Sméartor Bushes

The spell seemed to drain me more than usual. If I didn't know better, I would've sworn the little berry bush was eating the magic right up!

— Journals of Artitz Aduain

A sméartor bush is a large shrub that grows in the Draíochtenglade and produces bright right berries. These berries are an important source of food for both the Cathairan and Taistealan elves. While the bushes do sometimes create Life Emeralds, their ability to absorb magic and use it as energy causes them produce fewer than other plants in the forest.

Basic Information

It may be tempting to pick them as soon as they turn red, but you'll loose the some of the sweetness that way. You've got to wait till their pocket leaves completely open up. That's how you know they're ready.

Sméartor bushes are large for a forest plant, covering an area of about 9 square feet and reaching heights of up to 6 feet. Most of their leaves are long and narrow, however, pockets of small, circular leaves that cradle bunches of bright red berries are spread around the bush. A single bunch usually contains about 8-10 berries.
Sméartor bushes grow on the the forest floor well beneath the canopy, so they do not always receive abundant sunlight. Because of this, an alternate energy source is need to support their size. In addition to converting sunlight to energy, these shurbs can also absorb and process the natural magic of the Draíochtenglade. This allows them to survive in even the densest parts of the forest.

Elven Usage

Add the crushed berries, mushrooms, lubih leaves, and water to the pot. Cook while stirring regularly until the leaves are wilted and the mushooms are soft.

— A traditional Cathairian sauce recipe

Sméartor berries are a staple in both the Cathairian and Taistealan diets. They are known for being sweet, sour, and savory at the same time. They are frequently eaten by themselves, although they can also be used in juices and sauces as well as preserved in jams.

Cathairian Elves

In order to support their large cities, the Cathairians have developed a system for farming Sméartor berries. They grow the bushes in sprawling farms beneath their cities. Since the plants require magic to survive, all farms must have at least one druid responsible for feeding them daily.
Each bush can produce about one crop of berries per year, usually beginning about a year after it was planted. Becuase the harvest time depends on the the planting time and last harvest rather than the season, the Cathairians generally try to plant and harvest in batches throughout the year. This allows them to have access to the berries year round.

Taistealan Elves

The Taistealan culture is centered around following ripe Sméartor berries through the forest in a migratory pattern known as the Aistrosàn. The Taistealans generally try to gather all available resources in a single area of the Taistealan Woods before moving on to the next. This includes harvesting any sméartor berries found. As soon as a batch of berries is harvested, the sméartor bush begins producing it's next crop. The new crop will be ready when the Taistealans return to the area in the next year.

At A Glance:

Lifespan

8 years

Average Height

4 ft.

Explore The Emerald Realms:

Materials Mentioned

Emeralds

Locations Mentioned

The Draíochtenglade

Species Mentioned

Elves

Cultures Mentioned

Cathairian Elves
Taistealan Elves

Traditions Mentioned

The Aistrosàn