Maintenance script: New page: {{WikifyBook}} A Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a: Journal One Aesry Surlaenis'a is a delightful island for the flower collec- tor. Nearly everywhere you look, exotic blossom...

2007-07-20T02:50:14Z

New page: {{WikifyBook}} A Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a: Journal One Aesry Surlaenis'a is a delightful island for the flower collec- tor. Nearly everywhere you look, exotic blossom...

New page

{{WikifyBook}}
A Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a: Journal One

Aesry Surlaenis'a is a delightful island for the flower collec-
tor. Nearly everywhere you look, exotic blossoms can be found.
Many of the most beautiful blooms are found within the confines
of the city itself, carefully cultivated in the courtyards by
generations of the same families. Though some few flowers are
believed to have been bestowed upon Surlaenis by the gods, most
of them have no official symbolism. However, in my travels I
talked to many residents of Surlaenis who told me the following
tales about their beloved flowers.

So it is that I put quill to paper to record these tales. I
hope that these tales will bring you as much enjoyment as the
blossoms themselves. Readers will please note that some flowers
have taken on a special symbolism over the centuries, a symbol-
ism which I have recorded here. Doubtless some will find these
meanings go against their own conceptions. To those who do not
agree, I say that these are hearsay only and certainly not writ-
ten in stone.

By my hand, Lashansa Visolela

Reading:
Page 2
* The Amethyst Vine Blossom *

The amethyst vine bloom has come to symbolize sincerity and hon-
esty. In ancient times, amethysts were believed to be proof
against all poisons, both the literal poisons like snake venom
and the virtual venoms of lies, deceit and malice. This is
the old naturalist belief that the gods shaped each rock and
plant to show what it was useful for. Since amethysts are the
hue of wine, they were reckoned to combat the evils of wine, and
by association, that of all poisons. Drinking vessels carved
from or lined with amethyst were believed to neutralize poisons
before they reached the drinker, and so too circlets of amethyst-
colored flowers were believed to neutralize the poisons on ven-
omous tongues before they reached the wearer's ears.

In time, an amethyst vine planted outside a business came to
symbolize a sober and honest businessman. The wearing of ame-
thyst vine blossoms (especially as a hair ornament, around the
brow, or as earring ornamentation) shows that the wearer only
listens to the truth. Given to someone, the amethyst vine bloom
can be interpreted to mean either that you wish the receiver to
disregard lies about you or that you wish the person to refrain
from spreading falsehoods. If combined with negative flowers,

Reading:
Page 3
the amethyst vine bloom represents that you believe the receiver
to be the source of mistruths. If used on a wedding or engage-
ment ring, the amethyst bloom is believed to mean, "I will never
deceive you -- never deceive me," and is seen as a sign of true
honesty between lovers.

* The Lilac Butterfly Blossom *

The lilac butterfly blossom symbolizes that all things are
fleeting, and is a warning not to limit yourself to one goal.
Butterflies themselves are the very essence of transient beauty.
Though the creation of a butterfly may often take years for the
lowly caterpillar, when at last the butterfly emerges from its
cocoon it may have only days or in some cases mere hours to find
a mate, breed and die. For all their beauty and grace, butter-
flies are brief moments of beauty doomed to die young. Butter-
fly bushes are often planted in places where students gather, to
encourage them to meditate upon the message hidden in their shape:
Those who have but one goal in their life are likely to succeed
but are invariably doomed to the death of stagnation once that
goal has been reached. The wise student sees that each goal is
but the opening of one blossom or the hatching of one butterfly
-- as one fades another rises to take its place.

Reading:
Page 4
A rather touching fable is told about the butterfly bush. It is
said that the first butterfly bush was very homely though its
blossoms were pleasantly colored and scented. The good-hearted
butterfly bush was hurt that its humble charms were scorned
while the beautiful but shallow vines were cultivated. One day
a caterpillar, fuzzy and grotesque, came crawling among the vines
begging for shelter that it might spin its cocoon. All the
vines spurned it for it was ugly. When the caterpillar reached
the butterfly bush, the tenderhearted bush gladly let the cater-
pillar shelter on it. Soon all the caterpillars in the area
were drawn to the bush to cover it with their golden cocoons.
Through the winter the bush kept vigil over its guests, pro-
tecting them as best it could. A monk wandering by saw the
bush's valiant efforts and took it inside to shelter the bush
during the cold winter. When spring came, the many cocoons burst
open to reveal the gloriously beautiful butterflies within. As
they dried their wings on the humble bush it was cloaked in such
beauty as to make even the Gods weep. So it was from that day
forward the butterfly bush was always covered in the spring with
butterflies and a sprig of its blossom-bare bush came to be used
as a pledge of future help.

Reading:
Page 5
* The Cherry Blossom *

Often taken for granted, cherry trees are difficult to cultivate
even when conditions are ideal. The production of a truly won-
derful and sweet cherry takes the care of an experienced gar-
dener. Likewise, cherry wood is used by experienced wood carvers
due to the fact that its dark wood is hard to carve well and can
be unexpectedly fragile, but when handled correctly a piece of
cherry wood furniture can last centuries. Cherry wood is prized
above most woods for its fragrant scent. It develops a unique
luster when polished with the right oils over many decades.

Therefore a cluster of ripe cherries has come to symbolize the
fruition of plans long ago made, such as a wedding after a long
engagement or the gaining of mastery in a craft after a long
apprenticeship. When given as a love token or between friends,
the cherries can either symbolize that the relationship is one
of long standing, having grown sweeter over the years, or ex-
presses the hope of the giver that the relationship will be a
lasting one.

A cherry blossom is often interpreted to mean, "good things come
to those who wait," but I have also heard it said that cherry

Reading:
Page 6
blossoms symbolize the ephemeral stage of womanhood when youth
is in full flower before the solidity of matronhood and family.
Cherry blossoms woven amongst ripe cherries worn on a bride's
brow nicely bring together good wishes for a long and productive
marriage. Cherry trees or cuttings or even uncarved cherry wood
are often given as symbolic gifts. A cherry tree or something
made of cherry lasts longer than a lifetime.

* The Cassiope Blossom *

A sprig of creeping cassiope is often given out as gentle nudge
to those who otherwise overlook the wearer. This low growing
bush is often ignored due to its unappealing fuzzy foliage and
unpleasant scent. For those who look closely though, the creep-
ing cassiope bush has delightful blossoms.

Reading:
Page 7
A Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a: Journal Two

My investigations of Surlaenis and her beautiful flowers continue.
I believe I must have drunk an ocean's worth of wine with the
residents of this delightful town to loosen their tongues about
their pride and joy, their flowers. Included in these pages are
more myths and legends about various flowers, including the gods
who seem to hold considerable sway in this sea-locked isle --
namely Eluned and her aspects Drogor and Lemicus. Some of the
tales contained within this journal entry are quite sad, so I
urge those of tender heart to bring a handkerchief with them and
please not drip tears on the pages.

By my hand, Lashansa Visolela

* Eluned's Tears *

There are two legends for the existence of the seafoam white
flowers that bear a blue heart the shade of the ocean at noon.
One says that the Eluned's tears flower sprang from the tears
that Eluned shed when the World Dragon ravaged her oceans. It
is said that the gentle goddess appeared in pools in Surlaenis,

Reading:
Page 8
weeping as if her heart would break as the dragon swam in the
oceans, killing what he could and destroying what he could. A
young boy found the goddess at one such pool. Her tears drip-
ping onto the rock were the color of seafoam, and as he looked
at them, they reflected his own sea-blue eyes. The boy sat by
the goddess, transfixed by her beauty and her sorrow, neither
eating nor drinking for several days. Finally the goddess took
note of him, and for his vigilance she transformed him into
the first bush of Eluned's tears that ever after would grow so
that they could gaze upon their own reflection in the water.

The other legend says that when the World Dragon ravaged the
oceans, he befouled the springs of Aesry Surlaenis'a, causing
them to become brackish. The people cried out in their thirst
as their pools of formerly fresh water turned to undrinkable
salt. Moved by their cries, Eluned appeared at one such pool,
drinking the water into herself. As she cried for her people
and her oceans, she took the salt out of the pool. Her tears
fell white as seafoam from the salt in them. The people praised
her and brought her flowers, but none proved as lovely as her
tears, which the people sighed over and collected. Eluned
promised from that day forward she would protect the fresh water
of Surlaenis as well as its seas so that the people would never

Reading:
Page 9
again go thirsty. As a token of her oath, she left behind the
transfigured tears that would evermore grow beside the pools and
fountains under her protection.

* The Crimson Honeysuckle *

It is said that the petals of the crimson honeysuckle are dyed
by heart's blood. Long ago an epidemic swept the island of
Aesry Surlaenis'a, twisting the features of its victims before
killing them. The family of one girl was stricken, but miracu-
lously her two younger siblings and betrothed were far from home
when the disease's ravages became plain. The young woman proved
resistant to the disease, and so she burned her family farm and
her parents' bodies, then walked to the cliffs overlooking where
her love had gone fishing. By signs and shouts she let him know
about the disease and urged him to flee to a safer harbor. But
her lover ignored her cries and climbed up the cliff toward her.
In order to save him, she threw herself from the cliff into the
sea far below. The drops of blood from her feet, cut and torn
from her long journey, sank into the roots of the heretofore
pristinely white honeysuckle and dyed its blossoms crimson.

Crimson colored honeysuckle is exceedingly rare and is often

Reading:
Page 10
found growing in certain places or over certain graves. If
transplanted, its blooms fade to white or yellow, never crimson,
so to this day it is still believed that the crimson honey-
suckle can only flourish where blood and tears have been shed.

Honeysuckle is a long-lasting flower. There are records of hon-
eysuckle bushes being planted as mere seedlings next to a newly
built home, only to have totally engulfed the ruins of that same
home some centuries later. The blossoms of the honeysuckle vine
begin to bloom after the first thaw and continue to bloom until
first frost. However, all those who live next to the fragrant
vines know that their fragrance lingers on them all year long.
Despite their fragile appearance, honeysuckle is a hardy vine
that takes well to almost any kind of soil, even the poorest,
needs little encouragement to bloom, and does well in shade or
sun. For these reasons white honeysuckle is often worn at wed-
dings or worn as a perfume by new brides. The fresh smell of
the flower and its pure color symbolize the new bond of love.

Yellow is the color of sorrow and endings, so the yellow honey-
suckle is the symbol of the ending of a relationship or condi-
tion that once brought happiness. When given to a beloved one
the message is "Your memory will linger with me and bring me

Reading:
Page 11
sweet sorrow for all my days," an allusion to the lingering fra-
grance of the honeysuckle vine. More dramatically, yellow hon-
eysuckle is sometimes portrayed enveloping a home or bed or
grave as honeysuckle is wont to do, to say that the sorrow felt
at parting will consume the giver until death. All in all, the
use of the yellow honeysuckle is often used as a lover's ploy to
win sympathy at the close of a relationship.

* The Kelpbell Blossom *

Kelpbells are said to grow where Lemicus walked on Surlaenis.
Due to their sacred nature they are cultivated but never picked.
Sailors sometimes carve kelpbells onto their ships or wear tat-
toos of kelpbells to ward off Drogor and attract the attention
of Lemicus during hazardous sea crossings. Kelpbell earrings
are also very popular with sailors who believe that the design
will keep the earring safe with them. As a side note of inter-
est, sailors often wear elaborately wrought earrings of precious
metals and gems. Sailors will spend their last copper to pur-
chase or have made a beautiful earring set with a rare gem, for

the earring is the sailor's only easily stored wealth. Upon
the sailor's death, it is the duty of the ship's captain or mate

Reading:
Page 12
to send the sailor's earring to his family to be sold. There-
fore sailors choose designs that symbolize luck for the jewelry.
The incorporation of kelpbells in the earring's design shows
both piety to Lemicus and a plea to her that at least the ear-
ring be allowed to return to the sailor's family. Once received,
the kelpbell design tells the newly widowed spouse that the good
wishes of their departed loved one are with them. Occasionally
wives of sailors choose to keep their lost one's earring and
pledge never to marry again; thus the kelpbell is often inter-
preted to mean a devotion not even death can sever.

Kelpbell jewelry is often incorporated into the design of love
tokens given to sailors as well. A shirt hand-stitched with a
kelpbell design promises that the one who made it will be true.
A weapon sheath or harness embossed with a kelpbell design is
often given as a parting gift to a young soldier of fortune as a
way of saying "May Lemicus walk with you". A weapon etched with
a kelpbell is often gifted to a favored leader or captain by his
crew or cohort to show that they are willing to follow him wher-
ever he may lead them.

Most unusual of all the flowers of Surlaenis, this strangely
blossomed tree is often seen as proof that the gods once walked

Reading:
Page 13
the Mortal realms. If the kelpbell represents the footsteps of
Lemicus and Eluned's tears her sorrow, then truly the shark-
tooth blossom must be the bloodstained tooth of Drogor.

* The Sharktooth Blossom *

No official mythology exists to explain the presence of the
sharktooth trees though the sailors whisper that the trees
sprang into existence during the time when the World Dragon was
loose in Elanthia. It is said Drogor reveled in the storms
caused by the mighty dragon and took many sailors' lives, sending
his sharks to feast on the drowning. A young cabin boy dared to
challenge the mighty god to spare the lives of those who sailed
in the Reshalia seas. Drogor mockingly accepted the challenge
and set the young lad to fight his most dread shark. When the
time for the battle came the lad stood in the shallows of the
beach forcing the huge shark to flounder. The shark roared his
challenge and the smaller cabin boy dove into the gullet of the
shark, avoiding its mighty teeth. From inside the shark's mouth
he was able to slice out the shark's gills, slaying his mighty
opponent without taking a single scratch.

In a rage, the mighty Drogor retreated from the Reshalia shores

Reading:
Page 14
vowing vengeance one day. The bloody teeth of the shark when
buried sprang up as the first sharktooth trees. True to his
word, Drogor exacted his revenge on the cabin boy who, when a
grown man and a captain, dared to venture out of Reshalian
waters during a storm. From that time the sharktooth blossom
has been known among sailors as a sign of a promise made but not
yet kept.

* The Lily *

The delicacy of the lily is often seen as the perfect symbol of
purity, for the lily grows apart from other flowers and keeps to
herself. Thus, the pure white lily is seen as the symbol of per-
fect purity both of body and of spirit. The pure white lily is
often worn by brides and grooms at their first weddings, young
men and women of courting age, or woven around the crib of a
newborn. More tragically, lilies are used to decorate the
graves of the beloved deceased. One scholar speculated that the
mourners hope that laying the lilies next to the body of the
deceased will remove the dark and impure parts of their souls,
leaving them light and pure so they may ascend to walk the
Starry Road unencumbered by the weight of their mortal past.
This refers to the belief that when mortals die they are placed

Reading:
Page 15
upon a Starry Road which manifests itself as a blazing meteor at
the death of one whom the gods felt showed particular promise or
who was well beloved by the gods. Those who die and walk the
Starry Road must leave behind all that ties them to the mortal
plane -- friends, possessions, identity -- so that they can be
reborn with a clean slate. It is the belief of some that the
lilies remind the deceased to shed these burdens and become
purely empty of their former life.

* The Snowdrop Blossom *

Snowdrops are said to have sprung from the tears of a man who
loved a frostweaver. The man fell in love with the ice maiden,
who taunted him cruelly for his courtship of her. The man was
not discouraged by her taunts and spent his entire life seeking
a way for them to be together in life. Moved by pity and admi-
ration of his undying love, an immortal hand caused his frozen
tears to be transformed into snowdrops which sprang from the icy
ground to show him that all hope was not lost. It is not re-
corded what happened to the love-struck man but one can hope he
took some comfort in the snowdrops.

The seemingly delicate snowdrop blooms in the snow in defiance

Reading:
Page 16
of the killing cold giving hope that when the cold ends, life
will begin anew. Those who have chosen a difficult life path
often wear snowdrops to show that they will not be discouraged.
Given as a lover's token the snowdrop promises that all obsta-
cles can be overcome.

A Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a: Journal Three

This will be my third volume on flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a and
hopefully not my last! As I sit here staring at the blank pages
I can only hope that those who read the following entries will
travel to Surlaenis for themselves to witness her great bounty
of beauty. I am happy to say that this volume contains no sad
tales to relate. Though I have yet to find any humorous tales
relating to the flowers, who knows what the future may bring?

By my hand, Lashansa Visolela
The Year of the Crystal Snow Hare, 370 years since the Victory
of Lanival the Redeemer

Reading:
Page 17
* The Geshiloira Flower *

As white as new-fallen snow, the geshiloira flower is often
planted near places where its rare beauty can be appreciated,
such as on the edges of roads or near government buildings. The
cool scent of the geshiloira flower brings to mind the cool
breezes off the snow, a literal breath of fresh air and relief
in the maritime climes that it favors. Traditional island hos-
pitality dictates that the visitor be given a welcoming bouquet
of flowers, and thus geshiloira flowers are favored both for
their reviving scent and their color, which will flatter any
tone of skin or shade of cloth is it placed next to.

Thus the snow-white geshiloira flower has become a symbol of
hospitality, welcome and good will. When worn as a hair orna-
ment the geshiloira flower promises that the person wearing it
will think only pleasant, welcoming thoughts. Bards and their
companions favor the perfume of the geshiloira flower to spark
the imagination and refresh the weary.

* The Lyrandia Blossom *

Lyrandia blossoms are sweet-smelling, beautiful flowers found

Reading:
Page 18
in profusion on the islands. Although occasionally found else-
where, they require much effort by the gardener. Much like
honeysuckle, lyrandia blossoms are cultivated for their beauty,
fragrance and hardiness once established. The mark of a suc-
cessful and patient homeowner is a thick covering of lyrandia
blossoms over the courtyard gate. Because lyrandia requires
special care to bloom all year, the blossom has often been
seen as the symbol of the long-term planner and estate owner.

The vine prefers the gentler clime of the cities. The gift of
a lyrandia blossom could be interpreted as well-wishing for
one's financial future. Worn stitched into a coin purse or mon-
eybelt the blossom boldly declares one as a shrewd businessper-
son. The lyrandia blossom is sometimes worn imprinted into
clothing to show one is a person of leisure.

Similarly, the gift of a wilted lyrandia blossom is a sign of
ridicule. A wilted lyrandia blossom stands for failure, impa-
tience, lack of planning, or financial ruin. When gifted to an
ex-spouse or fiancee, the wilted blossom clearly states, "You
did not spend enough time cultivating me."

Reading:
Page 19
* The Melilot Blossom *

The cheerful melilot could never be seen as a flower of ill omen.
Its pleasant scent and cheery color is a delight to the senses.
The melilot requires frequent watering and a location that is
partly shady during the heat of the day. Melilots close during
the night though the experienced horticulturist can coax them
to open with a torch or other light. Melilots are often found
near shops where customers are encouraged to pick them, for the
melilot blossoms do not fade as normal blossoms do until they
are picked. For every blossom picked, two more bloom shortly
afterwards. Therefore, in order to keep the melilot bush burst-
ing with fresh blossoms, the flowers must be picked.

The delightful blossoms are often given away as tokens to guests
leaving, expressing their host's hope that they will return.
Melilot blossoms are often given in reply to a question or suit
to express a friendly rejection: "No, but we can be friends."

* The Shar'nath Blossom *

Unique to Aesry Surlaenis'a, the delicate shar'nath blossom
needs careful tending or it will not bloom. The blossoms are

Reading:
Page 20
jealously guarded by their growers, causing many a feud among
the homeowners who competed fiercely for young plants to raise.
Young men and women of daring climbed walls to pick a single
blossom for their darlings. Finally the government was forced
to step in. The solution was to make available a public flower
bed for all to enjoy. Today the shar'nath blossoms are tradi-
tionally preserved and worn by brides on their wedding day but
only if the blossoms are gathered and gifted to them by their
groom. The wearing of the shar'nath blossoms symbolizes that
the groom prizes his bride beyond all gold or other treasure.

The wives and husbands of sailors often wear preserved or
freshly picked shar'nath blossoms to show that they will wait
for their loved one to return.

It is also believed that shar'nath blossoms that leave Surlaenis
will cause ill luck for the wearer. Therefore, real shar'nath
blossoms are never worn by islanders outside of their homeland.
Curiously, however, many believe that jewelry shaped like the
shar'nath flower is free from bad luck, will remind those leaving
the island of their native shores, and bring them home again.
[[Category:Book]]

Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a (book) - Revision history

CARAAMON: moved Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a, A (book) to Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a (book)

NONEVERNO at 12:16, 22 March 2009

CARAAMON: A Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a (book) moved to Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a, A (book)

CARAAMON at 19:32, 13 August 2008

Maintenance script: Book:RlvFAS moved to A Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a (book)

Maintenance script at 00:37, 28 July 2007

Maintenance script: New page: {{WikifyBook}} A Guide to the Flowers of Aesry Surlaenis'a: Journal One Aesry Surlaenis'a is a delightful island for the flower collec- tor. Nearly everywhere you look, exotic blossom...

← Older revision	Revision as of 03:45, 21 March 2011
(No difference)

← Older revision	Revision as of 13:33, 28 January 2009
(No difference)

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:32, 13 August 2008
Line 451:		Line 451:
	shar'nath flower is free from bad luck, will remind those leaving		shar'nath flower is free from bad luck, will remind those leaving
	the island of their native shores, and bring them home again.		the island of their native shores, and bring them home again.
	[[Category:Book]]		[[Category:Book]][[page type is::book\| ]]

← Older revision	Revision as of 08:41, 19 November 2007
(No difference)