Gallowrant

Gallowrant is an Official GemStone IV Document, and it is protected from editing.

Gallowrant is an iodine-rich seaweed found in most temperate to sub-arctic coastal areas. In Atan Irith, it is known as sea oak as the upper fronds resemble an oak leaf; in Ta'Loenthra, its nickname is rockwrack; and, in several island areas, it is most commonly known as bladderwrack.

Tracking down the etymology of the term gallowrant is challenging, despite it being the predominant name along the entire western seaboard of Elanith. Some say it is because people used to get caught in it unawares and drown, the seaweed wrapped about their necks – an oceanic gallows for the unaware. No evidence of this exists, but it makes for fine tales.

Gallowrant consists of spherical vesicles, the popping of which delights young and old alike. It is believed this explains the origin of bladderwrack as an alternative name.

The seaweed spans the spectrum of brown shades, from a pale beige to a near-black version found in the cold waters near Briarmoon Cove.

Coastal dwellers the world over have relied on harvesting gallowrant for its nutrients when other options are scarce.