object somewhere nearby. If the transmutation is successful, more of the reagent can be quickly yet methodically added in by an assistant or the alchemist themselves in a sort of “breaking the dam” process. Many of the first modern alchemists skilled in transmutation were prototypical shamans, and thereby found the transfer of elemental materials quite simple. To this day, a skill in transmutation can be indicative of a potential for shamanism or even druidism - and is used in several magical academies to test for these types of magical acuity. Elemental motes can be ethically drawn from planet and ether by shamans and druids, or unethically harnessed from creatures that possess elemental properties. Elemental transmutation is a vastly important part of transmutation. Some elements simply manifest as byproducts of crafting, usually when an elemental property is being vastly altered. If you do not expect this reaction, it can be quite alarming. For the Goblins of Tanaris, the specific elemental transmutation of undeath to water cleverly brought life from a desert’s certain death. This was also true of the Timbermaw Furbolg shamans, who still to this day transmute earth to water and life. Some, however, moved from the path of transmutational necessity to transmutational advantage when the time called for it.

[herbalcompendium]

A Treatise on Transmutation I: History and Intention

I’ve been asked often about the art and origins of transmutation; its associated stones and what one can create from such a sort of specialized alchemical magic. Transmutation is an art nearly as ancient as the world itself, passed down from gods and titans to men and mortals. It is no miracle art - it cannot turn back time or turn pieces of bodies back to a whole, living being they once were. It cannot turn an ingot of iron to a mountain of gold, nor can it meld or sublime the spirit. What it can do, however, is subsume and coalesce matter and essence into different forms. Nothing in transmutation is ever destroyed, nor created. It is only changed in form.

Practically every race, brood, and tribe of peoples that practice this advanced facet of alchemy have some form of transmutational focus. This focus is colloquially known as an Alchemist’s Stone, or the more archaic Philosopher’s Stone. It was once postulated - no doubt intentionally - that only the supremely learned, noble, and distinguished could create stones of transmutation. While it is true that this art is not a practice that should be meddled in without acute knowledge of intention, it is certainly not reserved for only those born with a silver spoon on their tongues. Albeit, with fastidious study of transmutation one may well be able to transmute a silver spoon onto their own tongue.

The exact origin to the Alchemist’s Stone is somewhat unknown. Virtually every proud and industrious race claims the discovery as their own. My own assumed people, the Pre-Sundering Kaldorei ancients, claim this stone as a magician’s discovery in the noble court of Queen Azshara. I can beyond reasonable doubt dismiss this as a fallacy - for the queen’s court then used hand mirrors, pearl combs, and other useless baubles as their preferred magical foci. They were more a show of wealth than true power. The most ancient clans and broods of elves outside of palace and sanctum had their own version of focusing stones, albeit those were used (and still are, rarely) to read fate, communicate with forces beyond, and see spirit, not for transmutational means. It is far more likely, much to the chagrin of many elves, that the first Alchemist’s Stones came from the Gurubashi Empire. Hysteria and feeble pride grows so rampant in capital cities I may do well to avoid them for some time after producing this fact, but I care not. The Gurubashi trolls and their beliefs have always remained within the center principle of transmutational magics. It is such a strange thing, transmutation, for as logical and exacting as it may be, it is also an art that requires either deep belief or deep spirituality in principle. To the Gurubashi, this principle is expressed by the following phrase in their dialect of Zandali: 

“Vol Ikambokem Taz’Rush, Ija Oshu’Lor”. 

This phrase carries a certain poetry and deep spiritual intention that cannot be translated to the blunt Common tongue, but it loosely means something like this: “By stone and blood I am made, by grace I am born. By the gods I am imbued with spirit, and by this spirit I may carry my spirit into others and back to stone again.” This incantation can be found on tattered Gurubashi heraldry, ceremonial possessions, ruins, and of course - it is uttered over and over when the troll empire created some of the first Alchemist’s Stones known to the world. In alchemy, this principle exists in a much simpler epithet: “As above, so Below.” The central principle of transmutation is the connection of body to earth, earth to spirit, spirit to sky, and sky to gods or kosmos. The Gurubashi revered transmutation as a conduit to the divine and a divine-given power. Their expression in its native tongue is quite hard to wrap a non-native speaker’s tongue around, so it was eventually shortened as an acronym of its parts: “Vol” becoming a “V”, “Ikambokem” an “I”, and so forth, its abbreviation spelling out “VITRIOL”. Subsequently, so was named one of the fundamental substances used to create the first more modern Alchemist’s Stones, known as a Philosopher’s Stone. Then, and still now, “black vitriol” is a relatively anomalous substance found when collecting minerals or even sifting through ancient clay. This substance, along with purple lotus, firebloom, and iron, must all be used in measures of four to create a Philosopher’s Stone. The Gurubashi thought black vitriol to be the spilled blood of a slain loa whose name was lost to time. It is an odd, oily, unbreakable crystal swirling with black within. Unless it is used in the transmutation of a Philosopher’s Stone, it is quite unbreakable by regular means.

[herbalcompendium]

[[OOC note about the guide: plagiarism]]

Recently, someone copy-pasted this guide into a google doc and attempted to pass it off as their own work. I spent the better part of a year writing this guide, and continue to devote time to it, for the intention of letting anyone in the warcraft RP community use it for reference so long as they did not/do not claim it as their own work. Please do not use this labor of love to advantage yourself under the guise of something you did not create. If you see this guide in any other medium, on any other website, or in any other form other than the text available on this site or in the linked TRP3 books of the “books and kits” section, please notify me. This is the only place I publish the herb guide in its entirety, and all others are not my work and not something I want or allow. Aside from authorized people I have allowed to reference the guide for their own texts, I will never allow someone to blatantly plagiarize this guide and claim it as their own. The person who did this said that they had paid me money to allow them to use my work - I will also never do this.  Please treat the guide fairly. It is intended to be a community resource available to everyone, and stealing creative work for your own advantage is never okay. - G

[herbalcompendium]

Akunda’s Bite

Colloquial Names: Stormbringer, Tual’jin (holy thunder, Zandali), Lightningrod, Lizardspine

Physical Description: Akunda’s Bite, summarily named for the great Thunder Lizard Loa of Zandalar, retains many of the loa’s potent magicks. To understand the plant, one must first understand the loa from which its name derives.  Akunda is the patron loa of storms and new beginnings to the Zandalari. All his followers take his own name. It is said his followers are able to commune their most painful memories to him, and he takes them, stores them away in a land called the Valley of Sorrows, deep within Vol’dun. For every memory imparted on them, it was told to me, the lizard weeps a tear for their suffering, each landing on the soft sands, sprouting a blossom of Akunda’s bite. It is little coincidence, if one abides by this legend, that the Valley of Sorrows is abundant with this plant.

The bloom itself resembles a lizard’s spine in composition, a stony, jagged azure structure, glassy and layered, rising upwards in a cone from a slender stem of dark mauve, richly purple. At its base are a cluster of buttermilk-hued leaves, tinging to crimson along their creases. The marking structure of this plant, however, is the brilliant turquoise glow emitting from the single flower it bears, electric, swirling like living lightning. It is somewhat Agave-like in composition, overall, sometimes boasting many layered spiky blooms with their fierce glow rippling out over the sands. Like any desert flower, it is resilient, able to sit in hot sands and pass through the digestive tracts of animals unscathed, waiting for an opportunity to bloom. Harvesting this plant is tricky, as the “bite” of Akunda’s bite is no laughing matter. It is a massive shock to the system, some losing memory and left to wander the desert if showing irreverence to the plant, I have been told. I would consider it a “sage” herb for this reason.  The bloom builds static when it is young by the winds of the desert, and is helpless until it can shock the grazing beasts of the land. What beasts do not do, however, is use botanical structures to grasp the herb. As the shock emitted by a bloom of Akunda’s Bite is much like the sting of a bee - one bite can be enough to end the life of the creature - this must be done carefully. If the bloom is harvested alone, all the leaves will fall from the plant, giving it significant disadvantage in the desert. However, if the leaves are held and wrapped around the cone, the herbalist will remain unstruck, and the herb will be able to grow anew once more. 

Described Usage: To understand how to use the flower of Akunda’s bite, we must herald back to a procedure found in the entry for Stormvine, known as striking.  “To create this elixir, one part rock salt is added to two parts water in a metal basin. A length of the plant is then extended over with glass pincers, specifically crafted for this purpose alone. Due to both the saline and the metal, it will strike into the bowl like a living bolt of lightning, disintegrating on impact and infusing the solution.”

This process of striking should be used to distill Akunda’s Bite to its full potency. The resulting dilution is a fiercely turquoise substance, glowing, known in Zandalar as “living lightning” or “lizardblood”. This is a powerful alchemical catalyst, infusing any draught it touches with the power of lightning above, strengthening battle cauldrons to powerful elixirs of war. It can also apparently be imbibed to a curious effect - if one focuses on a painful memory for a day or so, then drinks the “blood of the lizard”, as it were, the memory will be taken from them - but another, not their own, will be put in its place. A story from another’s life, perhaps less painful for its distance. I’ve yet to test this, and do not want to, but I suppose it is helpful to some. The things that hurt also instruct, and to that notion, I keep all my memories dear. The leaves of Akunda’s Bite are incredibly nutritious and oddly sweet, with a slight fizzy texture. They are favorites of desert-dwellers, the older fleshy leaves eaten as one would a fruit. The younger, savory leaves are mixed into vegetable or meat dishes. Lastly, the electric bloom of the plant can be used to transmute a substance to expulsom and create powerful alchemical stones, should one know how to make such objects.