MANDRAGORAS

Mandragoras are one of the great enigmas of the modern day. Never seen before the Seventh Umbral Calamity, these strange little plants suddenly emerged everywhere at once, and are not only seemingly able to communicate with one another, but may even be sentient. (1)

Indeed, a group of odd mandragoras--aptly named The Mandragoras--were responsible for stealing supplies from Costa del Sol, and set up a garden of their own on the Isles of Umbra. (2)(3)

(1) Encyclopaedia Eorzea Vol. 1, p. 279
(2) Quest: A Burst of Inspiration
(3) Quest: Seeds of Rebellion

The leaves atop the mandragora's head are actually responsible for photosynthesis. (4) They are much coveted not only by hungry buffalo, but also the alchemists of Radz-at-Han, who think they can make a cure-all of them. (5)(6)

Mandragoras are considered to be a pest species, with parasitic root tendrils that are designed to drain the life from other plants. As a result, levequests and hunt bills are often issued to destroy the pesky seedkin. (7) (8)

(4) Item tooltip: Two-leaf Mandragora Bud
(5) Levequest: Bud Bait
(6) Levequest: The Cure
(7) Levequest: March of the Mandragoras
(8) FATE: Overnight Migration

Known species/types of mandragoras:

- Coastal mandragora
- Mandragora Prince
- Marching mandragora
- Territorial mandragora
- Tiny Mandragora

- Tomato King
- Mandragora Queen
- Onion Prince
- Eggplant Knight
- Garlic Jester

- Mandragora
- Arena Mandragora
- Korrigan
- Womandragora

COASTAL MANDRAGORA

Coastal mandragoras dwell in the reaches of the Agelyss Wise, and are convenient food for the buffalo there. Those who take up the task of hunting buffalo often hunt coastal mandragoras first, to use the leaves on their heads for bait. (5)

(5) Levequest: Bud Bait

Habitats:
- Eastern La Noscea, Agelyss Wise (levequest only)

Combat Rating: 35-39

MANDRAGORA prince

This particular specimen's title of royalty is unrelated to the criminal gang known as the Mandragoras; instead, it is given due to his unusual size and strength. This strength is believed to be had from taking root in blood-soaked battlefields, between which he has been seen migrating on occasion. (9)

(9) FATE: One Prince

Habitat:
- Lower La Noscea, The Gods' Grip (FATE only)

Combat Rating: 13

MARCHING MANDRAGORA

It was the variety of mandragora known as "marching" that revealed the creatures' nature to the farmers of Cedarwood: tiny root systems in their feet that drained the soil of precious nutrients. And thus, Arenlona of the Red Rooster Stead often puts in levequests for the culling of the creatures. (7)

But all to do with marching mandragoras is not a loss; the leaves sprouting from their heads are said by the alchemists of Thavnair to have a remarkable medicinal quality; to take them whole and alive fetches a tremendous price. (6)

(7) Levequest: March of the Mandragoras
(6) Levequest: The Cure

Habitats:
- Lower La Noscea, Cedarwood (levequests only)

Combat Rating: 8 to 11

TERRITORIAL MANDRAGORA

Some might be tempted to think that these tiny garden pests are immune to the lure of trapped treasure chests, but not so. Indeed, mandragoras, spurred to hostility by the musk released by some traps--particularly those located by deciphering peisteskin treasure maps--will immediately attack any man within sight of them.

Habitats:
Territorial mandragoras are seldom seen unless someone has opened a hidden treasure chest located by a peisteskin treasure map.

Combat Rating: 50

TINY MANDRAGORA

Tiny mandragoras are essentially what their name suggests: small specimens of the genus. However, they more than make up for their lack of size with sheer numbers.

Regarded as not mere pests, but an existential threat to farmers' crops, they are often assigned as targets for young marauders and rogues to hunt. Occasionally, the Yellowjackets will also sally forth to cut back on the out-of-control population in Middle La Noscea. (8) (10)

(8) FATE: Overnight Migration
(10) Hunting Logs: Marauder, Rogue

Habitats:
- Middle La Noscea, Summerford
- Lower La Noscea, Cedarwood

Combat Rating: 4 to 9

If participating in a culling in the Summerford area, great pains should be taken not to allow oneself to be swarmed by mandragoras.