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    Thyme

    Common · Thymus vulgaris

    Healing · Alchemical · Magical · Defensive

    Terrain Coast, Forest, Grassland, Hills

    Description

    Creeping thyme, or wild thyme, is a perennial sub-shrub with a creeping, sometimes rooting, branched stem that bears numerous leafy and flowering branches. As it ages—thyme can live up to 30 years— the base of the stem becomes woody. The leaves are very small, up to 0.6 inches (15 mm) long. Small pink flowers are gathered at the ends of the branches into a head-like inflorescence.

    Location and Habitat

    Creeping thyme (wild thyme) is widespread in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. You can find it on dry sandy hills, meadows, forest edges, clearings, slopes of ravines, in light forests, steppes, and even in gardens.

    Rarity and Availability

    Thyme is a common and easily recognizable plant; it is not considered a rare species and is widely found in nature, making it readily accessible for harvesting.

    Effects and Uses

    Thyme has been widely used in folk medicine. In one medieval botanical work, it is stated: "...this herb has the property of strengthening the stomach, head, and heart, relieving vomiting and stomach pains, correcting any stomach disorders, improving appetite, banishing bad thoughts from the mind, and strengthening the eyesight..." Of course, the properties of thyme are greatly exaggerated here.

    Harvesting & Preparation

    • Highly common in dry, sunny meadows, forest edges, and steppelike areas. A DC 10 Wisdom (Nature) check or Wisdom (Survival) check is required to identify thyme’s low, creeping stems dotted with tiny purple-red flowers.
    • Gathering fresh thyme leaves and flowers is straightforward. A DC 10 Dexterity (herbalism kit) check or Wisdom (Nature) check ensures you don’t uproot the plant, preserving its potent aroma.

    Folklore & Magic

    • Knights in ancient lore adorned their armor with thyme as a symbol of courage and protection.
    • Dried thyme tossed onto a flame might reveal a liar—the rising smoke suggests truth, while groundhugging smoke suggests deception. This can be woven into in-game social or investigative checks.

    Items & Effects

    • Warrior’s Courage Tonic. A brisk tea made by steeping fresh thyme flowers in hot water with honey or citrus, said to bolster bravery before a fight.
      • Creation. Requires about 1 hour of simmering. A DC 13 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check yields 1-2 doses.
      • Use (Ingested).
        • Courageous Heart. For 1 hour, you have advantage on saving throws against the frightened condition (PHB, p. 290).
        • Steady Mind. Once during this hour, if you fail a Wisdom or Charisma saving throw made to resist mind-influencing effects (e.g., charm or fear), you can reroll the save and must use the new roll.
    • Fairy’s Eye Poultice. Drawing on the folklore of thyme granting fairy sight, alchemists may concoct a mild ointment from thyme dew or essential oil.
      • Creation. Requires an alchemist’s kit or herbalism kit, plus fresh thyme dew (collected at dawn with a DC 14 Wisdom (Survival) check). Mixing takes 2 hours.
      • Use (Applied to Eyes). Faerie Vision: For 10 minutes, you can see creatures on the Ethereal Plane (as though you have the effects of the see invisibility spell (PHB, p.274), but only regarding fey creatures or illusions).
    • Truthfire Censer. Based on the legend of tossing thyme into a flame to test honesty, some inquisitors or fortune-tellers keep a specially prepared censer.
      • Creation. Requires a small iron censer and a fine powdered mix of dried thyme. A DC 14 Intelligence (Arcana) check or Wisdom (herbalism kit) check to blend.
      • Use (Ritual, 10 minutes).
        • When casting zone of truth (PHB, p. 289) or a similar effect, burning thyme in this censer grants disadvantage on the saving throw of any creature in the area that attempts to resist telling the truth.
        • If an affected creature actively lies, the thyme smoke changes color or direction, potentially alerting watchers.

    Lore

    A plant with a strong and pleasant aroma—a small evergreen shrub with tiny leaves and purple-red flowers—which botanists call creeping thyme, is known among people as wild thyme, and in folklore as the Flower from the Warrior's Scarf.

    It is believed that the homeland of thyme is the northwestern part of the Mediterranean—from Portugal to Greece in Europe—where it has been used as a spice and medicinal plant since ancient times. The origin of the Latin name of the plant, Thymus, is unclear. Some authors believe it is connected to ancient Greek words denoting strength and courage, as for many centuries, thyme flowers were used by wariors to adorn their armor before battles or tournaments.

    Other authors hold the opinion that the name of creeping thyme comes from a Latin word meaning "sacrifice." The fact is that among the ancient Greeks, thyme was dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite and was offered to her as a sacrifice. The herb was burned on sacrificial fires. The fragrant smoke ascending to the heavens symbolized the gods' acceptance of the offering.

    From Witch’s Herbs 5E, p. 102 · Fern Flower Press