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Drainberry

Drainberries are somewhat more difficult to find than other berries of Battal, occasionally gain sentience, and, it is now known, are loathe to be classified as berries at all.

Drainberries are collections of varied filth run off from higher ground and pooled in drainage ditches along both major and minor roads. They tend to form in large clumps, mostly when the drainage ditch ceases to function properly. Newer waste matter collides with the older matter, forming a solid core, this ball of crud then sits as water and other liquids stagnate around it. Given time and adequate light, the core converts itself to a sweet, juicy substance, and the ball grows a layer of edible moss. This is referred to as a Drainberry.

In this way, all manner of things vegetable, mineral, and quite often animal, can be found to some degree within the Drainberry, these random conglomerations sometimes having the capacity for speech and movement. This was discovered for the first time when Josiah the Nickeless attempted to peel a layer of moss off a Drainberry for his supper, only to hear it scream. It then swore loudly and profusely before chasing Josiah away with a pointed stick. When Josiah related his story, most assumed he had been huffing furniture polish.

As time passed, though, more reports of agressive Drainberry behavior came in, many of the reported Drainberries protesting both their name and classification as food. These complaints notwithstanding, Drainberries, when found, are still eaten by many of the destitute of Battal, whether sentient or not. As the saying goes, "They are tiny, and they are tasty. Talking does not change this."