Blood Moss

Blood Moss

The only places where this strange substance, which in reality is a fungus, can be located are in the Bloody Plains across the mountains from Cove where many years ago thousands of soldiers lost their lives, or in the enchanted forest of Spiritwood, beneath the rotting bark of dead trees. Blood moss is used to enhance mobility and movement.

Can be bought in reagent shops.

Lore

Blood Moss

lood Moss - is the bane of farmers and the boon of magicians. It is a deep red fungus that attacks the crops of those who raise grain, yet it is a vital component in the casting of spells. An oddity to those who spend their lives observing the growth of that which is not animal in nature - for it behaves like no other plant or mushroom - Blood Moss grows only in the dryest of times, when all around it is perishing from drought. It cannot survive the absence of direct sunlight, and thus passes from the earth each night, only to return when the sun blazes mercilessly upon the land. Blood Moss seems to feed only in ripening grain - it can lay waste to an acre of corn in a single day and vanish without a trace as night falls, leaving naught but fruitless stalks swaying in the cool, night breeze. The magic of Blood Moss is thought to reside in its fleeting nature, for it is used in the spells of movement - from the simplest levitation to making the very earth tremble. As harvest time comes each year, the merchants send runners to wait by the fields and gather the Blood Moss. Farmers consider these runners unlucky and try to chase them from their fields, but enough show persistence to ensure their masters a plentiful supply of Blood Moss to sell.

- from The Book of Mystic Wisdom (Ultima IV)

Fungal growth usually found in deep forests and warm, damp areas; especially favored as a reagent for its ability to enhance mobility.

- from The Book of Lore (Ultima V)

"Moss" it may be called, but blood moss is, in reality, a fungus gathered in the enchanted forest of Spiritwood. There it is found growing under the loose, dead bark of fallen trees. Blood moss is used to enhance mobility and movement.

- from Compendium (Ultima VI)

In recent years the only places where this strange substance can be located are in the Bloody Marsh across the mountains from Cove (where many years ago thousands of soldiers lost their lives) or in the enchanted forest of Spiritwood, beneath the rotting bark of dead trees.

- from The Book of Fellowship (Ultima VII)

This reddish fungus, found only in the swamp south of Moonshade, usually grows on dead trees and is found between the bark and the outermost ring of wood. Blood Moss is used to instill a spell with the power to increase speed and mobility.

- from Beyond the Serpent Pillars (Ultima VII Part Two)

The energy of blood roiled in battle imbues a common type of moss with a magical potential that is suitable for spells of movement. In binding with this reagent, the mage draws from it the carriage power of the blood contained therein. Sadly, the moss seems to favor the blood of virgins, and reports of abuses have spread from the hinterlands.

- from Spellbook (Ultima IX)

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Reagents
Britannian	Black Pearl ☥ Blood Moss ☥ Garlic ☥ Ginseng ☥ Mandrake Root ☥ Nightshade ☥ Spider Silk ☥ Sulfurous Ash