Stamets2Not the same man
This prompts the question, “Are vampires repelled by all alliums or just garlic?” I feel like the answer to this question could advance antivampire defense technology significantly. To get started, I’ll just need $10M and as many vampires as I can get. DM me for details.
Side note: I love The Other End comics.
That’s a good question. And if it’s only garlic, does wild garlic (Allium ursinum) count? It tastes very similar to real garlic (Allium sativum)
I’d assume it follows the same pattern in the relationship between wild and cultivated species/cultivars, with the wild species being smaller and less potent in the desired characteristics. I can see you’re a much-learned person in this field of study, and I encourage you to apply for a position once we get the funding.
Are you suggesting that one of the traits bred into domesticated garlic was vampire repelling?
The people who who domesticated garlic were not killed by vampires, yes?
Would that then mean that growing garlic is an evolutionary adaptation of humans to the pressure of vampirism?
Would that then imply Italy has a significantly higher number of vampires than normal?
It could be more complex than that. It could be an average number of vampires preying on an evolutionary disadvantage - hospitality. Vampires cannot cross a threshold uninvited, but Italians are famous for welcoming everyone and their mothers to dinner. It was a recipe for disaster until they found the holy bulb.
Ever wonder why Italy has crosses in every home? Why the Vatican formed there? Could it have been a long and storied history of the rise and fall of romans and religions? No. Vampires.
It was more obvious when they all had big bellies, but have you ever noticed that the Pope sitting in his white outfit and hat looks like unpeeled garlic?
Personally, I think both theories can be true. It is hard to corroborate dates for our records. Immortal bodies that burn away in sunlight pose some archaeological challenges.
But consider this:
What if Italy had a significantly higher number of vampires than normal? Before they learned the secrets of Allium, and faith, and a big wooden spoon always close at hand.
Only one grandmother remembers the past. Cross on the mantel. Big wooden spoon. Garlic in the sauce. One big dinner, every week. Everyone’s invited.
Coming soon to a theater near you:
Nonna: No Blood Before Supper
I would watch that.