Lakeshore Algae

Description

Vegetals in the Underdark biome of the Dome are few and far between.
Within the confines of the City of the One Prince, the main source of vegetation comes from the different types of algae growing a mile or so within the shores of the City's lakes.

Three main type of algae are farmed and harvested on the lakeshore by the City's populations of farmers.
Algae are also the main source of food and vitamins for every living creature under the Dome.

the Blue Grass is the most commonly grown and harvested and the most prized of the algae species: a thin kelp-like grass that loosely anchors itself to the sandy low waters of the lakeshore, it enjoys the light of the artificial sun, daily created, courtesy of the One Prince.

It is surprinsingly sweet tasting with a mild peppery bite.

the Green Bean is a coarser version of the Blue Grass. It enjoys the same habitat as the other algae but its larger leaves contain swelling seed pods along its long swirling blades.

The sea grass - as it is known - is mainly grown and harvested for its seeds or beans which can be dried and kept for months in jars.
The beans once rehydrated and cooked make for excellent stews especially if mixed with fish and shellfish.

the Purple Strand is a tiny and delicate form of algae which only grows in the most eastern lakes of the City.

A great delicacy that is usually reserved for the more well-to-do factions and districts of the City.
It has the best flavour of all the known algae or kelps under the Dome and is usually eaten steamed or lightly charred.

Other species of kelps and algae are rarer and are often found in dangerous and out of the way reaches of Lake Onix.

Other Uses

Algae, like kelps, are not only a great source of food but are used extensively to create other materials.
For example, once the seeds are extracted from the Green Bean plants, the leftover blades can be dried to create hardwearing threads which are then plated into a common and very useful type of rope.
When these ropes are reinforced through magical charms, they can be pretty much indestructible.