<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=9347.msg357054#msg357054">Quote from: CirclMastr on 25-05-2007, 05:02:29</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Gariland does his best to learn the culinary arts from the young man.  Poor other guy, he thinks, he'll have to eat the rejected dishes, and if pelgrane liver and spider goulash is considered fine dining, the rejects must be truly awful offal.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Gariland dutifully remains awake, learning Vulan's peculiar cuisine and managing (with the help of some strong tea) to keep his eyes open come morning.<br/><br/>The next day dawns with dim but less than usually morbid sunlight, which along with the pleasant weather, is enough to give the Festival of Gourmanderie an even more festive air.  Gariland, 'assisted' by Vulan, makes his way to the appointed spot, along with all his equipment and ingredients stored in chests and boxes.  Here he is introduced to his competitors (there are two dozen participants for the first round alone!), but Vulan fills him in quietly as they set up their equipment in the early morning light.<br/><br/>"We have only four primary worries, my partner.  That chubby gentleman over there is Gnar the Repeater.  Why they call him this, I do not know.  The pretty woman over there is the serendipitously fortunate Lipfina.  I believe the thin-faced ascetic seated on yonder barrel is Erzal Droze...he specializes in novelties.  And last but not least, cast your eye upon that slack-jawed, bulge-headed fellow with his crazy-quilt tunic and his bright pink boots!  That, Gariland, is our biggest threat of all.  He is Pusamus, nephew to that kill-joy Eloplaster, who shall no doubt find many reasons to fix the field against we honest craftsmen."<br/><br/>Soon the audience collects to watch.  Before long, the Duke himself mounts a stage overlooking the circle of assembled cooks.  For the occasion, His Excellency wears high boots of glossy black leather, emblazoned with brass medals.  Above that, breeches and a tunic of crimson velvet with a blue lace cravat...and a bronze codpiece molded into the likeness of a grinning fish.  This is topped by a wide brimmed felt hat that has a number of silver charms dangling from the brim.  Truly a sartorial masterpiece!  Seating himself with a flourish (hardly noting the impudent manner in which his codpiece now juts), the Duke raises his hand for silence.<br/><br/>"Good morning, my people!  Welcome to the first day in my Feast of Gourmanderie!  Let the cooking commence!"<br/><br/>And with that, madness erupts.