Va'nei Flower Field (Farmland + Festival Ground)

The Ambassador of Belrow and his party moved among the bustling crowd. Only recently arriving he had received a warm a welcome as he had expected. Entering the town his party was immediately beset upon an angry mob, thinking that they where a roving mob of undead here to feast on the living. It was only the timely intervention of the guards and some members of the government that had stopped the event from turning into a international incident.

Even now the crowds of the living made way for him and his party. Their deep set beliefs guiding their actions, he was not surprised, and neither did he blame them.

Although being undead he had no need or desire to eat, but as a diplomat he had to integrate into local customs. Walking up to a nearby stall which boasted a fine array of leafy greens, he decided to try some. Picking up the lovely plant he opened his mouth and began to chew. There was no flavor as he did not have a tongue but he showed the emotion of enjoying it.

"This is... delicious" Said the ambassador in a halting hoarse voice, after raising his head and allowing the mulched up greens to fall down the remains of his throat into his empty rib cage. He will have to pull it out of his chest manually after the festival. "What do ... your people... call it?"

The vendor looked at him with fear in his eyes, deathly pale he whispered hesitantly. "Tha-thats a blood mare s-sir. It's a decorative plant, mostly because it's usually ve-very deadly to consume."

A moment of silence was passed between the two of them as the faced each other. Breaking the awkward silence the ambassador replied "Ah, well...have a nice...day." and left the stall as quickly as he could. If he still had circulating blood he would be blushing very badly right now.

"This is going...to be an interesting...night." He whispered to himself looking at his silent dead guards. He could swear he could hear them laughing in his head.

Sidarin stalks into the food festival with Specter at his side. The great white wolf draws a few glances, but since the beast seems tame he doesn't cause a panic. The ranger had come to enjoy the festivities mostly because he had a sack of gold. A sack of gold and nothing better to spend it on than good food. As they make their way onto the fair grounds Specter pauses and sniffs the air. Sidarin walks a few paces further before noticing, when he does he turns and say's curiously.

"What is it?"

Specter continues to sniff for a moment then sneezes, shakes his head, and trots up to Sidarin. Great it had either been nothing or the wolf didn't want him to know. That meant whatever the beast had smelled it wasn't dangerous, it was just something it though would embarrass him. Sidarin glares at Specter. Bloody beast was too smart for his own good. Heaving a sigh the ranger goes to find something to eat.

A large crowd of hungry guests began to make the rounds from booth to booth. They were in all shapes and sizes and all age ranges. Most of them were Land-Tillers, but citizens of other kingdoms were interspersed among them. It was a very diverse group. They were camped out at the nearby Field of Belonging, where they would stay for several days and nights and the festival continued to rock on.

Eventually they would make their way to Clio of the Kush 's table. "Oi! Come check out these brownies!" Someone would cry out. Someone else would respond, "What are brownies?" Then someone else would say "They're pastries made of chocolate!" To which someone would reply, "What's chocolate?" Chocolate itself was a rare delicacy in some places. One should not take for granted what one enjoys in their culture. For these reason alone Clio's brownies would be a big hit.

A few of them nodded and winked, because they knew what was about to happen. However, not all of them were ready for what followed... 


... Later that day, some of the guests would flock back to Clio, seeking more of her pastries. But some of them would stay far the hell away from her booth and never look her in the eye again. Still, she would be a success overall.

Next came Zaræn Viddik 's booth. At least this time the guests knew what they were getting into. The older ones would gently encourage the young children to go to different booths as they sampled all the fine liquors.

The Dragon's Fire lived up to its name-sake. A few of the men cheered the more delicate women to give it a shot, which ultimately resulted in a lot of random dancing and passing out in the middle of the grounds. (Celadine women in particular were known for not being able to hold their liqueur. Most Acacia women on the other hand could drink even most burly men under the table). Overall it sold well, mostly as a novelty gift.

Forge's Glow sold very well, as its versatility made it the ideal party gift as well as a pleasant addition to any negotiations. It was well balanced and mild. Local fair was usually either very grainy or incredibly fruity, and this was just what the doctor ordered.

Sweet and Soot however was not very popular, as the local beers could rival and even surpass it in quality. The wealthier patrons were willing to pay extra for it on account of it being a foreign beverage.

Although the ambassador and his diplomatic envoy had only recently arrived into the town, the talk and excitement of a festival was clear even to him. As a diplomat he had to strengthen his nations image abroad and the best way to do that was to enter something into the food competition. 

The only problem was, he had no idea how to cook, nor could he taste his creations anyway. This was an interesting conundrum for him but he would find a way to make it work. 

He had had several days to prepare himself for the festival, those that had their tents stationed near his own in the Field of Belonging had no doubt heard his attempts at the elusive art. Not to mention the fact that his tent had actually burnt to the ground. Twice. Yet now he believed he had finally done it. There were some upsides to not needing to sleep. 

After taking a quick stroll through the competition and interacting with its people, he had returned to his own vendor. If you could call a hole in the ground that. It had taken his servants several days to create the crypt. Once again, possible because of the lack of sleep. It almost reminded him of home. The building itself was small, but appearances where deceiving. The main attraction, just like back home, was underground. Underneath the earth lied his creations. What the living called. Cakes. He had made dozens of them. Making them look like works of art instead of edible creations. Baking was a science, similar to that of magic, and the ambassador believed he had mastered it. 

The few customers brave enough to enter the crypt all had confusion on their faces. Instead of the expected maggot infested food, laid beautiful bright pink, multi storied cakes. All in different shapes and colors. The bravest of all the living who actually bought a slice of the ones on offer all claimed that the cake was the most delicious thing they had ever eaten. 

  

The ambassador was proud of his accomplishment, although he had no idea what they tasted like, the living seemed to enjoy the cakes he had made. Hopefully this would help break the prejudiced that some of the living had for his kind.

The day had started early for the Kiraxan people there to provide delicacies from their homeland, Phoenix Imperium. Upon arriving the day before, they thought they would be the odd ones out, but after the beings they seen yesterday that was coming, they felt as normal as they could.

"Get those stones stacked! We have one day to get this thing built! Now get your Arian asses moving!", one of the Arian beings commanders shouted multiple times through the day.

After busting their asses all day, the fruit of their labor was before them. A large, circular, stone building had been built. Four holes acted like windows in the structure, letting the wind blow through, cooling the inside and carry the food smell to the nostrils of the visitors. On top was a large hole with a raised roof above it; this was designed to let the heat out of the building like a vent pipe for a stove.

Inside, they had built a stone over and many counter tops. Everything was built from stone except the seats the eaters would sit at. Three of the beings went inside of the structure while the rest began to milk the Archaniox Rhinos and unload carts to prep what food they could outside. Small stone wheels for grinding various grains for breads were being built, chains for hanging meat were being hung, pots for cooking food were being carried inside, and all the various items needed for prep work would begin.

"We need to cure those ovens and get the bread going. We have less than sixteen hours to be producing food for thousands. I expect to be ready to start cooking in one hour."

Vengelixo was a calm being, but like any creature of war, he didn't mind a good fight here and there. Vengelixo went and found the commander who was driving the group to work harder. For about forty minutes the two would have it out, sparring as if it was a real fight with swords and fist. Metal clanged and loud thuds were heard as the two slung eachother around like ragdolls. The two eight and a half feet tall dragon like humanoids were having fun, knowing their bodies would heal all the bruising and minor wounds within two hours after the fight.

Vengelixo would wash up in a barrel of water and head into the structure. The smell of bread passed through the air, intermingling with the various scents of meats being smoked and boiled. The seasonings blended so well despite their normal contrasts when on the same plate. It all seemed so normal, except the cooking equipment. The Arian's seemed to have learned how to use fire and the actual beings themselves were heating the pots and pans while one cooked; holding these pots and pans for hours took great strength and discipline. The ovens and smokers were heated by wood and coal. 

The next day...

The Land Tiller's State was beautiful place. The plant life was abundant and the serenity of the place could calm a dragon. The aromas of all the foods were meshing together, pulling people in all directions. The Arians, wearing their chef hats, were cleaning up the outside of the building, sweeping the floors, and readying the place to open as if it was a permanent restaurant. 

Unlike many others, the Arian Kiraxans would showcase their meals according to the time of day. They would serve a Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizer, Dinner, and then Desert. Each meal would be served with a drink fit best for that meal according to their species.

Breakfast:
Freshly baked croissant with a light blueberry icing with a crystallized sugar coated assortment of raspberries, blackberries, and chopped strawberries, topped with a dollup of whipped cream. Served with this meal is a bowl of roasted cinnamon oats with chunks of apple and mango, decorated by two swirls of vanilla icing that would stem from a vanilla flower floating in the center of the bowl. Your drink will be your choice; orange juice or a sweet blue wine.

Lunch:
A split 9-grain italian style loaf that contained hemp seed giving people a better appetite, filled with thinly sliced blue dragon tail, Archaniox white cheese, a bright green leaf similar to lettuce, purple onions, roasted red peppers, yellow striped tomatoes, red onions, with a 4 pepper sauce to bring it all together. For the side, a bowl of soup made from the dragon meat, dragon bonestock, and finely diced vegetables. The drink served is a heavy brew known as Blitzger's Brew that is much like Guiness, but with a much lighter taste, all to compliment the sandwich as the tastes fuse with the brew.

Appetizer:
Thinly sliced Archaniox roast beef rolled with Archaniox yellow cheese and coated with a garlic butter, rolled in a croissant style bread. Approximately 3, 2" rolls per plate.

Dinner: 
Honey Ta(moonshine) marinated medium rare 7oz Blue Dragon Ribeye steak topped with a garlic sauce and parsley. To compliment this juicy slab of meat is a mashed purple cauliflower and red potatos dressed with the Dragon Au Jus created from the dragon meats juices; a cob of corn with a sweet butter and salt, and a Sourdough roll with sweetbutter on it's golden top. Served with White Wine, Blitzgers Brew, or Sylvak Ta(Moonshine). 

Dessert:
A choice of two pies-
Apple and Mango pie with graham crust and flaky, sugar coated, thin lattice top to hold it all in places. With each piece of pie is offered whip cream.

A four berry pie made from strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. It has a solid topping and sweet, flaky, crust. Whip cream is also served with this desert.

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It would seem as though these ugly, giant, dragon like beings could cook some food. They were diligent and patient, crafting each piece like a piece of art. A bunch of artists in their chef hats, and they hoped everyone else enjoyed their foods just as much as they did. Any being who entered and wanted to order more food or drink some alcohol was welcomed and moved to small tables throughout the small building.
 

The demon piled the 5 and a half humungo lizards on the grass. Before setting up for the first eating contest Gluttony prepared a little game for the guests to play in the meantime. (Click on link to play. More to come soon.)