Savoury Bunting

The Savory Bunting is a small, plain songbird of the coastal Southern Threshold, rangingg from Paragon, (formerly) through Ortolan, to The Lap. Its colour is subdued green-greys and browns rather than the vibrancy of many songbirds, and its singing is considered plain and simplistic. However, the Savoury Bunting is highly valued amongst the gourmands of Creation, for while its exterior offers little its flesh is most celebrated: it is said that the Savoury Bunting is the most delicious bird in all Creation.

The Bunting is rare across its range, likely due to how eagerly most humans (and other predators) seek to eat it. It is most secure in Paragon, where all Savoury Buntings are placed under the protection of the Prefect to conserve their numbers: it has been commanded that no one will consume or harvest them without his express permission. The Prefect’s chefs are charged with preparing the birds at feasts and receptions for foreign dignitaries and Exalts who might consider taking the oaths of citizenship, to impress and tempt them into service. A number of birds are also gifted to the Realm’s representatives each year as part of annual tribute, making House Mnemon (which holds the Paragon satrapy) the only reliable source of the birds on the Blessed Isle. Mnemon galas are thus made even more alluring by the presence of such a rare and delicious food.

Savoury Buntings are prepared and eaten in a specific manner. Before eating, they are placed in a lightless box filled with grain. A trait of the birds is that, in complete darkness, they begin to eat without ceasing, and are thus fattened for slaughter. When fat enough, the birds are removed and drowned in fine brandy. The drowned bird is then roasted whole, feathers removed. A diner then covers their head with a fine linen napkin and eats the bird whole, bones and all, the combination of flesh, bone, and the aromas kept close by the napkin allowing the diner to appreciate the full extent of the bird’s flavour.