Bladegrass

Bladegrass, sometimes called Swordgrass or Sheargrass, is a common plant found throughout Tregaron. It's very well-known for its strategic use throughout the feudal era, its use in Alchemy, and its potential usage as a cheap alternative to iron. True to its name, Bladegrass is a plant that resembles grass in terms of shape, with long 'blade' like leaves that can reach up to three feet in height. Each blade is razor sharp and stiff, making them dangerous to any unsuspecting traveler.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The only soft part of Bladegrass are its white, long roots, which extend far into the ground. They are notably very rubbery and pliable, but break with enough force given. These roots are typically found over ore veins. It absorbs the metals and minerals with its roots and leaves the 'waste product'; often iron, in the long blades found along the length of the plant's leaves. The more minerals it absorbs, the longer the blades. While records have not shown Bladegrass to reach lengths beyond 3 feet, there are still tales of massive leaves reaching the height of men. Save for its size and the faint sheen that it gives, Bladegrass is almost imperceptible from regular grass, and as such is a danger to most adventurers due to it blending in with tall grass fairly easily.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Bladegrass was historically used as a deterrent by nobles as a cheaper, less labor intensive alternative to moats. The plant was fairly easy to forage and is capable of being planted simply by burying a stiff leaf into the ground. So long as there's enough minerals, rocks, or iron content, the Bladegrass can rapidly spread to continue its growth. It was common for people to help spur a Bladegrass' continued growth by sprinkling cheaper powdered metals along the ground, such as copper. Bladegrass is also often used as a cheap replacement for iron; or even growing it. While it's unknown how bladegrass produces this outcome, perpetually farming the plant over time through the use of ore will create more cheap iron over time. While the quality is often low, a skilled smith can easily burn away any impurities that would otherwise leave a blade weakened or dulled from its manufacture. Bladegrass is also a common product used in Alchemy. When left to sit in water and cooked, it creates what's called Rustwater. Rustwater is a corrosive substance that eats away at metal; a common weapon used against soldiers to cripple their ranks and ensure an easy surrender.

Geographic Distribution