Kar-Tiin Sap
The sap (also called blood) of Kar-Tiin is a vital component of the diet of Dyramads. The Kar-Tiin, sapient creatures classified both as plants and serpents, and the Dyramads, descended from both dryads and vampires, share a symbiotic bond, dependent on each other for survival.
Kar-Tiin sap can be acquired through puncturing the skin, but once a Kar-Tiin is bonded with a Dyramad, it forms two indents the size of that Dyramad's fangs which will open when gently pressured. It is almost impossible to drain a Kar-Tiin of so much sap as to be life-threatening; one adult Dyramad alone cannot consume even a quarter at a time, and a Kar-Tiin's defence mechanisms will kick in if their sap level dips too low.
A myth among other species is that the consumption of Kar-Tiin sap by early Dyramads caused the Kar-Tiin to develop sapience, rather than led to the discovery that they were sapient. Although proven false time and time again, the myth is still prevalent in parts of the world where neither Kar-Tiin nor Dyramads are commonly found.
The Symbiotic Relationship
When a Kar-Tiin reaches maturity, it requires more nutrients than those found in the soil and ground-dwelling prey. These can only be attained by bonding with a moon tree (also known as a Dyramad tree), an extension of a Dyramad's own body, in which most of the lunarphotosynthesis process takes place. Kar-Tiin absorb the byproducts of this process from inside the trunk. Likewise, Dyramads who are leaving their family soil need to find a Kar-Tiin to supply their own essential nutrients through its sap. While Dyramads can survive off a mixture of plant saps and animal blood, Kar-Tiin sap is absolutely essential for good health; lack of it results in various deficiencies. While Dyramad supplements were developed to act as a substitute for Kar-Tiin sap for times when a healthy Kar-Tiin is unavailable, they are not suitable for long-term use. Dyramads are nocturnal, while Kar-Tiin are crepuscular. A common routine is for Kar-Tiin to hunt at dusk, then return to their moon tree when the Dyramad wakes. Once the Dyramad has fed on the Kar-Tiin sap, they leave while the Kar-Tiin settles inside the moon tree, which protects them while they rest. Of course, individual preferences and potential commitments of both parties determine routine. In cases where required, Artificial Lunarphotosynthesis can be used to supplement natural nutrition to keep both Dyramad and Kar-Tiin healthy.Properties
Material Characteristics
Kar-Tiin sap, when taken straight from the Kar-Tiin, is a reddish-amber liquid only a little thicker than standard blood. Dyramads describe it as sweet and slightly salty with a metallic tang. When left out for a period of time, the sap crystallises--the time and consistency depends on environmental factors. It can still be consumed by Dyramads after this without affecting the nutritional value (many Dyramads do this on purpose, as it's the only "solid food" in their natural diet). The sap keeps for around a week fresh; it can be frozen for up to three months.
History & Usage
History
Dyramads were not an established (sub-)species until around 50 GC (Global Calendar). Until then, dryad/vampire hybrids (later referred to as "early Dyramads"), whose inherited genetic traits varied from individual to individual, lacked a standard nutritional requirement. Kar-Tiin sap did not feature in their diets, and research since has determined that it was not required for them.
Kar-Tiin, who until then were endemic only to the western islands of New Zealandia, were not discovered until 23 GC. At the time, no-one realised that they were sapient, and the Kar-Tiin did not understand that the tall creatures trampling around their islands were sapient either. The discovery turned out to be a pivotal moment in both Kar-Tiin and Dyramad biological history.
An early Dyramad named Zircon Parata, one of a party who were exploring the islands for the first time, spotted a Kar-Tiin while hungry and--unable to decide whether it was a snake or a plant--decided to taste it and find out. Although the vampire trait of absorbing someone's language from feeding on them had never been passed down to hybrids, Zircon was suddenly able to understand Kaa-Pli-Xe. The Kar-Tiin in question, Sho-Lo, was able to understand Zircon's native Juranglish and Te Reo Hou. Curiosity triumphed over any offence Zircon had caused by drinking her sap, and a groundbreaking friendship formed between them.
As word spread, more early Dyramads and Kar-Tiin wanted to share this experience. Other vampire hybrids tried, but Kar-Tiin sap proved unsuitable or even toxic to them. Early Dyramads became interpreters between Kar-Tiin and Zeala-Obon's other sapient species. Although that generation were never dependant on each other nutritionally, however, some of the next generation suffered health problems that--much later--were attributed to having different nutritional requirements to their parents. By the time Dyramads were classified as such, it was established that they now needed Kar-Tiin sap to live a healthy life. Additionally, Kar-Tiin--who had stumbled on the benefits of (what would later be called) moon trees while getting to know their new friends--had had a similar experience.
In the early days of this symbiosis, a system needed to be developed to enable Dyramads and Kar-Tiin to find each other, as the word of mouth method was flawed and there were health repercussions for those who fell through the cracks. After various systems were tried and tested, including one with a similar setup to a dating service, the various governments of New Zealandia managed to set up a central department which oversaw all the local systems. This introduced the consideration of individual needs. While the new system experienced many hiccups in its first decade of running, by 72 GC, it was overwhelmingly effective. The invention of Dyramid supplements in 81 GC and Artificial Lunarphotosynthesis in 97 GC helped to plug any gaps.
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