Ash Flower

Also called “Phoenix Bloom” or “Cremation Lily”

Description

The Ash Flower is a large, soot-black blossom with petals that shimmer faintly like cooled volcanic glass. Its core glows with a dull ember-light, as though a coal were buried within. Unlike normal plants, it doesn’t wilt when burned; instead, fire revitalizes it. When left in darkness, it slowly crumbles into ash, only to regrow if returned to firelight.

Legends say Ash Flowers grow wherever a great soul dies in flame — be it a phoenix, a dragon, or a mortal hero consumed in a pyre. For this reason, they are often found as memorial offerings or grown secretly by fire cults.

Where It Grows

• Found in sacred sites of fire, such as volcanic craters, phoenix nesting grounds, or the ruins of cities razed by dragonfire.
  
  
• Extremely rare; blooms only once every decade and withers after three days unless sustained by magical flame.
  
  
• Harvesting requires extreme care: attempting to pluck an Ash Flower without magical gloves or flameproof tools forces a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 2d6 fire damage on a failure.
  
  

Uses

1. Raw Consumption:
   
   
• Eating a fresh petal grants the creature resistance to fire damage for 1 hour and the ability to cast Produce Flame (cantrip) for that duration.
  
  
• However, the eater must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or suffer burning veins, taking 1d4 fire damage at the start of their next turn as their body struggles to contain the flame.
  
  
2. Alchemy / Potion Brewing:
   
   
• Essential ingredient in Potions of Fire Resistance, Emberheart Vigor, or even experimental resurrection elixirs.
  
  
• Brewing an Ash Flower into a potion (DC 18 Alchemist’s Tools check) can produce a Potion of Rebirth (see variant below).
  
  
3. Spell Component:
   
   
• Can be used as a 300 gp material substitute for fire-based spells of 3rd level or higher (Fireball, Flame Strike, Wall of Fire).
  
  
• When consumed as a material component for Revivify, the resurrected creature’s eyes briefly glow like embers before fading.
  
  
4. Trade Good:
   
   
• A single Ash Flower sells for 250–500 gp in most cities; far more in cold climates or among fire cults.