Usken

Usken is a salt-like herb native to Aldu and the southern Furun Mountains. In 245AF, it is the most common salt alternative for middle class citizens in The United Provinces of Rhadin. it is used due to the salt embargo forced upon rhadin by Ver'Kalah and Thrëdan after the Henva tribe genocide in 238AF. The herb was already being employed, and used, in the ancestral provinces, but the industry had to be grown, and was funded by the government. Usken is now transported to and eaten by most citizens, with only the rich and powerful being able to procure salt via illegal means, or by evaporating basins. Ceris Vaun is the only salt importer still operating in rhadin, and makes good money off of citizens with allergies to Usken.

Usken grows in plants up to one feet tall, normally hanging off of cliff sides, or grown in large plantations in the Banen lowlands. It’s traditionally harvested by the native Hillsmen, who rappel down the cliffs, cutting the Usken off at its stem and then Collecting it at the base of the cliff.

History

Usken has been historically used as seasoning before the founding of rhadin. The harvesting technique was developed by the Hillsmen as far back as 520PF. It was always a relatively small industry in rhadin prior to the salt embargo, because it was not only harder to procure, but also because most find it to taste worse than salt.

Type

Organic