Volatile Ashwing

The Volatile Ashwing is a magical type of wheat that grows in the southern volcanic regions of the Orange Cult mainland. Volatile Ashwings are christened 'volatile' because of their extreme tendency to explode when lit ablaze, and christened 'ashwing' for the environment they grow in, and their ability to fly for short distances.

Volatile Ashwings are sentient plants that root lightly in the ground and are capable of breaking out of the dirt and flying forwards by flapping their pointed leaves. Ashwings generally cannot make it very far into the air and usually do a 'hopping' motion to move around. Volatile ashwings are commonly found growing in tight fields and exhibit a semi-eusociality; when a predator approaches a field, an ashwing will fly towards them, preferably into lava or a nearby fire, usually located on the predator itself. The logical purpose of this behavior is to protect the field by exploding next to the predator, while not damaging other growths, and to serve as a strong deterrence for future predators. Many beasts in the volcanic regions integrate fire into their physiology or as a tool in hunting, so usually it is best for the ashwing to fly directly towards the predator.

The Volatile Ashwings possess only one apparent sense besides the simple sense of their own forms (they do not respond to visual stimuli nor smells), that being seismic sensing, which they may only possess while directly rooted to the ground (they do not exhibit any reactions to stimuli while airborne). In terms of sheer intelligence the ashwings are, as far as anyone can tell, exceptionally dumb creatures. It is theorized that the Volatile Ashwings communicate by waving their leaves as well as shifting their roots underground.

The origin of the Ashwing's Volatility comes from a magical core called a volat-core inside about a quarter of their grains which are extremely flammable and explode when exposed to flames.

Domesticated Ashwings generally have more volat-cores than wild ones, they also have thinner wings that can fly much shorter distances; while a flying wild ashwing may be described as 'leaping', a domestic ashwing is more accurately described as 'hopping', even when the intent is clearly to fend off predators. Domestic ashwings are grown in ashen fields by experts in the craft who educate their apprentices to be able to properly handle cultivating and harvesting the volatile ashwings safely. The primary use of ashwings is military in nature, wherein they are sold to, or grown around local forts or directly to the Grand Barracks in Infernox. Ashwings used for military purposes' grains are grinded down and excess material including grains that don't contain Volat-Cores and other plant material are thrown out or used as low quality rations.

The second most common use of ashwings is in food, ashwings are not very suitable to produce bread, and on their own have a very crunchy, dry ash flavor that is quite bland. However, although sometimes dangerous, grains with volat-cores are quite the delicacy. Volat-Core grains taste much like other ashwing grains in terms of texture, but when eaten they 'pop' inside the mouth, giving way to a warm flavor which after some time quickly becomes spicy. Cores usually take an extended period of time to digest (up to multiple weeks), which can still explode violently inside of you if exposed to any flames. The most expensive version of this delicacy is in eating a live ashwing, an experience which many call extraordinary because. . .

"The little things wiggle and squirm in thine mouth oh so delightfully! The squirming to the popping, to the warm, to the oh, so, so hot conclusion, simply extraordinary I say, simply extraordinary! Thou hath made a delightful meal for me today, indeed!" - Grand Torch Scormerart to Sootcher Fest, owner and lead chef of KindleFeast, a restaurant in KindleSale

Praise the Inferno! Wise, and encouraging the quest for wisdom still.

- Article written by Pyotansi Scalor -