A Modern Look at Cultural Cuisine of the Faendryl

[Hosted on Koaratos 20, 5119 (7/20/19) by Berkana LeJardine]

Ysharra says, "Welcome to the Alabaster Spire, members and visitors. This is the second day of our Symposium, a series of talks and events based on our culture."

Ysharra says, "This is Mistress Berkana."

Ysharra says, "And she will be starting her presentation on the modern cuisine of the Faendryl."

Berkana says, "Thank you, Ysharra."

Speaking to Berkana, Ysharra says, "Take it away, Berkana."

Berkana chuckles.

(Berkana turns to face the crowd.)

Berkana clears her throat.

Berkana put a flame-licked scarlet leather journal in her crimson robe.

Berkana takes off a pair of oval black vaalin spectacles with smoke-hued lenses.

Berkana folds up the earpieces of her spectacles.

Berkana put a pair of oval black vaalin spectacles with smoke-hued lenses in her crimson robe.

Berkana says, "Greetings, I am Berkana LeJardine and I will be presenting "A Modern Look at Cultural Cuisine of the Faendryl"."

Berkana says, "This should be interesting."

Berkana winks.

Berkana quietly says, "Before Ta'Faendryl was old, ruined, covered with vegetation, and overrun by the ithzir and other creatures, it was a shining city and a leading example of Elven culture."

Berkana says, "There is little history specific to dining prior to the Faendryl Exile to Rhoska Tor, after the Undead War, but it is known that the land was inhospitable to agriculture, and without arability to produce crops, it was difficult to also raise livestock."

Berkana says, "Thus, in order to survive, the Faendryl had to scavenge from what little meat -- one can imagine that was likely bugs, snakes, lizards -- that they caught, and the often meager, warped plants they foraged."

Berkana quietly says, "The only solution was to imbue the land with magic to sustain farming, giving herds of roltons, velnalins, and cows enough sustainability to provide proper butchery."

In a perfect imitation of Berkana, the voice of Shadowthrall exclaims, "Yum!"

Berkana grins.

Berkana says, "The myth that Faendryls subsisted on a diet of barren, wasteland fare was probably a short-lived period in reality, given their resourcefulness."

Berkana chuckles to herself.

Berkana seriously says, "That tampering with nature did come with a price, however, though many of today's Faendryl might argue it was worth it."

Berkana smirks.

Berkana pragmatically says, "Using spells to force the earth to grow unnaturally, and with both the Faendryl and their livestock ingesting these plants suffused with magic created by way of the many mana foci of Maelshyve's ruins, as well as living in the caves beneath it, enabled toward what could be seen as a normalization of sustenance."

Berkana says, "It also changed the Faendryl in unnatural ways."

Berkana quietly says, "It was only after the Sea Elf War, better known as the obliteration of the Ashrim -- both race and city -- and the failed attempt to regain their leading role in the empire, they abandoned what they had built, and its bitter reminder, moving to build New Ta'Faendryl just north of Rhoska Tor."

Berkana says, "Little is known of the new city, but having rebuilt to their former glory, now unhindered..."

Berkana quietly says, "There was a returning to a more usual diet of foods, methods of preparation, and incorporation of assimilated tastes developed through eons of trade and travel, the Faendryl diet has very little of what can be considered a specific regional cuisine."

Berkana lightly says, "Many households employ cooks though some do enjoy preparing their own meals. You can find the Faendryl often keep some staple items in their pantries."

Berkana says, "Chief among them are spices, initially used to offset the bland taste of fire-roasted or boiled foods, now used to elevate dishes. Most common are ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, parsley, mint, thyme -- the latter three stored both fresh and dried. Infusing these or herbs into fats, like butters and oils, give a nuanced enhancement to flavors."

Berkana says, "Some among us prefer to eat little meat and instead include other proteins into our diets, with the addition of nuts and cheeses. While extravagance may be found on tables during formal dinners and celebrations, with the inclusion of richly sauced entrees and decorative desserts, much of our mainstays contain just a few ingredients."

Berkana lightly says, "In the near future, our talented cooks will be adding some fare to the general kitchen, and you will be able to sample them. For now, I can only describe them and hopefully make you anxiously await their arrival."

Berkana smiles.

Berkana warmly says, "Imagine these..."

(Berkana glances off a little, a wistful expression on her face.)

Berkana says, "A simple flatbread, made with little to no leavening, is baked with onions that have been allowed to caramelize, sliced figs, a sprinkling of crumbled goat cheese, a tiny drizzle of wild honey and a dusting of herbs atop it."

Berkana says, "I could probably eat that all day."

Berkana chuckles.

Berkana says, "A salad of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers tossed with a lemon-mint yogurt sauce, cool and crisp, for a fresh from the garden palate-cleanser between courses or a light meal mid-day."

Berkana says, "Especially delicious during these warmer months."

Berkana nods.

Berkana says, "Small kabobs of minced, seasoned lamb that have been rolled in cracked bulgar and fried til golden -- crunchy on the outside, juicy and tender inside."

Berkana asks, "Who doesn't love meat on a stick?"

Ysharra raises her hand.

Berkana grins at Ysharra.

Ysharra chuckles.

Berkana says, "I have something for you..."

Melikor begins chuckling at Ysharra!

Berkana nods at Ysharra.

Berkana says, "Colorful lentils and long grains of wild rice simmered with currants, cinnamon, pine nuts, maybe a small mince of apricots, to create a playful mix of sweet and savory."

Ysharra says, "Lentils are wonderful."

Ysharra nods.

Aranrhod agrees with Ysharra.

Berkana agrees with Ysharra.

Berkana says, "And a final example to bring it together..."

Berkana says, "A thick wedge of tender semolina cake drizzled with a syrup of rosewater and honey, to make it moist, with slivers of dates running through the delicate crumb."

Berkana teasingly asks, "Now you're hungry, right?"

Berkana deliberately says, "There are just a few examples of what we eat daily that is typical of our culture. Meats -- lamb, beef, goat, fowl -- are either charred over open flame or left to braise in liquid, like wine or stock, with vegetables for long hours in a lidded cast iron pot."

Berkana says, "Vegetables are simple in preparation for the most part. Cheese, yogurt, cream are used to augment their simplicity from small crumbles to sauces. Desserts are probably mostly from the mainstream, though compotes of fruit or treats made of ground nuts are closer to our cuisine roots."

(Berkana ponders a moment, fingers of one hand curled beneath her chin.)

Berkana asks, "What of beverages?"

Berkana exclaims, "Wine is certainly within our culture, from deep, dark reds to pale, sunlit golds. Some of the best historical vintages arguably came from our time in exile, given both the magic-imbued and challenge of the terroir. It would be difficult... but not impossible, to replicate them!"

Berkana says, "Spirits, most notably our absinthe, seem to be where we most shine, having for many years only simple fruit with which to distill. The palm date makes an excellent rum, and when combined with our extraordinary use of spices, is delicious alone or used in cooking."

Berkana removes a cut crystal glass of Faendryl absinthe from in her crimson robe.

Berkana winks.

Berkana takes a drink from her Faendryl absinthe.

Berkana says, "Non-alcoholic options can be as plain as a glass of goat or other milk, a yogurt and honey slurry, lemonade enhanced with muddled mint for cold options. Thick, strong coffee laced with cardamom or cinnamon is generally reserved for postprandial enjoyment."

Berkana says, "Tea made from the young, green leaves or a tisane -- an infusion made with herbs or flowers -- is enjoyed at any time of the day."

Berkana casually says, "This just touches the surface of what I hope will become a more detailed compendium of Faendryl food and drink."

Berkana asks, "Are there any questions that I can try to answer?"

Berkana put a cut crystal glass of Faendryl absinthe in her crimson robe.

Berkana raises an eyebrow.

Ysharra says, "I didn't hear much along the line of pastries or baked goods."

Berkana says, "Cake."

Berkana grins at Ysharra.

Aranrhod asks, "Any rare items that you enjoy that you cannot acquire here?"

Berkana says, "Oh..."

Berkana says, "A moment..."

Berkana smiles at Aranrhod.

Ysharra says, "Well, it's not really my preference, I prefer what you did mention, the honey and currants and so on."

Ysharra says, "That's dessert to me."

Berkana nods at Ysharra.

Aranrhod smiles.

Berkana asks, "Did I forget to mention fruit compotes are often chosen? Or fresh fruit, again with honey and yogurt?"

Ysharra says, "I tend to be rather picky, though. I know we have an absent officer who's powerfully fond of cake."

Aranrhod amusedly says, "Ysharra and I seem to have similar tastes."

Ysharra chuckles to herself.

Ysharra smiles at Aranrhod.

You say, "I believe you mentioned those, but some prefer their desserts richer."

Ysharra seems a bit less imposing.

Berkana says, "Ground nuts can be fashioned into dessert, cookies, also stunned with fruit."

Aranrhod winks at Ysharra.

Berkana nods.

Speaking to Aranrhod, Ysharra says, "Perhaps last time we met, it was in Pasha's. The one place I can get a meal of nearly everything I love."

Berkana says, "For richer desserts, much of that is taken from other cultures."

Speaking to Ysharra, Aranrhod says, "I do not think it was, but you might have to show me that place."

Speaking to Aranrhod, Berkana says, "My tastes are pretty vast, and not having spent much childhood among other Faendryl, I have only come by this lately."

Aranrhod smiles at Berkana.

Aranrhod says, "I understand."

Speaking to Aranrhod, Berkana says, "So nothing rare that I would desire, unlike some of the delicacies of the Tehir I imagine."

Berkana smiles at Aranrhod.

Speaking to Aranrhod, Ysharra says, "I'd be glad to. It's down in Solhaven, they have some of our absinthe, too."

Aranrhod says, "I would enjoy that."

Berkana says, "I do not know the time table for the production of some of the foods I described in detail, but I am sure we'll make a fuss over it and proudly share them."

Speaking to Berkana, Melikor asks, "So what are your thoughts on bugs?"

Berkana shudders.

Berkana says, "That's my answer."

Eiliriel offers, "Squashed into a soup?"

Berkana grins at Melikor.

Melikor nods at Berkana.

Berkana says, "Or just squashed, period."

Speaking to Berkana, Melikor says, "I happen to agree with you."

Berkana smirks.

Eiliriel says, "Thrassus will be so dismayed."

Speaking to Berkana, Melikor says, "Though I know some of us still enjoy them."

Berkana says, "I am sure Xorus can correct me, if wrong, but we did not dine on bugs and reptiles for long while in the caves."

Lord Thrassus just strode through an arboreal alabaster-set archway.

Berkana gets a strange look on her face and glances about suspiciously.

Xorus nods slowly.

Speaking to Thrassus, Ysharra asks, "You heard someone ask about bugs, didn't you?"

Speaking to Eiliriel, Melikor says, "He heard his name."

Berkana asks, "Any other questions?"

Thrassus says, "Just coincedence, I assure you."

Berkana says, "I do thank you all for coming here tonight."

Ysharra says, "As I have mentioned before, we would all be better off if we ate insects. Plenty of protein, and there's so many of them that we'd never impact their proliference in any meaningful way."

Ysharra says, "Unlike fisheries and hunting."

Speaking casually to Ysharra, Cruxophim jests, "Plenty of people, too."

Speaking to Berkana, Eiliriel says, "Thank you for the wonderful lecture. I look forward to when we do have some of those foods available."

Raegn tilts his leg slightly and glances down at the hem of his crisp ebon trousers, examining the cuffs and the drape of the hem over his foot. After a brief tug on the fabric, he looks pleased.

Cruxophim nods eagerly to Eiliriel.

Berkana grins at Eiliriel.

Melikor smiles at Berkana.

Cruxophim winks at Eiliriel.

Speaking to Melikor, Ysharra says, "It's true. It's a cultural quandary to have so much food disparity while an option exists."

Speaking to Ysharra, Melikor says, "It may be, but I still don't want to eat them."

Thrassus says, "Starving may change that calculation."

Speaking to Thrassus, Ysharra says, "What's curious is, unless it's truly extreme, it doesn't."

Speaking to Berkana, Aranrhod says, "Thank you. That was most interesting."

Vethyris says, "Well done."

Speaking to Thrassus, Ysharra says, "And the few cultures that eat insects usually are very insular about it."

Speaking to Thrassus, Ysharra says, "I've read some anthropological studies that suggest people more commonly have a habit of eating mud over insects, at times of great famine."

Thrassus says, "That doesn't make sense."

Ysharra looks over at Thrassus and shakes her head.

Speaking to Thrassus, Ysharra says, "I didn't say it made sense."

Cruxophim chuckles to himself.

Speaking to Thrassus, Ysharra says, "But it's a thing people do."

Thrassus says, "Being squeamished to death is a rather bad way to go."

Speaking to Cruxophim, Berkana says, "If that's a stick figure..."

Berkana gives a sidelong glance at Cruxophim.

Speaking to Berkana, Ysharra says, "It's done when having something in your belly keeps the pain of starvation at bay. There's nothing nutritive about it."

Berkana says, "I don't think I've stayed so still this long in my whole life."

Speaking to Thrassus, Ysharra asks, "Death of a thousand ethical crossings?"

Speaking to Berkana, Eiliriel says, "And Cruxophim has hardly stayed alive so long as well."

Cruxophim raises his dark elven portrait proudly, displaying it for you to see.

Muted golds and browns swirl and blend to create a modest backdrop for an enormous gold-inlaid throne set centrally on the canvas, a dark elven woman seated regally upon the seat. Incredible detail of a sanguine lace bodice has been flawlessly reproduced, giving the wardrobe an exceptional realistic appearance. Faded images of notable individuals from history adorn the background, and a framed map of Elanthia has been positioned to the right of the model.

Cruxophim offers Berkana a formal dark elven portrait.

Berkana says, "How very Eorgina-like of me."

Berkana says, "Thank you."

Cruxophim turns to Berkana and bows low, spreading his wings for all to see.