Gravel Gut
Gravel Gut is a well-known and mildly humorous (to dwarves) digestive condition that occurs when non-Dwarves attempt to eat Stonebread—the staple food of Dwarven culture. Stonebread, renowned for its toughness, density, and mineral content, is crafted from stone-ground grains, fermented root starches, and often fortified with finely crushed minerals and edible clays. While perfectly digestible—and even nourishing—for Dwarves, it can wreak havoc on the gastrointestinal systems of other ancestries.
“If ye can’t stomach our bread, ye can’t stomach our ways.”
Causes
Consumption of Stonebread by a non-Dwarf.
Why It Happens
Dwarven digestive systems are highly adapted to process dense, fibrous, and mineral-rich substances. Over generations, they developed gravel glands—small, dense clusters in the stomach that grind and break down hard food (a biological quirk similar to gizzards in birds). Non-Dwarves, lacking these glands, often find themselves unprepared for even a single bite of traditional Stonebread.
Symptoms
- Intense abdominal discomfort
- Constipation or sudden bloating
- A peculiar "rattling" sensation in the stomach
- Audible grinding noises when moving
- Extremely heavy stools, sometimes used as an impromptu weapon (a joke often made by Dwarves)
Treatment
- “Stomach Soot”: A soft, mineral-rich potion brewed by Dwarven healers to break down hard matter.
- Mosswater Broth: A slimy but effective soup that eases passage of the hardened food.
- Floral Laxative Wines: Imported from the Elven lands, often given reluctantly, and only to the truly suffering.
Prognosis
Onset:
Symptoms begin 1–2 hours after consumption of even a small portion of Stonebread.
Duration:
Can last from several hours to a few days, depending on quantity eaten and species.
Severity Scale (per Dwarven Healers):
- Crumbache: Minor discomfort. May pass on its own.
- Gritgrasp: Requires herbal teas and softening agents.
- True Gravel Gut: Hospitalization or magical aid necessary.
Prevention
Avoid consuming Stonebread if not of Dwarven lineage.
Cultural Reception
Cultural Reactions
- Dwarves: Consider it a rite of passage or a cautionary tale for overeager guests. Many inns have signs that read:
“Non-Dwarves eat Stonebread at their own risk. We do not reimburse cracked teeth.”
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