Solinum
Solinum is a grass cultivated for the edible components of its grain, composed of the endosperm, germ and bran. It is one variety of genetically pure Amarrian Wheat that, unlike other types, is not distributed on the general market. Solinum is indigenous to Vashkah II, in territory overseen by the Ardishapur Family, and remains tightly controlled by Further Foodstuffs.
Characteristics and Cultivation
The largest boon in Further Foodstuffs history took place when solinum grain was discovered on the second planet of the Vashkah system. Hardy, resistant to heat and developing slowly, crops of this new grain were found to persist in drought conditions. Solinum retains whatever moisture it can obtain to sustain it through periods where it may not have it readily available. The plant itself was extremely water efficient and crops that were exposed to too much moisture often missed harvest season as the resultant grain was usually hard to dry and consequently of poor quality. It was also especially prone to mold while in storage. Heavier crops also resulted in stalk rot or breakage far more often. By necessity solinum required little in terms of extra irrigation.
The third and fourth planets in the Vashkah system were quickly set up as huge solinum farming worlds, largely under the corporation’s influence. Due to the particular significance of the grain, Amarr do not like to use machines in its care and harvest unless completely necessary, instead preferring to have this grain tended to by hand wherever possible. It’s also preferable that this gift spends its life in connection with natural earth, air, water and sunlight, and is not grown on orbital plantations like other crops. Grain harvested from plants nurtured in artificial gravity and without natural weather and sunlight are often smaller and less robust overall and Further Foodstuffs prefers to keep their solinum grain as healthy as a gift from God should be. The level of care solinum demands is therefore enormously labor intensive and has traditionally required significant use of burgeoning slave populations, mostly Ealur and Brutor.
Usage
Solinum is one type of grain provided by Further Foodstuffs as a non-monetary reward to those who have served the Empire, in particular the Ardishapur and Sarum families. It’s also used as a non-perishable ration aboard ships of the Imperial Navy, particularly those in seniority patrolling regions overseen by these families. It’s most common use, however, is to provision these heirs and the elite staff, relatives and Holders of the many planets under their control.
Solinum has also been appropriated by Minmatar for use in the manufacture of firwa, an alcoholic beverage that was first distilled by slaves working the fields of Vashkah II. Amarr consider this beverage a sacrilege, and the theft of solinum to produce it a hedonistic waste of a gift from God. In 22472 an assault on an Amarr Holder by a heavily intoxicated Brutor led to the discovery of firwa among slaves working the enormous fields in the Vashkah system. In the space of a single day every slave found to be in possession of firwa were shackled, had their alcohol poured over their heads and were set on fire in front of their fellows. The anniversary of these immolations has since been observed by Minmatar who will drink a shot of firwa on the occasion. Bottles made using solinum are rare, and the beverage has been produced using other grains by Native Freshfood since YC7. This product is not as popular as that produced using solinum, however, and consumers prefer to save the considerable amount needed to purchase firwa that has been made using misappropriated grain.
In YC57 several Brutor were killed after consuming a batch of firwa made using solinum obtained illegitimately. It was alleged that the grain had been deliberately contaminated by the Amarr that had supplied it, though this could never be substantiated due to a lack of cooperation with investigators. While incidents like this have been rumored to occur from time to time, this was the only time it was reported and justice was pursued officially. Amarr were also been quick to denounce such allegations, stating that they would never employ a sacred gift from God for such a purpose.