Apedemak

Due to the hot desert climate in the delta, and the dry, rocky karst environment with xeric shrubland on the coast and the islands, very few fungi have the means to grow in such temperatures. However, as it is with life, there are always resistant exceptions. The Nekhir Delta is home to a special type of subterranean fungus - the Tesheret truffle, also called the desert truffle. As its name suggests, it thrives in hot, arid or semi-arid environments, and due to its specific requirements that are found in the delta, this truffle is an endemic species. Other types of desert truffles exist in the Tesheret, however the Flumotuber deserti only exists in the delta of the river Nekhir. It lives in symbiosis with several types of plants, mainly trees such as date palms, olives, evergreen oaks, acacias, pines and cypresses, from which it earns its required nutrients and obtains the water it so desperately needs. Due to its dependence on those plants, in Sekhet Aaru it is strictly forbidden to take down any tree without proper authorisation in areas that are known to contain desert truffles. It varies in colour from ash grey to black, even though some specimens can be dirty white.
Due to its very strong and potent flavour, it is considered a culinary delicacy and it is sought after in the desert. Also called Histria gold due to its resemblance of Istrian truffles and its high value status, there have been numerous nomadic truffle hunters in this region who passed on their traditions to either their descendants or their trusted companions. However, due to the loss of local nomadic culture, at least until Sekhet Aaru was established, Apedemak is currently one of only a few truffle hunters in the region.