Health

The categories below aim at giving a comprehensive picture of Ecbethians' economics throughout their planet.

Medicine

The Ashumiqot mushroom, an ancient fungus found throughout the planet, is currently used all over Ecbeth as a currency. Boiled and grated, it can turn into an edible paste or a building material. Ecbethians need to consume Ash (short for "Ashu-niqot") regularly in order to keep their skin from thickening and hardening over time.

A modern-day Ash cube, sealed in a plastic wrapper.

Healthcare

Healthcare for Ecbethians is mainly involved with the ailments of the shedding and the skins. As they need to shed their bodies throughout their lives, healthcare practitioners are required to make sure no amount of dead skin is left on the body, as it can cause infections.

Photography of a woman working at an exfoliation parlour, where customers get their skins scraped and grated with steel tools

Nutrition

Ecbethians require mainly a plant-based diet to survive, and therefore are not used to eating animals. That being said, they have religious, medicinal and familial rituals which have and continue to involve cannibalism.

Ecbethians don't drink, they absorb water through their skin. Their pores act as pipes which suck water in. Thus the importance of baths, which take central stage in most (if not all) settlements on Ecbeth.

Hand-drawn map of Ecbeth, with underwater mountain ranges (in blue), coral reefs (in red), forests (in green) and mountains (in brown)

Ashumiqot (commonly known as Ash)

The Ashumiqot mushroom is a type of funghi which grows liberally throughout Ecbeth. It has medicinal and growth-enhancing properties.

Best conditions for Ash growth

- High humidity (80-90%)
- Moderate temperatures (20-25°C)
- Slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5)
- Low light conditions
- Rich in organic matter
- Good air circulation

These conditions are optimal because fungi thrive in moist, warm environments with organic nutrients. The acidic soil helps prevent bacterial competition, while low light mimics their natural underground habitat.

Worst conditions for Ash mushroom growth:
- Extreme temperatures (below 5°C or above 35°C)
- Dry conditions (humidity below 50%)
- Direct sunlight
- Alkaline soil (pH above 7.5)
- Poor air circulation
- Lack of organic matter

Farming & Processing Ash

Farming and Cultivation:
- Create shaded, humid areas in forests or caves for Ashumiqot growth.
- Prepare beds of organic matter (fallen leaves, wood chips, compost) mixed with slightly acidic soil.
- Inoculate beds with Ashumiqot spores or mycelium fragments.
- Maintain moisture with regular misting or light watering.
- Control pests using natural methods like companion planting or herbal deterrents.
- Harvest cycles typically follow lunar phases or seasonal changes.

Harvesting:
- Hand-pick mature mushrooms using small knives or sickles.
- Collect in woven baskets or cloth bags to allow spore dispersal.
- Handle carefully to avoid damaging the mycelium network.
- Sort harvested mushrooms based on apparent quality and size.

Initial Drying:
- Spread mushrooms on woven mats in shaded, well-ventilated areas.
- Alternatively, string mushrooms on threads and hang in drying rooms.
- For faster drying, use rooms with controlled fires to create warm, dry environments.
- Turn mushrooms regularly to ensure even drying.

Grinding:
- Once completely dry, grind mushrooms using stone mortars and pestles or hand-operated grain mills.
- Sift the ground powder through fine sieves made of horsehair or finely woven plant fibers.
- Repeat grinding and sifting to achieve a uniform, fine powder.

Secondary Drying:
- Spread the powder in thin layers in salt rooms or low-heat drying ovens. This further reduces moisture content for better preservation.

Mixing and Binding:
- Mix the Ash powder with natural binding agents like tree resins, beeswax, or animal glue. Proportions are crucial and often kept as closely guarded secrets.

Compression and Molding:
- Use heavy screw presses to compress the mixture into 1x1 inch cubes.
- Apply consistent, high pressure to create dense, uniform cubes.

Heat Treatment:
- Carefully heat the compressed cubes to slightly melt the binding agents.
- This process helps seal the exterior of the cube.

Coating:
- Dip cooled cubes in melted beeswax or a wax-resin mixture for water resistance.

Curing:
- Allow cubes to cure in cool, dry environments for several weeks or months. This process further hardens the cubes and integrates the binding agents.

Grading and Marking:
- Grade cured cubes based on color, density, and source quality.
- Mark cubes with symbols indicating grade, origin, and production date.
- Use specially designed stamps or molds to imprint information.

Packaging:
- Wrap individual or small groups of cubes in waxed cloth or parchment.
- Pack wrapped cubes in sealed ceramic jars or wax-lined wooden boxes.
- Add desiccants like rice grains or salt packets to absorb ambient moisture.

Storage:
- Store packed cubes in cool, dry cellars or dedicated storehouses.
- Regularly inspect stored cubes for quality maintenance.

Distribution of Ash throughout Ecbeth

Local Distribution:
- Sell cubes in local markets or through specialized Ash merchants.
- Barter Ash cubes for other goods or services in some regions.

Long-Distance Trade:
- Transport Ash cubes in specially designed crates on horse-drawn carts for land routes.
- Use sealed barrels or reinforced boxes for sea transportation.
- Employ armed guards for valuable shipments.

Quality Control:
- Establish guilds or regulatory bodies to oversee Ash production and trade.
- Conduct regular inspections of farms, production facilities, and merchants.
- Develop and enforce standards for grading and pricing.

Cultural Integration:
- Incorporate Ash production and trade into local customs and traditions.
- Establish rituals or ceremonies around key stages of production and distribution. This process ensures the production of high-quality, long-lasting Ash cubes that can be traded and used across Ecbeth.

The methods may vary slightly between regions, leading to distinct local varieties and traditions surrounding Ash production and use.