The Bardic Chef

"Contracting Count Zarovich as my patron has turned out to be far more successful than I could have ever imagined. His blessing has allowed me to form trade ties with the Vistani, allowing me access to things beyond the scope of Barovia... I hope this will be a long and profitable relationship."

- From the Journal of Mattias Softpaw

Cateloge Number: P-01

Ingredients

Murex Rock Snails (Approximately 100,000)

Salt -20 oz.

Directions

Take the Murex and extract the snail within, ensuring as little damage to the creature as possible, and remove the vein which contains the juice.

To every hundred pounds of juice add 20 oz of salt and allow to steep for no more than three days.

Once the required time has passed set the juice to a slow boil in a vat of tin or lead and boil it down. Ensure that the surface is skimmed from time to time with a fine mesh to remove the flesh that has separated from the vein.

After approximately 10 days the contents should be in a suitable liquid state, free from clumps. Test the solution with a piece of fleece which the grease has been cleaned. A tint that is more of a red color is inferior and not to be sought after, however one that is of a blackish hue is proper.

When the liquid is allowed to dry into blocks, 10 000 shellfish should yeild approximately 1 gram of material. This should allow the dying of a single dress' hem, of a suitable color, when liquified. It should be noted that the cloth should be allowed to age after dying as this will allow the color to set deeper and like a fine wine, produces a finer color over time.