nirkk

  Nirkk is an annual flowering plant native to Janikk. Young nirkk appears as a collection of pink leaves growing around a centralized root bundle, eventually developing into a sturdy stalk with spiraling leaves growing along its height as it ages. At this point the leaves of healthy nirkk also begin to pulse with a faint bioluminescence, attractive to predators. On older nirkk plants the leaves stop pulsing and begin to turn purple, while the stalk forms small flowering buds at the top which will eventually seed into the next generation of nirkk.   While still pink the leaves are mildly sweet if eaten fresh, with a light but satisfying crunch and a high water content for their size. Once purple the leaves are tougher, developing a bitter flavor when eaten due to a higher concentration of the nirkk's natural sedative. Drying the leaves weakens the flavor and alters the effects of the drug, especially if heat is used to speed up the process due to nirkk's high water content.

  Nirkk grows best in waterlogged soil along the swamps and denser marshland of Janikk. While they can still grow in dry soils they thrive in ground fed by an aerated, slow-moving water source and low lighting, making them ideal candidates for hydroponic growth setups.   The more plentiful the water the thicker their leaves appear, courtesy of a complex and efficient set of apoplastic pathways throughout the plant. In slow or stagnant water nirkk remains fairly stationary, but exposure to faster currents – such as those caused by flooding, or due to the water pumps often found in hydroponics setups – the plant's leaves will pulsate slightly as if it is breathing, a side effect of its natural processes to expel excess water.   If this current remains constant it will hurt the plant. Proper growth setups add long rest periods punctuated by several minutes pumping, while also reducing water pressure around nirkk by widening the growing channel and reducing the density of the substrate not directly surrounding the plants.

  The discovery of nirkk and its capabilities had an immediate effect on the Mordena as the fledgling mercenary organization quickly found methods to utilize the plant's alchemical effects. Upon verification the extracted drug would not impede combat readiness or effectiveness it was approved as an alcohol substitute for use across the fleet, with most Medical personnel quickly adding the plant to their alchemical garden lists for Hydroponics.   For most species fresh nirkk works as a sedative, inducing a deep and relaxed sleep. Dried nirkk, by comparison, is known as a physical and mental relaxant, capable of reducing or completely suppressing inhibitions. Fae have discovered an additional side effect, as adrenaline-metabolized nirkk has also been shown to boost their Imperium production, allowing for greater use of magic and even serving as an effective treatment to help stave off the worst effects of cosmic burnout in close cases if administered quickly.   Today nirkk is the most commonly used drug across all of Janikk, prescribed as anything from a sleep aid to a mental relaxant, and more popular than alcohol for recreational use. The plant is grown across Janikk and considered a staple in every hydroponics bay of the Grand Armada. Alchemical formulas including nirkk have also been developed to suppress the body's manufacture of adrenaline, thus allowing the nirrk to remain in the user's bloodstream for longer, although anything administered at more than a minor dosage is typically reserved for therapy patients with crippling anxiety or trauma-induced stress disorders.