1. Lumen Moss
Found: Grows on damp stone walls near the surface levels.
Use: When heated, it glows brighter and gives off gentle warmth.
Cooking Notes: Adds a faint salt flavor and can replace firewood in short bursts. Excellent for soups and light stews.
Observation: Glows brightest near crystal crabs — might feed on their mineral dust.
2. Stone Herb
Found: Grows in cracks between dungeon floors, often near mineral deposits.
Use: Ground into powder for seasoning or brewed into tea.
Effect: Bitter, but neutralizes mild poisons.
Cooking Notes: Crush it and sprinkle into boiling water before adding meat. Too much ruins the taste.
Observation: Korr claims it keeps him awake longer; Mira says it just makes him grumpy.
3. Grinder Root
Found: Found deep in cold caverns, beneath stalagmites.
Use: When burned, releases smoke that repels cave serpents and slime clusters.
Cooking Notes: Adds a peppery flavor to meat. Needs to be boiled for at least ten minutes or it numbs the tongue.
Observation: Draven swears the fumes cause headaches, but Taren likes the smell.
4. Crystal Crab Shell
Origin: Carapace of the giant crystal crab.
Use: After cleaning, the shell shards can be turned into cooking plates that retain heat for hours.
Cooking Notes: Boil the meat directly in its shell; gives broth a clean, mineral taste.
Observation: Fragments hum faintly in torchlight. Might be absorbing dungeon energy.
5. Cave Serpent Meat
Origin: From the giant serpent found in the third layer.
Taste: Oily, like river fish, with a smoky aftertaste.
Cooking Method: Slice thin, boil slowly, and mix with ground stone herb to cut the oil.
Observation: Flesh spoils fast if not cooked within an hour. Possibly reacts to dungeon air.
6. Shimmer Fungus
Found: Clusters near underground lakes. Caps shimmer faintly blue.
Use: Edible when boiled; raw form is mildly toxic.
Cooking Notes: Makes broth slightly sweet. When dried, can be powdered to thicken stews.
Observation: Attracts small insects that glow. Mira refuses to sleep near it.
7. Ember Pod
Found: Rare. Small red fruit found in heated tunnels near magma vents.
Use: Bursts with heat when crushed — used to ignite fires quickly.
Cooking Notes: Adds spice to food. One pod can warm stew for an hour.
Observation: Taren calls it "nature's matchstick." Draven wants to study its chemical core.
8. Beetle Shell Flask
Origin: Made from the hollowed shell of dungeon beetles.
Use: Used by Korr to store drinking water or broth. Naturally keeps liquid cool.
Observation: Smells faintly like metal. Almost unbreakable.
9. Mosslight Jar
Use: Simple jar containing scraped Lumen Moss. Used as portable lighting.
Cooking Notes: Also doubles as slow-heat cooking when left closed — like a makeshift oven.
Observation: If the moss turns red, it means nearby air is toxic.
10. Cave Salt Crystals
Found: Near dripping stalactites on lower floors.
Use: Ground for food or trade.
Cooking Notes: Enhances the flavor of serpent meat; adds crunch when roasted.
Observation: Glows faintly in moonlight — Draven believes it absorbs dungeon energy from fallen monsters.
11. Silverleaf
Found: Clusters on the fourth floor. Shiny blue leaves.
Cooking Notes: Adds crisp texture and mild herbal flavor; ideal for frying or garnishing.
12. Firecap Mushrooms
Found: Small orange fungi in damp areas.
Cooking Notes: Releases heat when pressed, perfect for fried dishes.
13. Dewvine
Found: Slender vines dripping sweet water into pools.
Cooking Notes: Water can be used for tea, glazing, or sweetening dishes.
14. Golden Root
Found: Long, thin nutty roots on the fourth floor.
Cooking Notes: Extract oil for frying; nutty flavor enhances meat.
15. Frostleaf
Found: Cold-touch leaf near underground streams.
Use: Wrap meat to preserve freshness; keeps dishes cool naturally.
16. Stonefruit
Found: Hard, round fruit with sweet pulp inside.
Cooking Notes: Can be eaten raw or fried; adds natural sugar and tang.
17. Pink Buds
Found: Small plants with pale pink flowers.
Cooking Notes: Adds mild sweetness; excellent for dessert glazing or frying with meat.
New Cooking Technique Introduced
Frying with Dungeon Ingredients:
Using golden root oil, Taren fried crystal crab meat with silverleaf, firecap mushrooms, and stonefruit glaze for a crispy, flavorful meal. First fried dish in the dungeon.
Taren's Updated Note
"The dungeon has floors made for cooking as well as surviving. Every plant, every root, every mushroom — it can be food if you understand it. Frying changes the game. Boiling is safe, but crispy flavors teach patience, skill, and respect. Tomorrow, the dungeon will offer something new. We just have to find it."