Malt Shrooms

Brown Agrius mushrooms, colloquially referred to as malt shrooms are the primary ingredient in Digger's Brew and grow vertically along the algae-covered cave walls of the Grey Rise Mountains. When cooked, malt shrooms take on a thick syrup-like flavor and oaky afternotes. Malt shrooms on their own produce a number of positive benefits when consumed. Most of these benefits translate to Digger's Brew during the fermentation process and can be destroyed as easily if the beverage is left in high levels of sunlight, much like the fungi itself. Among these benefits, a boost to the consumer's immune system has been documented across cultures over the years. This can help individuals overcome illnesses, or help prevent them. Malt shrooms are also demonstrated to help boost energy levels, fighting fatigue. These mushrooms also have added benefits related to the cleansing of the liver, often helping to overcome the harsh effects of significant potion use. However, many regions believe that this benefit extends to alcoholic beverages, allowing them to drink more. This is a false claim and is dismissed in more educated circles, as the mushrooms are most commonly associated with use in brewing processes. There is also a euphoric component to malt shrooms when consumed raw. Similar to pipeweed and other mild hallucinogens, this euphoric effect can differ between individuals, with some experiencing hallucinations or dissociation and others experiencing a feeling of floating within their own bodies.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Malt shrooms grow vertically along the algae-covered cave walls of the Grey Rise Mountains, in thick shelves. The thick fungal shelves have a concentric color scheme of yellow interiors, moving out into orange and red colors on the outside rings. Malt shrooms have a velvety texture and spongey consistency. As the mushrooms grow thicker, in preparation for harvesting, they become tougher and less spongey.

Genetics and Reproduction

Like many other species of mushroom, malt shrooms produce spores from small gills on the undersides of their shelf-like caps. As small streams of water flow down the rock of the cave walls from underground streams, the spores are washed away, getting lodged in small cracks and crevices on the rock face. The mineral-rich water, algae, and rock structures, in combination with droppings from bats and other underground species fertilize the spores into fruiting.

Ecology and Habitats

Malt shrooms grow exclusively underground in dark areas. The presence of light can significantly alter the properties of the fungi. As light is introduced, the nutrients of this species diminish, which has the additional consequence of reducing the flavor of Digger's Brew, almost souring the syrup-like flavor.

Geographic Distribution

• Grey Rise Mountains