| | |
|---|
| ||
|---|---|---|
| [not common information outside Lamu] Andor seed pods can be found only on the continent of Lamu. When it rains (which is rarely), the pods react by exploding violently, shooting seeds in bullet-like fashion. To the Lacinus, these are amusing (if hazardous) toys. | ||
| ||
| Berryswort tea is a popular non-alcoholic "wake-up" drink in Ashdod, especially among fruit-bat Eeee. The best blends come from Saskanar, though other varities are cultivated elsewhere in Ashdod, and to a lesser degree on Sinai at large. | ||
| ||
| This oversized "truffle", the size of a pumpkin as the name suggests, is found exclusively in the jungles of the Savan. It is associated with the Bromthen Forest-Hog, which is its primary "predator", for the oversized boar-like creatures are unsurpassed at sniffing out and digging up these growths with their enormous tusks. In appearance, the truffle looks like a giant, hairy pumpkin. The outer husk is thick and durable, requiring some effort to break. The inside consists of nodules of a carob-like substance. Pumpkin truffles are sometimes sought out as delicacies, but their relative rarity and the lack of ease in finding them makes them even more a rarity on anyone's dinner plate (except, perhaps, that of a Bromthen Forest-Hog...). Sometimes Forest-Hogs have been used to root out these truffles, but (unfortunately for truffle connosieurs and for the Forest-Hog), the boar-like creature is rather tasty as well, and his ivory tusks are far more valuable than any truffles ... so he's not likely to be kept on as a pet. (Besides, Bromthen Forest-Hogs are impossible to truly "tame".) | ||
| ||
 There are several varieties of vegetation on Sinai that disperse their seeds and seedlings by forming natural "balloons" filled with lighter-than-air gases. The Bubble-Berry Bush is one of these. Sections of it grow large translucent "berries" filled with gas, and eventually the clumps of vegetation break off, floating into the air. Eventually the gases dissipate, hopefully before the seedling dies from lack of nourishment from the ground, and the cluster will descend far away. Bubble Berries are sometimes sought after as an amusement, for children of many races find it enjoyable to get a cluster of the "bubbles" and pop them.
| ||
| ||
| Cageroots are trees that get their name from how their roots are partially exposed, forming a "cage" in the hollow area underneath them before they join into a trunk. Cageroots are particularly gnarled and twisted trees, and the size of the "cage" may vary greatly -- dependent upon various factors, including the age of the tree, and the amount of flooding likely in the area. They tend to be found in swamps and other fairly damp areas, rather than in more arid regions. The "cages" tend to collect debris (such as fallen leaves, or dirt moved by floodwaters), and are often home to a variety of creatures that may build their homes there, due to the partial protection afforded by the roots. | ||
| ||
| Yet another fruit produced by the floating sky gardens. Even when deflated, this particular fruit still has enough pulp to make a meal of, and is considered a worthwhile find by sky sailors. | ||
| ||
| The Coruscant Fiero is a flower that blooms only briefly in the wintertime, renowned for its bright colors ranging from yellow to red, supposedly suggesting flame. | ||
| ||
| One of many plants on Rephidim used in the making of hallucinagenic "recreational medicine", the primary product being known by the same name. It is highly addictive, with ill (and eventually fatal) side-effects, its trade and use considered illegal in most countries on Sinai. | ||
| ||
| Kayrf is an herb favored and cultivated by the Keiltyn, most likely due to its mild calming effect on members of that species. Kayrf Chai is a popular hot, soothing Keiltyn beverage made from a tea of this plant's leaves combined with spices, honey, and rugrhat milk. | ||
| ||
| Kyootcumbers are about the size of a large squash or small melon.. When ripe, they are a rich yellow, with light yellow fuzz on the outside, like a peach, but with a thicker skin. A thin black husk surrounds a kyootcumber while growing, consisting of leaves with tiny tufted pollinators at the end. Kyootcumber plants produce about 3-4 kyootcumbers apiece, off of a short vine. When cut open and peeled, kyootcumbers have two edible parts: the soft 'flesh' and the seeds. The flesh is yellow-green, has a okra-like taste, and is used in salads, sauces, and soups. A typical kyootcumber has about 20 soft seeds inside. These ground up to make an extremely spicy powder, often used for flavoring a salsa made from kyootcumber flesh. A salsa made from one entire kyootcumber, flesh and seeds, is at the fiery limit of edibility. The kyootcumber is one of the hardiest vegetables on Sinai, growing regardless of the soil type, anywhere with a good amount of moisture. Sky islands often have large amounts of them growing on the underside, due to the weather systems that travel with them. | ||
| ||
| Lovan fruits can be found in the Savan Territories, cantalope-sized melon-like fruits that grow on vines, and which have a spongy, bread-like interior with light coloration. The fruit is more or less tasteless, but in especially arid seasons, water collects in the spongy interiors, thus making it a good resource for those short on water. Also, with some preparation, recipes using lovan can make a pretty good substitute for bread or cake. | ||
| ||
 A small fernlike plant found in hot jungle regions of Sinai and widely cultivated, Mateh's long, thin brown roots contain caffiene. These roots are harvested, dry-roasted and ground. Boiling water filtered through this powder will produce a dark, rich, slightly bitter beverage that is usually sweetened with honey, sugarfir leaf, or sugar. Cream or milk may also be added, as may xochlatl. Due to its properties as a stimulant, a hot cup of mateh is enjoyed as a 'wakeup' beverage by many species able to tolerate caffiene. Mateh root also varies in taste and aroma depending on its place of origin; certain prized varieties will be more costly than a 'common' variety such as one might find in any low-priced inn.
| ||
| ||
| Nik-nik berries are yet another fruit to be found on Sinai, but a few people believe mashed nik-nik berries to be a cure for air sickness. The paste created from mashed nik-nik berries is sweet, but the seeds are tart and crunchy. | ||
| ||
 This fruit bearing tree can be found in many varieties in oases of the Himaat and other arid regions. It is distinguishable by having tiny leaves and similarly tiny fruits as well. The trees do not grow in great numbers, and therefore the fruit is fairly rare, since it is a very "finicky" plant if raised outside its natural habitat. Therefore, the fruit of this tree is somewhat rare and is considered mostly a "delicacy" and food of the wealthy.
| ||
| ||
| A type of tree found in the Himar Territories, used for lumber. | ||
| ||
 Mostly associated with the territories of Aelfhem, Sugarfir trees have black bark, offset by bright pink leaves. These leaves have seedling bulbs in the base removed, and are then ground up to provide a popular sweetener. Groves of Sugarfir are grown for this purpose in the Ashdod Territories, though it's held that the rare varieties cultivated in Aelfhem are of superior quality.
| ||
| ||
| The large and forboding thistlebark trees of the Savan look much like any other tree, but their bark sports sharp, wickedly-curved spines that ward off herbivores (and woodsmen). The wood of these trees is semi-porous, and overall not very useful, except that it is purported that these trees have some sort of natural properties that disrupt certain aspects of magic. Many Naga legends hold that weapons fashioned of the wood from a thistlebark tree are capable of harming Chigai (the Naga equivalent of a "demon") and other wicked spirits normally impervious to the physical realm. Among mages of the Sphere of Spirit, this wood is sought after as a component in some more potent (and expensive) rituals, and some Naga lords will surround their grounds with thistlebark trees, believing it to be an effective ward of spells of scrying (as well as a hazardous deterrent to trespassers). | ||
| ||
| Name of a type of tree, as well as the bark taken from it. This tree is fairly common on multiple continents in temperate areas. Many herbalists value its bark as a primary component in a headache remedy, and several other medicines of modest potency. | ||
| ||
| Yorspice is a "meditative" herb purported to clear the mind and to allow visions to form. It is used in many temples, particularly about the region of the Himar, and is worth fortunes due to its geographically limited supply. Yorspice is native to the Jupani lands of the Himar Region, and aside from knowing that the Jupani obtain it from their clan lands, no outsider really knows what Yorspice truly is -- The Himarian Jupani guard the secret of its production jealously. Finished Yorspice is a fine tan powder that is smoked with tobacco or mixed with beeswax into incense candles. Yorspice is a mild hallucinogenic. It is popular with seers and oracles as an aid in vision-forming. Some mages -- particularly of the Sphere of Mind -- value Yorspice for its reputed ability to aid in concentration while researching or casting spells. According to those who favor Yorspice, it is nonaddictive and its hallucinogenic effects can be shaken off if need be. Others consider this claim to be controversial at best. |
| Home Page |
Player Guide |
Log Library |
Recent Logs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encyclopedia |
Dramatis Personae |
Art Gallery |
Moz Ezley Asylum |
