Bushes & Shrubs (sage study)

Bushes & shrubs is a sage study in the field of Plant Life by which the character learns about small to medium-sized woody plants, the majority of which are under 20 feet in height and more commonly under 7 feet in height. Bushes and shrubs are primarily grown for their agricultural value, producing fruit, perfume, gums, incense, medicinal drugs and many other unusual products. They are also raised for beauty. Species that grow into a shrubby habit may be either deciduous or evergreen.

Much of the study's value is found in daily application of knowledge, in pruning, cutting, replanting and other gardening activities.

Sage Abilities

The sage abilities below are those acquired by a character through the study, according to status.

Amateur Status

• Arboriculture: identification of genera and species of shrubs on sight.
• Pruning: allows for the intensive improvement of shrubs by cutting away superfluous or undesired growth.

Authority Status

• Bonsai I: enables the creation of pleasant, contemplative art from trimming a bonsai tree, a miniature plant that is adjusted through crown and root pruning. Should the character speak with plants, the bonsai will relate to the character how it wishes to be trimmed, thus building a lasting relationship with the plant. Bonsai plants that are thus cultivated are able to act as spies or alarms, relaying what they know to the character through speak with plants, or releasing a pheremone the character can detect from 20 ft. away, if the room is entered or a door tampered with. Time needed to produce a "friendly" bonsai is two months, provided the bonsai is spoken with once a week. The bonsai cannot be moved during this time, as they dislike disruption of this kind. A druid can create relationships with up to four bonsai in this manner at the same time.

• Grafting: allows the tissues of one plant to be inserted into another, so that both plants may live in symbiosis. Grafting may be used in conjunction with plant growth.

• Horticulture: enables the intensive cultivation of arable land, producing fruit yields 2-5 times normal amounts in ordinary circumstances. Reduces plant disease or encroachment by insect plagues by 50%, should either occur. Increases the size of native shrubbery by 100% and increase the density of shrubland, curtailing easy passage. Up to 30 acres per experience level may be made to increase yields or grow dense. Requires the active investment of 1 day in 5 over a period of 90 days, with no single gap in time of more than 10 days.

• Plantation Culture: allows the successful cultivation of plantation crops in semi-tropical or tropical regions, allowing the growing of valuable crops of fruits, spices, tobacco and more.

• Silviculture: enables a sustainable yield of 10 cubic feet of wood per acre, per year, for a forest up to one acre per point of knowledge. Additionally, each acre will yield 150 lbs. of ingestible vegetable matter and 30 lbs. of meat annually. Requires an investment of 1 day in 10 for a period of one year, with no single gap in time of more than 20 days. Acres must be forest or shrubland.

• Topiary I: describes the practice of creating shapes through the clipping of shrubbery for ornamental appeal. Geometric or fanciful shapes may be created. Requires one day of time per 10 ft. cube.

Expert Status

• Bonsai II: enables the development of a bonsai tree that's able to communicate aloud with others in the common language. The tree has a moderately below average intelligence, from 8 to 9. The plant can also move up to 1 ft. per round, provided it's able to re-pot itself with or without help in the space of an hour. Cultivation by the character causes the original 5 lb. plant to increase its size and weight by 25% per month, reaching a height of 6 ft. and weighing about 350 lbs. after a period of about 20 months. It is unable to fight or attack due to its slowness, but it is an effective and tireless guard with 100 h.p.

• Tree Shaping: allows the character to direct ordinary or magical plant growth in load-bearing shapes that allows trees to be shaped into practical designs such as houses, bridges, living fences and more. Trees can be induced to grow around and support structures of glass, metal, stone, clay, wood and so on. Most often used in association with plant growth.

• Viticulture: allows the growing of superior fruits or nuts for the purpose of making wine or spirits. Vine or fruit yards planted by the character provide produce that can be fermented into beverages that heal 1-3 h.p. per bottle. Orchards must be attended by the character one day in four, over the space of 120 days, with work spaced no more than eight days apart. Up to 1 acre may be planted per 18 points of knowledge, once per year, with a magical yield of 35 bottles per acre. Up to 2,000 ordinary bottles may be produced per acre with the same amount of commitment.

Sage Status

• Bonsai III: Increases the speed of the character's bonsai tree so that it is able to fight (twice per round, 2-12 per attack) and move more quickly (1 combat hex per round); the character may also invest the bonsai with three spells of no greater than 3rd level, which can be released by the bonsai when triggered by an enemy. This triggering depends upon pre-determined instructions on the character's part.

• Topiary II: Bushes are planted to grow into whatever shapes the character predetermines, primarily for the purpose of progressively producing vast areas of living space. Up to one such bush can be planted per 10 pts. of knowledge the character possesses, each producing a 125 cubic ft. of growth per season (or 3-month period) up to a maximum of 400 such cubes. A single plant may reach up to 8 ft. of height per season, to a maximum of 250 ft. Should the character wish to clear a single plant, it can be made to wither and dry within two weeks, whereupon it can be physically cut down and used for fuel.

See also,
Druid Sage Abilities
Plant Life (sage field)