Driq (Drick)

Driq is a cereal tuber found throughout the Kingdom of Kh'Axros.
Its many uses has rendered it an indelible part of Kh'Axri culture. It is considered a sacred crop by most Kh'Axri.

by Vasily Khazykov

Properties

Material Characteristics

Driq has a strong central light green stalk from which emerge thick, fibrous, dark green and pod-like leaves. Inside these pods is the fruit of the driq, which is a pale brown when raw.
A single driq plant can exceed eight feet tall, and features an extensive root system, which is also edible.

History & Usage

History

The history of the Kh'Axri people of the history of driq. Its domestication predates historical record. 
Vast swathes of the Kingdom of Kh'Axri are dedicated to driq cultivation. It grows exceeding well in the windy, cool climate of the steepes. Most Kh'Axri spend their lives tending to the driq fields.

Everyday use

Driq is, first and foremost, a food source. It can be consumed raw, but most prefer it cooked in some fashion. Each fief of the Kingdom has its own interpretation of the best way to cook and consume driq.
It is also essential for animal husbandry, as both the yak-like mararak and the six-legged himmoxi subsist nearly entirely on driq.
The roots are also edible, and are often used for medicinal purposes.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Driq is part of nearly every ritual and rite of the Kh'Axri, including The Yakeer. Libations made from driq are served at every significant occasion of the Kh'Axri. Understanding the many uses of driq, and best methods of cultivation, is essential to passing the exams of the Anointed.
Less spoken of, but still well-known, is the fact that the silk-like fibers of the driq stalk are used to make the garrote that ends the life of the previous vessel of the God-King so that another may serve.

Industrial Use

Driq fruit, when combined with soil and mararek remains, makes a strong building material. As such, most of the buildings in the more established settlements of the Kingdom are made from the bricks formed from this process.

Manufacturing & Products

Most clothing in the Kingdom is made, in some fashion, from driq. Basic articles are woven from fibers culled from driq stalks and leaves. The fruit of the driq also makes an excellent catalyst for dye, so it is essential for coloring the fabrics of the Yakeeri.
The roots of the driq plant are fermented to make a potent liquor called zofex. It is commonly described as tasting of "earth and sky." Outsiders sampling this beverage consider it an acquired taste.

Type

Organic

Odor

Earthy and sour

Taste

Bitter when raw, slightly nutty when cooked

Color

Pale yellow-brown when raw, vermillion when cooked