Chikurry: The Land and Its People

People travel for all sorts of reasons, and one of the best reasons I’ve found to visit Chikurry is for relaxation.

I want to make clear; relaxing doesn’t mean boring. Yes, Chikurry occupies a quiet and humble place in the world, but if you seek excitement, don’t count this region out. When I say “relaxing,” what I mean is a place ideally suited for recharging your batteries. A place where you can relax on the beach, go out dancing, or take part in a music festival as you see fit. Chikurry is a pastoral place of some of the best scenery in the world, and is ideal for vacationers who want to experience more of the natural world.

Now, it is not my place to argue whether or not the beauty of our finest constructions compares to that of the natural world. I myself find the two are different enough that finding beauty in one is no barrier to finding beauty in the other, and the beauty of nature is astounding. From the Shimmering Falls of Elgire to the Ice Sword of Kiggian range, our world is full of remarkable beauty and uncompromising majesty.

With that in mind, Chikurry is perfect for the traveler who loves to hike in jungles or go birding in forests.

Perhaps most important for the vacationer in search of relaxation is the Chikurry culture of eema. For whatever reason, there has been an ongoing trend in the world towards decrying sensations of delight. Doing things that make us happy is seen as wasted time, rather than the entire purpose of our lives. Whether we spend our days struggling to make enough money to survive, or fighting for peace and justice for those who suffer, we need to remember this one simple fact:

Life is good.

Pleasure is not a hobby, it’s not an expectation that must be dealt with, it is an end in itself. Those who work, work so they might live and experience pleasure. Those who fight, fight so that pleasure is available to all.

Culture for Travelers

Culture in Chikurry is different than in the other lands I have covered in this book. While the other lands have strong national ties and identities, the culture of Chikurry varies widely depending on which town you are in. While there are a few commonalities, it is far less simple to encompass the whole region with a single section. Cuisines, attitudes towards tourists, social expectations, even acceptable clothing can differ so much from place to place that it is far easier to explain the cultures in their respective sections.

The Fen Folk

Unique to Chikurry are the Fen Folk; a breed of people that have aesthetic and genetic connection with animals. One of the greatest mistakes that travelers can make is to equate the animal traits exhibited by a specific fen folk to their own cultural understanding of said animals. If someone looks like a cat, that does not mean they like milk, long naps, or are necessarily standoffish. If you see someone with an owl’s head, they are not necessarily wise or thoughtful. Equating someone’s behavior to their animal traits is a mistake easily avoided so long as you remember that the fen folk are individual people, not a “species.”

It can be difficult for new visitors to Chikurry to remember this, however, as it is acceptable to refer to an individual with animal traits as their animal. For example: someone with long ears and a fluffy tail is often colloquially called a rabbit-person. As an added complication, different Fen can display different “amounts” of animal traits; from different hair patterns on the body to a completely differently shaped head and limbs. It is wise, therefore, to always be respectful of others and avoid making assumptions, even if they are clearly Fen.

Eema

I explained a bit of what eema means earlier, but there is more to the idea than simple enjoyment.

From the root word eenas, or joy, the concept of eema is one of the few unifying aspects of Chikurrian culture. Eema is more than simple happiness, it is a powerful satisfaction and lack of need. Found in the humble acts of finishing a well-prepared meal, the moment of silence after hearing a favorite piece of music, or simply sitting outside with a pipe in your mouth and a blanket on your knees while you watch the sunset; eema is peace, comfort, and safety.

In a zen-like contrast, eema is specifically a sensation you lose the moment you become aware of it. It is the sensation of happiness, not being aware of your happiness. Some uses of the word treat eema like a kind of abstract space you inhabit, recognizable only once you have left. Some Chikurrians consider eema an unattainable paradox; something that is aspirational, rather than achievable.

Most Chikurrian cultures are devoted to cultivating eema in daily life. Practicality and pragmatism are not considered virtues, but rather devoid of the joys and ease that make life worth living. If it is not done with joy, it is not done well. As such, giving thanks is usually paired with some expression of how you feel better for their efforts. If you truly want to make a local smile, make sure whenever you thank them you include a small explanation for how their help has made your life better. “Now I can see the beautiful sights,” for example, if they direct you towards your destination, or “I’m excited to try something delicious” if they give you a recommendation for dinner.

Sex

As a people, the citizens of Chikurry are far less prudish when it comes to sex. While intercourse is still largely held behind closed doors; offers, suggestions, and lewd behaviors are less frowned upon than in most other cultures of the world. Casual hookups and friendly physical contact are much more common, so it would be a good idea to prepare yourself to rebuff any unwanted physical contact or sexual requests.

Thankfully, as tourists and travelers become more common, Chikurry has become less aggressive when pursuing cardinal pleasures; your foreign dress and accents will likely be more than enough to dissuade any overt requests or awkward social situations.

At the same time, while some regions have a propensity for sexual tourism, Chikurry is not a land of hot and horny partners just waiting for you. The lack of a sexual taboo means, if anything, the people are less likely to be convinced or coerced into intercourse if they are not interested. The idea that Chikurry is a place where you can always find a willing partner has lead to an amusing bias among Chikurrians, that foreigners are all repressed and sex-crazed hedonists. If you don’t want to encourage this unfortunate bias, do not come to Chikurry expecting sexual congress. As a traveler all over the world, I promise you there are plenty of places in your country where sex can be easily found.

That said, there are some regions of Chikurry that have a legal and lively sex-trade. Workers are generally part of a collective or guild, and identify themselves through the guild’s titular clothing; the Blue Iris Guild, for example, is a famous brothel that has all its workers wear a blue iris flower on their clothing or in their hair. Workers at the Red Lace Brothel, on the other hand, wear red lace ribbon wound about their forearms.

Note too that in several of these regions, sex is often connected with meals. This may mean you will be expected to eat before or after your purchase. Be sure to ask if dinner is included.

Cooking Techniques

Due to its large size, diverse topography, and wide range of distinct climates, Chikurry has a remarkably diverse collection of distinct cuisines, fueled by different local ingredients and customs.

While the recipes change across the country, one unifying cultural trait is the importance and methods of cooking. In most regions, the kitchen is the biggest room in the house. Cooking a meal is a communal effort, with all participants in the meal also helping in its preparation. Even if you are invited to a meal at someones house, you will be expected to help chop or stir.

Over the years, the different regions developed their own techniques and styles of cooking. While ingredients in Chikurrian cuisine remain local, these techniques have since spread across the country, becoming ubiquitous in most every region. The number and complexity of these techniques is substantial, so I have listed several below with the understanding that these are neither comprehensive nor definitive explanations.

Dapping

Stirring food as it cooks is a universal technique, but in Chikurrian cuisine there are three different kinds of stirring. The most common is Dapping; an energetic back and forth movement with a thick wooden spoon or flat, vigorous enough to crack open seed pods and agitate meat. The measure of good and skillful dapping is a cracked but not broken yarro seedpod without any splatter or sloshing over the edge of the bowl or pot edge. Masters can take years to perfect the technique.

Flaring

Something of a combination of basting and broiling, flaring is the art of placing a pan or sheet over a searing hot flame, while steadily pouring a sauce or moisturizer over the top of the ingredients. Proper technique ensures that the flared ingredients are given veins of crisp and caramelized skin, while maintaining an overall flavorful and juicy texture.

Sheddering

Sheddered food is a dish that has both a hot and cold portion. Freshly baked laquorbread with iced topping, Roast potato with chilled river-fruit slices for garnish, or hot shluup with a cold ice-wine chaser are all examples of sheddering. The technique comes from learning the proper timing with each portion of the meal. Properly sheddered food will have thick hot and cold portions, as well as a thin portion where the temperatures and flavors have melded.

Princing

Princing a dish is as easy as leaving a tall thin pot on a high heat. Performed exclusively with vegetables, this will burn the bottom of the dish while leaving the top crisp. the resulting “prince” is then stirred together and cooked according to recipe.

Boddling

While there are three different kinds of stirring, there are six different kinds of boiling, all utilizing different temperatures, utensils, and stirring techniques. Boddling is the most complex of the six; having a time limit of no more than eleven minutes, a temperature where the resulting bubbles are pearl sized, and a stirring process that requires constant up and down movement.

Qwincing

Qwincing a cut of meat requires a specially designed mallet, shaped with a curving loop at the end. this loop is rocked laterally along the meat after striking, creating a row of ridged lines. These lines naturally catch herbs and spices, and are sometimes filled with fresh red-powder to create natural cuts in the meat. proper length, depth, and distance between the lines are all parts of this intricate technique.

This is, again, the barest sampling of the many techniques used throughout Chikurry in their regional recipes.

Utensils

As a rule, the people of Chikurry have avoided using the utensils of other cultures, even in tourist centers. It would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with them, given how different they may seem to travelers.

The ptori are thin flat strips of wood either bound together at one end, or cut from a single branch and not fully separated. They are tong-like, designed to pinch bites of food. Official etiquette states that you never take bites from any gripped morsel, instead placing the entire bite in your mouth, but this has largely been relaxed in recent generations.

Broth-spoons are a common utensil for the cuisines that favor soups and creams. The bowl of the broth-spoon is much deeper than you are probably used to, and the lip of the spoon curls inward, making for an awkward utensil if you put the bowl in your mouth. Instead, the proper use of the broth-spoon is to hold it like a pen or pencil around the middle of the neck. The bowl is filled by dipping the spoon in the bowl and lifted out to cool the broth before you place the end of the channeled handle in your mouth, similar to a pipe. Tip the spoon to pour the liquid down the neck and into your mouth. This may take some practice to get right.

Knives are largely unused as utensils, as most Chikurrian cuisine already cuts the meal into small bites. For dishes that are not prepared this way, the proper method of cutting your food is to use your teeth.

Nlats are wooden slabs with handles, similar to small spoons without any curved bowl. These are generally used for thicker jams or cremes, or to drip sauces over a bite before eating it.

Nash is a kind of bread that is both food and utensil. Flat and soft, nash bread is used sometimes as a replacement for ptori in cold dishes, and is used to pick up the food while providing its own distinct seasoning. Caraway nash is common, as is rosemary nash and pepper nash.

Trains, Busses, and Taxi Services

Chikurry has an extensive network of roads between its many different towns. Busses are common, as are horse-drawn carriages and caravans. Taxi services are largely unknown, as there are few cities large enough to need them.

Culturally, Chikurrians practice longwalking; the term for walking from town to town no matter how long it takes. Because of this practice, there are lots of farms, restaurants, and rest stations along the country’s roads. If you plan on longwalking, be sure to pack as light as possible. Bring no more than one change of clothes, and expect to rest often; most tourists aren’t used to walking as far as Chikurrian people. There is no shame in hitchhiking with any passing carriages.

Of all the towns in Chikurry, Urdahl is the closest to what tourists might consider a transportation hub. From their Travel Guide Offices, tourists can learn the quickest means to get wherever they’re trying to go. Personal carriage chauffeurs are also available for hire for a significant fee, if your vacation involves travel to multiple towns.

Weather and Climate

Chikurry is an incredibly temperate place. Sometimes called the Land of Ever Autumn, Chikurry’s mild winters and cool summers make traveling the country a delight. This isn’t to say there are never hot or cold days, they are simply rare.

Extreme weather days are rare enough, in fact, that most towns of Chikurry will shut down if the weather gets too cold or hot. Shops will close and people will stay at home to either keep warm next to a fire with a hot drink, or lie in the shade with a fan in hand. I advise any tourist of Chikurry to do the same, and pack only light sweaters and long pants.

Skirts and dresses are a common sartorial choice for all genders, and so if you’ve been looking for an opportunity to wear one, Chikurry can provide.

The Grinding Cough

Tourists should be aware that Chikurry is known for a specific breed of disease that has yet to be thwarted by its regional healers; the Grinding Cough. Travelers are urged to stay away from the wetforests to the south, as they are home to a particular kind of insect that spreads these diseases through its bite.

While there are many different kinds of Grinding Cough, they all exhibit a particular symptom: an alteration in the aflicted’s emotional and mental state. The most common strain of Grinding Cough is the Maudlin strain. The afflicted are subject to a painful cough for several days, followed by two weeks of intense emotional enuii. Other strains include the Mirthful strain, the Vocal strain, and the Brusque strain.

While the disease has a virtually nonexistant mortality rate, and no lasting damage to the sick has ever been recorded, tourists are still encouraged to take care, as the incubation period is long and the effects debilitating. Many is the traveler whose journey has been waylaid for weeks due to a sudden attack of Grinding Cough.

The Chikurry Stone (s)

The original currency of ancient Chikurry, translated from their language, has become something of a rarity in Chikurry. Most towns either have their own bespoke currency, or use whatever tourist coin crosses their path. Several regions use stones as slang to reference the local currency.

This makes exchanging currencies a complex issue. Tourists would be advised to acquire a sizable amount of the traditional coin, and try to trade it as required in the towns you visit.

There are twenty knocks to the stone and twelve chips to the knock. Stones themselves are not made of stone, interestingly enough, but instead are small rods of iron. Knocks and chips are flat iron disks, with chips naturally being smaller than knocks and having no markings. Both stones and knocks are marked with the Gilbrim letter ‘ket’, which is the first letter in the ancient Chikurrian word for coin, worth, or value.

Coin	Worth (s)
Fifteen-Stone	15
Ten-Stone	10
Three-Stone	3
Stone	1
Knock	1/10
Chip	1/60