Honesty
Uncommon · Lunaria annua
Alchemical · Magical · Catalytic
Terrain Forest, Hills, Swamp/Marsh, Urban
Description
It is a biennial plant standing 20–40 inches (60–100 cm) tall, with large, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of bright lilac or white flowers. Its main feature is the round, silver, transparent fruit that resemble the Moon.
Location and Habitat
Found at the edges of forests, in thickets, along roadsides, and in damp or shady places. It is native to Europe.
Rarity and Availability
In the wild, it is quite rare but is widely available as a decorative garden plant.
Effects and Uses
It is used for its beautiful fruits in decorative arrangements and winter bouquets; it is not used in folk medicine. Some experienced herbalists may use it in love elixirs.
Harvesting & Preparation
- A DC 10 Wisdom (Nature) or Wisdom (Survival) check is required to identify Lunaria by its bright lilac blossoms and coin-shaped, translucent seed pods resembling miniature moons.
Items & Effects
- “Silver Dollar” Seed Pouch. A small pouch of Lunaria seeds, valued for their luck and faint lunar magic.
- Creation. Requires 1 hour of careful collection under a moonlit sky (half or full moon) and a DC 12 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check or Wisdom (Survival) check.
- Lunar Fortune. While carrying the pouch, once per day, you may reroll a failed ability check or saving throw related to wealth or commerce (e.g., bargaining, gambling, haggling) and use the new result.
- Lunar Glow. The seeds softly glow in the dark (5-foot dim light), revealing illusions within 5 feet if you succeed on a DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check (GM’s discretion).
- Drawback. Waning Luck: If you fail the reroll granted by Lunar Fortune, the seeds lose their magic until exposed to the next full moon.
- Moonlit Love Draught. An alchemical concoction distilled from Lunaria petals, rumored to spark romance or deeper empathy.
- Creation. Requires 2 hours of moonlit brewing, plus a DC 14 Intelligence (Arcana) or Wisdom (herbalism kit) check. One success produces 1-2 vials.
- Use (Ingested).
- Heart’s Openness. For 1 hour, the drinker gains advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks and Charisma (Persuasion) checks in social interactions involving love, affection, or reconciliation.
- Soothing Verse. Once within this hour, the drinker may cast calm emotions (spell save DC 13; PHB, p. 221) without expending a spell slot or requiring components.
- Full Moon Bloom Pendant.
- Creation. Requires a DC 14 Dexterity (jeweler’s tools) check and the blessing of a druid or cleric who worships a moon deity.
- Use (Worn).
- Moon’s Boon. During a full moon, you gain +1 to all Wisdom saving throws and can see through non-magical darkness out to 30 feet.
- Call of the Night. Once per long rest, you may cast moonbeam (PHB, p. 261) at 2nd level (spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your spellcasting ability modifier) without expending a spell slot.
- Wealth in Bloom (Very Rare). A potted Lunaria known as a “money tree,” rumored to draw prosperity and success to its caretaker.
- Mechanics & Use. Plant Bond: If you water and care for the plant daily for at least one month, you form a bond with it. As long as it remains healthy, you can call upon the following benefits:
- Once per day, gain advantage on one check involving business, mercantile dealings, or magically conjuring currency (e.g., illusions of coin).
- Once per week, attempt a small fortune ritual (1 hour) to cast glyph of warding at no material cost (PHB, p. 245), manifesting gently glowing Lunaria blossoms around the glyph.
- Mechanics & Use. Plant Bond: If you water and care for the plant daily for at least one month, you form a bond with it. As long as it remains healthy, you can call upon the following benefits:
Lore
The Lunaria plant is also known as "silver dollar," "Chinese coins," and in English, it is called Honesty— because through the membranes of its pods, you can clearly see all the seeds. It is believed that anyone who grows such a "money tree" themselves will surely become wealthy.
In a beautiful and almost magical place lived a girl named Lunitta. She was extraordinary—beautiful and dreamy, with a pure soul and a huge heart full of love. Lunitta loved and revered the Moon; she worshiped it, idolized it, and lived by its rhythms. All her dreams, poems, and songs on moonlit nights were dedicated solely to the Moon.
Lunitta was a tall, slender girl who always wore a bright purple dress that flattered her lovely figure. She studied the phases of the Moon, all the beliefs and legends, observations, and scientific facts, but nothing inspired her as much as the moonlight of the full phase. Her soul trembled with delight and anticipation of otherworldly bliss—the pure experience of lunar rays. Then she would sit down and write the love poems that were her life.
From Witch’s Herbs 5E, p. 58 · Fern Flower Press