National delicacy. That includes Local favorites. -- Knitnan
Newcomers to the Everdark are always surprised to learn how easily beasts can become Dire down there. Most commonly, the slugs often become Dire in the deeper caves and caverns. There's bats, too. Amongst many other creatures not also common on the surface.
There's just something about the fungi the grows down there. It does things to animals. And bugs. And other invertebrates. Oddly, though, the intelligent creatures are immune.
It might be luck. It might be a decision from the gods. After all, nobody wants to see what a Dire Dragon might be like.
Ancient legends say that the world was made for, and by Dragons. Which may yet be a reason that the fungi of the Everdark turn beasts into enormous versions of themselves. All the better for the Dragons to feast upon.
Once other creatures began to exist on Alfarell, they learned to take advantage of various Dire beasts. For food, labour, and entertainment. It's only in the Everdark that the Dire are the primary source of protein.
The Dark Elves have a joke about their Dire Spiders: "They give venom, they give silk. Just don't ask about the milk." They do this on purpose to disturb the "sunsiders".
Of all the dishes from the Everdark that surprises the surface world, the one most often mentioned is Gros Limace.
Bat meat gets a weird pass. Dire Spider meat is an exotic export to those who want to look brave to everyone around them. But if you really want to be brave, the one most baulked at is meat from the Dire Slug. And not because of the parasites.
It's because of the giant slug providing the meat.
The high and mighty might enjoy escargot or grenuille - snails or frogs, but it's the slugs that get people sneering at it.
The beer-battered fillets were served on a bed of honey-roasted carrots, with slices of lemon and halloumi by its side. Artistic, gleaming and glistening like gems on the plate.
Opposite Rudizol, Verashi smirked. "I thought you said you wanted some challenging food," she said. "I don't know a bigger challenge than this."
Rudizol kept staring at the plate. Knowing exactly what the protein was because Verashi told him. If it was still called Gros Limace he might have confidently cut himself a mouthful. "When I said 'challenging', I was thinking of spices. Not... garden pests."
"Hardly a pest. These critters are farmed in some locales," said Verashi. "The chef still has to be careful about -y'know- infestations..." She'd timed it perfectly. Saying that just as Rudizol picked up his cutlery. Smirking even harder as he put them back down again. "That's why they're cooked through and through. These ones were boiled before they were filleted and fried. Like you'd double-cook wild-caught venison."
"I'm more fond of civilised food, if I must be honest. Things people farm safely. Like I said, I was thinking of spices."
"I know," Verashi cooed. "There's some good heat in the batter for these. I've had it before. It's very nice."
Well. She had survived this stuff. Rudizol took a chance and sliced of a mouthful's worth from the most convenient fillet. It was tougher than he expected from such a soft creature.
Then the spices hit.
The burn began slowly, but increased exponentially. Quickly past his own limits of tolerance for such things. "Oh yeah... this is a challenge." He wheezed, feeling the blood rushing to his face. Rudizol signalled for a cream-based beverage while Verashi took the plate for herself. "I admit defeat."
Verashi grinned as she took her own bite without fear or hesitation. "That takes even more courage than trying this dish," she said. "I think I like you."
Rudizol, panting and gasping, managed, "Thank you. Something less challenging next time?"
"Absolutely."
[Photo by Daniel Schild on Unsplash]
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