Chaal Acurjamn

In Usaatore there is a special pepper called the Red Death. It is the spiciest item of food known to exist in all of Irida. Naturally, the Saurians who live there have taken the pepper as a sign from the gods, and have extracted from it a ritualistic food by the name of Chaal Acurjamn - Red Rebirth - a dish composed of Red Death and other intensely spicy foods grilled over an open flame alongside other vegetables such as onion and cucumber. Modern versions of the dish include meat, though in its purest form it is vegetarian. It is also served with Vashaant Kherana, a special drink made by combining milk, honey, and various spices - but for as many as there are that stick to the tradition, there are those who refuse to participate in such 'weakness' and brave the trial by fire without aid.

History

Ancient history cannot pinpoint the person responsible for the creation of the dish as it is known today. Sources instead point to the ranks of the soldiers found participating in the Second Yattivaala War, who prepared the Red Death with other spicy foods as a test of courage between them. The tradition then spread to those entering their ranks as a method of testing the new recruits - from there it spread further outward still to those becoming adults in their own right. The tradition was refined further for the sake of the populace, and eventually it became a cultural staple among the Saurians of Usaatore.

Observance

The dish of Chaal Acurjamn is prepared whenever a Saurian experiences a drastic change in their life, serving as a symbolic rebirth into a changed individual. Coming of age ceremonies, graduations, marriages, childbirths, and starting a new career are all traditional ceremonies wherein the dish is prepared and presented to the party in question.

Related Ethnicities

• Saurian - Ethnicity