Drakhaar

A staple of the Icetalon clan of Kethendia, drakhaar is a subterranean bracket fungus which grows abundantly in caverns and tunnel systems, especially in damp areas. Drakhaar can be cooked in a variety of ways to break down the poison excreted when this fungus is damaged and is in fact quite nutritious and even considered a delicacy in some parts of the world.

Description

Drakhaar, like most bracket fungi, produces a fibrous fruiting body which can be harvested and eaten. It grows out of dirt or stone walls in a shelf-like formation, often with many such fruiting bodies in close proximity. It is striped a brownish yellow in concentric rings, and each fruit body can grow up to five inches in diameter and about three to four inches thick. The formations are round and thickest where it protrudes from the host wall. The underside of these fruit bodies is a light grey or white and quite soft to the touch. When damaged, the underside produces a thick, milky substance which is poisonous and causes nausea and visual hallucinations in most species. This poison can be broken down with heat to prevent ill effects. Within the walls, a layer of mycelium grows in a dense layer, allowing the fungi to sprout again if a fruit body is removed.

Cultivation

Drakhaar can be cultivated where found, but is very difficult to transplant. This makes it impractical for many to grow and cultivate large amounts of the stuff, as drakhaar grows too deep in cave systems to be easily accessible to ordinary folk. However, drakhaar is a staple food of many subterranean cultures such as dwarves, deep gnomes, and notably the Icetalon clan in Kethendia. This clan lives deep enough underground so as to completely cut off contact with the outer world. The Icetalon clan depends upon this fungus as a prominent food source. Drakhaar grows back when its fruiting bodies are removed so long as the mycelium remains intact, so it is an easily renewable resource. Because it only grows in damp and dark areas, drakhaar farmers often operate a series of caverns which are cyclically sealed off and supplied with water and heat to create a steamy and damp environment for the fungus to thrive. It takes several weeks for drakhaar to grow to its maximum size, so typically farmers leave caves sealed for a cycle or two before reharvesting.

Consumption

Drakhaar can be eaten both raw and cooked, but the effects of its poison encourage cooking before it is consumed. Some folk, however, become enamored with the effects of raw drakhaar, and either gather as much poison from it as possible before cooking or eat the fungus raw. Drakhaar is used in a variety of dishes, especially stews and vegetable roasts. It has a high nutritional value, and some cultures dry out the cooked fungus and grind it into flour or eat it whole as a travelling food. In the Icetalon tribe, drakhaar is cooked into traditional hand-sized pies for special events and feasts.