Plants in The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game

To flesh out the setting, The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game introduces many new types of plants and herbs that were used for various purposes, beyond reeds.

Aelgus

Aelgus was a small, green, leafy fern that grew in thick patches throughout Arnor. Once cultivated by the Númenóreans like athelas, it was later considered a nuisance by farmers and shepherds. Properly prepared and eaten, it induced vomiting that purged venom and neutralized poisons.

Eater’s Leaf

Eater’s Leaf was an herb found in the Old Forest and valued in the Shire, especially by the Brandybucks. It fortified the digestive system, allowing heavy consumption of food and drink without ill effects, and granted resistance against poisons.

Equial

Equial (S. sídhroch, “horse-rest”) was a hardy weed found on the eastern slopes of the Misty Mountains. Used by the Rohirrim, it served as a mild anaesthetic for calming horses and other mounts. Frequent use, however, could prove deadly.

Fresh Dew

Fresh Dew (S. amrúnan, “sunrise-gift”) was a small, leafy plant growing high in the Misty Mountains. Crushed, it produced a pungent odour that revived the weary. It could rouse the stunned or even restore those collapsed from exhaustion.

Gwathlas

Gwathlas (S. “shadow-leaf”) was a leafy plant with a thick root, first cultivated by the Black Númenóreans under Sauron’s tutelage. Consuming the oil from its compressed roots sharpened the mind, allowing sorcerers to study dark lore more efficiently. In Gondor, its use was outlawed and punishable by death.

Naurant

Naurant (S. “red-vein”) was a fern with crimson veins, found east of the Sirich River. Gondorian healers employed it as a sedative.

Soldier’s Root

Soldier’s Root (S. dagorthond, “battle-root”) was a rare plant with an orange, pulpy root, found along the Loudwater near Rivendell. It granted great strength but carried the dangerous side-effect of battle-fury, often leading to excessive violence. This led to Elves purging the plant on sights.