Deepspike Stew
Deepspike Stew is a hearty, spicy seafood dish considered a staple during the annual festival of The Turning of the Scales. Rich in flavor and rustic in preparation, it combines fresh-caught coastal fish, root vegetables, and aromatic spices into a thick, warming broth. The stew is named for the jagged “deepspike” rock formations that line the sea cliffs near Trinda, as the chunky cuts of vegetables and fish resemble the silhouette of those natural formations jutting from the sea. Served in communal bowls and often paired with crusty bread or dried worm jerky (for those with a strong stomach), the stew symbolizes unity, survival, and the enduring bond between the town and its saviors, the Scions of the Turquoise Cod.
Ingredients
Deepspike Stew is prepared using simple but bold ingredients that reflect the local palate and accessible resources of coastal Trinda. A traditional batch contains:
- Firm white fish
- Purple root vegetables
- Carrots and wild turnips
- Pepper for heat and a hint of bitterness
- Lemongrass
- Bone broth or fish stock, simmered for hours
- Salted seaweed flakes for depth
- A splash of worm acid vinegar (extremely diluted, now a delicacy)
- Fresh herbs, usually ground parsley and cliff-thyme
History
The dish originated in the immediate aftermath of the purple worm attack in 4179. With most of Trinda’s supply lines disrupted and food scarce, the Scions of the Turquoise Cod helped the survivors scrape together whatever ingredients were available—fish caught along the coast, root vegetables buried under rubble, and herbs growing along the cliffs. The first pot of Deepspike Stew was said to be cooked over a makeshift fire pit using a shield as the pot and served to hungry townsfolk as the Scions began organizing the town’s recovery.
Over the years, the recipe evolved, refined through tradition but never losing its original purpose: to nourish and bring people together. Today, the stew is cooked in massive cauldrons in town square during the festival, where each family contributes one ingredient and shares the final result freely. Eating it is not just a meal—it’s a ritual of remembrance and gratitude.
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