“I’ve tried everything to extract the essence of this blasted fungus, but nothing works. It’s like it has a mind of its own, and it doesn’t want to share its secrets. I’ve boiled it, burned it, crushed it, distilled it, but all I get is a foul-smelling sludge that turns my stomach. What is the point of this mushroom? Why do I even bother with it?”
Heard on the streets of Al'Nahar's alchemy quarters
Appearance
The Qal'arsha or "little rock" as it is called in the common language is a moderately sized mushroom with a round and flat cap that is white with dark brown gills. The cap can reach up to two handspan in diameter and is covered in hardened, tiny outcrops, giving it a kind of rocky appearance. The stem is thick and sturdy, brown with white stripes, and can grows up almost anklehigh.
Habitat
This mushroom is a common sight along the great river, where it grows in small patches in moist and shady areas along the riverbanks. It is usually found near detritus or old wood, and its cap is home to a variety of insects.
Importance to the People
The people of the Aran'sha use Qal'arsha mainly as a foodsource, but there are also traditional medicinal uses. The mushroom’s stem is edible and has a mild and earthy flavor. It is often sliced and fried in oil, or added to soups and stews. A tea made from the outer skin of the cap is used to remedy headaches and muscle fatigue, although the taste is extremely unpleasant and requires a lot of sweetening to be stomached
Alchemic Uses
Many alchemists have tried to use Kal'hajar in potions or poultices, especially with the aim to harness its abilities against muscle fatigue or as a tonicum. However, none of these experiments have been successful, and some have even resulted in adverse effects. The mushroom seems to resist any attempts to alter its properties or combine it with other ingredients.
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