Greenhouse

The Greenhouse is housed under a gigantic dome of brass and smoked glass that extends over the edge of the chasm. Inside, you are greeted by a veritable explosion of vegetation. Ancient vines with luminous flowers climb along the curved brass supports, and the floor is divided into terraced beds of dark, nutrient-rich forest soil.

Brass pipes run along the ceiling, spreading a constant, fine mist of magical spring water over the plants, creating tiny, shimmering rainbows in the air as the light refracts through the glass. The air inside is warm, heavy, and deeply humid, carrying a rich scent of damp earth, sweet nectar, strong eucalyptus, and scorching magical ozone. Large amber lanterns hang on chains from the center of the dome to give the plants a constant, warm glow even on the darkest fey nights.

🧠 Atmosphere & Living Chaos

The atmosphere in the greenhouse is alive, rustling and constantly in motion. This is primarily the domain of the magic group (The Arcanum) and the healers, but the diplomatic students are also often seen here when they search for rare tea varieties. It is a place where the wild and unruly power of nature is kept in check under the orderly forms of the academy.

Working here requires a large dose of street smarts and extremely good listening skills. The plants in Crossroads are not like ordinary plants; some of them react to the students' emotions, others whisper secrets when the wind is right, and some are downright aggressive if you happen to step on their roots. The students quickly learn to show deep respect for the greenhouse's inhabitants - forgetting to feed a fey flower can result in it pinching your finger hard the next time you walk past.

⏳ Botanical Magic & Rules

The Greenhouse uses advanced magic to simulate the climates of the different regions:

The Chrono-Growth (Level 2 Magic): In order to harvest rare ingredients for The Healer’s Place in time, the professors use a gentle chronomancy over specific growing beds. By locally speeding up time, a healing herb that normally takes a year to mature can grow in just a few days. However, this requires deep stillness and focus so as not to deplete the soil.

The Wild Zone: At the very back of the greenhouse, behind heavy iron and glass double doors, lies the “Wild Zone.” Here, the most unstable and dangerous fey plants from Avondale Forest are grown. This section is strictly locked and students may only enter it under the strict supervision of a teacher.

🎭 Greenhouse Adventure Hooks

The Singing Spores: A student from the Diplomatic School has accidentally knocked over a pot of rare, purple fey mushrooms in the greenhouse. The mushrooms have released a cloud of sparkling spores that have caused all the teachers and students in the vicinity to suffer from hysterical fits of giggling, making it impossible to hold classes. Players must use their street smarts to navigate the foggy greenhouse, find the right antidote (a specific amber root), and clear the air before the headmaster discovers the chaos.

The Hungry Tendril: During a detention in the greenhouse, players discover that one of the clockwork-enhanced tendrils in the wild zone has begun to grow at an unnatural rate, winding around the doors of The Council Room (Teachers' Room) which is located next door. The tendril seems to feed on the chronomantic magic from The old Belfry. Can the players find a way to put the plant to sleep with the right combination of natural magic, or will they have to resort to brute force from Ironhall to cut down the teachers before the vine devours the entire wing?