Cacao Trees

Cacao trees are native to southwestern Laxilþía, specifically the Ajómax Rainforest, and are considered sacred in many cultures in that part of the world, particularly among the Pakrans, Rexans and Jatrilnúxans, as the cacao they produce is an important part of various offerings to the gods and is consumed by the aristocracy as well.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Culinary

In Resak, only members of the aristocracy can consume precious cacao, usually in the form of various drinks or soups with added spices, honey or fruits, though this is mostly done as a sign of status or as part of ceremonies rather than genuinely enjoying the taste, as cacao is quite bitter.

Commoners are allowed to eat the pulp from the pods, though it's more commonly used to make an alcoholic beverage which is served during certain festivals.

Religious

Pakrans were first to make extensive use of cacao as offerings to the gods as human sacrifice became less common in their society, particularly by burning whole cacao pods (specifically red ones) on altars as substitute for human hearts, a custom which has since been adopted by rexans for appeasing some of their less bloodthirsty deities. Cacao is also customarily sprinkled over food and drink or smeared on the heads of sacrificial victims to mark them as offerings.
Unlike rexans, pakrans only consume cacao as part of rituals.
Cacao is also sacrificed to some extent by other cultures outside Laxilþía, such as Húlpakrans in Dalra and Galkans in northern Túlmikkía.

The gift of cacao by Lappalingur

Detail of a pakran fresco showing the goddess Ekrelú giving cacao to humanity, so that it can worship the gods properly.

Origin/Ancestry

Laxilþía