Plant Dossier: Masala Moss
From the menu of Brass Bender Bistro:
"Conflagration Gratin- A savory shallow dish of slow-baked squash and potato cooked in a house-made tomato sauce. Topped with quail egg and breadcrumbs; then spiced up with Masala Moss!”
From the lips of a Brass Bender Bistro customer after the first bite:
(Through tears) ”My brain feels like it’s on fire and I can’t feel my tongue! Ahh! But I just can’t stop eating!”
Type: Flowering bryophyte
Where to Find: Craggy tropical areas, typically around a source of fresh water. Comfortable range: 45° - 134° F
Distinguishing Features: Pinpoint-sized red flowers that coat the moss like fuzz.
_____________________
Feel the Burn
Masala moss is the recently-given moniker of a type of plant found in deep tropical grottos and deltas. Originally known as “Devil Fur,” this variety of moss is easily recognizable due to the miniature flowers that bloom across the plant. Unlike almost every other variety of plant, these flowers aren’t sprouted for pollination purposes. Instead, they are the moss’s defense mechanism. The flowers contain a staggering amount of capsaicin, so much that it is excreted in the flower’s pollen.
So powerful is the spice of a masala moss clump that it kills most animals within minutes of consumption. Humanoids only fair slightly better. The plant was believed to be poisonous for years due to the intensity of the spice. Often, the moss was consumed as a dare or an archaic rite of passage. And often, those who ate the flowers burned their taste buds off for months. Even being near the plant during a windy day is enough to cause a burning throat, itchy nose, and watery eyes.
The even more cruel aspect of this plant is the addictive nature of the flowers. Most humanoids who consume the flowers once crave them again, even to the detriment of their health and palette.
The change in name from "Devil Fur” to “Masala Moss” came with the advancement of cooking techniques. It was discovered that, when placed in an airtight container and boiled for a few hours, the spiciness of the flowers became far more tolerable. This allowed the delectable earthy tones of the spice to come out and quickly made the flower a luxury spice. Ever since, it has become a carefully-balanced staple in fancy restaurants or is used as an enticing flavor-enhancer for an exciting (or gimmicky) menu item.
And restaurants love it, for even though the heat of the flowers is quelled in the cooking process, it’s mildly addictive properties remain— making customers crave the dishes its used in.
_____________________
Gameplay Effects
Masala moss flowers may be carefully extracted by succeeding a DC 10 Nature check. If you fail this check, you must spend 1d4 rounds coughing and sneezing from an accidental inhalation of the spicy pollen.
Masala Moss (Ingested): A creature subjected to this poison must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failure the creature suffers 1d4 fire damage and must use their next action to continue eating the masala moss. On a success, the spice is harmless but still present.
