Sgt. Sunder's BBQ-Palooza

Sgt. Yahn Sunder has been hailed as the Kirinal Concordance Zone's premier hunter. He specializes in hunting megafauna in the Manifest and cooking his prey for charity. He won the Mid-Summer Barbecue Festival so many times that they re-named it for him and made him the judge.

So we have some inside tetrahexball going on here with the BBQ-Palooza. I'm actually the head judge and one of the organizers! After ten years of Sunder taking the top prize at the Festival, we went ahead and named the Az-damned thing after him. I can taste the bro-levi-lette roast he made for his 10th win! The brine of the ocean balanced perfectly with the roasted bronto! The SCP seasoning, the smoke, and the perfect use of aromatics! I think I'm going to cry.

Step right up and savor the tantalizing aroma of exotic grilled meats and the lively spirit of competition at Sgt. Sunder's BBQ-Palooza! The "Greatest BBQ Festival in the Multiverse" takes place every year on the second weekend of the month of Nar. Pit-masters, chefs, and cooks from across the planes come to Garrison City to participate in the food festival named after the acknowledged champion of them all, Sgt. Yahn Sunder! Join us as we delve into the epic flavors of this culinary event.

From the moment you set foot in the Garrison's festival grounds, the air crackles with charcoal and is smoky with delight. Vibrant colors, lively music, and energetic dance performances create an immersive experience, drawing in both seasoned gourmands and curious newcomers. Witness spectacular culinary displays and marvel at the unique fusion of worldly and interdimensional cultures through food.

The BBQ-Palooza Schedule

The food festival officially takes place over the three days of the first weekend of the first full month of summer. It draws immense crowds to the Garrison who come to watch the cooks, eat the food, and buy things from each other.

The Opening BBQ Banquet

The "palooza" opens up the night of Bifrost with Sgt Sunder's Annual BBQ Banquet. The eponymous Palooza Pit-Master puts on a tour-de-force feast of meats that he has hunted across the dimensions that year. He seasons everything with his secret S.C.P (Salted, Cured, & Preserverd) spice seasoning!

All are welcome to eat at the event for free. When the organizers brought up charging an entrance fee, Sgt. Sunder brandished his spear. The suggestion floated away like fine hickory wood smoke.

Instead, the Sgt. takes voluntary donations to benefit the Heavenly Council of Ki-rins Orpans Fund. They feed, house, and educate the orphans of the Zone especially the children of Kirinal Defenders who died defending the Concordance.

Sgt. Sunder was an orphan of the Pit himself. He remembers the kindness of the Ki-rins who raised him. Once the gruff, reticent Sgt. Sunder's banquet is complete all attention afterwards turns to the contenders.

Karaoke and Bibingka With Lola Carly

The night closes with a massive karaoke contest hosted by everyone's favorite Lola Carly and the mysterious Mr. Shadow. The best amateur singers across the dimensions compete for a spot in the next Lunapalooza. Lola and Mr. Shadow also provide magical favors to their favorite singers, who may or may not be the actual winners. Lola Carly gives out her signature magical bibingka. Mr. Shadow provides shadow fortune trinkets that must be redeemed with care.

Smoked Food on Faerie

The contestants begin cooking on the day of Faerie. All meat is provided by the Festival and the cost is included in the price of entering the contest. After decades of experience, the organizers determined that the best way to prevent contraband is to provide Edible Authorized meats themselves. They have discovered that what is considered sentient on one world, is not always the same in another dimension.

The crowds grow larger as the food vendors open up. The contestant fee also includes the right to open a food tent in a prime spot. The professional muscicians also arrive to provide premium content during the weekend. The Zone Authority Police are present in full force to deter pickpockets. (And to get free food and drinks.)

Judgment Day

The highly anticipated judgment takes place at noon on the day of Heaven. The contestants deliver their submissions to the Judging Table and the panel of judges take their duty very seriously.

The Judges
Sgt. Kill Flayer
The garrulous orc sergeant is an amateur gourmand who makes a great show of sniffing, tasting, and eating the entirety of every entry delivered to him. An enormous belch from Kill Flayer is seen as a positive from hopeful contestants.
Sgt. Sunder
A notorious perfectionist, Sgt. Yahn Sunder carefully sniffs every entry and stabs each of them with his sentient spear. He only tastes the food that his spear approves of and finishes almost none of them. A second bite from Sgt. Sunder is considered the hightest compliment.
Sunder the Spear
Sgt. Sunder's sentient spear Sunder has tasted the flesh and blood of multitudes and has a refined palate. It murmurs in the mind of its companion, a faint whisper heard only by psionics and arcane practitioners of mind magic. Sunder the Spear hums and glow briefly when it enjoys what its tasting, here during the contest, or on the battlefield.

Sunder's BBQ Belt

The grand prize winner of the contest receives a unique magical belt made by Sgt Sunder himself. He cures the leather of the the beasts that he has hunted that year. Amongst his other accolades, Sgt. Sunder is also one of the finest leatherworkers in the Zone. It is said that Sunder's BBQ Belt confers some of the Sergeant's undeniable skill onto the winner.

As the contest unfolds, visitors and participants take part in an unprecedented culinary adventure. The fusion of flavors and cooking techniques from various dimensions paints a picture of gastronomic harmony that transcends boundaries and promotes Concordance.

Sgt. Sunder's BBQ-Palooza isn't just a festival; it's a testament to the power of food to bring people together no matter what they look like or where they come from. The celebration of culinary excellence, compassion for the less fortunate, and the joy of sharing flavors from across dimensions make this event an unforgettable experience. So, come one, come all, and be a part of this remarkable multiversal culinary extravaganza. Your taste buds and your mortal soul will thank you!



Cover image: Summer Camp 2023 Generic Header by Chris L

Comments

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Jul 4, 2023 23:45 by E. Christopher Clark

"An enormous belch from Kill Flayer is seen as a positive from hopeful contestants."   I am hereby requesting "…like a Kill Flayer Belch" or "…than a Kill Flayer Belch" hereby be worked into some kind of slang in your world.

Enroll in Yesterland Academy today!
Jul 5, 2023 03:33 by Chris L

As you wish!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Jul 5, 2023 21:07 by Haly the Moonlight Bard

This was great! Read it live on stream today, and we all enjoyed it very much. Having just bought my Twitch moderator (and ring-bearing lifemate) a smoker/grill combo for Father's Day, I had no trouble imagining the smell of the tasty, TASTY meats being prepared.   I am curious if the two Seargents share my opinion that meat is best consumed straight from the bone, or, in a pinch, a stick to simulate that convenient bone-handled gnawing? LOL

Haly, the Moonlight Bard

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Jul 5, 2023 22:15 by Chris L

Thanks for reading on stream! Send me a link and I'll watch the VOD, if it exists! I have some work to do on this, if I get a chance, or after Summer Camp!   The two Sergeants absolutely eat their meat off the bone, off the stick, off the skewer, or off the knife! The more primal the better!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Jul 5, 2023 23:50 by Haly the Moonlight Bard

MB on Twitch I'm streaming every day in July from 4-6 pm Eastern / 9-11 UK / 1-3 Pacific. I do 15 minute work blocks, Words On Stream, and SC article reads.

Haly, the Moonlight Bard

Rhapsody by Moonlight , a daily email worldbuilding newsletter.

Jul 5, 2023 23:51 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Love Sgt Kill Flayer's commentary on this one.   'The suggestion floated away like fine hickory wood smoke.' This is my favourite line.   My mouth is watering.

Emy x
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Jul 6, 2023 00:36 by Chris L

Thank you! This was a fun one to write! I want to circle around with some quotes, descriptions of the food, and maybe recipes! We'll see!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Jul 7, 2023 16:36 by Marjorie Ariel

I'm getting an increasing feeling, with each article I read, that I would get on with Sgt. Kill Flayer (Sgt. Kill Flayer to his friends).   I'm really glad they made Sunder (and his spear!) one of the judges after taking the prize 10 times. It wouldn't have been fair, otherwise. I also appreciate him for insisting there should be no entrance fee and instead taking donations to help orphans. He also seems like a great guy.

Jul 7, 2023 21:51 by Chris L

Sgt Kill Flayer actually likes everyone, except for a--holes! From what I've seen, he'd like you too! Definitely a good guy to have your back!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Jul 10, 2023 04:32 by Marjorie Ariel

That's a real compliment. Thanks :)

Jul 28, 2023 10:20

The key to a persons heart is through their stomach which is most certainly the case here. Where is my ticket for next year? ^^ Love the flavourful descriptions and the variety of events!   Now.. what to cook this weekend in my smoker... Keep up the good work! :D

Jul 28, 2023 14:13 by Chris L

Thank you! I know you love BBQ, so your approval makes me especially happy!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

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