A New Yak T'el

Thanks for all your help around the gainery, Forename. More crops than ever are thriving under our new lights.

The kitchen has been getting good use as well, and I've heard nothing but glowing reviews of our produce. Dare I ask how the preparation of your “legendary” dish proceeds, Ruvoll Ja?

P-Perfectly! Can't wait to start cooking, in fact.

...Can you cook?

Not at all! In Tuliyollal, I never wanted for places to eat, so I never picked up the habit. You?

If I had the time to develop culinary prowess, I'd rather be researching. As long as it's nutritionally sound, I take little heed of what I eat.

What will you say?

So I'm the only chef here?

I could theoretically follow a recipe, I suppose...

A man/woman of many talents, eh? But for the new dish I'm thinking of, we'll need specific help.

Namely, help from the people of Iq Br'aax. To make the next xibruq pibil, their cooperation is paramount.

I was hoping to show them what we've been growing in Gok Golma...

That's a wonderful idea. Do you have any acquaintances in Iq Br'aax? I understand proactive communication may have been sparse, even in light of the peace accord.

What will you say?

Ty'at Roh from the Brethren of Br'aax is a friendly sort.

You know Ty'at Roh as well? I met him when the brethren came through on official business. Lovely fellow!

I'm sure Hunmu Rruk would be welcoming.

I-I'm not sure I've got the courage to approach the Xbr'aax Rax directly. Maybe someone a little lower on the chain of command. For instance, there's a fellow named Ty'at Roh who'd lend us a friendly ear. He's always happy to chat when the Brethren of Br'aax visits on business.

Let's see if we can't find him in Iq Br'aax!

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Ruvoll Ja seems even more excited than usual. It would be wonderful if his dream can be realized.

Speaking with Ty'at Roh

Optional dialogue

Looks like we caught him on his return from patrol! I'm relieved.

Ty'at Roh

Ruvoll Ja! Forename! What odd-yet-welcome bedfellows! What can I do for you?

We had something to ask. You know about Gok Golma, right?

I was hoping that we could use the vegetables grown in our gainery to fashion a new sort of cuisine. Together, with Iq Br'aax.

Ty'at Roh

If it's cuisine you want, talk with Bol Tst'ei. Since retiring from the Brethren of Br'aax, he's become fascinated with cooking.

He'll even travel all the way to Tuliyollal for ingredients to whip up some new, odd thing. And I'll vouch for the quality─I've enjoyed many a delicious supper from old Bol Tst'ei!

I saw him just now on the north side of town. If you hurry, you may be able to catch him!

Bol Tst'ei... Got it! Thank you, Ty'at Roh.

Optional dialogue

Ty'at Roh

According to Bol Tst'ei, there's no greater joy in life than cooking up new dishes. Check the north side of town and see if he's not there cooking, or thinking about cooking, or talking about cooking, or preparing to cook...

Speaking with Bol Tst'ei

Optional dialogue

(Bol Tst'ei...Bol Tst'ei... Gods, let me pronounce his name correctly...)

I know your face, adventurer. But what business have you here, Mamool Ja?

P-Pardon me, sir, but are you Bol Tst'ei? We're looking for a culinary expert, and Ty'at Roh suggested we seek you out...

We've been growing vegetables in Mamook, you see. Crops of all colors, shapes, and sizes. And we wanted to make a new dish with our produce alongside our friends here in Iq Br'aax.

So you'd have me cook for you? As your “friend”? You speak lightly of what you know little, boy.

I grew up on stories of the old war and know all too well the facade of peace that has poisoned this forest. For years I've watched Mamook shift not an ilm, chasing false dreams of blessed siblings while looking down on us as lessers.

...You're right. I left Mamook for that very reason. I moved to Tuliyollal because I hated my homeland. But when I heard that my people stood on the precipice of change, I remembered how to hope.

If the fruits of our labors can be shared with you─if our communities can make a new dish that puts the past behind us─that, I believe, will serve as real proof. It will be Mamook's first, purposeful step into a bigger, brighter world.

...I suppose having a look at these vegetables couldn't hurt. The company you keep certainly lends credence to your plea.

Thank you, sir. Allow me to escort you to our gainery, Gok Golma.

Speaking with Bol Tst'ei

Optional dialogue

One step at a time. I have every confidence this will work.

Start of cutscene.

I can hardly believe... I never imagined the Ja Tiika Heartland could offer such yields...

I was hoping we could combine our ingredients. Crops from our gainery and the bounty from your forests. Just like xibruq pibil was made.

Xibruq pibil? You dream big, boy, I'll give you that.

These crops were first grown for Mamook's own welfare, but I would share them with our Xbr'aal brothers and sisters. I firmly believe that together, our peoples are stronger.

???

As do I.

Autarch!?

Allow me to humbly beg your assistance as well.

I have renounced the old teachings and acknowledge the mistakes of the past. Mamook must make amends. Will you not help us to do so?

If the Autarch himself is asking, I obviously stand in a brand-new Mamook.

Very well. If you wish to join hands with us Xbr'aal, let us feast together once more.

The bounties you have grown here will be reimagined into a dish befitting both our peoples.

You have my thanks.

And you have done well with this gainery. ...It has given me much to think about regarding Iq Br'aax.

Send word once preparations have been made. I should be glad to attend the banquet.

We have our work cut out for us. Let's see this through.

First of all, I'd like to know more about Mamool Ja culinary preferences. Could I ask you to conduct such a survey for me?

If you don't mind, I'll leave you to it, Forename. I plan to return to Iq Br'aax.

I'd like to invite as many people as I can to our banquet─including the Xbr'aax Rax, once I pluck up the nerve.

Thank you. If we all work together, I just know we can make this a success!

End of cutscene.

Optional dialogue

Seems like you have a nice kitchen here as well. Let me know when you have an idea as to how I should be using it.

Speaking with the residents of Mamook

Eager Elder

Hmm... When I was young, I used to think meat was such a delicacy, but this belly of mine can't tolerate it much anymore.

Now I prefer the sweet vegetables we grow in that lovely garden of ours. I'm sure other old folk like myself feel similarly.

Amiable Youth

My favorite dish is xibruq pibil! It was the talk of the city after the rite of succession.

Not only is the meat delicious, but knowing that our najool leaves play such a crucial role is a point of pride.

Tuliyollal Returnee

My favorite food? Well, I couldn't get enough of tacos when I was in Tuliyollal.

The weight of them in your hand, the satisfaction of biting in... You really felt like you were eating, you know? And Aunt Tii's signature spice! Mmm...

...Oh, but I'm sure whatever you end up making will also be good! If there's any way I can help, let me know!

Speaking with Bol Tst'ei

You're back. What did you discover?

That's helpful, thank you. With a better understanding of folks' preferences, I believe I know what sort of dish we're looking for...

But we'll need natural yeast for the bread. Can you bring me some from Xd'aa Talat Tsoly?

But we'll need some Xbr'aal herbs for the right touch. Can you bring me some from Xd'aa Talat Tsoly?

But we'll need some Xbr'aal loach for the marinade. Could you fish me one from Xd'aa Talat Tsoly? They should bite at golden stonefly nymphs.

Good. I'll start preparing the kitchen and other ingredients, so hurry back as soon as you can.

Handing over the ingredient to Bol Tst'ei

Did you find what we need?

The Warrior of Light hands over the ingredient.

Yes, this'll do nicely. Good work. You can leave the rest of the preparations to me.

I imagine Ruvoll Ja will be back soon. If there's anyone else you'd like to invite to the banquet, now would be the time.

Speaking with Anggir

Word has it that we're in for quite the feast!

My role here has been strictly one of research and facilitating the growth of new crops in Mamook.

But it is a joy and honor to know that those very crops will now link two disparate peoples. Shall we go and assist the banquet preparations?

Start of cutscene.

Feast your eyes upon Yak T'el's newest creation, the bounty of two forests...

Tiika selvaas!

The Brethren of Br'aax supplied the game, and the farmers of Gok Golma the vegetables. After marinating the meat to juicy perfection, I placed it in soft, fresh bread and prepared a sweet-yet-spicy sauce for those who desire it.

...You came.

I could hardly refuse Ruvoll Ja's impassioned entreaty, to say nothing of Forename 's presence here today. I am simply fulfilling my duty as Xbr'aax Rax.

Even so, I thank you for your attendance...and apologize for the wrongs we have done you.

Do you speak of Mamook's rejection of the peace forged by xibruq pibil?

Or perhaps the tragic “accident” that befell my daughter sixteen years ago?

...I speak of both.

Whether or not our communities join hands is a matter for the next generation to decide.

Seeing one and all gathered here today, I have little worry for the future.

But some evils can neither be forgotten nor forgiven. Sixteen years ago, an assassin was sent to kill my young daughter. By your order or influence, I know not, but the fact remains.

...A sin for which I would forfeit my life, if it would help our peoples choose the path of reconciliation.

Forfeiting your life again? I thought you were chided for that after the Feat of the Brotherhood.

From what I hear, you were offered friendship and community instead.

My daughter would never extend such offers lightly.

Your...daughter? You cannot mean...!

You underestimated the vivacity of my little girl. Today of all days, I will speak proudly of her strength and compassion...as her father.

She survived... For this, I am truly grateful.

Ah, Forename.

Not so long ago, a sight like this would have been inconceivable.

Mamook was never a place we could love. Being born here meant you either adhered to the zealotry of blessed siblings or escaped these forests forever.

But now we have something real to be proud of. We owe so much to you and Anggir.

Hardly. We merely assisted.

As I recall, it was because a certain someone eagerly suggested wivres that we were able to establish this gainery in the first place. Your devotion, Ruvoll Ja, garnered the cooperation of myriad peoples, which in turn has made Gok Golma blossom.