| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Marquant Volker |
Posted - 29 Sep 2009 : 12:21:00
I got myself wondering last night, about food in the Realms, not the usual potato-soup that a commoner could get for a couple of coppers but elegant,exotic or traditional dishes.
I use Coffee in my realms as an import from the far Maztica, or Camel meat from exotic Calimshan served with exotic fruits. Those are my "Waterdeep's latest trend" dishes, (in 1 year or less this have to change)
Cormyrean sausages are the best (in my realms) because of the landscape and the temperature and the number of cows instead of Rothe.
(If you have any Homebrew or Canon dishes feel free to post them)
The most intriguing thing is more exotic dishes. Is it possible for a Master chef to cook Basilisk stakes for the rich and powerful? or Stirge soup? or Wyvern chops?
I would not reccoment cooking anything humanoid because it looks weird and cannibalistick (spelling?).
Im not talking WoW style here, i dont like something as :
Wyvern Chop: Cook DC 20 Benefit: +X to X Skill or stat for X time
Its just for flavour, Potato-soup is good but sometimes you need something more...exotic  |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 08:29:14
Hmmm, major Underdark export- mushrooms. Bet there's a good call for psychotropic ones for a more daring dining experience.... |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 07:41:19
You're right. The Windy Keep. New York would have to be Raven's Bluff, the Living Apple.
Tantras exports barrels of spiced/pickled "finefish" (or "silvermuck") throughout Faerūn. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 07:21:34
Vancouver is Neverwinter, definitely. Zhentil Keep? Nah, that's Chicago!!! (They want ya's ta join the Family, or sleep with the fishes, lol!) |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 07:08:01
LA = Baldur's Gate, I suppose. Vancouver might be Neverwinter or Luskan. New York = Zhentil Keep, heeheehee. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 06:51:21
West Coast- wouldn't that make it more like LA? LOL!!! |
| Ulrik |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 06:17:00
Alystra: Waterdeep is definitely the "New York of the Realms"... especially how it's so densely packed - and both cities have scary stuff in their sewers 
i'm reminded of the Seattle/Vancouver area because Seattle (like Waterdeep) is on a west coast, and i've always sort of imagined it to have a similar temperature/weather. Plus, as Arik pointed out, the northwest is still pretty green. Lots of great places to hike around here.
And Seattle has a giant mountain nearby: Mt. Rainier - it's not looming directly over town like Mt. Waterdeep, but still pretty close... looming from a distance 
Also, i live in Seattle... so i'm biased...  |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 05:33:11
Y'know, you could always Polymorph chickens into larger livestock. It doesn't especially matter if it dies in the transformation. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 05:18:34
And feeds your village for a week!! |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 04:56:28
My blonde ancestors of the dim frozen northlands apparently made the most out of their meat; they'd grind the bones into powder to fortify their stews and even their oatmeal gruel. I'd rather not discuss what was done with the various fluids and organs, although good sinew, skins, and leather were fairly valuable crafting materials.
The large dense populations of the cities invite plague and disease, parasites and vermin; without a lot of clean water there'd be problems. Rome had aqueducts and sewers. Modern cities have decent medicine. I understand people in medieval cities would rarely drink water - they consumed excessive quantities of wine or ale instead because they observed fermented alcohols didn't make you sick. I imagine the cities of Faerūn are generally a little more sanitary than medieval Europe, are often situated near fresh water/springs, and have access to medical and engineering magics.
Mmmm, dinosaur steaks. Tastes like chicken. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 14 Dec 2010 : 04:27:03
Ulrik, I seem to recall the machine you speak of- it was listed in the Encyclopedia Magicka for @nd ed, and I got quite a laugh of of it! Slightly off-topic, but I've always thought of Waterdeep as being more like a slightly less populous New York- very cosmopolitan and cultured in many respects, with a well-developed art and theater scene.
I'd think that some lands would have a less common menu, like alligator or dinosaur steaks in Chult, and many lands would use lots of garlic in their cooking to ward off vampires. Meats might often be stuffed with bread and other ingredients for flavor and to make it go farther. |
| Ulrik |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 19:59:15
Heh.. Strawbucks... if you opened up one of those, then Waterdeep really would be like Seattle...
So, getting back on topic, some previous posts have mentioned coffee from Maztica... i imagine after a while even something interesting and new like coffee would become commonplace - at least in a metropolis like Waterdeep. Pretty soon you might encounter unique twists on the beverage: spiced coffee, coffee with rum, etc.. Maybe even coffee flavored with something magical.
Seriously, though, don't build a Realmsian Starbucks - there's enough of those darn places in the real world...
My DM in high school had an NPC who owned a soda-dispensing machine (imported to the Realms via Spelljammer - look it up if you don't believe me). It was funny, but kinda hard to take seriously... |
| Ulrik |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 19:39:46
A Hooters in Forgotten Realms?  i suppose next your party will open up a Hot Topic near The Crawling Spider tavern... 
Can't comment on Pittsburg, as i have never been there, but while Seattle is pretty rainy, it's not as dreary and gray as many people think. Even with all the wind and rain, the temp rarely dips to freezing, so at least we're not too cold... Tthis is a "La Nińa" year, so we've already had a bit of snow - but even that is rare and it didn't last long. Portland, OR is worse in terms of cold and snow. They get it bad.
And i'll say this - living under the jet stream brings a lot of rain, but our air is always fresh, our summers aren't too hot and our winters aren't too cold - and for a big city we've still got an impressive amount of trees. Beautiful neighborhoods around here.
Btw - it rained last night, but it's sunny today  |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 19:35:00
Well, The Busty Wench sounds better than Burgher King, Shard Rock Café, Strawbucks ...
Why, I remember a time when you could buy 200 chickens for a single gold piece. Modern edition inflation mumblegrumblegrog... |
| Diffan |
Posted - 13 Dec 2010 : 14:00:32
I've always wanted to visit the Seattle area, being a fan of their football team but I've not had the chance. I hear the weather is much like Pittsburgh (where I live  ).
Anyways...speaking about Realms food, I had some PCs start up a Resturaunt in Waterdeep called "The Busty Wench". Since they (the PCs) were teleported/phased into the Realms from Earth, the Busty Wench is much like our Hooters Resturaunt. Most of their food is "original" and brought in different ideas on how to cook using pressure, shortening, and an array of spices with flour. A favorite of the local patrons are "Rothe Wings" which come in a variety of flavors such as hot and mild Pepper Sauce, Kickin' Calimshan sauce, Athkatlan Garlic, Cormyrean Ranchero, and Shou Sesame.
They also specialize in sandwiches that are topped with this strange vegetable-based substance called Cole-Slaw and spiced, fryed potato wedges.
Granted, these aren't Realmsian, but it's become a hallmark location in Waterdeep and even has two other branch resturaunts in Athkatla and Suzail.
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| Ulrik |
Posted - 12 Dec 2010 : 16:47:32
[Yeah, i bet hardcore fishermen would be happy to eat anything, non-intelligent or otherwise - assuming it was hostile to humanity (not allied with) and provided it wasn't poisonous. Meat is meat.
Water druids would totally fight against overfishing. If nothing else, races native to undersea realms would be not too pleased with humans helping themselves to a bounty that the water-breathing folks would consider belongs to them. It seems like it wouldn't be too big a problem (i think it's safe to say there aren't as many humans on Toril as there are on Earth today). Be then of course you gotta factor in all of the other races competing for resources. Which raises a new question: what's the population of Toril, by race?
Never mind, i'm getting off topic... besides, when Umberlee decides you've taken enough fish, she'll be happy to let you know - in her own special way.
Howdy, fellow North-Westerner! Yeah, you're greener than us, but we're still pretty green... |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 11 Dec 2010 : 20:46:31
I suppose D&D fishermen are generally disgusted by the idea of eating sahaugin, kuo-toa, and selkies ... maybe. I mean, we generally don't eat dolphins and whales, but we have many societies (past and present) who'll eat basically anything dredged up from the watery depths. I suppose "alignment" considerations might come into play when your food is sentient, at least outside of ceremonial and religious fare. Aquatic sentients are probably completely off the menu, unless you also dine on their land-based equivalents.
I suspect most of the inland cities are sustained by farming. Probably also the coastal cities, since their hungry populations are too large to support with fishing alone. Underground races tend to farm fungus. Clerical magics can offset food requirements a little, at least with smaller populations. I'm not sure how monstrous humanoids (orcs, giants, etc) manage to feed their populations, aside from seasonal marauding and consuming livestock and neighbours.
I wonder if underwater druids exist, and if they attempt to restrain rampant overfishing of endangered species.
I hail from Vancouver, BC - very similar to Seattle, though greener and less American.  |
| Ulrik |
Posted - 11 Dec 2010 : 19:31:22
Well lads, looks like it's "Bane's rubber boot" on the menu tonight... heh, if you think octopus is too chewy, just you wait... |
| Ulrik |
Posted - 11 Dec 2010 : 19:27:11
Well met indeed, Arik... also a very awesome name!
You've guessed where i live, sir: Seattle. And yes, i've often fancied Seattle as a sort of Earthly-equivalent to Waterdeep. Don't know if there are salmon in the Realms, but hey, why not? Or at least something close. Also, we have many fine Irish and English pubs in the Emerald City. i know the OP of this thread was originally looking for exotic dishes of a fantastic nature, but what can i say? i love me some pub grub AND i am quite enthusiastic about ales (guess it's the barbarian in me). i'm also a big fan of seafood.
You're right about seafood being not so uncommon, but i imagine that towns as far inland from the coast as Beregost would have only a fraction of seafood options compared to a port town. i am certainly not an expert on how fish were transported in historical times similar to the current era of the Realms, but it seems like it would not be terribly cost efficient. Carriages racing through the night to bring ice-packed fish 100 miles or more inland? It would be cheaper to just order the pheasant. Even if you magically preserve fresh fish for travel, that service alone would raise the price. Of course there's always "salmon jerky".
i wonder - would eating a mermaid make you a cannibal? i guess it would depend on which half you eat ;-) |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 11 Dec 2010 : 18:16:35
Well met Ulrik (and nice manly barbarian name, Hooah)
I suppose Waterdeep would be somewhat analogous to Seattle in terms of seafood ... (Are there salmon in the Realms? Probably not, since it seems every river eventually gets magical/poisonous runoff.) Ah, the unbelievable fishermen's tales ... the kraken that got away, the hooked mermaids and sea elves, the lost magical trinket, the old rubber boot of Bane ...
Which makes me realize that most of the cities in Faerūn are by the water (river, lake, ocean, sea); seafood would be common throughout many lands, and each region would have different varieties of "catch". |
| Ulrik |
Posted - 11 Dec 2010 : 18:09:41
There's probably all kinds of weird stuff being brought up from the depths by fishermen in a fantasy setting... If it looks like it won't taste good, fry it in beer batter!
You certainly won't need to add salt... |
| Ulrik |
Posted - 11 Dec 2010 : 18:05:14
Some things you'd probably see a lot of (in human communities): Sausages, stews, soups, cheeses of different regional varieties, and bread. Also, lots of things that are cooked with beer.
I've always thought of Waterdeep as sort of "the place" for seafood, and imagined that fish or shellfish feature heavily on many menus around town, possibly to the distaste of its citizens who've grown bored with it. Depending on the season, it may be difficult for an inn to acquire certain types of meats, so menus are rarely consistent, but in port cities like Waterdeep, if you can't get steaks or foul, you can always serve the patrons your famous (or infamous!) "Steamed mussels in ale broth". Or for the fancier eateries - perhaps "Scallops in Elverquisst sauce". Of course, a major city like Waterdeep, with so many traders bringing in foods from different regions, it's hard to imagine any noticeably long periods where fish is all you can get. Still, it might be something to keep in mind for what peasants might eat - anyone can keep their family fed with a fishhook, some string, and patience.
I've read that lobsters were long considered a food for the lower-class. Given it's unpopularity coupled with the fact that lobsters were much easier to find, they were ridiculously cheap. It wasn't until the mid-late 19th century that enough of these "lower-class" citizens who'd developed a taste for the crustacean had become numerous enough to drive up the demand. Anyway, history aside, there's another inexpensive dish i'd imagine you'd find pretty commonly in Waterdeep, especially near the docks or when other meats are less available.
Where is your campaign taking place? Think of the flora found in the area. These local plants/leaves/flowers are what you'd probably find being used to flavor stews or soups.
Anyone ever consider a dish with a mildly-poisonous ingredient? Perhaps a drop of venom from some a magical creature. Just enough for a kick, not so much to make you ill. Could be something like "fugu" - if it's prepared incorrectly it could kill you, and now it's the sort of dish adventurers try on a dare, or as an attempt to win the admiration of an otherwise distrustful community weary of outsiders.
Have any good pubs in your neighborhood? Visit a pub and check out their menu. Pub food always makes me think of role-playing (because i'm a dork). |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 23:49:21
No, you were right. And there seem to bee two kinds of "sea" elves- those that live in salt water (like in the Moonsea or off Evermeet) and those who live in fresh. since they do "breathe" water at all times, they mainly drink when on land, or beverages that are enjoyed for flavor. (Or other reasons!) There was a really funny scene in Daughter of the Drow where Liriel helps a pair of sea elves escape imprisonment (and dehydration) in a village on Ruathen(sp?). She summons an 'ale" elemental from a bunch of casks in a warehouse next to the hut they are locked in, and smashes through the door, and it carries them back to the sea inside itself. Not only did they breath the ale while inside it, but they got roaring drunk to boot! |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 23:39:33
Those fishy little elves just "breathe" seawater constantly. Maybe they don't actually have to drink and only stopper up wines, juices, and other beverages to be enjoyed for flavour instead of hydration?
They must have phenomenal kidneys to handle all that salt and watery muck. Or do they prefer freshwater? I seem to recall something in PHBR8 about (all kinds of) elves having great immune systems, basically a strong resistance to poisons, sickness and disease which doesn't require "game" saving throws. I might be wrong, maybe that was dwarves. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 23:24:33
This brings us to- WHAT do they drink? Seawater seems like not much of a choice. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 23:20:54
I seem to remember they use skins with a hole punched into them or something, that can be stoppered hen not actually drinking. Like a canteen- sort of. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 23:13:07
Permanent magic vessels which heat/cook their contents, or other permanent magic items for magma-pocket "BBQ" events/gatherings do seem logical. Elves are good at magic stuff, each of their communities or homes could have all sorts of little trinkets to serve cooking purposes, not unreasonable when you consider what sorts of appliances we use for cooking in our world. Better than casting spells to heat your food all the time, although maybe sometimes they like to go "camping" and rough it out eating soggy cold fish jerky.
How do they drink? |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 22:46:57
Don't have to tell ME that!! I spent three years working in a pizza place with two ovens going constantly, 450+ heat EACH, and NO AC!! In 100 degree Texas summer heat! (We did 120+ pie school orders in the mornings....)
I like the idea of cooking over a magma pocket- perhaps they have some permanent endure elements effect over it, with a special type of pot that cooks large amonts, and can be moved with a hook or something to take it off the heat. A swing-boom sort of contraption, so that once it's cooked, they don't have to worry about burning themselves trying to get it to the "table". I'd also imagine they eat lots of kelp and shellfish that don't require much- if any- cooking. Sea elf sea salads? |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 22:17:38
I'd thought about magic use, certainly possible, but a bit of a nuisance for cooking every meal every day. Only wizards and priests can prepare cooked food? They'd have to reach middle levels just to have three warm meals each day, unless they cook stuff in batches and eat it cold later.
Or they might actually use fire (and air), in the form of elemental stuff. Or set up a kitchen near a boiling magma pocket.
But - as with Heat Metal or any other magics - they'd have to have a tremendous resistance for heat (a container of boiling water will be surrounded by a lot of uncontained almost-boiling water) ... just consider how hot a not-submersed kitchen can get, at least a large/industrial one, and multiply by the thermal density of water. I did years of line/chef work, I assure ye 'tis quite warm indeed when things are busy. The cook's flesh can cook as easily as any other.
An underwater city "dry area" sort of concept is possible. But the problem then becomes poisoned air and smoke, lots of smoke. No matter how they go about it, the aquatics have to employ magic for every single meal they want to cook.
Preference for cooked food might be a purely human notion. Sushi and seaweed are nourishing enough. |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 21:45:33
I was thinking along the lines of the heat metal spell. Does not TECHNICALLY use fire!! If they used it in pots at the water's surface, they would not need fire. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 08 Dec 2010 : 21:42:39
Without fire? |
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