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Ekrixi Moss

Name: Ekrixi Moss

Size: Small

Region: Mountains

Lifespan: 3 Months on average

Appearance

Ekrixi Moss comes in two varieties – Ipios Ekrixi, and Agrion Ekrixi. Ipios Ekrixi is a deep green moss with small, soft leaves. Agrion Ekrixi is a light green moss, and it has drier, crisper, longer leaves than those of the Ipios variety. Both kinds grow close to one another, and look very similar in form if not in colour. They share the defining feature of Ekrixi Moss – large bulb-shaped, spore-bearing capsules which grow amongst the leaves. These capsules are slightly translucent but are mostly a soft orange hue, and they grow on the ends of stems that extend up to four inches away from the plant’s leaves. Ekrixi Moss grows on rocks, often in crevices or lining cave walls, and it has been said that their stems look like minuscule torches when found hanging from the walls of caves and mines. The capsules grow sparsely amongst the moss, and there is no distinguishable physical difference between the capsules of the two varieties.

Behaviour

Ekrixi Moss will endeavour to avoid external influences, and so it will grow in fairly inaccessible areas, such as cave ceilings. It can grow without much natural light. It can also survive without much water, as it can absorb the moisture from the air and rocks. The bulk of the moss is sturdy, and can grow on any kind of rock, but the stems and capsules are fragile and grow away from any kind of pressure (so this plant will not be found in areas with strong wind or extreme temperatures).

Diet: Photosynthesis provides it with the energy to spread – which it does slowly, incidentally, as it does not procure enough light or water to grow at any great speed. Due to its preference for dark, dry areas, photosynthesis is not particularly successful, and the plant soon dies out.

Habitat: Ekrixi Moss will grow on any kind of rock, as long as it is out of direct sunlight and not in an extremely hot or cold climate, or subject to weathering by strong winds, snow or rain. As a result, it is mostly found inside caves, which suit it because it prefers the dark.

Reproduction: The capsules release spores every time that they are opened. As the capsules are very fragile, this happens often, frequently via animal intervention. The spores then float until they find suitable conditions in which to settle and begin to grow, often in rock crevices.

Special Information

Strengths/Abilities: Ekrixi Moss capsules contain a flammable oil that does not need to be extracted, having already been secreted from the moss, down the stems and into the capsules naturally. The two varieties offer a different quality of oil:

• The Ipios variety is milder, and serves as a good source of cooking oil. It is also frequently used in lanterns, as it burns bright, for several hours, and releases little smoke.
• The Agrion variety is more volatile – should the capsule come into contact with flame it will explode. While the explosion is small (due to the size of the capsule), should it happen too close to another capsule of the same variety a chain of explosions may be set into motion. This is particularly dangerous considering the plant’s habitat. For this reason the capsule’s oil - should it be safety extracted – does not serve domestic purposes well, but those suitably skilled find use for them in creating controlled explosions.

Weaknesses:

• The capsules of both varieties are very fragile and can be easily crushed, releasing the oil(s) within. This can make places where Ekrixi Moss grows dangerous for those wielding a naked flame; even if the flame was kept away from the moss itself, there is the danger of the capsules having been naturally/accidentally broken beforehand, covering the surrounding rocks in oil.
• The moss itself is fairly flammable, so if one capsule explodes it can result in the destruction of the entire plant.
• The oil itself also stinks, and does not work well in perfumes or medicines. The smell, at least, warns the informed of the moss’ presence, and dissuades herbivores.

Uses:

• Ipios Ekrixi Oil can be used as cooking oil, or for anything else that might require a small but enduring flame.
• Agrion Ekrixi Oil can be used to create small explosions. It should be noted that it loses its potency the longer it is exposed to air.

Origin: Discovered in the Apollo Mountains, by the Anyeli of the Cloud Palace. Speculation abounds about whether the plant was one of Xanth's experiments.

Other Info: The Ekrixi Moss is the subject of a few miner folk tales, typically revolving around the idea that the moss rewards the careful miner and punishes the careless. Those who enter into the mine haphazardly and do not treat the mountains with the respect that they deserve, say the miners, will have to face the wrath of the mountain itself. The moss is a rare find, considering its strict living conditions and its fragility.

Creator: Hollie