Vex and Befuddle

Spellsong Recipes with a Kick!

Crooked Mile Valley    Crooked Mile Scenarios    Competition Scenario Stories      Vex and Befuddle

Eight parts Nature, 1 part Arcane Magick & 1 part Science. This is not to suggest that arcane magick and science are only added to small amounts in a bubbling cauldron. Rather, it is that only part magick is known to work, and one part science is a known and tested outcome. The remaining ingredients are chicken, bird, reptile or parasite eggs, decomposed vegetables, dried fruit (prunes, raisins) and once bitten nuts. On rare occasions, a morsel of meat is tossed in when vegetarians aren’t secretly looking over their weathered shoulders. The Vex (annoying) and Befuddle (stupefying) are the intentional purposes for cooking over a hot fire a thick black ichor soup. If the Vex doesn’t drive a victim mad, the Befuddle will.

Note: These are the basic ingredients for a soup or any other edible concoction that results in curious behaviors, appearance or plots.

— Lady Lark

Spellsong Caster's Recipe

• 1. Cut all ingredients into chunks or spoon into ladles. The spoons must be pewter ladles.
• 2. Whisper the Spellsong in the Wind while ladling in the eggs and decomposed vegetables.
• 3. Take a flask out of your robe pocket and empty the ruby red liquid into the mixture. Cough. It is important the throat is cleared after taking a sip from the flask to test its age.
• 4. Kick the caudron and project pondering toward the anticipated eater of the meal. Hum a tune with madeup and heartfelt words. Don't let the soup burn near the edges of the cauldron. The burn will affect the power of projection.
• 5. Nod off. Dream whatever the spirits channel. Nightmares are even better flavor enhancers.

Lady Lark Recipes Require a Spellsong

Bubbling Cauldron Recipe Spellsong by ROD w/Midjourney

---

Secondary Effects

The consequences of using food spell songs can range from minor inconvenience to catastrophic effects.
If the caster doesn't use a long dead bone for stirring, they will feel lethargic. Experiencing headaches, dizziness, and nausea is typical when manipulating magical energies. While baking during boiling, the spell song caster may experience a loss of temporary energies. It is not advised to bake bread while glazing fruits or meats. The aromas bewilder the Vex and the Befuddle. Once the two ingredients are twisted, there is no known method for unbraiding them.
The caster doesn't have to be concerned about sparks, wisps of smoke, or uncontrolled magic during the boiling of the pot. However, there are kitchen mishaps that can disrupt the spell song's course. Flickering lights, gusts of wind, minor tremors, thunderstorm crackles burn the cauldron's pewter finish and ignite a cook's robe. The soup will no longer be as flavorful once the fire is extinguished. Harmless side effects include temporary physical transformations, illusions, creating rats, or turning the hair or body blue.
Closing a portal hole to another realm is a challenge when temperatures or elixirs tear apart the universe. Spell song casters must be sure to keep from exposing any bruises, messed or burned hair, singed socks or a burnt soup from the neighbors. The smell of rotting and overcooked prunes encourages creatures to visit for an uninvited stay.