Runar's Expanded Adventures: Part 2

Getting a little more ambitious with this series, trying to flesh things out (Hahah) But Runar is travelling across Norvrandt, and taking time to sample all its marvelous cuisine with absolutely no consequences. None at all. Enjoy!

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Shortly after the feast in Slitherbough, Runar decided it was time to follow his beloved Master Matoya's example and walk the earth. If the Night's Blessed were to build a proper community and make Rak'tika a real home, they would have to learn from others- they were worshippers of the night, after all, not architects and engineers. The large hrothgar decided it was only fitting that Rak'tika's most stalwart ally, the Crystarium, would be his first stop. The Crystarium had become a sprawling, prosperous city, all in the shadow of the magnificent, shimmering Crystal Tower at its heart. He and a few others of the Night's Blessed spent weeks travelling Lakeland and touring the Crystarium, meeting with old friends and learning what they could.

Runar, however, was drawn to the Facet of Nourishment- the organization responsible for keeping the Crystarium's citizens healthy and well-fed. What few recipes he knew were passed down from family tradition, and he had never really had a chance to learn more- the feast in Slitherbough had been a great success, and he was eager to again try his hand at preparing one. Of course, as he was touring, it would be rude not to sample any of the dishes or wares the Crystarium offered him. This is what he kept telling himself after a fourth helping of Jellied Harcot, and was trying not to focus too much on how his robes were strained. The ronso had indulged, perhaps, a bit too much- his middle had swollen immensely. He tried not to think too much on how closely this giant, boulder-shaped mass hanging from his middle resembled the cauldron he cooked his stew in, and he wondered glumly what Master Matoya would think of him in such a shape. Maybe she liked those of a prosperous build? He could only hope. The extra weight was beginning to slow him down, his rear, hips, and legs thickening practically with every bite of more candied fruit. His arms, shoulders, and chest still retained their shape and thick muscle, but there was no hiding how much he had indulged. Runar shook his head; this was enough. He hefted himself up, and winced slightly as his round middle wobbled from the effort.

"That is enough," he grumbled, a hand to his gut. "I will not let the bounty of our hard-earned peace make me go soft! Not after everything we've worked for. I will be a model of restraint on our next visit, that I swear by the Stars," he declared, until a creeping sense of dread reminded him of where he and the others were due to travel to Eulmore, the most decadent city left in Norvrandt.