Heat Root (3.5e Equipment)
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Heat Root[edit]
This relative of ginger is tasty and has a spicy hot flavor. However, heat root is much more potent, and when used in foods and dishes, it is used sparingly. Though, there are times when it is eaten in its pure form. Eating pure heat root has an unsettling effect on the stomach in addition to its fiery taste. The character must succeed on a DC 13 Fortitude saving throw or become nauseated for 1d4 rounds followed by being sickened for 1d4 hours. Creatures that fail their save by 5 or more also vomit, expelling the offending substance.
For each additional serving (up to 5), increase the DC by 1.
Uses[edit]
The magical root must be kept down for any boons to be granted to the consumer. Any saving throw when mixed with food is rolled at the end of the meal.
Heat root is beneficial to eat during pregnancy as well as being a favorite of shape shifting creatures like lycanthropes as it helps facilitate control over shape changes. A creature that has eaten heat root gains a +4 alchemical bonus on Control Shape skill checks for 8 hours.
Vampires detest heat root as they would garlic due to its strong odor. Anyone who has eaten heat root in the last 8 hours retains its scent.
Heat root is also common among midwives as a tool used to alleviate complications during pregnancy, as it does not upset the stomach of a pregnant woman (and she is therefore not required to make any save to keep it in her system). A pregnant woman would be relieved of many common ailments associated with pregnancy, such as morning sickness, cramps, nausea, mood swings, labor stress as well as reducing complications from crossbreeding. A pregnant woman that chews heat root throughout her pregnancy is twice as likely to carry a girl to term than a boy, making the root somewhat taboo among royalty seeking male heirs.
Description[edit]
In the wild, heat root grows in sandy soils, often in hilly forests and dry highlands. It has slender velvety leaves and grows to a height of about 2 feet at maturity. Its leaves are tinged with reddish orange and it blooms clusters of small white flowers in midsummer. It fruits small red berries in early fall. Under full moons, these berries glow lightly, like flickering candle flames. The root is commonly harvested in late fall when it is at its most flavorful. It is prepared as either dried bunches, jarred in syrup, powdered as spice or pickled.
Market Value[edit]
Heat root is a fairly common in medicinal shops and apothecaries and can be purchased readily. A single pound (16 ounces) is enough for 16 servings for Medium-sized creatures. Double the amount required for a serving for each larger size category and reduce by half for each size smaller than Medium.
Market Price: 64 gp for 1 lb. (4 gp per ounce).
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