Shadow Fold Dumplings 23

From: Silent Veil Polypore 42

Description: These are small, unassuming steamed dumplings, often dark grey or deep muted green in color depending on the other ingredients used for the wrapper. They are characterized by their very faint aroma, which barely registers even when hot, and a surprisingly satisfying, though not overtly bold, flavor. They are considered a discreet and calming meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 small, fresh Silent Veil Polypore [42], finely minced (about 2 tablespoons once minced).
• 1 cup Sky-Wheat flour (or a mix of finely ground cave grains for a darker wrapper).
• 1/2 cup minced root vegetables (e.g., pale cave yams, groundnuts, or mild Saṃsāran radishes).
• 1/4 cup finely chopped preserved river greens or reconstituted dried forest herbs (for flavor and color).
• 1 tablespoon rendered fat from a quiet, burrowing creature (or a neutral vegetable oil).
• A pinch of salt and crushed whisper-pepper (a very mild local pepper).
• Warm water, as needed for dough.
• Dipping sauce (optional): light soy-like sauce or a mild herbal infusion.

Tools:

• Mixing bowls.
• Sharp knife and cutting board.
• Rolling pin (or flat stone).
• Steamer (a multi-tiered bamboo or clay steamer set over a pot of boiling water).

Process:

• Prepare the Filling: In a bowl, combine the finely minced Silent Veil Polypore [42], minced root vegetables, chopped greens/herbs, rendered fat, salt, and whisper-pepper. Mix thoroughly. The polypore’s presence should be evenly distributed.
• Make the Dough: In a separate bowl, gradually add warm water to the Sky-Wheat flour, mixing until a smooth, pliable dough forms. Knead for a few minutes on a lightly floured surface until elastic.
• Form the Dumplings: Divide the dough into small, equal portions. Roll each portion into a thin circular wrapper. Place a small spoonful of the polypore filling in the center of each wrapper. Fold the wrapper over the filling and crimp the edges to seal tightly, creating a half-moon or other desired dumpling shape. Ensure they are well-sealed so the subtle magic does not “escape” during steaming.
• Steam: Arrange the dumplings in a single layer on the steamer trays (lined with broad leaves or oiled paper to prevent sticking). Steam over simmering water for 10-15 minutes, or until the wrappers are translucent and the filling is cooked through. The steam rising from these dumplings is noticeably less aromatic than that of other foods.

Resulting Magical Effect & Roleplay: Consuming Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] imparts a subtle and gentle version of the Silent Veil Polypore’s “Absence” magic. For about an hour after eating a serving (3-4 dumplings), the consumer might find that their own minor bodily sounds (stomach rumbles, soft sighs) are unusually quiet or go unnoticed. Furthermore, they may experience a mild sense of “social stillness,” where they are less likely to be drawn into unwanted conversations or become the focus of attention in a casual group setting if they choose to remain passive. It doesn’t make them invisible, but rather allows them to enjoy their meal or subsequent activities with a degree of quiet unobtrusiveness. The hunger is sated quietly, without a lingering desire for more or a feeling of heavy fullness.

• Positives: Useful for a discreet meal in a public place, for someone needing to eat without drawing attention, or for promoting a calm, introspective state after eating. The food itself is less likely to be coveted or commented upon by others due to its faint aroma.
• Negatives: The effects are very mild; not suitable for active stealth missions. If one wants to be noticed or engage socially immediately after eating, they might find their usual “presence” slightly dampened. The flavor, while satisfying, is intentionally unremarkable.

The Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] are a unique culinary creation in Saṃsāra, a dish born from the desire for sustenance that aligns with a philosophy of quietude and unobtrusiveness. They are more than mere food; they are a small ritual, a way to partake in the subtle magic of “Absence” offered by the Silent Veil Polypore [42].

Lore (Expounded): The precise origin of the Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] is shrouded in the characteristic quietness that defines their key ingredient. Whispers attribute their creation to various sources: some say a reclusive order of silent monks, who sought nourishment that wouldn’t disturb their deep meditations nor attract worldly attention to their secluded mountain monasteries, first perfected the recipe. These monks, dedicated to understanding the “Great Absence,” would forage for the Silent Veil Polypore with ritualistic care, believing it to be a manifestation of the stillness they revered. The dumplings were a way to internalize this quietude, a sacrament of silence.

Other tales link them to Isekai souls from worlds where the art of discreet living was a necessity – perhaps former spies, hidden scholars, or members of oppressed groups who learned to move through life without drawing notice. These individuals, recognizing the unique properties of the local polypore, are said to have adapted half-remembered recipes from their past lives, blending Saṃsāran ingredients with their ancestral knowledge of stealthy sustenance.

Regardless of their exact genesis, the dumplings became a carefully guarded secret among those who valued discretion. They are not fare for boisterous inns or grand feasts but are occasionally prepared by specialized cooks catering to clientele such as information brokers, city watch members on subtle patrols, or even nervous envoys needing a calming, unassuming meal before delicate negotiations. The faint aroma and unremarkable appearance make them the perfect “non-statement” meal, allowing one to eat without inviting comment or unwanted commensality. The knowledge of their preparation is often passed from master to apprentice with the same reverence one might afford a complex alchemical formula or a subtle enchantment.

Tier One Stats (for Saṃsāra):

• Serving Size: 3-4 dumplings constitute a single serving.
• Effect Duration: The subtle magical effects last for approximately 1 hour after consumption of a single serving.
• Satiety Level: Provides quiet and complete satiation of hunger equivalent to a light meal, without inducing drowsiness or a feeling of being overly full.
• Maximum Consumption: Consuming more than two servings (6-8 dumplings) within a few hours may lead to a noticeable feeling of detachment or lethargy, as the “Absence” magic becomes too pronounced for typical social engagement. No other ill effects are common.
• Social Buffer: While the effects are active, the consumer gains a +1 narrative advantage when attempting to politely disengage from unwanted casual conversations or avoid being singled out for minor social obligations in a group setting (e.g., being asked to run a small errand, being volunteered for a trivial task). This is not a bonus to a skill check but a descriptive edge.

Slot:

• Consumable (Food Item): Does not occupy a worn equipment slot.
• Carrying Capacity: A typical small, sealed food container or bamboo steamer basket can hold 1-2 servings (3-8 dumplings) without crushing them. They are best eaten fresh but can be preserved for a day if kept cool and wrapped.

Temporary Skills Gained:

• Subtle Demeanor: For the duration of the effects, the consumer gains an intuitive understanding of how to adopt a more unobtrusive posture and manner. They naturally minimize expansive gestures, soften their gaze when not directly addressed, and modulate their incidental noises (like clearing their throat or shifting in a seat) to be less noticeable. This is not a skill proficiency but a temporary behavioral attunement.
• Quiet Digestion: The consumer’s digestive system operates with unusual quietness for the duration. Embarrassing stomach rumbles or other internal bodily sounds associated with digestion are completely suppressed.

Passive Magics (of the dumplings and their effects on the consumer):

• Aromatic Null-Field (Dumplings): The Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] themselves possess an incredibly faint aroma, even when freshly steamed and hot. This passive quality makes them difficult to detect by scent, meaning they are less likely to attract hungry animals, opportunistic beggars, or even just the curious noses of nearby diners wondering what smells so good (or bad). The steam they release is similarly lacking in strong olfactory signals.
  • Positives: Allows for discreet consumption in public or sensitive locations. Reduces the chance of food being stolen or coveted based on smell.
  • Negatives: The lack of enticing aroma can make the meal feel less satisfying or “complete” to those who derive significant pleasure from the scent of their food.
• Suppressed Bodily Sounds (Consumer): As noted in the original description, after consumption, the eater’s minor, involuntary bodily sounds – such as soft sighs, stomach rumbles, the clearing of a throat, or even quiet sneezes – are significantly muted or go entirely unnoticed by those nearby.
  • Positives: Prevents minor embarrassments in quiet settings, aids in maintaining a composed and undisturbed presence, can be beneficial during stealthy observation if one must remain still and silent for extended periods.
  • Negatives: The individual might be less aware of their own minor bodily signals, potentially overlooking early signs of slight discomfort or illness if they are very subtle.
• Aura of Unremarkable Satiety (Consumer): The hunger of the consumer is sated in a way that is deeply satisfying yet leaves little outward sign. There is no post-meal languor or sudden burst of energy that might draw attention; the transition from hungry to not-hungry is smooth and unremarkable.
  • Positives: Allows one to eat and then immediately resume tasks requiring focus or a low profile without a noticeable shift in their energy or demeanor.
  • Negatives: Those who enjoy the feeling of a “hearty meal” settling in might find the experience subtly unfulfilling, despite the absence of hunger.

Active Magics (abilities the consumer can briefly utilize while the passive effects are ongoing):

• Moment of Fading Regard:
  • Once per serving consumed, if the User finds themselves the subject of unwanted, casual attention in a non-hostile group setting (e.g., someone is about to ask them an innocuous but inconvenient question, or their turn to speak on a trivial matter is approaching), they can consciously activate this. By subtly averting their gaze, making a minor, self-effacing gesture, and focusing on the “Absence” within, they project an aura of profound unimportance for a few crucial seconds (perhaps 10-15 seconds). During this time, the attention of others in the immediate vicinity is highly likely to drift away from them towards a more “interesting” or “present” individual or topic. It’s not mind control, but a powerful nudge to the natural flow of social attention.
  • Positives: Allows for graceful evasion of minor social spotlights without being rude or overtly dismissive. Can prevent being drawn into lengthy, unwanted interactions.
  • Negatives: Requires the User to be perceptive of social cues to use it effectively. If used clumsily or too often, it might lead to a reputation for being aloof or disinterested. Does not work against direct, intentional address by an authority figure or a determined questioner.
• Silent Witness Focus:
  • Once per serving consumed, the User can choose to enter a state of heightened, unobtrusive observation for up to 5 minutes. By remaining physically still and verbally quiet, the magic of the dumplings helps them to truly fade into the background of a social or public scene. While in this state, they become exceptionally adept at listening to conversations around them without appearing to eavesdrop, and at noticing minor details others might miss, all while projecting an air of being lost in thought or simply “not really there.” Their presence is so muted that others are less likely to filter their words or actions due to being observed by them.
  • Positives: Excellent for passively gathering information in public spaces, observing group dynamics without influencing them, or simply enjoying a period of undisturbed people-watching.
  • Negatives: The User must remain largely inactive for this to be effective; any significant movement or speech breaks the focus. The deep observational state can make them slow to react to sudden direct threats if they are too engrossed.

Tags: Consumable, Food-Item, Magical-Cuisine, Polypore-Infused [23], Tier-1-Sustenance, Unassuming-Fare, Aroma-Null, Social-Stealth-Aid, Quietude-Inducing, Discreet-Eating, Calming-Meal, Herbal-Filling, Steamed-Craft, Attention-Dulling, Presence-Softener, Introspective-Bites, Low-Profile-Ration, Still-Steam-Prepared, Hermit’s-Fare, Whisper-Recipe, Unobtrusive-Meal, Subtle-Satiation

Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23], with their subtle magic of quietude and their intentionally unassuming nature, are not the kind of fare you would find advertised with boisterous calls from street vendors or featured as the centerpiece in a grand feasting hall in Saṃsāra. Instead, their purchase and consumption often occur in more discreet settings, establishments that cater to those who appreciate subtlety, require inconspicuous sustenance, or adhere to philosophies valuing inner calm and an unobtrusive presence.

• Quiet Teahouses and Noodle Shops in Secluded Quarters:
  • Where and How It’s Bought: Tucked away in the quieter, older districts of a city, or perhaps near temples, libraries, or areas known for scholarly pursuits, one might find small teahouses or noodle shops renowned for their tranquil atmosphere. These establishments often serve a clientele of contemplatives, scholars, or simply those seeking a respite from the city’s din. Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] might appear on a handwritten menu under a more poetic or euphemistic name like “Stillness Bites,” “Monk’s Quiet Repast,” or “Veiled Morsels.” Often, regulars or those “in the know” are aware of their availability. The transaction is typically as unassuming as the dumplings themselves – a quiet order to an attentive but reserved server. They are usually served simply, perhaps in a plain ceramic bowl with a very mild, almost clear dipping sauce or just a cup of bland tea.
  • Cost: In such establishments, a serving of 3-4 Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] would be moderately priced, reflecting the unique if not overly rare ingredient (the Silent Veil Polypore) and the careful preparation. Expect a cost of around 8 to 15 copper pieces per serving. The emphasis is on providing a functional, calming meal rather than a gourmet experience.
• Eateries Catering to Contemplative or Monastic Orders:
  • Where and How It’s Bought: In the vicinity of monasteries, meditation retreats, or communities dedicated to silent introspection or specific philosophical paths emphasizing non-intrusiveness, small eateries often arise to serve their specialized dietary needs and preferences. Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] would be a natural fit here. They might be a staple item, known for aligning with the community’s values. The dumplings would be offered as a standard part of a simple, nourishing menu, valued for their ability to provide sustenance without agitating the senses or disturbing mental focus.
  • Cost: The cost here would likely be quite reasonable, often subsidized by the community or priced to be accessible to its members. A serving might cost as little as 5 to 10 copper pieces, or even be included as part of a communal meal offering if the eatery is directly affiliated with such an order.
• Discreet “Hidden Kitchens” or Private Food Purveyors:
  • Where and How It’s Bought: In larger cities with complex social and political landscapes, there exist “hidden kitchens” or private cooks who cater to a very specific and discreet clientele. This might include information brokers, spies, reclusive scholars engaged in sensitive research, or individuals who, for personal or professional reasons, need to obtain meals without drawing any attention to themselves or their eating habits. Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23], with their lack of aroma and subtle effects, are an ideal offering. These purveyors do not have public shopfronts; their services are accessed through trusted intermediaries, coded requests, or established covert networks. The dumplings would be delivered discreetly, perhaps in unmarked containers, at pre-arranged times and locations.
  • Cost: Due to the specialized nature of the service, the inherent risks of discretion, and the unique properties of the food, the cost from such a source would be significantly higher. A single serving might range from 25 to 40 copper pieces, or even 1 to 2 silver pieces, with the price reflecting not just the ingredients but the guarantee of anonymity and inconspicuous delivery.
• Stalls in Esoteric or “Misty Alley” Markets:
  • Where and How It’s Bought: Some Saṃsāran cities feature unique market areas, often found in foggy or dimly lit alleyways, or operating only at specific, less crowded times (like pre-dawn). These “Misty Markets” are known for unusual herbs, rare ingredients, and foods prepared by those with niche culinary knowledge, sometimes with subtle magical properties. A skilled but unassuming cook, perhaps an Isekai soul with unique culinary traditions or a local who has learned the properties of the Silent Veil Polypore, might operate a small, very clean, but deliberately unadorned stall here. They would likely not advertise the dumplings’ magical properties overtly, but their regular clientele would understand their unique qualities.
  • Cost: The price here would be moderate, higher than common street food but less than a truly rare magical potion. A serving could cost 12 to 20 copper pieces. The vendor would likely be quiet and observant, appreciating customers who understand the nature of their fare without needing lengthy explanations.

Why they are not mainstream: Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] are generally not found in common taverns or bustling food emporiums because their primary appeal – their lack of strong flavor, faint aroma, and subtle social dampening effects – runs contrary to what most diners seek in a typical meal (bold tastes, enticing smells, a lively social experience). Their value lies in their specific, quiet utility, making them a specialty item for a discerning or particular niche of Saṃsāra’s diverse populace.

Consuming Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] in Saṃsāra is less about preparing for overt action and more about attuning oneself to a state of quiet unobtrusiveness. The subtle “Absence” magic they impart is wielded not as a weapon or a shield in the conventional sense, but as a tool for navigating social currents, defending one’s personal space, and creating opportunities for observation by simply becoming less of a focal point.

• Social Gatherings (Feasts, Guild Meetings, Crowded Teahouses, Public Assemblies):
  • Defensive Roleplay (Maintaining Composure and Avoiding Unwanted Engagement):
    • Navigating a Tense Feast: “Elara, having eaten the Shadow-Fold Dumplings before a politically charged banquet, feels a calm settle over her. Her usual nervous habit of fidgeting is absent, her breathing even. When a boisterous noble at her table tries to draw her into a contentious debate, she finds it easy to offer a polite, non-committal smile that somehow doesn’t invite further probing. Her passive presence, enhanced by the dumplings, makes her seem less like a participant to be challenged and more like a quiet feature of the room. If pressed, she might use the ‘Moment of Fading Regard’ active ability; as the noble turns to her expecting an answer, their attention might just… drift to the person next to her, who suddenly seems more interesting to engage.”
    • Enduring a Long, Tedious Guild Meeting: “Finn, dreading another endless guild proceeding, consumes his dumplings beforehand. He describes how, during the meeting, his usual impatience is muted. He feels less compelled to interject or react to provocations. When a particularly dull speaker drones on, other members fidget and sigh, but Finn remains a picture of calm attentiveness – or so it appears. In reality, the dumplings’ ‘social stillness’ helps him recede from the collective irritation, making him less likely to be called upon for trivial opinions or volunteer for unwanted tasks. His quiet satiety also means no embarrassing stomach rumbles break the monotony.”
    • Finding Respite in a Bustling Teahouse: “Lyra seeks a moment of peace in a popular, noisy teahouse to review some sensitive notes. After eating the dumplings, she notices the usual clatter and chatter seems to form a comfortable backdrop rather than an intrusion. People at nearby tables don’t glance her way as often; she becomes part of the general ambiance. This allows her to focus, her own minor sounds of turning pages or sipping tea going entirely unremarked, effectively creating a small bubble of personal quietude.”
  • Offensive Roleplay (Indirect Observation and Subtle Influence):
    • Gauging Sentiments at a Public Assembly: “Kai wants to understand the true mood of the crowd at a political rally without overtly interviewing people. After a meal of Shadow-Fold Dumplings, he activates the ‘Silent Witness Focus.’ He finds a spot on the periphery and simply listens. Because he projects such an unassuming presence, people nearby speak more freely, their guards down, assuming he’s just another disinterested face in the crowd. He absorbs snippets of conversation, observes unfiltered reactions, and gathers a more authentic sense of public opinion than direct questioning might yield.”
    • Identifying Key Players at a Noble’s Ball: “Elara is at a grand ball, not to socialize, but to identify the influential figures and their hidden allegiances. The dumplings help her avoid being swept into endless dances or polite interrogations. She can linger near different groups, her quiet presence allowing her to observe subtle interactions – a meaningful glance, a discreetly passed note, a hushed aside – that more prominent guests might miss or disrupt by their very presence. Her lack of ‘social noise’ makes her an effective, unnoticed observer.”
    • Creating an Opening for an Ally: “Finn and his charismatic companion Lyra are trying to sway a skeptical merchant. Finn eats the dumplings, intentionally becoming the ‘quiet partner.’ While Lyra engages the merchant with her dazzling rhetoric, Finn’s unobtrusive presence, enhanced by the dumplings, prevents him from being a distraction or an alternative focus. The merchant directs all attention to Lyra, making her persuasive efforts more concentrated and effective because Finn has created a subtle ‘social vacuum’ around himself that amplifies her.”
• Waiting & Observation Scenarios (Libraries, Watch Posts, Ante-chambers):
  • Defensive Roleplay (Enduring Scrutiny or Boredom Undisturbed):
    • Maintaining a Low Profile Under Watch: “Lyra must wait in an antechamber under the casual observation of guards. The Shadow-Fold Dumplings help her maintain a perfectly unremarkable demeanor. She doesn’t fidget, sigh audibly, or do anything to draw specific attention. The guards’ scans of the room tend to pass over her as ‘part of the furniture,’ allowing her to wait without arousing suspicion or enduring tedious small talk.”
    • Studying in a Crowded Library: “Kai needs to concentrate on ancient texts in a library where silence is paramount but subtle distractions abound. The dumplings quiet his own internal ‘noise’ and minor physical sounds, allowing him to focus deeply. Furthermore, his unobtrusive state means other patrons are less likely to interrupt him with questions or accidentally disturb his research space.”
  • Offensive Roleplay (Information Gathering through Inconspicuousness):
    • Eavesdropping with Plausible Deniability: “Elara, having eaten the dumplings, positions herself near a table where a sensitive conversation is taking place in a public records office. She appears engrossed in a mundane ledger. Her ‘social stillness’ and the quietude of her own presence make it less likely that those speaking will lower their voices or suspect her of listening; she simply doesn’t register as a potential eavesdropper. She might use ‘Silent Witness Focus’ to better absorb the details.”
    • Unobtrusively Monitoring an Area: “Finn is watching a particular alleyway for a clandestine exchange. Eating the dumplings allows him to loiter in a nearby doorway or shadowed recess for an extended period without appearing suspicious or being ‘moved along.’ Passersby barely register him, assuming he’s just waiting idly, part of the street’s normal, uninteresting backdrop.”
• Sensitive Interactions (Quiet Negotiations, Discreet Inquiries):
  • Defensive Roleplay (Masking Reactions and Maintaining Neutrality):
    • During a Delicate Negotiation: “Lyra is involved in a negotiation where showing too much emotion or eagerness could be detrimental. The Shadow-Fold Dumplings help her maintain a calm, almost placid exterior. Her internal anxieties are soothed, her reactions more measured. This makes her harder to ‘read’ by her counterparts, giving her a defensive edge by not revealing her tells.”
    • Answering Probing Questions Without Giving Unintentional Cues: “Questioned by a shrewd investigator, Kai, having consumed the dumplings, finds it easier to deliver calm, simple answers. His voice is even, his minor physical reactions (like a slight tensing or a quickened breath) are subtly suppressed by the magic, preventing him from betraying nervousness or deception through unconscious signals.”
  • Offensive Roleplay (Encouraging Others to Speak Freely):
    • A Gentle Interrogation: “Elara needs to extract information from a reluctant but not hostile individual. She shares a quiet meal, including perhaps offering them some of the unassuming dumplings. As they both eat, the calming, unobtrusive atmosphere created in part by her own (dumpling-enhanced) quiet demeanor might make the other person feel more relaxed and less guarded, leading them to speak more freely than they would in a more formal or confrontational setting.”

In essence, the Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] allow a character to “defend” by minimizing their social target profile and “attack” (in a non-aggressive sense) by creating an environment of unobtrusiveness that allows for clearer observation or encourages others to lower their social defenses. It’s the art of achieving aims by becoming a part of the quiet background rather than a prominent figure in the foreground.

Perception of Activation: The “activation” of Shadow-Fold Dumplings [23] is a two-fold experience for the User. First, there is the gentle, passive onset of their subtle magic as the dumplings are digested, suffusing the User with a quiet unobtrusiveness. Second, there are the more distinct, though still subtle, perceptions when the User consciously calls upon one of the dumpling’s specific active magical properties.

• Phase 1: Passive Onset (After Consumption) This phase begins a few minutes after eating a serving of the dumplings and its effects gently build over about an hour.
  • User’s Perspective:
    • Sight:
      • Perception: The visual world doesn’t dramatically change, but the User might notice a subtle softening of harsh stimuli. Bright lights might seem a fraction less glaring, and overly busy scenes might feel a little less overwhelming to their gaze. Their own reflection, if glimpsed, might seem to possess a calmer, more placid expression.
      • Positives: Can lead to a less stressful visual experience in chaotic environments, allowing for clearer thought. The perception of a calmer self can be reassuring.
      • Negatives: This subtle visual dampening is not significant enough to impair vision but could make picking out extremely fine details in a hurry slightly more challenging if not consciously focused.
    • Sound:
      • Perception: Perhaps the most immediately noticeable internal effect. The User becomes aware that their own minor bodily sounds – the rhythm of their breathing, a soft sigh, the internal rumblings of digestion (now quieted from the meal itself) – are exceptionally muted, almost inaudible even to themselves. Ambient sounds in their environment might also seem to lose some of their sharper edges, perceived as less intrusive or demanding of attention.
      • Positives: Promotes a sense of personal stillness and prevents self-generated noises from betraying presence or causing minor social awkwardness. Reduces auditory stress.
      • Negatives: The User might initially feel slightly “disconnected” from their own body’s usual subtle soundtrack, which can be an odd sensation until accustomed to it.
    • Smell:
      • Perception: The already faint, unassuming aroma of the dumplings themselves fades almost immediately after consumption, leaving no lingering scent on the breath or person. The User might also perceive their own ability to detect very subtle ambient scents as slightly reduced, as if their olfactory sense is also “quieted.”
      • Positives: Ensures discretion, as no tell-tale food odor betrays what was eaten. Can be a relief in overly odorous environments.
      • Negatives: Might make it harder to detect very faint warning scents (like distant smoke or subtle poisons) if reliant on an acute sense of smell during this period.
    • Taste:
      • Perception: The mild, earthy, and nutty taste of the dumplings resolves cleanly and quickly, leaving no strong or persistent aftertaste. The primary sensation is one of gentle, unobtrusive satiation.
      • Positives: The unobtrusive flavor profile means it doesn’t clash with other potential tastes or social situations. Satiation is achieved without a desire for more or a feeling of being “weighed down.”
      • Negatives: For those who prefer bold or lingering flavors, the experience might be perceived as bland or unsatisfying from a purely culinary standpoint.
    • Touch/Feel (Physical Sensation):
      • Perception: A gentle, calming warmth spreads from the stomach throughout the core. There’s a distinct feeling of physical lightness, not buoyancy, but rather a lack of internal agitation or nervous energy. Muscles might feel more relaxed, and the urge to fidget or make restless movements significantly diminishes.
      • Positives: Promotes physical composure and reduces unconscious, attention-grabbing movements. Can alleviate minor physical tension associated with stress or anxiety.
      • Negatives: The deep relaxation could translate to slightly slower physical reaction times in a situation requiring sudden, sharp movement, if the User allows themselves to become too placid.
    • Extra-Sensory Perceptions (User – Passive Onset):
      • Internal Mental Quietude: The User often feels a quieting of their inner mental monologue or “chatter.” Thoughts flow more smoothly and calmly, with fewer distracting tangents.
        • Positives: Enhances focus for contemplative tasks, meditation, or careful observation. Reduces mental stress.
        • Negatives: Could make rapid brainstorming or highly energetic creative thinking slightly more difficult during the effect.
      • Softened Social Presence: The User may feel as if their “social aura” or the energy they project into a group has become softer, less distinct, and less likely to automatically draw the attention of others.
        • Positives: Allows for easier passive observation in social settings and reduces the likelihood of being randomly engaged in unwanted small talk or becoming the center of attention without intending to.
        • Negatives: If trying to make a strong first impression or assert presence, this passive dampening works against that goal until it fades or is overcome by forceful action.
  • Observer’s Perspective (Passive Onset):
    • Sight:
      • Perception: An Observer would likely notice very little, if anything, about the User directly. The User might simply appear calmer, perhaps more reserved or thoughtful than usual. Their posture might be more relaxed, their fidgeting (if any) reduced. They just seem… less “noisy” in their overall demeanor. The dumplings themselves, if observed being eaten, are noted for their very faint steam and unassuming appearance.
      • Positives: (From User’s POV) They achieve their goal of unobtrusiveness.
      • Negatives: (From User’s POV, if they wanted to appear more dynamic) Their usual vibrancy might be subtly lessened.
    • Sound:
      • Perception: An Observer close to the User might subconsciously register that the User is making fewer incidental noises than typical – fewer sighs, throat clearings, or less rustling of clothes.
      • Positives: The User contributes to a quieter environment.
      • Negatives: None significant for the Observer from this subtle effect.
    • Smell, Taste, Touch/Feel:
      • Perception: Not applicable for an Observer regarding the User’s internal experience or the passive onset within the User. The dumplings themselves lack a strong scent that would be noticeable to an Observer unless very close during preparation/consumption.
      • Positives: N/A.
      • Negatives: N/A.
    • Extra-Sensory Perceptions (Observer with ESP capabilities – Passive Onset):
      • Muted Aura: An aura-seer might notice the User’s aura appears somewhat more subdued, less “active,” or slightly “greyed out” compared to its usual state, particularly the more energetic or emotionally-expressive layers.
      • Positives: (From User’s POV) Their energetic signature is less prominent.
      • Negatives: (From Observer’s POV) Might be interpreted as the User being unwell, tired, or emotionally withdrawn if the Observer doesn’t understand the cause.
• Phase 2: Conscious Activation of Active Magics (e.g., “Moment of Fading Regard” or “Silent Witness Focus”) This occurs when the User, while the passive effects are ongoing, deliberately focuses to use one of the dumpling’s specific, albeit very subtle, active abilities.
  • User’s Perspective:
    • Sight:
      • Perception (Moment of Fading Regard): As they focus, the User might feel as if they are mentally “dimming their own light,” projecting a visual suggestion of unimportance. They don’t see a change in themselves, but rather achieve a certainty that others’ gazes will slide past.
      • Perception (Silent Witness Focus): Their vision might seem to sharpen on the details of their surroundings, while simultaneously feeling their own physical form become less of a “block” in their own conceptual space, allowing for more immersive observation.
      • Positives: A feeling of control over their social visibility. Enhanced observational clarity during “Silent Witness Focus.”
      • Negatives: Requires mental focus that might be difficult in a chaotic situation.
    • Sound:
      • Perception (Silent Witness Focus): The User may feel their own internal urge to speak or react audibly completely recede, allowing them to become a perfect “receiver” of sounds and conversations around them.
      • Positives: Uninterrupted auditory intake of information.
      • Negatives: They might miss a cue to speak if too deeply engrossed in just listening.
    • Touch/Feel (Physical Sensation):
      • Perception: A distinct mental “click” or a subtle internal shift as they engage the active magic. For “Moment of Fading Regard,” it might feel like briefly “letting go” of their social anchor. For “Silent Witness Focus,” it might be a sensation of becoming very still and centered, almost like a stone.
      • Positives: Clear internal confirmation that the active ability has been engaged.
      • Negatives: Requires a moment of stillness or mental effort to initiate, which might not always be available.
    • Extra-Sensory Perceptions (User – Active Magic Use):
      • Projected Inconsequence (Fading Regard): The User actively feels themselves projecting a wave of “nothing to see here” or “uninteresting.” It’s a palpable mental push of social irrelevance.
        • Positives: Gives a strong sense of agency in deflecting unwanted casual attention.
        • Negatives: If the “push” is too strong or unfocused, it might make everyone in the vicinity momentarily ignore them, even allies, which could be detrimental.
      • Heightened Receptive Stillness (Silent Witness Focus): The User feels their own mind become like a calm, undisturbed pool, perfectly reflecting the information flowing into it without generating ripples of their own thoughts or reactions.
        • Positives: Allows for highly objective and detailed observation and information gathering.
        • Negatives: May lead to a temporary feeling of detachment from their own opinions or immediate emotional responses.
  • Observer’s Perspective (Active Magic Use):
    • Sight & General Perception:
      • Perception (Moment of Fading Regard): If an Observer was about to casually focus on the User, their attention simply and inexplicably diverts to something or someone else. There’s no flash or visible effect on the User, just the Observer’s sudden lack of interest in them. It’s a non-event from the Observer’s conscious viewpoint; they just don’t notice.
      • Perception (Silent Witness Focus): If the User was already being passive, they now become almost completely unnoticeable as an active entity. They blend into the background so effectively that even if an Observer scans the area, the User is likely to be mentally categorized as “part of the scenery” or “not relevant.”
      • Positives: (From User’s POV) The active magic achieves its intended effect of being overlooked or allowing undisturbed observation.
      • Negatives: (From User’s POV, if the effect is too broad) Allies might also be affected by the “Fading Regard” if they are not consciously trying to maintain focus on the User.
    • Extra-Sensory Perceptions (Observer with ESP capabilities – Active Magic Use):
      • Sudden Auric Void/Retraction: An aura-seer might perceive the User’s aura momentarily becoming extremely dim, retracting sharply, or even briefly appearing to have a “hole” where their social presence would normally be most vibrant, coinciding with an active use.
        • Positives: (From User’s POV) Confirms a deep level of magical unobtrusiveness.
        • Negatives: (From Observer’s POV) Such a sudden and unnatural change in an aura is highly suspicious to those who can perceive it, clearly indicating magical manipulation.
      • Mental “Slipperyness”: An empath or minor telepath attempting to get a “read” on the User when they activate “Moment of Fading Regard” might find their mental probe just slides off, unable to gain purchase or a clear impression, as if the User’s mind has become momentarily featureless.
        • Positives: (From User’s POV) Protects against casual mental intrusion.
        • Negatives: (From Observer’s POV) A clear sign of some form of mental or social defense mechanism at play.

The perception of the Shadow-Fold Dumplings’ activation is thus characterized by its extreme subtlety in the passive phase, offering quietude and unobtrusiveness, while the active phases allow for brief, focused moments of enhanced social evasion or observation, all well within the theme of “Absence.”

Unheard Feast and the Morsels of Grey Calm

In a time that walked long before even the grandfathers of current grandfathers, high in the Cloud-Peak Mountains where the winds are born and silence has its oldest home, there was a monastery. Not a monastery of loud gongs and chanted prayers that shake the stones, no. This was the Cloister of the Unblinking Stone, where the monks, they sought the Great Absence, the stillness that lies between thoughts, the quiet heart of Saṃsāra. Their every movement, it was a study in not-disturbing. Their words, they were few, like precious raindrops in a long drought.

But even these monks of profound quiet, they had bellies. And bellies, they have a voice of their own, a rumble, a demand. And the food they ate, though simple – gruel of mountain grains, steamed roots from shadowed earth – it had… presence. It had smell that tickled the nose from afar. It made sounds in the eating, a crunch, a slurp. And after, the body, it would sometimes sigh with contentment, or make other noises of its working. These things, these small loudnesses, they were like pebbles dropped into the still pool of the monks’ contemplation. A vexation, it was, of a gentle but persistent kind.

The Eldest of the Stone, a monk whose face was a map of wrinkles from a thousand years of watching mountains not move, he did gather the Cook-Brothers. “Brothers of Sustenance,” he spoke, his voice like the rustle of dry leaves, which was loud for him. “Our path, it is the path of no echo. Yet our food, it echoes. It calls to the senses. It makes the belly speak when the soul wishes to listen only to the void. Find us a food that is… less. A food that walks with our silence, not against it.”

The Cook-Brothers, they were troubled. For food, its nature is to call, to nourish with boldness. How to make food that did not announce itself? They tried many things. They boiled grains until they were a tasteless mush, but still, the steam, it carried a scent. They ate raw roots, but the crunching, it was a shout in their quiet halls. One Cook-Brother, a young one named Finnian-Who-Listens-To-Moss (for such were their names, full of earthy quiet), he remembered tales his grandmother, an Isekai soul from a world of deep shadows and hidden paths, used to whisper. Tales of “hiding foods,” of things eaten by spies so their breath carried no betraying spice, or by hermits so the forest creatures knew them not by their cook-fires. But these memories, they were like mist, no solid recipes within them.

Finnian, he went then into the deepest parts of the monastery’s Allowed Forest, where the ancient trees drank all sound. He sat upon a stone that had not been moved since the mountain was young, and he… listened. Not with his ears only, but with his whole being, for a sign, an answer from the Great Absence itself. And as he sat, still as the stone beneath him, he saw it. Growing on a fallen log that was more moss than wood, in a place where the light was only a grey memory of sunshine, was a patch of the Quiet Shelf-Growth, the Silent Veil Polypore. He knew of it, for all in the Cloister knew the quiet things of the world. He knew it drank sound. He knew it was a thing of deep stillness.

“If it drinks sound from the air,” a thought bloomed slow in Finnian’s mind, “can it not drink the… presence… from food itself?”

He gathered a few of the polypores, with gentle hands and a silent heart, as was the way. Back in the kitchens, which were more like alchemist’s quiet labs than places of clattering pots, he began his work. He did not try to make the polypore the main taste. No. He sought to use its essence of absence to quiet other things. He took the simplest Sky-Wheat flour. He found the palest cave yams, those with almost no flavor of their own. He minced the polypore very fine, until it was like a grey dust of silence itself.

He made a dough, soft and unassuming. He made a filling, of the minced polypore and the bland roots and a few crushed forest herbs that had no loud perfume. And the fat he used, it was from the snow-vole, a creature that makes almost no sound in its life or death. Each movement of his hands, it was slow, deliberate, a meditation. He folded the dough over the filling, making small, plain shapes, like smooth river stones. He did not fry them, for frying, it is a loud and boastful cooking. He steamed them, over water that barely shivered, in a covered pot, so even the steam’s escape was a hushed affair.

And when they were done, the Shadow-Fold Dumplings, for so they would be named by those few outside who later learned of them, they lay upon the tray, small, grey-green, almost without scent. Finnian, his heart both hopeful and still, he offered them to the Eldest of the Stone.

The Eldest, he looked upon a dumpling. It did not call to his eye with bright color. He sniffed it. His ancient nose, it twitched, finding only the faintest hint of damp earth, almost nothing. He placed it in his mouth. He chewed. There was no loud crunch. The texture, it was soft, yielding. The taste, it was… present, but not demanding. It was food. It filled a need. But it did not shout, “I am here! I am delicious! Remember me!”

He ate three. A quietness settled in his belly. His hunger, it was gone, but it had departed like a guest who leaves no trace, no lingering goodbyes. He felt… calm. His mind, it was still, like a mountain pool after the wind has died completely. Even his own breathing seemed softer to his inner ear.

The Eldest looked at Finnian-Who-Listens-To-Moss. A small smile, so faint it was barely a shifting of wrinkles, touched his lips. “The Absence,” he whispered, his voice even more like dry leaves than before. “You have cooked a taste of the Great Absence. This… this is the food for those who walk the path of no echo.”

And so, the Shadow-Fold Dumplings became the sustenance of the Cloister of the Unblinking Stone. They ate them not for joy of flavor, but for the joy of undisturbed quiet, for the ability to nourish the body without awakening the loud demands of the senses. The recipe, it was a secret held close, a part of their silent discipline, only sometimes shared with other souls who truly sought to understand the beauty of things that are, wonderfully, almost not there at all.

Moral of the Story: True nourishment, it can come not only from what is loud and full, but also from that which quietly makes space for stillness.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Stillwater Buns

• Wondrous item, common (consumable food)
• These small, unassuming steamed buns are a muted grey-green and have a very faint, earthy aroma. They are surprisingly satisfying, though their flavor is quite bland. A serving consists of three buns.
• Consuming a serving of Stillwater Buns (which takes 10 minutes) provides enough nourishment to count as one meal. For 1 hour after consumption, you gain the following benefits:
  • Passive – Quietude: You make no sound from involuntary bodily functions (such as stomach rumbling or heavy breathing). You have advantage on any Charisma (Stealth) or Wisdom (Insight) check made to appear calm, composed, and unobtrusive in a social situation where you are deliberately trying not to draw attention to yourself.
  • Active – Moment of Fading Regard (Usable once per serving): If a creature you can see makes a Wisdom (Perception) check or an Wisdom (Insight) check as part of a casual attempt to notice or assess you (and they are not actively searching for or suspicious of you), you can use your reaction to subtly project an aura of unimportance. The creature has disadvantage on that specific check against you.
  • Active – Silent Witness Focus (Usable once per serving): You can spend 1 minute in quiet contemplation while the passive effects are active. For the next 10 minutes, you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks made to overhear conversations or notice subtle details in your immediate surroundings, provided you remain still and unobtrusive.

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Hermit’s StillingPao

• These are small, steamed dumplings or buns, greyish in color, with a dense texture and an almost undetectable aroma. They are known in certain esoteric circles or reclusive communities as “quiet food,” said to calm both the body and the social presence of the eater. A serving is typically 3-4 pao.
• Mechanics: Consuming a serving of Hermit’s StillingPao (takes approximately 10 minutes) provides basic sustenance. For the next hour, the Investigator experiences a notable sense of inner calm and finds themselves less obtrusive.
  • Passive – Unremarkable Presence: The Investigator’s minor bodily noises are suppressed. When in a group or public place and not drawing attention, any attempts by others to casually single them out, engage them in unwanted conversation, or remember specific minor details about them later are made with one penalty die.
  • Active – Deflect Casual Notice (Usable once per serving): If an NPC is about to casually notice the Investigator at an inconvenient moment (but is not actively suspicious or searching), the Investigator can attempt a Luck roll. If successful, the NPC’s attention is diverted elsewhere, and they fail to register the Investigator’s presence or action in that specific instant.
  • Active – Focused Observation (Usable once per serving): The Investigator can choose to enter a state of deep, quiet observation for up to 10 minutes. During this time, if they remain still and silent, they gain one bonus die on Listen or Spot Hidden rolls to perceive their surroundings or overhear nearby conversations, as their unobtrusive manner causes others to be less guarded.
• Eating food specifically designed to induce a state of “absence” or unnatural quietude might be unsettling for some Investigators, potentially leading to a Sanity roll (0/1) if the resulting detachment feels particularly alien.

Blades in the Dark

Grey Ghost Dumplings

• A serving of small, dense, grey-green dumplings, surprisingly filling despite their bland taste and near lack of scent. Rumored to be a recipe from quiet mystics or exceptionally discreet information brokers. (A Prowl or Consort type of consumable, 0 load as it’s food, or 1 load if carried as special ‘rations’).
• Mechanics — Consuming a serving of Grey Ghost Dumplings (takes a few moments) settles the body and quiets the presence. For the rest of the current score, or for a few hours:
  • Passive – Social Camouflage: You naturally blend into the background of sedate social situations. When you are trying to remain unnoticed in a crowd or avoid being drawn into conversations (but not actively Prowling), you may gain +1d to resist consequences related to unwanted social attention or scrutiny. Your involuntary physical noises are also suppressed.
  • Active – Fade from Focus (Usable once per serving): You can choose a moment when casual attention is about to fall on you. You become exceptionally uninteresting and easy to overlook for a short period (a few crucial seconds or a brief exchange). This might allow you to avoid answering a question directly, or have someone’s gaze pass over you when they scan a room. (This could be represented by reducing Heat by 1 if it avoids a minor complication, or by allowing a re-roll on a failed social resistance).
  • Active – Undisturbed Witness (Usable once per serving): You can declare you are entering a state of focused, unobtrusive observation for a scene. While you remain quiet and still, you gain +1d to Survey or Hunt rolls made to gather information, as people are less likely to notice or be guarded around your unassuming presence.

Knave

Hush Dumplings

• Item Slot: 1 (Counts as 1 Rations serving of 3 dumplings). Very plain, grey-green steamed dumplings. They are filling but have almost no smell or distinct taste.
• Description & Effect: After consuming a serving of Hush Dumplings, for the next hour, you experience a state of quietude and unobtrusiveness:
  • Passive – Unseen & Unheard: Your minor bodily sounds (stomach, breathing) are silenced. If you are being still or deliberately unobtrusive in a group, others must make a successful Will save to specifically choose to interact with you or pay you direct attention if you haven’t initiated contact.
  • Active – Momentary Neglect (1/serving): You can actively will yourself to be overlooked. For one minute, any single creature not already hostile or directly engaged with you must make a challenging Will save if they attempt to focus their attention on you for anything beyond a fleeting glance. If they fail, their attention wanders.
  • Active – Silent Perception (1/serving): You can choose to become exceptionally still and observant for 10 minutes. During this time, you have Advantage on any checks or saves made to notice subtle details, overhear quiet conversations, or perceive hidden things in your immediate environment, provided you do nothing to draw attention to yourself.

Fate Core / Fate Condensed

Stillness Buns

• These are small, unassuming steamed buns, muted in color and almost scentless. Eating them brings a peculiar sense of calm and social quietude. (A serving is typically 3-4 buns).
• Mechanics:
  • When a character takes the time (a few minutes during a scene) to eat a serving of Stillness Buns, they gain the temporary situation Aspect: “Echo of the Void.”
    • This Aspect can be invoked once for free when the character wishes to remain unobtrusive, avoid drawing casual attention in a social setting, or maintain composure under subtle social pressure. It could apply to Overcome actions (e.g., to resist being drawn into an unwanted conversation) or Create an Advantage actions (e.g., to “blend into the wallpaper” while observing).
    • After the free invocation, the Aspect may be invoked further by spending a Fate Point as usual, for as long as the Game Master deems the Aspect relevant (typically for about an hour after consumption or for the remainder of the current scene).
  • Special Properties (represent active magics, usable once per serving while the Aspect is active):
    • Moment of Fading Regard: The player can declare their character is leveraging this. When casual, undirected attention might fall upon them, that attention simply… doesn’t. Narrate how an NPC’s gaze slides past, or how they are overlooked when someone scans a room. This can be used to avoid being picked for a task or asked a trivial question.
    • Silent Witness Focus: The player can state their character is entering this focus for a short period (e.g., a few minutes or for a specific observational task). They gain a +2 bonus to Notice or Empathy rolls made to passively gather information, eavesdrop, or observe details, provided they remain still and do not interact.

Numenera & Cypher System

Grey Watcher’s Meal

• A serving consists of 3-4 small, dense, grey-green dumplings or buns that are surprisingly filling despite their bland taste and almost complete lack of aroma. They are sometimes found as preserved rations in ancient, quiet places or prepared by reclusive communities.
• Type: Cypher (Consumable Foodstuff)
• Level: 1d6 (typically Level 2 or 3)
• Form: A sealed pouch containing 3-4 small, unassuming dumplings.
• Effect: When eaten (takes about ten minutes and provides nourishment as a standard meal), the Grey Watcher’s Meal grants the following effects for one hour:
  • Passive – Unobtrusive Presence: The user’s minor involuntary bodily sounds (stomach rumbles, sighs, etc.) are completely suppressed. Their general demeanor becomes calmer and less noticeable. The difficulty of any task for another creature to casually notice the user (when the user is not actively trying to hide but is being passive) is increased by one step.
  • Usable – Moment of Fading Regard (Once during duration): If an NPC or creature is about to direct casual, non-hostile attention towards the user at an inopportune moment, the user can choose to activate this. The NPC must succeed on an Intellect-based task with a difficulty equal to the cypher’s level to continue focusing on the user; otherwise, their attention is immediately diverted to something else.
  • Usable – Silent Witness Focus (Once during duration): The user can choose to enter a state of profound, quiet observation for up to 10 minutes. During this period, they gain an asset on all Perception-based tasks made to notice subtle details, overhear conversations, or generally observe their surroundings, provided they remain still and do not draw attention to themselves. Depletion: — (Consumed on use)

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Grey Veil Morsels

• Alchemical Consumable Food
• Price 4 gp Level 1
• Usage held in 1 hand (a serving of 3-4 morsels); Bulk L
• Activate 10 minutes (Interact, Manipulate)
• These small, steamed dumplings are a muted grey-green and have a very faint, earthy aroma. They are bland but filling.
• After consuming a serving of Grey Veil Morsels, you feel a sense of calm and become less obtrusive for 1 hour. During this time, you gain the following benefits:
  • Your involuntary bodily sounds are suppressed. You gain a +1 item bonus to Stealth checks when you are attempting to Avoid Notice while remaining mostly still or blending into a crowd without moving significantly.
  • Frequency once per serving; Activate [reaction] (Concentrate, Envision); Trigger A creature makes a Perception check as part of a casual scan or undirected observation that might notice you, and you are not acting overtly; Effect You project an aura of profound unimportance, causing the triggering creature to take a -2 circumstance penalty to that Perception check against you. This is known as a Moment of Fading Regard.
  • Frequency once per serving; Activate [one-action] (Concentrate, Envision); Effect You enter a state of Silent Witness Focus for 10 minutes. During this time, you gain a +2 item bonus to Perception checks to Seek (for subtle details or eavesdropping) or Sense Motive, provided you remain quiet and largely still and are not actively engaging with others.

Savage Worlds Adventure Edition (SWADE)

Still-Meal Dumplings

• A serving of 3-4 small, dense, grey-green steamed dumplings. They are surprisingly filling but have a very bland taste and almost no aroma. Eating them induces a state of quiet calm.
• Effect — Consuming a serving of Still-Meal Dumplings (takes about 10 minutes) counts as a meal. For the next hour, the character gains the following effects:
  • Passive – Quietude: The character’s minor bodily sounds are silenced. They are less likely to be the target of casual conversation or attention if they remain passive in a group, imposing a -1 penalty on Notice rolls made by others to specifically pick them out for such minor interactions.
  • Active – Moment of Fading Regard (Usable once per serving): If an NPC is about to casually notice the character at an inopportune moment (and is not actively searching for them or hostile), the character can immediately make an opposed Stealth vs. the NPC’s Notice as a free action. The character gains a +2 bonus to their Stealth roll for this check only. If successful, the NPC’s attention slides away.
  • Active – Silent Witness Focus (Usable once per serving): The character can choose to spend a minute focusing their senses. For the next 10 minutes, as long as they remain still and quiet, they gain a +2 bonus to Notice rolls for the purpose of eavesdropping on conversations or spotting subtle details in their surroundings. Weight: 0.5 (for a serving) Cost: $15 (reflects the unique, if subtle, magical ingredients and preparation).

Shadowrun (6th World Edition)

Stillness Sustenance

• This is a type of specialized, nutrient-paste filled dumpling or sealed MRE pouch, common among corporate espionage units or ascetic cults valuing discretion. The grey-green filling is derived from bio-engineered fungi and nutrient cultures designed to minimize bodily noise and emotional tells. Its aroma and flavor are almost nonexistent. A serving is one packet.
• Type: Specialized Biotech Sustenance
• Effect: Consuming Stillness Sustenance (counts as one meal, takes approximately 5 minutes) provides the following benefits for 1 hour:
  • Passive – Composure & Quietude: The user’s involuntary biological noises (breathing, digestion) are significantly suppressed. They gain +1 Edge when making any test to remain calm, go unnoticed in a passive crowd, or resist social provocations by simply not reacting.
  • Active – Moment of Fading Regard (Usable once per serving): When a non-hostile NPC or mundane sensor system is about to casually detect or focus on the user, the user can spend 1 Edge. The NPC or sensor system will likely shift its focus to something else unless it has specific reason to target the user or succeeds at a difficult Perception test (GM discretion, often opposed by user’s Charisma + Willpower with a bonus).
  • Active – Silent Witness Focus (Usable once per serving): The user can spend 1 minute in quiet contemplation. For the next 10 minutes, they gain a +2 dice pool bonus to Perception tests (Visual or Auditory) made to eavesdrop or observe subtle details in their immediate environment, provided they remain still and draw no direct attention. Availability: 10R (Restricted, often found through corporate or syndicate quartermasters) Cost: 80-120 nuyen per serving.

Starfinder

Stillness Rations

• Level 1; Price 50 credits; Bulk L (per serving of 3-4 small dumplings)
• These compact, nutrient-rich dumplings are a pale, muted green and sealed in an airtight packet. They are engineered for individuals needing to maintain a low biological and social profile, often utilizing processed psychoactive fungi extracts. They are bland but fulfilling.
• Type Consumable (Food, Technological); Usage Eaten (takes 10 minutes, counts as 1 meal)
• Effect For 1 hour after consuming Stillness Rations, you experience a sense of deep calm and become less obtrusive:
  • Passive – Quiet Presence: You make no noise from minor involuntary bodily functions. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Stealth checks when attempting to remain unnoticed by not drawing attention (rather than actively hiding or sneaking). Additionally, you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Will saving throws against effects that would cause you to lose your composure or act erratically.
  • Active – Fading Regard (1/serving): As a reaction, when a creature makes a Perception check to casually notice you (and is not actively searching for or hostile towards you), you can impose a -2 penalty on that creature’s Perception check against you for that instance.
  • Active – Focused Observation (1/serving): As a standard action, you can enter a meditative state of heightened, quiet awareness for 1 minute. For the next 10 minutes, you gain a +2 insight bonus to Perception checks made to notice subtle details, overhear conversations, or discern hidden objects, provided you remain relatively still and do not engage in overt actions.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Quietude Meal-Pack

• A compact, sealed ration pack (TL 9) containing several small, dense, greyish-green nutritive bars or dumplings. The food is engineered to suppress biological signatures and induce a calm, unobtrusive demeanor.
• Effect: Consuming one Quietude Meal-Pack (counts as one standard meal, takes approx. 10 minutes to eat) grants the following effects for 1D+1 hours:
  • Passive – Subdued Demeanor: All minor involuntary bodily sounds made by the character are suppressed. The character gains DM+1 on any checks made to remain unnoticed in a crowd (if passive), to resist casual social engagement, or to maintain composure under questioning (e.g., using Deception to appear calm).
  • Active – Deflect Casual Scrutiny (1/meal): Once, if an NPC is about to casually notice or direct an unsolicited inquiry towards the character at an inconvenient moment, the character can attempt to make themselves seem utterly uninteresting. This might be an opposed Persuade or Deception (using unobtrusiveness) vs. the NPC’s Investigate or Streetwise, with the character gaining DM+1 for this specific check. Success means the NPC’s attention is diverted.
  • Active – Heightened Passive Awareness (1/meal): The character can choose to spend 10 minutes in quiet stillness. For the next hour, they gain DM+1 on all Recon or Awareness checks made to passively observe their surroundings, eavesdrop, or detect subtle anomalies, as long as they maintain a low profile. Tech Level: 9 Cost: Cr 75 per meal-pack.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Hushful Dumplings

• A serving of three small, unassuming steamed dumplings, often a muted grey or dark green, with a very faint, earthy scent. They are sometimes prepared in certain contemplative monastic orders or by reclusive herbalists who understand the properties of the rare Silent Veil Polypore.
• Type: Prepared Food (Magical)
• Effect: Eating a serving of Hushful Dumplings (takes about ten minutes and provides sustenance as a light meal) instills a profound sense of inner quiet and makes the eater less noticeable for approximately one hour.
  • Passive – Quietude of Body and Spirit: The character’s minor bodily sounds (stomach rumbles, heavy sighs, etc.) are completely silenced. They gain a +10 bonus to any Cool Tests made to remain calm or composed when under duress or scrutiny. When in a group and not actively drawing attention, others are less likely to initiate trivial conversation with them.
  • Active – Moment of Fading Regard (Once per serving): When an NPC is about to casually notice the character or address them without specific prior intent, the character can choose to project an aura of profound unimportance. The NPC must make a Challenging (+0) Willpower Test. If failed, their attention simply slides off the character to something or someone else, and they forget their initial impulse regarding the character for that moment.
  • Active – Silent Witness (Once per serving): The character can spend a minute in quiet focus. For the next 10 minutes, provided they remain still and silent, they gain +1 SL on all Perception Tests made to eavesdrop on conversations or notice subtle details in their immediate environment. Their unobtrusive presence makes others less likely to guard their words or actions. Lore: Often associated with followers of Shallya seeking to avoid confrontation, or Ulrican hermits observing nature undisturbed. The exact preparation method is a well-guarded secret. Availability: Rare.