Hathorn's Guide: New Abilities

If you're new, you might want to start at the beginning of these letters.

The Seventeenth of Covaris, 468th Year of the Empire

Oh, readers, an amazing thing happened in the past few nights, my companions and I have honed our skills and have discovered ourselves able to do things we were not aware of until this moment. We've observed and achieved this over the past week, through various means- meditation, books, prayer, or practice just to name a few. Selenar believes our recent encounters have sharpened our senses and enabled us to access these enhanced abilities. Over our campfires, we've taken to exploring and exposing upon our newfound talents.

Dathor and Aliasbe believe that our recent battles and their constant sparring have grown them as warriors. 

Whatever the case, we find ourselves with new skills and abilities.

Dathor has found he is now able to sense hidden dangers, and he has a new technique to try in his next fight where, as he puts it, he will "throw aside all caution as he attacks." I am keen to see this new battle strategy from him.

Aliasbe, has found during combat training with Dathor she has gained the ability to push herself past her limits and attack a second time before her he has the opportunity to respond with his own attack. She dances with her swords the way a flame encircles an ember. 

Ishael has written a new song that she plays as we rest, and it gives us an even greater boon than resting would normally. It is truly an amazing feat.

Selenar has discovered they now have greater access to the goddess Meher. They also have hinted that they have gained the ability to frighten the undead. I hope we never have to discover the extent of that ability.

And finally myself. I have grown in my culinary expertise. I find that I am better able to discern ingredients in meals. I dare say I am almost to the place where I will no longer have to beg or barter my hosts for their secret recipes. With enough luck, I will be able to deduce the intricacies of meals all on my own. With more training, in my humble opinion, I expect my culinary expertise will be unparalleled. 

As we all chatted about our new abilities, I decided we deserved a treat, so I whipped up a batch of campfire bread. It's a recipe hundreds, if not thousands, of adventures have made throughout the years gathered around their fires, and enjoyed in the company of friends.

Campfire Stick Bread

Ingredients:

- 2 cups well sifted flour

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1 tablespoon honey (or any other sweetener you have available)

- 1/2 cup milk (you can use cow's milk or as I've found, the liquid pressed from ground juiabi nuts makes a passable alternative)

- 2 tablespoons melted butter

- Water

- Yeast (wild yeast or cultivated yeast from a local brewer/magician)

- Clean sticks stripped of the bark 

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Mix well to ensure the salt is evenly distributed.

2. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the honey in warm milk. Add a small amount of yeast to the milk mixture and let it activate for a few minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly.

3. Slowly pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture while stirring continuously to form a soft, slightly sticky dough. If the dough is too dry, add small amounts of water until it reaches the desired consistency.

4. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

5. Divide the dough into small portions, about the size of a goblin's fist.

6. Take each dough portion and wrap it around the tip of a clean, wooden stick, pressing gently to secure it in place. Smooth the dough evenly around the stick to form a thin layer of bread.

7. Place the sticks with the dough over the campfire, rotating them occasionally to ensure even cooking. The bread will rise and cook relatively quickly, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning.

8. Once the bread turns a golden brown and feels firm to the touch, it's ready. Carefully remove it from the stick and let it cool slightly before serving.

Optional: For an extra touch of flavor, you can brush the cooked bread with melted butter (or a flavored oil) and sprinkle a pinch of your favorite herbs or spices on top. 

Enjoy the warm, freshly baked bread and the camaraderie around the campfire!

Until the next flavorful adventure,

Hathorn Rophine 

PS- if you enjoy these letters, and want them to continue, I encourage you to toss a few coins to this enchantment to keep them coming.