Ikam (IH-KAMM)
A stonefruit discovered by Aguthsha Intoh in the Inebi Grove on the 51st Day of the Season of Opening, 985AC that garnered interest for its ability to awaken and enhance Ega abilities, and speculated application for large-scale land fertilization. Unfortunately, it would gain infamy when it was used by Aguthsha to create a biological weapon in the form of the Plague of the Bitter Hand.
When the Bitter Hand was released at the height of the Widow's Siege, not only did it erupt over a large surrounding area and destroy the Inebi Grove and all verified specimens of the ikam itself, but spread via water and infected persons to become the greatest biological catastrophe in modern history.
In subsequent years many have claimed to have either the fruit, its stones, or immature plants, but they have always turned out to be either weak or outright fraudulent, to varying degrees of side-effect. It is broadly considered extinct. Unbeknownst to everyone, Aguthsha entrusted five ikam stones to Jal-Droxir Iknais -- to all appearances her enemy -- prior to her death.
Basic Information
Anatomy
A woody, evergreen stonefruit bush with largest known specimens of five feet tall and four feet wide. Bark is dark brown and fibrous/flaking. Leaves are dark green, glossy, and arrow-shaped. Flowers are scentless deep salmon-colored, four-pointed stars; the 4" petals decay to a lacy parchment-colored cage surrounding the fruit as it ripens. Ripe fruit is roughly tear-shaped and ranges from 2"-5", with dark purple-red / nearly black skin and orange-red flesh surrounding an off-white round, smooth stone of 0.5"-1".
Biological Traits
Only the fruit is edible; leaves and wood are poisonous. The stones, while somewhat edible, were seen as too valuable to resort to eating and regardless, had even more unpredictable effects than the fruit.
The fruit stones were observed to have an unusual, mutable Ega that -- given a period of time -- mimicked its surroundings, and that were otherwise something of a blend between metal, wood, and stone.
Genetics and Reproduction
It was believed to be pollinated primarily by nocturnal insects (including Intoh's wasp) once unique and indigenous to the Inebi Grove, which contained the only known specimens of the plant, and reproduces via its fruit stones.
Ecology and Habitats
Although the Inebi Grove was the only known localization of ikam, Icalaran biologists were unable to determine any special properties of the location compared to similar areas.
Additional Information
Domestication
Attempts to cultivate via grafting, cuttings, etc proved unsuccessful prior to its extinction.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The fruit is notable for the ability to awaken magical ability in those that eat it (particularly under the age of twelve) and -- weakly in random cases -- increase magical ability in current channelers. Initial research suggested that something within the fruit acts as a catalyst of sorts between consumer and external Ega. The stone itself contains a tannin with immense implications for either mass organic fertilization or, contrastingly, volatile toxicity; Aguthsha led this initial research prior to the formation of the Violet Accord and the War of the Six but ultimately used it to concoct the Plague of the Bitter Hand. Toward the end of the war, clues were emerging that there was a connection between the fruit and the otherworld Azgorach, and that Xa'aroch may be withholding information on its use as an Ega-enhancement drug.
The usual -- though not commonly-known -- method of authenticating an ikam stone involves soaking it in jeweler's acid to soften the surface, and then applying inking algae. If the stone's surface does not corrode and turns orangish-brown from the algae, it is genuine.
Eating the fruit was incredibly risky for anyone regardless of age, race, or initial channeling ability. From the small number of observed and documented cases, it appeared that one stood a 30% chance of it either having no adverse or beneficial effects whatsoever, a 50% chance of some degree of adverse effect, and a 20% chance of some form of beneficial effect. Adverse effects ranged from vomiting, seizures, liver failure, cardiac arrest, and boils to an unsurvivable, uncontrollable surge of one's Ega that corroded the body and mind in minutes or caused outright spontaneous combustion. Prior to the release of the Bitter Hand there were no published results of attempts to isolate the variables that determined the type of effect or, at least, the subtype of adverse effect.
The only observed common factor in those who had consumed the ikam and later died -- noted by Master Shepherd Rarla Mizel, who typically attended the majority of the souls of those departed in this manner -- was how the soul contained a distinct kernel of black Ega, though this proved as mysterious as the ikam's biological secrets.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Isolated to the Inebi Grove, now destroyed.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Civilization and Culture
History
The name 'ikam' was formally given by Aguthsha Intoh; it is a Shekoldahn term meaning 'injury'/'bruise'/'wound', referring to its macabre coloring and appearance when bitten / cut open.
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