Kima Betna
Character
Name: Katag'ihr (Lit. 'Sweet Root')
Homeworld: Mandalore
Development Thread: N/A
Average Measurements: ~1m tall
Cultivation Requirements: Type I atmosphere and loamy soil
Strengths:
- Chemical Defense - The roots of the plant are packed with a natural chemicals and toxins that, when introduced into the average digestive system, breaks down forming three types of chemicals: a natural stimulant, a natural hormone analog, and a psychoactive agonist. The stimulant and psychoactive agonist work together to cause affects on the consuming creature ranging from altered mental states, loss of pain and sensory reception, and intense agitation and/or rage. In addition, the hormone analog directly affects the adrenal gland, causing the organ to immediately flood the cardiovascular system with adrenaline which causes increased strength and endurance. In nature, this combination would cause the ingesting herbivore to suffer from blind rages and hallucinations leading creatures to outright avoid the plant entirely.
- Sweet Tooth - Despite the dangers of the Katag'ihr, the root is very sweet to the average palette. Mandalorians found that when the roots are cut into strips or sections and boiled for a time, then dried, the roots lose their potency as most of the toxins and chemicals seep out of the roots themselves and into the water. The chemicals that remain react with the sap and water within the roots and form a natural sugar. Now safe to eat, the Katag'ihr loses its fibrous texture and gains a psuedo rubbery consistency. The roots are then often sold as a natural sweet or doctored with various flavors, sugars, or even fruits and candies as a type of confection. As a result, the root is a very popular sweet snack on Mandalore, especially among children.
- Withdrawal - While the root is not considered addictive in it's raw form (when boiled as a tasty snack, this perception arguably changes), the root does cause symptoms similar to addiction withdrawal. As the chemicals and toxins are filtered slowly out of the blood (A process that can take approximately 30-60 minutes), the body begins to react negatively to the loss of said chemicals. Lethargy and fatigue being the primary side effects, the root has been known to cause nausea, tachycardia, indigestion, dehydration, and global acute myalgia. These symptoms can last for approximately 12-24 hours, though common medications can alleviate these symptoms to a mild extent, often only enough to 'take the edge off' of the symptoms.
- Side effects - As the chemicals make their way through the cardiovascular system, certain side effects are apparent. Primarily, as the toxins are in the blood stream, a loss of cognitive function and logic is apparent, causing those ingesting the root to make choices they would otherwise not make, often placing themselves in situations of increased risk.
- Tooth Decay - When prepared as a confection, the natural sugars, for reasons unknown, cause an increase in plaque buildup, often causing more cavities than standard sugars. Parents and individuals are urged to brush their teeth more frequently if Katag'ihr is a frequent snack in their diet.
Distinctions: Growing around a meter in height, the Katag'ihr is noted for its feather-like leaves and it's flower clusters which range from white to pale blue in color. The roots are thick for a plant of its size and the stem is noted as having a light 'fuzz' along the stalks.
Average Growth Cycle: The plant grows in approximately one month and matures a month after.
Average Life: Katag'ihr is an annual plant, growing and dying each year. Seeds are spread in the fall and grow once more in the spring after the winter has passed. Harvested Katag'ihr root lasts a few months when harvested in its raw form. When prepared it lasts for a few days before rotting, though when turned into a confectionery it can last for far longer.
Nutritional Value: Negligible when raw, the plant does have a significant amount of sugar when prepared as a foodstuff, however.
History:
Native to the planet Mandalore, the Katag'ihr was first discovered by the Taung. Noted as a powerful narcotic and psychoactive drug, the early Taung utilized it for ancient rituals and to send selected warriors into a frenzy during battle.
As time went on, the root was found to be edible when boiled properly, the root losing it's toxins in the cooking process. The root, now found to be sweet and pleasant to the taste, quickly found popularity among the Mandalorian clans as a snack or candy.
Currently, the root is still popular as a confection and sold as such widely. The root has fallen out of favor for most warriors as a combat drug primarily because stronger narcotics are currently available on the market, though a small number of individuals still utilize the root for combat. It should be noted, however, that a recent combat drug named Berserk is believed to be made from ingredients consisting of Katag'ihr root.
As of now, there are very few, if any, actual farms growing the plant. Most, if not all, harvested Katag'ihr is taken from the wild forests of Mandalore making the root uncommon and highly prized among the planet's population.
Intent: Because I found the notion hilarious that a plant could cause a berserk rage or be given to children as a candy depending on how you prepared it.
