0/0

    Crocus

    Uncommon · Saffron

    Healing · Alchemical · Magical · Nutritional · Catalytic

    Terrain Grassland, Hills, Mountains, Urban

    Description

    Saffron (crocus) is a perennial cormous herbaceous plant, standing 4–12 inches (10– 30 cm) tall. The leaves are narrow, linear, and appear simultaneously with the flowers. The flowers are solitary, large, most often lilac or violet, less commonly yellow or white, and have bright orange stigmas.

    Rarity and Availability

    There are 80 species of crocus worldwide, found in Southern Europe and Southwest Asia. Interestingly, among crocuses, there are species that bloom in spring and those that bloom in autumn. For decorative purposes, spring-flowering species with yellow, lilac, blue, and white flowers are most commonly used. Today, there are many garden varieties of crocuses.

    Effects and Uses

    Saffron is used as a valuable spice and natural dye in cooking, giving dishes a characteristic aroma, color, and taste. In folk medicine, saffron is known as a pain reliever and anticonvulsant. It was previously used to improve appetite, treat colds, and included in tinctures.

    Harvesting & Preparation

    • A DC 10 Wisdom (Nature) check or Wisdom (Survival) check identifies wild crocus by its narrow, linear leaves and striking purple, yellow, or white petals. Spotting saffron-tier stigmas (the bright orange filaments) may require a DC 12 Wisdom (Nature) check.
    • A DC 12 Dexterity (herbalism kit) check is required to carefully collect the fragile saffron threads without damaging them. Each flower yields just a few stigmas, contributing to saffron’s rarity and cost.

    Items & Effects

    • Saffron Tonic (Golden Draught). A prized alchemical beverage prepared from dried saffron threads.
      • Creation. Requires 1 hour and a DC 14 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check or Intelligence (alchemist’s supplies) check. Each successful batch yields 1-2 vials.
      • Use (Ingested).
        • Invigorating Warmth. Immediately grants 2d4 temporary hit points.
        • Enhanced Spirit. For 1 minute, you have advantage on saving throws against the frightened and charmed conditions (PHB, p. 290; your mind is buoyed by saffron’s legendary association with courage and emotional well-being).
      • Drawback. A faint golden hue tints the drinker’s eyes for the duration, a telltale sign they’ve consumed something rare and potent.
    • Saffron Incense (Arcane Reagent). Historically used in ancient rites, saffron burnt as incense can act as a reagent for certain spells, particularly illusions or mind-affecting magic.
      • Creation. Requires a small censer and at least 1 gp worth of saffron. A DC 12 Intelligence (Arcana) check finishes the blend with resins.
      • Use (Consumed in Casting).
        • If used when casting a spell of the Enchantment or Illusion school, the caster can treat their Spell Save DC as +1 higher for that casting only.
        • Likewise, illusions created under saffron incense may take on a faint golden glow, giving them a special, exotic flair.
    • “Hermes’ Embrace” (Legendary Brew). Some arcane texts describe an extremely rare infusion that harnesses the “lifeblood” aspect of Crocos’ myth.
      • Creation. Requires 3 days of careful distillation using saffron threads of highest quality (worth at least 250 gp). A DC 18 Intelligence (alchemist’s supplies) check or Wisdom (herbalism kit) check is needed to succeed.
      • Use (Ingested):
      • Euphoric Vitality. For 1 hour, regain 3 HP at the start of each of your turns (similar to a very mild version of the spell aura of vitality; PHB, p. 216). This benefit ends early if you are reduced to 0 HP.
      • Renewed Zeal. Once during that hour, if you drop to 0 HP but are not killed outright, you instead drop to 1 HP. The brew then loses its magic.
      • Drawback. Severe Crash: After the hour, you gain 1-2 levels of exhaustion (GM’s discretion; PHB, p. 291), reflecting the brew’s powerful—and draining—mystical surge.

    Lore

    Early in the spring, often even before the snow melts, crocuses begin to bloom. The leaves of this plant are narrow, almost linear, and the bulb is quite small, about the size of a hazelnut.

    According to one of the ancient Greek legends, Crocos (or Crocus, Greek: Κρόκος) was a young man and a friend of the god Hermes (Mercury to the Romans). One day, during a game or competition, Hermes accidentally (in different versions: either while throwing a discus or during a sporting match) mortally wounded Crocus. Deeply saddened by the incident, Hermes saw how a beautiful flower grew from the blood of Crocos soaked into the ground. This flower was given the name of the fallen youth—crocus (saffron).

    There's another version of how this flower got its name. Some suggest that it originated from the name of the place called Corinos, as supposedly the best saffron grew there. But more likely, it is the other way around: the area was named after the saffron that grew there. The name of the plant in European languages comes from the Arabic word for "yellow," which refers to the color of the flower's styles and stigmas.

    From Witch’s Herbs 5E, p. 26 · Fern Flower Press