The Cooking Pot of Nebaurd Screwgrinder

During the Great Fallen Incursion, 5878 years ago, a company of soldiers under the command of Countess Midaask was tasked with crossing the Durkrag Mountains to outflank a column of Dark Ones that was heading towards Gola. As they made their way through the mountains there progress was delayed by an unnatural snow storm. As Countess Midaask's forces trudged through the snow, they came across a small village of Gnomes. Seeking shelter from the storm, Countess Midaask requested that her troops be allowed to set up camp and gather wood for fires. The gnomes were happy to oblige, and told the Countess that they could use any wood they wanted for warmth, but the village would be happy to feed her and her soldiers.
The Countess at first refused as she had 500 soldiers, and the village consisted of just a few dozen gnomes. She did not want to take all of their food supplies. The gnomes smiled and said it would be no problem, and directed them to set up their tents and gather wood, but to be at the feast house in the center of the village in an hour. Countess Midaask asked if there was anything she could do to help, the gnomes smiled and requested that each soldier bring their own table setting with them.
After setting up their camp and gathering wood for fires, the Countess and her men headed to the feast house with their mess kits. As they approached, they could smell a delicious odor wafting through the air, but no one could agree on what they were smelling. Some said it was a stew, and others said it was roasted lamb, while others said it was fish, or chicken, or pork, or beef. As they got closer, they could see the bright lights spilling out of the windows of the feast hall, and the merry voices of the gnomes as they sung songs inside.
When they entered the feast hall they were warmly greeted and the Countess and her officers were directed to places of honor to sit. The men were asked to line up and walk by the cook who was working over a single pot that hung on a swing out crane in the small brick fireplace. The men begin to worry, as did Countess Midaask, but the gnomes smiled and said there is plenty for everyone.
As the first soldier stepped up to the cook, he turned and grinned at him. "My name is Nebaurd Screwgrinder, and I am pleased to be able to cook for you and all your companions this snowy night! What would you like to have for dinner?" The soldier tried to look into the pot to see what was cooking, but he didn't see anything inside the pot. "Now, now, don't be shy! What would you like to eat?" said Nebaurd. The soldier replied "It smells like rabbit stew, so I would like some of that, please." Nebaurd took a ladle off of a hook and placed into the pot and scooped out two ladles of rabbit stew for the soldier, and then handed him some fresh bread as well. He smiled at the soldier, and then waved him on and turned to the next soldier, who said he smelled roasted lamb, and then Nebaurd grabbed some tongs and pulled out slices of roasted lamb, and carrots and potatoes to go with it. The next soldier asked for trout, and the one after that asked for chicken, gravy and biscuits, which Nebaurd reached into the pot and provided for each man. Once the soldiers realized that they could get anything they asked for, the requests became more and more elaborate and complex, but each man was served what he asked for. After serving every soldier, and then the officers and Countess Midaask, the gnomes entertained the troops with songs and dances throughout the night. The festivities only stopped, when the Countess ordered her troops to turn in as they still had a long march through the mountains the next day.
As the men headed off to their tents, Countess Midaask thanked all the gnomes, and especially Nebaurd for his wonderful food. the gnomes smiled and wished the Countess a good night's sleep and success in their future battles.
The next morning when the company work up, the gnome village was gone. The buildings, the feast hall, the gnomes themselves, all vanished. The scouts could not find any trace of the gnomes, or their movements. The Countess ordered her men to move out and they continued their march through the mountains to surprise the enemy. That day at noon, they did not stop to eat, as every soldier said he was not hungry. That evening, again no one was hungry, but they could all remember the feast that the gnomes had served them.

Historical Basis

There is ample evidence to indicate that there was a Countess Midaask that fought in the Great Fallen Incursion, and that she did indeed cross through the mountains to engage the foe. There are letters and notes in her journal that describe her journey.

Variations & Mutation

Some tellings of this tale say it was a halfling village, while other tellings say it was dwarven village, but all talk about the unending food, and the disappearance of the village the next morning.

Cultural Reception

The Gnomes seem most happy to discuss this tale, and smile and nod when asked if it is true. Halflings always question where this pot is, if it is a halfling item, and the dwarves dismiss it as just a tale to tell around a cold camp when stomachs are rumbling.