Taverns & Banquets of Midkemia and Kelewan

A compendium of canonical foods and beverages for immersive world‑building.

🍺 Alcoholic Beverages — Kingdom of the Isles & Beyond

Cask of Ale (BAK) — Frothy amber ale with a yeasty, faintly sweet aroma and a bitter finish. Served in tankards in taverns from Krondor to LaMut.

Keshian Red — Deep garnet wine from Great Kesh, rich with dark berry and spice notes. A noble banquet staple.

Quegan Brandy — Potent amber liquor with a sharp, warming bite. Favored by sea captains and merchants.

Ranthian Ale — Dark, smoky ale brewed in Ranth. Heavy and filling, popular with mercenaries.

Free Cities White — Crisp coastal wine with citrus and green apple notes. Served chilled at summer feasts.

Elvandar Wine — Rare, pale gold elven wine with a shifting floral taste. Only gifted, never sold.

Serpent’s Breath — Harsh, briny liquor from the Sunset Islands. Sailors swear by its “worm‑killing” potency.

Keshian Spiced Wine — Mulled red wine infused with cinnamon, clove, and desert spices. Served steaming in clay cups.

Bitter Sea Dark — A heavy, almost black beer brewed in coastal cities, with a briny tang from seawater‑washed barrels.

LaMutian Mead — Honey‑based drink with a floral aroma, popular in colder northern taverns.

Sethanon Red Reserve — A rare vintage from vineyards near Sethanon, known for its deep color and long finish.

Krondorian Porter — Thick, malty beer with hints of chocolate and coffee, brewed in the capital’s old quarter.

☕ Non‑Alcoholic & Everyday Drinks

Kava — Bitter, dark brew akin to coffee. Often sweetened with honey or cream.

Herbal Infusions — Teas from mountain herbs or wildflowers, ranging from calming to medicinal.

Sweetwater — Lightly flavored water with fruit peel or mint, served in noble halls.

Fruit Cordials — Syrupy berry or orchard fruit drinks diluted with water.

Goat’s Milk / Cow’s Milk — Common in rural inns, sometimes warmed with honey.

Springwater of Elvandar — Crystal‑clear water from elven springs, said to refresh both body and spirit.

Spiced Apple Cider — Warm cider infused with cinnamon and clove, served in autumn markets.

Barley Water — Mild, slightly sweet drink made from boiled barley, served cool in summer.

🍵 Tsurani & Kelewan Specialties

Chocha — Thick, spiced hot chocolate from Kelewan, bitter and aromatic. Served to honored guests in porcelain bowls.

Tsurani Rice Wine — Clear, slightly sweet rice liquor, served warm in small ceramic cups.

Kelewan Herbal Broth — Savory infusion of mountain herbs and roots, drunk for warmth and health.

Fermented Seaweed Drink — Salty, tangy beverage from coastal Kelewan provinces, valued for its minerals.

Iced Flower Tea — Chilled infusion of pale blossoms, served in summer to cool the body.

🍖 Kingdom Fare — Meats & Mains

Roast Venison with Herb Crust — Slow‑roasted deer seasoned with rosemary and thyme, served with root vegetables.

Pheasant in Wine Sauce — Braised pheasant with onions, garlic, mushrooms, and red wine.

Salted River Fish (BAK) — Smoked freshwater fish served cold with bread and pickled onions.

Krondorian Meat Pie — Flaky pastry filled with minced beef, carrots, and potatoes in gravy.

Stew of Mutton and Barley — Thick stew with mutton, barley, carrots, and leeks.

Honey‑Glazed Ham — Baked ham with honey‑mustard glaze, crisped fat, and sweet‑savory flavor.

Stuffed Goose with Chestnuts — Roast goose filled with chestnut and herb stuffing, served at winter feasts.

Braised Boar Shank — Slow‑cooked boar in dark ale, with onions and root vegetables.

Fried River Trout — Lightly battered trout fried golden, served with lemon and herbs.

🥖 Breads, Grains & Sides

Brown Rye Loaf — Dense, nutty bread served with butter or cheese.

Oaten Bannocks — Flat oatcakes, often eaten warm with honey.

Spiced Lentils — Lentils stewed with onion, garlic, and pepper; common in southern cuisine.

Seeded Flatbread — Thin bread sprinkled with sesame and poppy seeds, baked crisp.

Cheese‑Stuffed Rolls — Soft rolls with melted cheese centers, served hot.

🐟 Coastal & Maritime Fare

Fried Eel with Garlic Butter — Crisp‑fried eel fillets served with melted garlic butter.

Sea Clam Chowder — Creamy clam soup with potatoes and onions, served with crusty bread.

Pickled Herring — Preserved in vinegar and spices, eaten with rye bread.

Grilled Squid with Lemon — Charcoal‑grilled squid brushed with oil and lemon juice.

🍇 Fruits, Sweets & Treats

Berry Tarts — Pastries filled with sweetened berries, glazed with honey.

Candied Almonds — Sugar‑roasted almonds with cinnamon, sold in paper cones.

Apple Fritters — Batter‑fried apple slices dusted with sugar.

Honey Cakes — Soft sponge cakes soaked in honey syrup.

Spiced Nut Loaf — Dense cake with walnuts, cinnamon, and clove.

🍜 Keshian & Southern Kingdom Cuisine

Spiced Lamb with Dates — Lamb stewed with dates, almonds, and saffron, served over flatbread.

Chickpea & Herb Salad — Chickpeas with parsley, mint, lemon, and olive oil.

Stuffed Grape Leaves — Rice, herbs, and minced meat wrapped in grape leaves, steamed until tender.

Citrus‑Glazed Quail — Small game birds roasted with a glaze of orange and lemon.

🍱 Tsurani & Kelewan Dishes

Chocha‑Steamed Buns — Soft buns filled with minced meat and vegetables, served with dipping sauce.

Rice with Pickled Vegetables — Steamed rice with pickled radish, cucumber, and seaweed.

Grilled River Fish with Sweet Sauce — Charcoal‑grilled fish brushed with a sweet glaze.

Noodle Broth with Mountain Herbs — Thin noodles in a clear, savory herb broth.

Steamed Dumplings — Bite‑sized parcels of meat or vegetables, served with soy‑like dipping sauce.

🏺 DM Integration Notes

• Regional Flavor: Match dishes and drinks to the culture and climate of the location.

• Status Signals: Rare items like Elvandar Wine or chocha should mark prestige or trust.

• Event Menus: Use hearty stews and ales for taverns; elaborate roasts and spiced wines for banquets; portable pies and tarts for markets.

• NPC Reactions: Certain foods or drinks may evoke nostalgia, suspicion, or respect depending on the character’s origin.

• Foreshadowing: Introduce rare items in conversation before they appear, to heighten impact.