Bog Slop Tradition / Ritual in The Kantas Expanse | World Anvil
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Bog Slop

Bullywugs are well known for their hospitality in their fetid home in The Frog Bog north of where Port Ffirst is located. Of course, the port has been at peace with both the local bullywugs and grung for some time, so occasionally an enterprising merchant or trader strides out into the swamp - dangerous in its own right - to make contact and 'see what they can do for you.'   They are always friendly and welcoming of outsiders, usually a few guards mounted on drooling, hissing giant spiders escorting them into the village, where one of the elders will speak with them happily about the goings on of the area and the news from the big towns, and if they've heard news of the travels of G'lorth the Magnificent, one of their best who has sought out a life of adventure. And they're always very generous with their food.   The Bullywug name for it requires a different set of vocal cords and an air sac to be able to pronounce, but the cheerfully translate it as 'bog slop' while dumping it into simple bowls for their disconcerted and sweating guests. It is said to be a staple part of their amphibious diet, although accounts that describe it suggest that it is never made in quite the same way twice. Any cook from a tavern or greasy spoon observing the bullywugs prepare this meal would recognise a stew being made - the wonder that is taking whatever you have available and boiling it until edible in vast quantities. It's a time-honoured practice across the world and while it may not always be the greatest meal, it will always be a hearty one. That is, unless you're having bog slop.   There are two crucial differences between bog slop and an actual stew. The first is that a stew is edible. And the second is that a stew is cooked. Bullywug cooks will rave to their visitors about how they absolutely put the best ingredients in that they can find - a nice base of locally-sourced water from the swamp nearby, moss and mushrooms carefully selected to be not too poisonous, bark for texture, and any meat they've collected that week - be it tortoise or rat or just one of the giant spider mounts who had died of old age or illness. If a real master is at the pot, some herbs might be added for more complex flavourings - dusty stuff, scratchings, some web perhaps. All said to be absolutely delicious to the bullywug palette and almost all counter to standard digestion processes for most urbanised humanoids. And a Bullywug cook would object to the accusation that it isn't cooked. Fire is certainly applied beneath the pot for a considerable time, but a fire in a swamp on wet wood does not in any but the most favourable circumstances boil that much fetid water, and certainly doesn't even attempt to make the meat anything other than raw.   Suffice to say that trade with the Bullywug people has been difficult to establish as each merchant runs screaming back into the swamp, if they even got past the spiders at the entrance. For their part, when this happens the Bullywug simply shrug, laugh with each other, pour the whole stinking slop out onto the ground and set up a proper fire for a real roast meal and a celebration at another idiot sent packing.
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