Big Sounders (Scallops)

'Big Sounders' is the name given to a breed of scallops grown in Byssal Sound. They are known for their large size and sweet, buttery flavor.
The original settlers of Byssal Sound discovered the scallops in a shallow seabed to the south of the village. High in protein and other nutrients Big Sounders became a staple of a Byssal Sound diet. The scallop population is greatest during the winter months, and they have been long considered the highlight of the darkest, coldest time of the year.
The area where the scallops flourished was divided among the five major families of the original settlers, who then worked together to learn and cultivate the species not only for the town, but for export to Goroma, a major nearby city. The Byssal Five marketed the food as a luxurious treat to the elite of Goroma, who paid large sums to import the scallop. More jobs were created and special wagons were developed to help insure the scallops remained unspoiled during their two day journey to Goroma. While the Byssal Five charge the wealthiest Goromans top-dollar for a Big Sounder, the scallop is still enjoyed as an every day meal among Byssal Sounds laity. Realizing this, some Goromans, tired of paying the exorbitant prices, have packed up their belongings and found a new home in Byssal Sound.

Mongos

Mongo is a slang term for rare, scallops that have bright orange flesh. These are female scallops that have absorbed a large amount of nutrients just before reproduction. Though they are aesthetically pleasing and importers are willing to pay more, Mongos are never exported. Byssal Sounders believe it bad luck to take a mongo out of the city limits. During the Sounder Feast a mongo is harvested and used in a children's game where, where children must search through a small seabed of scallops and locate the lone mongo. The winner is thought to have a prosperous year ahead of them

Shells and Scallop Road

Big Sounder shell ornamentation is normally a burnt orange starburst pattern. In Goroma they are prized and displayed as a symbol of wealth. In Byssal Sound they are often used as a symbol of guidance, referring to the early days of the settlement and how the scallop helped them survive hardships. Over years of exporting Big Soudners, the road between Byssal Sound and Goroma is purposefully lined discarded shells, so that travelers can always find their way home. This route is commonly referred to as Scallop Road

Scientific Name

Bivalve mollusk