#Lore24 – Entry #65 – Fantasy Month #5 – Maidenbane Vines

From the journal of Angeliqua “Goldeneyes” Cartacustos:

A rather disgusting creature of uncertain origin to be sure.  The Emperor’s gardens have some of these on display, as do some private collectors, and rumors abound that they are actually popular with the elite of Draconis Magna as ways of experiencing their own depravity, though I suppose more often it is the kerryns who are forced to endure the touch of these creatures within the city.  Contrary to the name, Maidenbane Vines don’t exclusively target females, and don’t go after virgins first, as many an unfortunate (or I suppose fortunate, depending on one’s proclivities) man has discovered. 

Maidenbane Vines can generally be found within thick growth woods or jungles, most often near areas of civilization, for their primary food source is humanoids, though it is rare that one dies to these creatures, usually only those unfortunate enough to fall victim to them when no help is forthcoming, and perhaps only if they are particularly susceptible to the secretions of the vines or are unlucky enough to find themselves in a colony of the monsters.  These vines are difficult to spot, blending in well with regular vegetation, or perhaps even hiding the bulk of themselves underground until they burst forth to attack an unsuspecting victim.  Visually, they appear like any other vine, though if the creature hasn’t fed in a while, their color shifts from greenish hues to pinks and reds, growing from a central trunk that shares similar coloration to surrounding trees.  There is another telltale sign of their presence, their scent, which is sweet and thick, like certain other plants, but with a distinct honey-like quality, which only grows stronger once the plants become active.

Striking from ambush, Maidenbane Vines will lash out at their targets with multiple tendrils, usually half a dozen or so, and in some cases of extremely old plants, up to two dozen have been observed.  Their strikes are not usually deadly, but meant to daze and disorient, then constrict upon the chosen victim, wrapping them up and drawing them closer to the main body of the plant.  These vines are especially adept at immobilizing its targets, for its tendrils are not only strong, but their secretions serve to pacify the victim, filling them with lustful desires.  The plants are likewise adept at stripping the pacified victims of their gear and clothing, tearing through clothing with ease and finding gaps in armor or breaking straps when needed.  Once a victim is sufficiently restrained and pacified through overwhelming lust, the plant’s main body will open, revealing its moist interior, and extending its particularly phallic stamen, and the plant will begin to feed in ways that I could go into detail on, but will only describe as deeply erotic for the sake of brevity.

Once sufficiently sated, the Maidenbane Vine will then retreat back within its shell to languish after its meal, and release the likely exhausted victim, who, if unable able escape at this point, may suffer another attack hours later.  In most cases, the victim is fatigued and covered in the plant’s nectar secretions, perhaps with some amount of bruising and a rash on their skin, but generally unharmed (aside from, perhaps, their dignity), left feeling extremely aroused and perhaps even craving more if they are particularly vulnerable to the plant’s secretions.  The plant itself is at its most vulnerable when it has a victim within its grasp and is ready to feed, for its interior is extremely soft compared to its outer shell and the resiliency of its vines.  It is not unheard of to distract these creatures using slaves, then attack them once they begin feeding for an easy kill.

As to the origins of the Maidenbane Vines, they were first recorded following the demonic incursion and Great Cataclysm some two-thousand years ago, and tend to be more common the closer one comes to the original incursion point.  Further evidence of a demonic origin comes with their peculiar vulnerability to holy magic and their tendency to be able to sense those who can use it.  Those of particularly strong faith can sometimes force these creatures to retreat, similar to how they can turn undead, and divine energy can harm the creatures similarly to how it harms denizens of the lower realms, though it is not nearly as effective.  The plants, sensing the divine gift, will often try to attack a priest or priestess first, and with a greater animosity, though curiously only those who follow those gods of a generally good nature, further cementing their likely demonic origins.