Farak

Farak prepared as a hot beverage using boiling water

Farak (probably originally from Thawari Waraq, 'leaves') is a plant cultivated in Petty-Lestria and Joriscia. Chewing or otherwise consuming its leaves has an analgesic effect, as well as producing mild euphoria; consumed in large amounts the plant can have some hallucinogenic qualities. Farak is consumed in different ways in different regions; it is chewed in basic leaf form in Petty-Lestria, whilst in most of Outer Joriscia it is more commonly pounded and then mixed with water. Excessive chewing of Farak often leads to yellowing of the teeth.

In Outer Joriscia

Consumption of farak in Outer Joriscia predates the Secote invasion of Outer Joriscia by several hundred years. There are references to its importation from Petty-Lestria as an elite luxury commodity in Chotarian sources dating from the Fifth Empire. It was first cultivated within Outer Joriscia itself, however, during the Neritsovid period after the conquest of Darunnebi in modern Cazacasia. Domestic cultivation allowed Farak to be adopted for general consumption, initially as a chewing substance often used after food. Excessive use was associated with certain religious trends, in particular those with a somewhat mystical bent. During the Errancy Era Oblitors, who used it for mystical purposes, were derogatorily termed 'yellowed-teeth' (ⰏⰠⰞⰀⰅⰁⰠⰞⰅⰉⰐ měšheběšein); the association with Oblitors led to chewing falling out of fashion in the course of the 17th century. Public chewing was replaced by a tea produced from a derivate known as chouon (Rashimic: šuon ⰞⰖⰑⰐ, literally 'grounds') took over as an alcohol substitute consumed in polite urban society in chouon-houses.

Despite periodic bouts of disapproval from Vaestic authorities and attempts to reduce farak usage, it continues to be produced and consumed in large amounts in all of southern Outer Joriscia (although not commonly in the Lutoborsk) long after the disappearance of Great Neritsia. Terophatic Serania is the undisputed world leader in farak cultivation. Chouon-houses are still a key institution for urban socialising. Since the emergence of the contemplative school of Internalism within the Scholarly establishment, farak is occasionally taken by intellectuals in a more purified form as an aid to achieving higher states of Knowledge.