Wheat

Wheat is a grain widely cultivated for its seeds. These seeds, which compose the very few species of wheat, form the widely grown "Triticum aestivum," which means "spring wheat" in the Old Viodoxan. This type of wheat produces the ingredients of bread, a worldwide staple food. Archaeological evidence suggests that wheat was first cultivated in the northwestern Aurlûnor Velande.

Wheat is grown on more land area than any other crop. Its constant source of income makes it the largest surplus crop in world trade. In world economics, farming wheat has been considered as more profitable than mining diamonds as a stack of wheat can earn around $400. Global demand for this crop is increasing due to the production of wheat beer, whose consumption is increasing as a result of rising industrialization.

Wheat is also a crop that attracts livestock, which can allow players to herd and breed animals. For animals such as llamas or horses, wheat can provide them with a source of healthy nutrition. Similarly, since wheat is the leading source of surplus crops, the production of bread is considered an important source of nutrition for players, especially for nomads.

Origin and Lore
Repeated cultivation and harvesting had led to the creation of domestic strains as farmers started choosing certain forms of wheat. In domesticated cereal grains, the seeds remain stuck into the soil and attached to a strong axis during harvesting. Unfortunately, continuous sowing with wild grains made much of these domesticated species of wheat die out. In wild strains, the axis of the grains deteriorate, allowing farmers to reuse seeds. In prehistoric times, selection of these grains might not have been intended but simply occurred because this trait made gathering seeds easier. The incidental selection for these seeds directly led to the worldwide domestication of a specific cereal wheat grain.

Paleobotanical evidence suggests that the first grasses evolved about 80 million years ago, in the Iridaceous period; however they did not become ecologically significant until the Cuiciloan Period of the Epilithic Era. The first wheat relatives adapted to a new dry climate during the Great Climate De-Lateralization of the Melwendian period, about 40 million years ago, and would establish themselves in the northwest of Rathnir as some of the most common plains grasses. In the Regolithic period, one particular species of grass re-adapted to humid climate, and would prove to be highly adaptable to any kind of weather. This species of wheat was the Triticum boeoticum, which means 'single grain' or 'einkorn' in Traveler's Tongue.

Archaeological analysis of a domesticated form of this grain indicates that wheat was first cultivated in southern Syltor, with finds dating back as far as 11,000 BJC. Genetic evidence in that region suggests that it was first grown in the Fornois Mountains in northwestern Aurlûnor Velande by the Guren peoples. Artifacts from the Dawou culture has been found in the region as well. Dated archaeological remains of wild einkorn in settlement sites near this region, including those at the modern-day western Lhûmar, suggest the domestication of einkorn wheat along the Lothranis Sea between 10,600 BJC and 8,400 BJC. Remains of harvested emmer from several sites near the Alvada Range have been dated to between 9,800 BJC (at Yi'yen) and 7,600 BJC (at Helemar). With the exception of the cave north of Lhumar, the earliest dated remains of emmer wheat were found in the earliest levels of Tacua Province, near Talhûnar. These remains were dated by archaeologists to 6,300 BJC. They concluded that settlers from the Elven Migrations did not develop this form of emmer themselves but brought the domesticated grains with them from western Syltor. After the Elven Migrations through Aurlûnor Velande, the tradition of harvesting wheat had been passed down to the elf overlords. However, after the cultivation of rice, wheat was seen as a crop for commoners and peasants as it could be grown anywhere. The cultivation of emmer reached Ardat Mosul and Plagos by 6200 BJC. The early Ardatians were developers of bread, which played an important role to the establishment of the first caliphate in 5500 BJC. Neolithic tribes of all races started cultivating other forms of wheat between 6000 BJC to 2000 BJC. However, distribution of emmer and einkorn from the Geshemi, celestial elves, and the conquests of the Ardat Caliphate led to natural selection of traits that would make 90% of wheat species extinct and the overpopulation of spring and bread wheat. The first identifiable bread wheat has been identified using DNA analysis in samples from cereal grains dating to approximately 2490 BJC at Knossos by the Hanekwa. By 1200 BJC, the Dzhanai ethnic group of Tengaesal had developed spring wheat by hybridizing einkorn, emmer, and bread wheat.

From Syltor, wheat continued to spread across Eldham. After Athaz the Traveler discovered Eldham, spring and bread wheat were introduced to the civilizations of Eldham from Rathnir. However, this invasive species of wheat had overpopulated the other forms of wheat native to Eldham.

Granism
Granism is a monotheistic religion based on the worship of wheat and bread, stemming from Willikan paganism. It is most widely professed faith in Neos Knossos, with surrounding villages converting to this religion as well. The Knossian Granists, known to be vocal but humble and friendly, believe in a dual-faceted god, who shifts its appearance depending on periods of peace and periods of war. These periods are typically defined by Granist priests. Granism is included in the Word of Reece but does not seem to have its own scriptures. Granism is strongly connected to wheatfields and the production of bread. Fields in which wheat grow are deemed sacrosanct and may only be harvested when the wheat is fully grown. The damaging of unripe crops is considered sinful and is punished severely. Additionally, Granists disavow any other food than bread as unclean and sinful. The consumption of bread is the staple food but also heavily involved in religious ceremony. While Granism is compatible with many of the religions in the Word of Reece, devout believers condemn other religions as heretical.

Granists acknowledges the divine appearance of two people in one deity. The two facets are often referred to as "aspects". Sporós is known as the peaceful aspect of the Granist god while Vilkós is the aspect of war. According to Granist mythology, Sporós appeared before a Knossian farmer named Delta in form of a farmer as Delta was tilling his fields. At the same time, Vilkós appeared before a Knossian warrior named Realz as his people fled from the cataclysm (which was probably the Sack of Dønsktopt). Vilkós had protected and fed the Knossians with his golden axe, named the Axe of Vilkós. When Realz and Delta had eventually met, they were confused and divided on the nature of the Granian god. It wasn't until a Prophet was sent to the city of Knossos as the form of a baker. The Prophet revealed the two-sided nature and with this knowledge, Realz and Delta brought religious freedom.

From a historical point of view, Granism's roots can be found in Willikanism, which is a pagan set of beliefs from Old Knossos (September 25th, 2020 - September 28th, 2020). Shortly after the Sack of Dønsktopt, the city of Neos Knossos was established and the religion of Granism was started during this time by the players of DeltafoxF and Call_Me_Realz. After Delta quit in early-November of 2020 (in Knossian lore, he was self-exiled), the city of Neos Knossos was left mostly abandoned. The citizens were absorbed to the much larger Republic of Carvay. As the city was crumbling, bandits came in and stole valuable resources and religious artifacts, including the Hoe of Sporós and the Axe of Vilkós. As the city could no longer sustain itself with the absence of King Delta, the acting ruler, Realz, offered the purchase of Knossian territory to Carvay in exchange for the financial and industrial support from the Carvaian government to the Knossian people. 8jaaroud accepted and for an undisclosed amount, purchased Knossian territory in addition to a large portion of the coast of Vastallos. This was known as the North Coast Purchase. The religion of Granism was integrated into the culture of Carvay. Since then, large wheat fields have been built throughout the countryside of the republic.

Hapatmidas Villager Lore
In Hapatmidas lore, the villagers that populated the city are portrayed as children of wheat. According to the local belief system, children are born when the parents make and nurture a wheat effigy, pretending like it is a baby and feeding it bread until it develops a soul. After some time, this soul would manifest into a living child. This process can also apply to golems.

Skotos Event
In October of 2021, the ruler of Pumpkins, Skotos, terrorized Eldham and Rathnir. During his short reign of terror, he often tarnished wheat fields. Because the nations of Eldham failed to apprehend him, Skotos traveled to Rathnir and made a bet, subsequently winning. Due to this victory, his cursed 'bloody wheat' was auctioned throughout Rathnir.

Farming techniques and Usage
Technological advancements in soil preparation and seed placement, use of crop attendance and bone meal fertilizers, and innovations of harvesting methods have all combined to promote wheat as a viable crop. Yields of wheat increased as methods of crop rotation were applied to long cultivated land, and the use of bone meal became widespread.

Fertilizer and Catalysts
Placing wheat into a composter has a 65% chance of raising the compost level by 1. Composts are used to convert plant material into bone meal, which can be used to fertilize more crops. This fertilizer can be used in any stage of crop development. Historically, in the city of Knossos, known to be populated by villagers, these processes were used to quickly expand wheat production, causing new arable land to be used up and irrigated.

Herding
When wheat is held by a farmer, it attracts cows, sheep, and goats, causing them to follow the farmer until either the player stops holding the wheat or goes too far away from the animal. This method is used to herd and breed cows and sheep. While many players do this to raise animals for their meat, wool, and leather, this also has the unintentional effect of increasing the total population of animals, an important aspect in a world where mob spawning is rare. Wheat is also used to craft hay bales, which are often found in stables.

Wheat can also be used to tame a horse by lowering its temper by 3%. When the horse is tamed, wheat can be used to heal the horse by 1 health. This method is often used in stables and long pilgrimages. While attempting to breed horses, however, wheat may decrease the time for a young horse to grow by 20 seconds. Similarly, wheat can be used to heal llamas and alpacas by 2 health but decreases the time it takes for young llamas to grow by 10 seconds.

Crop development
Wheat normally needs around 60 minutes (1-4 in game days) between sowing and harvesting, depending on the environmental factors such as irrigation, the pattern in which the crop is sown, and light source. Optimal crop development requires that the farmer have a detailed understanding of each stage of development in the growing crop. A wheat crop has a total of eight stages from the time it is planted until the time it is harvested. When wheat is harvested, it typically drops one wheat and 0-3 wheat seeds. If a crop is harvested before the final stage, it would only provide one wheat seed. However, by using a fortune-enchanted tool, the number of seeds dropped would increase but not the yield of the crop.

A farmer also benefits from knowing environmental factors that could help catalyze harvest. If not attended regularly, the rate of growth would slow and the irrigation of the crop may stagnate. By having a source of water next to the irrigation, it guarantees hydration of the crop as well as ensures a constant supply of water for an infinitely long period until it gets damaged. It is important that the farmland is well hydrated and exposed to sunlight. However, the same source of light can be guaranteed if the light source above the crop is at least nine blocks high. Additionally, bone meal can be used to catalyze the growing process.

As a food
Wheat is a major ingredient in foods such as bread, cookies, cake, beer, vodka, whiskey, brandy, baileys, jenever, sake, and tea. In manufacturing alcohol products, wheat is a valuable ingredient that makes up much of these recipes. A crafting table is used to manufacture wheat foods. In brewery, however, a cauldron of water with heat under is used to produce drinks. A brewing stand and wheat seeds may be used to distill drinks.

Bread
Bread is crafted purely from wheat. As a staple food that each player is spawned half a stack with, bread is considered the largest produced, consumed, and highest trade food commodity globally. It has been a prominent food in not only lore but also throughout server history. Bread has been used in long voyages, nomad travels, and has often been given to soldiers in war. The large commodity of this staple food has been so culturally significant that it even developed into a symbol of good will, survival, and unity.

Breads can also be used in creating more unique foods as well. Furthermore, consuming bread can help alcohol wear off faster by 4%.

Cake
Cake is crafted from a crafting table with milk, sugar, wheat, and an egg. Empty buckets remain in the grid after the cake is manufactured. In the spawn markets, they are sold for $100 per 5 cakes. Cake also plays a significant symbol in many world religions. For example, the Twin Dragon religion partakes in an important festival known as Dragon Day which happens every June 20th and December 21st. Sun cakes, made out of peaches, are served in the June holiday while moon cakes are served in December.

Cookies
Cookies are crafted with 2 grains of wheat and cocoa beans. This recipe produces 8 cookies in one manufacture. Cookies have always been known as a small, on-the-go snack, only able to healing 1 health.

However, this food is considered to be one of the less popular foods since they cannot be sold in spawn. Cookie businesses that did exist at all often failed soon after their creation. From November 27th, 2020 to late-December, the Uldarashi city of Faldenburg was reliant on exporting cookies across Rathnir for money. However, even since the beginning, profits was low. In late-December of 2020, Faldenburg's economy crashed and was forced to fully integrate into Uldarash.

Alcohol
Wheat is often a valuable ingredient in brewery, especially in the art of making alcohol drinks. As a matter of fact, the invention of wheat beer rose the market value of wheat substantially as brewers were forced to get involved in the wheat industry.

By placing a cauldron of water with a heat source below, alcohol could be fermented and prepared. Wheat beer could be brewed by putting six wheat in a barrel and fermenting it for four days. After the four days, the fermented wheat would need to be aged to produce wheat beer in the cauldron. This needs to be set in a specific time interval. This essentially makes up the basic building blocks for brewery. Other types of beers and alcohol drinks can be fermented using this process.

Commercial use
Harvested wheat grain that enters trade is typically for the purposes of the commodity markets. Wheat buyers typically exemplify a type of mercantilist supply and demand trade of imports and exports. This is done when the consumer/customer asks in chat where they could buy or sell bulks of wheat. This economical system is applied when that player actually goes to that market or the recipient player, causing a transaction of goods to occur. This also applies to wheat sold in auction. This ensures a flow of goods. When this happens, small towns suddenly start to increase.

Wheat is widely cultivated as a cash crop because it produces a good yield per chunk of farmland in addition, sells well in major markets, and yields a versatile, fermented, key ingredient that is widely used in brewery. Many drinks are made with wheat, including wheat beers and fermented wheat. The popularity of drinks made from wheat creates a large demand for the grain, even in economies with significant food surpluses. However, in recent months, low international wheat prices have sometimes encouraged farmers to change to other profitable crops. There were significant profitability differences between low- and high-cost farms, due to crop yield differences, location, and farm size.

Farming systems
The largest consumer groups for wheat are farmers and brewers. The largest supplier for wheat are small towns and nations in rural regions. While it is impossible to calculate which nations have the highest output of wheat, nations in hostile climates such as the United Burgamerian Socialist Republic would have poor irrigation, which causes the consumer export demand for wheat to decline. In addition to poor environmental factors, some large wheat-producing countries have significant losses after harvest because of poor roads, inadequate storage technologies, banditry, and farmers' inability to bring the produce into markets dominated by small shopkeepers.

Peak Wheat
Peak wheat is the concept that when agricultural production reaches its peak, the rate of production plateaus and does not grow any further and in some cases, may go into permanent decline. In other words, as the demand for gold in the mining industry rises, the market value of wheat will decline. This concept was a major point of interest in the Treaty of the West after the Great Golden War. Based on current supply and demand factors for agricultural commodities, the demand for wheat had declined so significantly that it no longer became profitable.