Madarch

Purple, with white undersides and orange speckling, Madarch (pl. "Mederch"; Kh. "Zurumul") cannot be mistaken. This gaudy mushroom also grows to considerable sizes; most mature Mederch stand 4-5 feet high and have crowns which are 3-4 feet across. Their hard fibrous trunks are only about a foot in diameter, but they provide tremendous support. Indeed, a stout axeman might have trouble felling one within 10 minutes time. The Madarch grows in dark, damp nooks, usually in large clusters (51- 100). Thin, succulent ridges run outward from the trunk, on the underside of the Madarch's crown. The juice within them is called Pelenaur (S. "Encircling Fire") and serves as a powerful healing agent. Each mushroom yields a pint of juice, which is equal to one precious dose. When mixed with an equal part of water, it forms a purplish potion which warms the body and, within less than two hours, heals all the imbiber's cuts and blood vessels and restores normal blood flow. If one drinks undiluted Pelenaur, however, his blood will churn within its channels and swell with frightening fury. Unhealed wounds reopen and cuts widen. In some cases, a victim's veins simply explode. Greed can breed a rather disagreeable fate.