"Many fungi are valued for culinary applications, and are added to lend a desired flavor or texture to a dish. Other fungi are valued for more 'recreational' purposes, we won't go into that. Mor Ghona Mushrooms are valued for their medicinal applications. This should tell you why you don't see them in either the market square or the black market." — Alina Forvale, Northrun Academy Faculty
Widely cultivated across Erisdaire, Mor Ghona Mushrooms are a black mushroom which was a popular ingredient in healing potions through early parts of the Rhyliss Empire's rule. Mor Ghona mushrooms are physically characterized by the inky-black caps and soot-like spores released when crushed. These spores will be able to start new mushrooms growing in wet and dark environments, similar to many other mushrooms. Mor Ghonas tend to respond best when in the presence of rotten flesh, which many cultivators tend to keep quiet. This may be why it is somewhat common to find these mushrooms growing in many old ruins, and sometimes on old battlefields. Mushrooms are not picky about what they use to grow, so herbalists and alchemists will often purchase old food which has spoiled for this purpose.
The medicinal properties are well-understood, though there is scholarly disagreement about what portion of the mushroom is the source. Arguments abound about whether the flesh, the spores, or other parts of the plant are what is actively useful. Alchemists and apothecaries are known to prepare salves, tinctures, or simply infused brews in order to act as medicine. All of these objects fail to mask the two qualities which made replacing the Mor Ghona as an ingredient a desirable task: the bitter taste, and the acrid smell.
In the last few generations, a variety of imported herbs have proven more efficient (and more pleasant) than Mor Ghona as the primary ingredient in medicine. The relative inexpensive task of cultivating the mushrooms, however, mean medicines which bear the 'Morgana' origin are easily available to those who are tight on funds. Many traditional healers still use it, and swear by the tried and true methods taught to them.
Morgana Potion
When a standard healing potion is too expensive, this draught can be found in almost any town which has a dedicated apothecary. The methods of brewing it are distinct to each individual, and can range from a bitter fluid with the consistency of milk to a bitter tincture which is primarily alcoholic in nature. Neither are particularly pleasant, but still promote and augment the body's natural healing processes. A few alchemists have taken to warning prospective buyers against expecting rapid or miraculous results. "
If you're after a miracle, try a priest." Despite being the less-expensive option for such medicine, and being effective to most troubles, a dose of Morgana potion will still cost several months' wages. This blow is dampened due to the stability of the potion making it possible to store for many years before any worries about quality problems.
Morgana Salve
A second common medicinal application of Mor Ghona mushrooms, a salve is made from rendered animal fat and mushrooms cooked into a paste. The result is gritty and smells unpleasant, but the healing properties are both enhanced and localized. While it won't heal broken bones, it can relieve strained muscles or treat infected cuts remarkably well. Evidence has been collected to suggest it is also a viable treatment against venom, though dedicated antivenom is always more efficient. As with the range Morgana potions the salve can seem expensive at first, and it has a decidedly shorter time to remain useful due to the animal fat suspending the ingredients. But it is still the less-expensive option for treatment, and can treat a broader range of minor problems. As such, most laborers will keep a few tins of Morgana salve around for judicious use after particularly rough days.
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