Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Paysan 12-08-03, 09:06 PM	Hello one and all. First let me say hello I'm a new guy here but I've been into D&D, AD&D, and FR for a very long time. Now to my question: do humans in Faerun eat horse meat? I knows it's a bit of an odd ball question but I'm curious. In an article in Dragon a while ago food was the topic. I can not remember if horse flesh was on the menu for humans or not and I can't find the article now. Quite a few rather odd things were on the menu in that article, at least from the point of view of your typical American Suburbanite's point of view. If anyone can point me to the issue that article was in I'd be much obliged. Thanks.:D
Lashan 12-08-03, 11:25 PM	I would say that it matters where you were. If you were in exteme and wild areas, then yes. The horselords of the Ride might eat horses, but certainly not prized and healthy beasts. The Shaar might eat horses quicker. If you are talking about civilized areas like Cormyr, Sembia, and similiar places, then I wouldn't think it normal. Of course, if there was a seige and the choices were between leather, rat, and horse, I think they would choose horse.
Paysan 12-09-03, 12:53 AM	Yes good points Lashan, I will clarify. I was thinking of the more west european like cultures like Sembia, Cormyr and even Waterdeep. And I was also thinking of eating it in non-emergency situations. Let me elaborate a little. Eating horse is really only a cultural taboo in Europe in the Britain from what I understand and of course that is where most Americans "inherited" the taboo from. Now I was wondering if it would be strictly the meat of the poor, if at all or something the more financially secure might eat as well. I do a lot of history reading, it's one of my main hobbies. I ran across a book that discussed oxen in the middle ages in Britain a little. An old broken down ox could be sold for almost as much as he cost when he was young and strong because he can be fattened up and butchered. A draft horse on the other hand depreciated quite a bit over his lifetime because at the end he was really only worth his hide at the end. So just for the heck of it, could an old nag be sold to the butcher for a few sp more than its hide is worth?
Kuje31 12-09-03, 01:23 AM	I know it doesn't answer your question, and it's a 2e source and a Planescape one at that. But they eat horseflesh in Sigil. It's on the menu for one of the taverns. :) So they have to import it in from some where, since horses usually don't last long in Sigil because of the smog and dirty air.
Mellomir 12-09-03, 05:50 AM	I can't recall that Dragon article. As far as humans in the Realms eating horses, I'm sure that some do as people will eat some really strange things (like pig's feet, monkey brains, calves *********, etc.). Here in Austria it was a quite common thing to eat a sandwich made with 'Pferdeleberkäse', which is like a bologna made from horse flesh, and in fact you can still get it from some stores. You couldn't pay me enough to eat it but some people like it. :eek:
Faraer 12-09-03, 09:38 AM	Yes, people in the North have a taste for horsemeat, as first mentioned in FR1. It's called vasark, which we know from "The Adventures of Volo: Dragonwing Stew" (Dragon #277), the Realms article that's most focused on food.
Mellomir 12-09-03, 10:00 AM	Originally posted by Faraer Yes, people in the North have a taste for horsemeat, as first mentioned in FR1. It's called vasark, which we know from "The Adventures of Volo: Dragonwing Stew" (Dragon #277), the Realms article that's most focused on food. How did I know you would remember the article? ;) I'll have to go back and read that one tonight.
Paysan 12-09-03, 06:33 PM	Thank you Faraer. And thanks everyone. I'm going to have to find that issue in the basement first but I will reread it.