Helicitan

Helicitan is a fictional plant species that appears in the world-building of the tabletop role-playing game Pathfinder. It is described as a luminous, vine-like plant that grows in underground caverns and other dark environments. The plant's bioluminescence is its most striking feature, emitting a soft, greenish-blue light that can illuminate its surroundings. This light is believed to be a byproduct of a unique metabolic process within the Helicitan.

The Helicitan is typically found clinging to cave walls and ceilings, often forming dense, tangled growths. Its leaves are broad and somewhat translucent, allowing the internal light to be visible. The plant reproduces through spores, which are released into the air and carried by subterranean currents. While not actively predatory, the Helicitan's luminous qualities can attract various cave-dwelling creatures, some of which may inadvertently aid in its pollination or spore dispersal.

In the context of Pathfinder, the Helicitan is often encountered by adventurers exploring dungeons and subterranean ruins. Its light can be a source of both guidance and peril, as it may reveal hidden dangers or attract unwanted attention. Alchemists and herbalists sometimes seek out Helicitan for its unique luminescent properties, which can be extracted and used in various potions and alchemical concoctions. However, harvesting the plant can be challenging due to its often remote and dangerous locations, and the potential for encountering hostile cave life. The plant itself is not known to be poisonous, but its presence is often an indicator of deep, undisturbed underground environments.