Ritual Food Altar
Summary
The Ritual Food Altar is a large altar located in the cavern chamber beneath The Rex Tree, laden with offerings to The Sniff Lord. Discovered by the party in Session 3 of the campaign, the altar holds "a dizzying amount of food" intended as religious sacrifices by cultists. Despite the sacred nature of these offerings, the altar becomes a source of sustenance for the hungry adventurers, [particularly when Vasso begins taking food from it](timestamp://355acf0c-a859-4c94-ab24-c50f67c21797/00:00).
The altar serves as physical evidence of the cultists' devotion to The Sniff Lord, their attempts to appease or worship the entity through food sacrifices creating a moral dilemma for the party who require the provisions.
Description
The altar is a substantial structure capable of holding a considerable quantity of food. Its surface is covered with various offerings, including both prepared dishes and raw ingredients. The food includes items that have been "plucked and cooked," indicating deliberate preparation by the cultists. Notably, the party's own dead goose rests among the offerings, still unplucked and uncooked, suggesting recent placement or perhaps the cultists' own contribution to the sacrificial spread.
In addition to the food, the altar features braziers and bottles of liquor sealed with corks, adding to the ritualistic atmosphere of the space. The sheer volume of provisions creates a "dizzying" effect, emphasizing the cultists' commitment to their offerings or perhaps the regularity of their sacrificial practices.
History
Session 3
The party discovers the Ritual Food Altar in the cavern chamber beneath The Rex Tree. Confronted with the abundance of food, Vasso faces a moral conflict between respecting the religious offerings and addressing immediate hunger. Despite knowing "it's an offering and he knows that that's not totally cool," Vasso's hunger drives the decision to take food from the altar. Vasso approaches the altar tentatively and sneakily grabs items, acknowledging the impropriety of stealing religious offerings while being compelled by physical need.
The presence of the party's own dead goose among the offerings raises questions about how it arrived there and who placed it, adding mystery to the altar's current state.
Notable Features
- Abundant Food Offerings — A "dizzying amount" of both raw and prepared food items intended for The Sniff Lord
- Prepared Dishes — Cooked and plucked items indicating intentional culinary preparation
- The Party's Goose — The adventurers' own dead goose, unplucked and uncooked, mysteriously present among the offerings
- Braziers — Ritual fire vessels contributing to the ceremonial nature of the space
- Liquor Bottles — Sealed bottles of alcohol, corked and ready for offering
- Connection to Dog-Masked Cultist — The altar represents the work and devotion of cultists who worship The Sniff Lord
- Sacred vs. Survival — The altar creates a moral tension between respecting religious practices and meeting the party's immediate needs