Blood Rose



In Alnia, the blood rose is a rare and highly-prized wildflower. It grows in very specific conditions, and is intensely resistant to magical horticulture, making it nearly impossible for hortimancers (magicians who specialize in plants and botany) to breed them artificially. Because of this, they are highly protected and regulated by the law of several Alnian cities. Anyone caught picking wild blood roses without a permit is in violation of these laws and is called to pay a hefty fine. To pick from someone else's blood rose grove is an even worse offense. Blood roses are, therefore, highly counterfeited by those with the skills to make believable facsimiles. The blood rose is a symbol of mourning for someone very close, generally a lover, but sometimes a close friend or child. It resembles a normal white rose that has been dipped in or splashed with blood. It is also one of the holy symbols of Erlok, the god of death, whose priests are tasked with giving comfort to those in mourning and making sure they receive a proper and decent burial.