Herat (Hare-at)

Blackberries of Churr

Often called a variety of names, such as Defender's Joy or Soldier's Luck, the Herat berry bush is a popular plant among many Churrian colonies despite its prickly nature to any who wish to gather from it. Bearing a dark spiny fruit that is often utilized in mead and fruit desserts, the hardy plant, from flowering to its end product, has become an inspiration for many romanticized stories of soldiers and heroes who stand their ground against overwhelming odds with courage.

Basic Information

Anatomy

While this plant features a number of interesting features, including leaves edged with serrated red prickles and a deep and delicious aroma when its bark is broken, the Herat berry bush is best known for the unique evolution of its berries. A dark flavorful fruit, the herat berry is covered in soft spines that allow the fruit to hook onto the fur and feathers of passing animals to then be deposited away from its parent plant.

Genetics and Reproduction

Relying upon common pollinators to successfully reproduce, the Herat berry bush has been known to take on different but subtle changes to its flavor profile should bushes from different areas cross-pollinate. This understanding has given rise to a wide variety of different Herat cross breeds that are then used to create draughts of Dravenel mead. While many Churrians will state that they can barely taste the difference, Dravenel connoisseurs will vehemently argue that it can make all the difference in the world in the end drink.

Growth Rate & Stages

Growing much like a typical berry bush, the Herat fruit will become deposited onto the ground by passing animals where germination can take hold as the berry rots. A slow-growing plant, the Herat may take up to 3 to 5 years to fully develop into its fruiting stage. When ready to fruit, the plant will sprout a variety of small dark purple flowers that are often the inspiration for many stories of courage and resistance.

Ecology and Habitats

Found throughout the steppes and valleys of Churr's mountain ranges, the Herat is a relatively hardy plant that can survive in rough but fertile environments. Alluring and defensive in equal measures, this plant is heavily dependent upon local creatures to be attracted to its scent and fruit, allowing its overlooked berries to hook onto their bodies and thus become deposited elsewhere. Often found growing in clusters, the delicious nature of this plant ensured that it was kept in the gardens and greenhouses of Churrian settlers with Venestrians finding it particularly appealing due to its traditional use in meads from their mountain homes.

Additional Information

Domestication

Domesticated by Venestrians for many generations, the Herat has proven itself to be a plant that is surprisingly resistant to change. Despite attempts by breeders to curry different flavors, sizes, and shapes from the berry bush, the Herat plant only seems to change slightly before seemingly halting in its directed evolution. While the cause of this is unknown, it has created an expectation of consistency often enjoyed by casual Dravenel mead drinkers.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

While the Herat berry's spines prevent direct consumption in most cases, the berry bush has been found to be a popular ingredient in Dravenel mead once the berries themselves have been crushed and juiced appropriately. That said, however, the berry, if appropriately prepared, can be found in a variety of different Churrian dishes including that of the popular Kashti dessert.
Considered a staple in Churrian society, with special emphasis on the Venestrian people who originally propagated the plant, the Herat is unlikely to disappear from the mouths and tables of the Sanguar Institute any time soon.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Originating from the lower mountain ranges and valleys of Churr, the Herat berry bush has now found a home among the gardens and greenhouses of the displaced Churrian people due to its nostalgia as a popular plant from their destroyed homeworld and use within the Dravenel mead. As such, the Herat can now be found wherever there is a significant Sanguar Institute presence with wild examples found more prevalently within mountain ranges that have been settled by the organization.

Lifespan

20 to 25 years.

Conservation Status

This species is relatively rare throughout Refuge as it is primarily found in Churrian gardens as opposed to being allowed to grow in the wild, though there are exceptions.

Average Height

3 feet tall.

Geographic Distribution

• Churr