Beads of the Shore Lacrimabacca Littorea
Flowering Plants
Beads of the shore
Beads of the Shore are delicate, melancholic flowers found exclusively at the very edge of Lylluna’s coastal lines. Their pearlescent petals mimic the texture of a shell, while their seeds bear an uncanny resemblance to pearls. However, their beauty is fleeting, with only a short active lifespan each year during Bay Season.
Home Island: Lylluna Reef
Rarity: ✦✦✧✧✧
Growth Cycle: These flowers are annuals with a short active lifespan, blooming rapidly during Bay Season. Their survival is linked to the consistent presence of the shoreline; they wither instantly if the water recedes even slightly.
Unique Properties: The petals create a ‘pseudo-shell’, which crustaceans sometimes use as temporary protective coverings when their own shells are lost. The plant’s seeds mimic the appearance of pearls to a tee, making pearl-trading a tricky business, as these seeds possess no real pearl value or usefulness in general.
Ease of Cultivation: ✦✦✦✧✧
Practical Uses: The primary use of Beads of the Shore is in water-breathing potions, though their effect is noted to be short-lived. Due to this, they are harvested in vast quantities (especially by Yfalos tribe members in preparation for the Eeriels’ Ballade), as a large amount of these plants are needed for just useful water-breathing potion.
Value: ✦✦✧✧✧
Lore and Cultural Significance: In the gentle sway of the wind, the Beads join in harmony with the shore. Old tales from Lylluna Reef tell of a seafaring Faian, heartbroken by the loss of his lover at sea, who shed his final tears on the shore. As he vanished with the receding tide, these melancholic flowers appeared, forever symbolizing yearning and lost love. Groups within Lylluna Reef often use these beads in symbolic water ‘burials’, or as part of rituals for members embarking on long journeys.