St John's Eve Herbs - part 5 : vegetables, fruits, branches.
Regarding vegetable plants, garlic is regularly mentioned; amulets are constantly made from it, especially at this time of year.
Regarding fruits, the still-green nut (ideal for future walnut wine!) is often mentioned. They are passed through the fire, still attached to their branch, and are then used as remedies or preservatives.
Regarding branches, the hazel wands of shepherds and shepherds are blessed on this day, passed through the fire and capable of rendering snakes harmless simply by touching them.
They are also often planted in the soil of fields to protect them from hail and bad weather.
[Excerpts arranged by me from M.C. Delmas's Dictionnaire de la France Mystérieuse.]
I’ve been drafting a sorta kinda possible t-shirt design? Basically showing the magma sac/branches that one would see inside a Representative’s ribcage. Of course, this is an incredibly simplified version, but it’s just a draft at the moment!
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 ❝ 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 ❞ ? ( an informational post )
Short Answer: The Branches are small, shadow like beings averaging around less than one foot to half a foot in height. They are used by and created by Thorn to use as means of surveillance in order to track down individuals whom possess suitable qualities for feeding upon. They are autonomous and can develop individual personalities over time. Thorn cannot obtain information known by the Branches unless they are re-assimilated or he is told said information by one of the Branches.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 ?
Branches are formed out of Thorn’s own matter. Aside from a negligible reduction in overall size, there is no negative side effects to Thorn when creating a new Branch. They can be manifested quickly, and more than one at a time.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 ?
Appearance: Branches appear as silhouettes, although they occupy a three dimensional space when properly manifested. They can also take the form of a flat shadow, taking on vague shapes in this form as they travel, or disguising themselves as the shadows of other objects if not simply hiding within them. They possess the characteristic trio of plumes ( one upon the head, two protruding from the shoulder area ) of a standard Darkrai, but possess a less shapely body, instead appearing as if they were donning cloaks rather than a Darkrai’s dress like appearance. They also possess a single eye, either on the right or left side of their face, and always white in coloration.
Power: Branches are not very durable. Where they lack in defense, they make up for with attack power and speed. Their main tactic is to take out the enemy and overwhelm them before the enemy can strike back. They can unravel themselves and weaponize their bodies, turning into long lashes of thorny vines which they strike enemies with. They also have access to a standard move set.
Temperament: Branches tend to behave similar to Thorn himself, being pieces of his consciousness. When a Branch exists for long enough, it may begin to develop a distinct personality, as well as opinions and objectives that may differ from Thorn’s. They may develop a strong sense of self, and will be distinct from the newer, unawakened, and drone like masses. When they are re-assimilated, any developed personality is lost and will not influence Thorn nor any future Branch. Being pieces of Thorn, each Branch knows this and accepts it by default. They also do not fear death, as they have the mentality that they will survive so long as Thorn himself remains living. They may possess reservations about being destroyed should they know information that may be vital to the collective.
When hungry, they can be violent and animalistic. They will devour just about anything, splitting themselves in twain to reveal a maw of teeth should they encounter something too large to eat naturally, or are feeling particularly ravenous.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 ?
The Branches exist anywhere Thorn has been, and anywhere minds still dream. They reside in unpopulated areas, hiding in the shadows of the wilderness. They settle in populated areas, sheltering under mailboxes and benches, or roaming with the moving shadows of buildings and street lamps. They hide inside homes, resting beneath desks or under dressers, under beds or within walls. Being primarily observers, they are mostly non-intrusive entities, and may come and go without ever being noticed.
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 ?
As of writing this post, there are currently three unique Branches.
- Podus and Vic, belonging to rallytheskulls’ PW
- Rose belonging to intelligentskull’s Cerise
Any sustained interaction with a Branch can ( if so desired ) result in a persistent muse for said Branch.
𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Branches can be trapped much like small Pokemon can, in terms of things like boxes, bags, or pots. So long as they are placed within a sealed and dark area, they cannot escape.
They can be restrained using objects that possess fae influence or powers, and by those with fae influence or powers, otherwise their malleable bodies make it difficult to do so.
Remaining in direct sunlight for too long withers away their form. Remaining in bright artificial light on the other hand simply weakens them.
Branches will shrink overtime until they disappear entirely without a source of food. Conversely, they can regain mass and even grow beyond the average 1ft height with a steady supply of food. Branches near the disappearance point may consume others in a similar state to combine their mass and buy themselves more time should other options not be available ( the resulting Branch will possess the personality of the one who did the ‘eating’ rather than having one that was a mixture of both )
When not attacking, Branches feel like lint. They are also slightly cooler than room temperature, and are not very heavy.
During stressful periods ( such as when the collective is threatened ) Branches will induce nightmares. This can also be done at will at any other time.
Branches can condense their forms to become smaller ( but never larger ) than their natural size. This, along with their ability to turn into flat shadows, means they can hide in small spaces and even be carried discreetly upon one’s person ( ex: Podus hiding in PW’s hat without altering its shape )
What precisely are the Branches? In short, they are smaller, autonomous pieces Thorn can break off of himself and dispatch for multiple purposes. They are scouts and scavengers, spies and thieves.
When separated from him, Thorn is unaware of what they feel or what they see ( although he is aware when one is destroyed regardless of distance or obstruction. ) It is only when a branch reconnects with him that Thorn obtains anything they might have ( information, sustenance, experiences, etc. )
The branches themselves appear as shadowy entities, ranging from two feet to only a handful of inches, averaging at about a foot. A branch will slowly wither away without sustenance, so remaining fed while disconnected from Thorn is essential to their continued existence. This withering comes in the form of a loss of height until they disappear entirely.
