Botanical Blitz
Being a landscaper, gardener, or farmer in New Spherus Magna sucks.
Back in the good old days before the Shattering the Agori had few issues with the flora beyond the occasional overripe Thornax explosion. There were likely plants that could cause allergic reactions or that were toxic if eaten, but nothing that couldn’t be avoided with a little care and caution.
But with the mass evacuation of the GSR and it’s subsequent dismantling, seeds from some nasty invasive species have begun sprouting everywhere.
At first, Agori gardeners are enthralled with the appearance of new plants such as lightvine, encouraging it to grow over buildings throughout New Atero. Bula Berries, always a Matoran favorite, become popular in Agori gardens (great for salads and juicing). And, of course, no public pond is complete without giant lillypads to stroll on.
Strange stories start to circulate among the garden clubs and landscaper tradesmen. Stories of Agori nearly strangled by an errant patch of grass while mowing the lawn. Rumors spread of gardeners mauled by carnivorous weeds, newly planted trees raining exploding (not Thornax) fruit on lawns, and lawns that melt anything they touch.
No one panics until winter hits and a new type of vine begins growing into heating systems and houses. A vine that attacks any who attempt to remove it and keeps everyone up at night with it’s constant ranting about some being named “Teridax”.
The small number of Bo-Toa still active are stretched to their limits removing and replanting the most dangerous flora in the city. In response, the city beings deputizing any citizen with a green thumb and a combat-grade spade to patrol neighborhoods and aggressively weed public parks.
Of course, the desire to collect dangerous plants creates a black market run by rogue Bo-Matoran. The rich and affluent use these contacts to collect plants before they can be destroyed and use them to plant deadly security gardens around their mansions. As with the Human Victorian era, gardens of poisonous and deadly plants become something of a fashion in New Atero high society. Some become dedicated plant breeders, and pet Daikau are kept in kitchens and carefully fed scraps and unwanted leftovers.
Landscaping programs in New Atero require students to take at least 3 semesters of combat training.
