Alright guys, here's another job for you!

I need contributions for the new Information section: http://thornsbook.com/wiki/pmwiki.php?n ... nformation

Specifically, I need these things:

- Vegetation: some plants found only in Vita. There's already an example up for how you should submit it. You don't need a latin name, just the name of the plant and a description of its appearance and uses.

- Diseases: come up with some diseases and disorders. We can use ones that are the result of a specific job, like mining, aeroship piloting or even magic use. I'd like people to include a name, what causes it, description of symptoms, what the disease eventually does to you (if it goes away or if it kills you or if it leaves you blind, etc), and how it can be treated.

Anything else you want to suggest for this page would be awesome. I'm taking care of the Genetics page on my own.

Contributors will be rewarded with COOKIES!!

Haha, plants I can do. I mean, I did sorta just revamp 'Whore's Root' and all...heh.

YAY cookies.
I may be able to handle some diseases. I'm a biotech major who specializes in plants so I can do some of those as well. I'm going to need to do research and planning but you'll see something.

Thanks! And they don't have to sound super scientific...just explain 'em for the layman

No problem! I'm used to doing that! I have to with anyone outside the science majors.

PLANTS
Warvine
An ivy that grows the breadth of trees. Often planted against walls or as a forest in its own right (some twenty feet high on the oldest stands), the leaves are much like elephant's ears, but the surface is prickly with tiny spines, similar to nettles, creating searing pain, itching, burning, and its acidic qualities may burn through flesh in concentrated doses. It does have thorns, but the leaves grow thick enough on the plant that it wouldn't matter- you're itching and burning before you can prick yourself.

Alioleander
A particularly lovely variety of oleander. The plants grow in a variety of colors ranging from hot pink to deep purple, depending on the pH of the soil. A single bloom on the Alioleander is the size of a woman's palm. However, the poisonous leaves and branches are three times as potent as the average variety.

Shotha Poppy
This poppy is particularly popular among opium makers and dealers. The poppy is commonly a lime green color, but as the seed pod develops, the farmers know just when to harvest them because the petals turn a violent orange overnight. This uncommon trait allows the farmers to know when the pod is prime for extruding the sap to make opium.

Sippa Berries
These berries are used most commonly as oil in cooking. When the berries are properly processed with a portion of leaves, it creates a healthy, mildly sweet, pinkish oil. However, the berries in their natural state are a strong laxative, and unfortunately have a striking resemblance to raspberries. The biggest difference between the two plants is that the Sippa plant's tri-leaves are tipped in red.

DISEASES
Minerracints
Not actually a disease, these parasites can cause abdominal pain and bloodied vomit. They take residence in the stomach after eating improperly prepared garmon. Human-to-human transmission is nigh-impossible. These little worms are strangely tolerant of acid, but are not so resistant to bases. Old-Wives remedies include drinking milk and sippa juice, which has been shown to work but only in early stages of infestation. Once the parasites have become firmly housed in the stomach, they can lead to excruciating ulcers and even internal bleeding. In this case, only the strongest of medications can help. (Commonly recommended: antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and small doses of poison, followed shortly by charcoal to absorb any left unconsumed by the worms)

Klakkis Morosia
Commonly "Morosia Mania," this disease effects both mind and body. Physically, this virus causes glandular swelling throughout the body and a hypo-active immune system, allowing people suffering from Morosia to become infected by other diseases more easily. Mentally, the disease attacks impulse-control and mood centers of the brain, as well as the central nervous system. In attacking the impulse control and mood centers, people are often manic, bouncing of the walls, exhibiting rapid speech, hyperactivity, hyper religiosity, and often delusions of grandeur. In attacking the CNS, it increases gamma-aminobutyric acid production/reception, leading to bodily depression (lethargic movement, uncoordinated motion, etc.- effect similar to high alcohol consumption), which usually causes a great deal of frustration for the patient, as they grow increasingly desirous of activity, but being too cumbersome in motion to carry out their desires. Suicide attempts are common. If not treated within the first week of infection, there is very little hope for recovery, as the brain and central nervous system begin to break down. Patients rarely survive longer than three weeks, and the rare survivor is often brain-dead or severely handicapped. They are carriers for life, and their bodies must be treated with great care. Often, they are institutionalized and quarantined until death. Antibiotics and steroids are often prescribed, and vaccinations are the best option.

(No, I'm not a psychology major. Why do you ask?)

Jader you rule! Thanks so much! (I hope you submit more...you're so thorough )

I do my best!

Poorman's Violets- Not a true Violet. These relatives to the common Ivy plant are seen on many buildings around Vienda. Able to cling to the sheer surface they grow steadily covering an entire face in a manner of years. This plant derives it's name from the rich flowers that blossom upon it every year. Each flower the size of a man's hand is a five petaled bloom that ranges from a rich purple to stark white with purple accents normally with multiple shades upon the same plant. The blossoms normally have a sweet or sugary smell to them and can be used in cooking as a garnish.

thanks Alstair! I added it (just changed the size of the flower, hope you don't mind)

Under "Stopsage" the second paragraph says,"Warvine is a low-growing, shrublike plant..." somehow, I don't think that's right.

No problem. For some reason I was thinking a warmer climate...stupid sleep deprivation...

Chroven Hearts: This robust tuber originally from Mugroba grows in moist sandy soil. Due to this fact it is commonly grown in house by merchants. It's crown is a single long stalk that when in season blossoms out along it's lateral portion in brilliant white flowers around three inches in diameter. Though impressive this is not the true value of the plant. When the large globular root is dried and then ground and boiled down it can be used as mild stimulant. This stimulant is extremely pungent and is normally mixed with Honey or sugar to offset the flavor. Common signs of it's use include increased blood pressure, bloodshot eyes and sleep loss. The effects of the plant where off after several hours and leave the user feeling exhausted. Side effects include insomnia, addiction, and high blood pressure even while off the drug.

Not to mention it's missing a contributor.

Oh hey, here's the one that I had from that 'book' I contributed; I figure it'd make for an interesting addition.

Spirulina Veritacus, or 'Truth Weed': Legends surrounding the plant have been passed down through the ages, telling of its seemingly magical and highly potent ability to prohibit the telling of falsehoods upon ingestion. While many exotic tribes and cultures claim to use the plant's leaves to glean truth from enemies in captivity, the plant has yet to be tested using modern scientific conventions.

Sorry, added to the list of contributors

Thanks Annie! adding...

MORE, I SAY, MORE!!! MUAHAHAHAAA!!
(This is fun!)

DISEASES
Poctout
This disease often lasts between a half- to full week. It produces tiny, pimple-like welts on the skin, mostly on the neck, back, and buttocks. It is extremely irritating, causing itching and dryness. Various lotions may be applied topically for relief. Other symptoms include swollen and sore throat, difficulty breathing, diarrhea and lethargy. Although it doesn't last long, patients are carriers for another two weeks, and should be kept away from infants and the elderly, as well as those with Klakkis Morosia. This disease often infects children 6-13, though it can be contracted at any age. The older the patient, the greater likelihood of increased welts and scarring. Recommended treatment is bed rest and liquid. Solids don't tend to stick around long.

Flinthora
A mental disorder similar to Pica, though more specific, and including other symptoms. As with Pica, the patient desires to consume non-edible products, though with Flinthora the patient tends to desire uncooked meat and skin. Barring obvious complications of such behavior (Minerracints, particularly), patients urges are so strong that they will attack their own limbs in attempt to consume raw flesh. Though they seem to be mentally certain that their behavior is unusual and wrong, they are often unable to repress their urges. Patients often wither away, as they lack impetus to eat other food. However, therapies are being developed that slowly re-introduce patients to normal foods. Flinthora is rare, but it has created a plethora of myths on flesh-eating monsters and witches, particularly in the frigid regions of the world where the disorder is more prevalent. (Will come up with an accompanying myth later)

PLANTS
Middero
Often used as a wedding decoration or in bouquets for the well-to-do, these pale-blue blossoms are similar in shape and size to the lily, though more similar in texture to rose-petals, and have a single dark-blue vein in the center. They often symbolize luck and prosperity. Pure-white blossoms are rare, and researchers are attempting to breed such a variety. The dark-blue veins are often used as dyes in Hesse, where they are prevalent. They fetch higher prices the further you travel from there.

Clippitch
This plant grows a deep-purple or black, and is often used for funerals. Its six-petaled blossoms are about three inches long on two- to three-foot stems. The stems are often squeezed for sap, as the liquid is a mild sedative. Captains often refuse to carry the plants on their ships, as superstition abounds because of their funerary use. It is often said that if there is a Clippitch blossom on board, one man will die every time it loses a petal.

Dinzith
This is a Mugrobi tree that grows quite short (ranging 10-15 feet at most) and is often mistaken for a shrub. Its branches reach downward, guarding its precious trunk from the desert sands. The leaves are often used to flavor stews, as it has a hearty, warm (not hot) flavor when boiled. The bark is often used medicinally, as it as antibiotic qualities in tea. When brewed, the bark emits a sultry scent, but the liquid is extremely bitter. It is often served with cinnamon and sugar, which improves flavor immensely, but slightly dulls the antibiotic properties (thus it is recommended that the ill drink it plain). The tea is difficult for novices to make, as the it remains completely clear, thus making it difficult to judge when it is ready. When left too long, the bark will dissolve slightly, resulting in a pulp that is difficult to siphon from the tea and splinters in the mouth.

I'm starting to think we should call you Jade gardener.

Yay! Ego boost!

Jade, wow, you are so creative I added all of those, thank you so much.

Guys, i'm really amazed at how much you've all contributed. I was just talking to Nick about how the whole of Thorns is greater than the sum of its parts. Thanks to you, this is a really rich and detailed world. It feels more real every time someone adds to it!

Thank you! I'm already thinking of more nifty things...I wonder do need more fauna. The ecosystem here is similar to earth...I may be able to come with some nifty critters If I can get an overview of what the climate is like...

Heh, just invent critters and Cart'll find a place to put them! Like when I though up the garmons. My first world contribution... *gets misty-eyed*

I have a few in mind but I need to know what the world is like weather wise...It's personal method I start with the top and work my way down. It's how I designed an ecology for an RP on Gaia. It's based around seasonal rainfall and flooding.

There is the rainy season between Loshis and Hamis. I wonder if it floods...

What kind of terrain. If it's hilly then maybe in the lowlands. If it's plains then yeah more than likely.

Thank you. I may be able to work something out of this. Temperate...dang I need to replan. I thought at least mild tropics...