HEY, remember how I chatted about making soaps and candles earlier this year?? And then barely posted about it? I’ve been actually doing it all along, I just never shared a whole lot about the journey. :’D
But for anyone curious, here’s what I came up with for the various Scents of Sahuldeem (not all pictured, but everything WAS crafted as some point and thusly sniffed and approved), accompanied by excerpts where the original source of said scents were mentioned throughout the series:
Kuninda :: Peony ~ Plumeria ~ Orchid
The only touch of decor to suggest this chamber housed someone special was the ceramic pot of kuninda blossoms on the table. || The rest looped chains of fiery kuninda blossoms over the stone statue wherever they could reach.
(note: looks and smells like Starburst)
Kushlal :: Butterscotch ~ Marshmallow ~ Warm Vanilla Sugar
“Ah,” said San Hill with a knowing smile when the droid translated. “So you do have a word for sweetness. Though I suspect it is an uncommon flavor?” || The kushlal taste of the blue food—so much more intense and delightful than the fruit on Kalee!—was almost worth the stomachache.
Nuurma :: Grapefruit ~ Verbena ~ Bergamot
The fruit trees and bushes were not quite ready for harvest, but it would not be unheard of for someone to pluck a round, juicy nuurma from a branch prematurely to enjoy its tartness. That is precisely what Bentilais san Sk’ar did as he strolled into the courtyard, first nodding down at the posted attendant and then pausing to pick a rose-flushed nuurma that looked like it had been specially cultivated for children in his huge hand.
Sandanul :: Gardenia ~ Ylang Ylang ~ Lavender
The largest and most preeminent zaagmade belonged to the San Clan, and all of the entrances from each neighboring district were appropriately festooned with night-blooming sandanul and rippling, silken banners embroidered with their clan sigil.
(note: this is definitely a nighttime soap smell)
Seshu :: Ginger ~ Bamboo ~ Lemongrass
“You really need to remember to chew on seshu root before a flight.” || “I’m still not used to the feeling myself,” he went on, “and I’ve been flying for years. I find seshu root helps. We may still have some on hand, if you want it.”
Simsu :: Frankincense & Myrrh ~ Sandalwood ~ Lilac
Lanterns of priceless simsu resin—a gift from the mountain city of Sukundar—which blazed with blue spirit flame when burned. || He rummaged until he found his pouch of simsu and, moving from one pillar to the next, he took a small handful of the colorful resin and filled the depressions before taking a fire-striker to each and setting them ablaze.
(note: the flame is not blue :c)
Ulekni :: Lily ~ Lotus Blossom ~ Aloe
The lush southeastern region lent itself well to the cultivation of greenery that was strewn like a form of art across the landscape of the city, an urban garden interspersed with decorative fountains, quiet pools that brimmed with blooming ulekni, and practical channels running to and from the Shumiv’za.
Zigmash :: Red Poppy ~ Green Tea ~ Agave Musk
The scent of brittle grasses, brambles and flowering zigmash, mingled with the scorched sands of the desert lands that stretched beyond the northwest hill of the valley, meant he was home. || “Zigmash. ‘Breath of the twin’, or ‘breath of the moon’. A flowering plant indigenous to Kalee. It possesses analgesic, soporific, and mildly euphoric and hallucinogenic properties.”
(note: OG recipe was too grassy, 2.0 smells like candy and I want to bite it)
Zuulum :: Fig ~ Caramel ~ Pomegranate
“It’s dried to represent life where you least expect it—this dry, withered husk, like the desert—but then you taste what’s hidden inside. So sweet and soft.” || “We don’t have zuulum most of the year. We only eat it during Sudab’a Ud-Imin.”
