The Sweetest Ambrosia
Type: Vendor (Food & Drink, possible Vis, possible Text)
Description
Hauntingly beautiful scents and loud cheerful voices draw passerby in towards this vendor. Upon drawing nearer a large blue and yellow stripped wall tent featuring a bee emblazoned banner springs into view with many happy fellows stumbling slightly as they amble away. Through the swept open flaps a host of rough tables and a makeshift bar filled with a crowd of happy people can be seen. Bits of happy songs and cheers erupt out randomly, the whole feeling like the happiest tavern any have ever seen. A large slab of slate list what is for sale, topped by 'Ambrosia'... the drink of the gods.
Background
A Herbam specialist Magi found a large Regio (Magic 3) filled with an intense array of wild flowers and random Bees of Virtue near his Covenant. Both the flowers and bees were giant sized, with the flowers having blooms often a foot across and the bees the size of a sparrow. He focused heavily on the flowers, with the bees a distant second and never found an actual hive or Vis source. The bees did tolerate him however since his work generally improved the density and variety of flowers.
Decades later one of his apprentices had a greater interest in Animal and after gauntlet she undertook the task of actually locating the hive. Her search eventually revealed not one but two deeper and much smaller levels of the Regio (Magic 5 and Magic 7). The first contained primarily more flowers, though they had strange hexagon shapes and arrangements. Several mounds of wax and plant matter abound, seemingly storage of pollen. The deepest level is nearly entirely taken up by a massive hive, a wax palace as large as a house. Through careful negotiation with the queen (only one with Int rather than Cun) trade has been established for pollen and honey. These serve as a source of Vis for the Covenant.
With the excess of honey after the extraction of Vis, it is almost inevitable that a covenfolk would ferment it. The resulting drink is unbelievably delicious and makes any who consume it feel overwhelmingly euphoric. A less pure version, using a blend of the magic and normal honey was found to retain much of the flavor while reducing the feelings to happiness and contentment.
Personalities
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Arolin of Bonisagus: A short and pretty blonde of seemingly middle years (appears 36), Arolin is fascinated by bees and has made them her focus. She is well liked by most mundanes despite the Gift, most likely due to a combination of her cheerful personality and the mead she is associated with. She serves as the host for the side of the tent where Magi generally congregate. Getting on her good side is the only way to gain access to the rarer items.
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Astro the brewer: A skilled craftsman who works for Arolin, in many ways he is her opposite. Tall and slender, with dark hair and eyes, he is generally overly serious and focused. Found seated behind the bar, he spends most of his time taking orders for the goods for sale in quantities larger than a mug or meal. He might be the only person in the tent who has not consumed at least a mug and he is not above giving out a sample or three during negotiations.
There are also generally a pair of barmaids, a handful of serving wenches, a cook, and a few bar-backs working anytime the tent is open.
Products, General
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Ambrosia: The real deal, made from pure magic honey. Quality is Superior or Exceptional (+1). It is extremely strong, around 20% alcohol (40 proof) and features a nearly undescribable flavor and smell. Those under its affect become euphoric (gain personality trait Euphoric +5) and seemingly totally unaffected by the Gift ("ick" factor only, -3 penalty remains). There seems to be... something missing though. People want to consume more trying to figure out what, dangerous with such a potent brew. Price per thimble(on site) is as per a full standard mug of mead, price per cask is roughly x10 standard mead.
[Note: a thimble is roughly a jigger/shot. Vis extracted before brewing] -
Arolin's Mead: Made from a 1:3 blend of magic:mundane honey, this Superior quality mead might be some of the best ever tasted if you haven't tried Ambrosia. It is also strong, nearly 15% alcohol (30 proof). While under its affect, those consuming it gain the personality traits Happy +3 and Content +1, as well as barely feeling the "ick" factor when dealing with those who have the gift (though the -3 penalty remains). This has led to interactions that are uncomfortable the next day, such as telling a Magus how creepy you normally find them. Price per half mug (on site) is as per a full standard mug of mead, price per cask is roughly x4 standard mead.
[Note: roughly a wine glass/5 oz. Vis extracted before brewing] -
Bramble Mead: A fine quality mead, it is made from a 1:10 blend of magic:mundane honey. While of Superior quality and tastier then normal mead, its only affect is that those becoming drunk on it are always a happy drunk. Contains about 10% alcohol (20 proof). Price per mug (on site) is as per standard mead, price per cask is roughly x1.5 standard mead.
[Note: a standard mug/12 oz. Vis extracted before brewing] -
Nectar: The pure magic honey. While it maintains much of the undescribable flavor and smell profile of Ambrosia, its affects are much weaker and in line with Arolin's Mead for an hour or so after consuming roughly an ounce. It also has that "something missing" feel to it that does not distract from the experience but drives further consumption. Quality is Exceptional (+1). Price per crock is roughly x10 standard honey, with only samples for serious buyers on site.
[Note: Vis extracted] -
Arolin's Honey: A 1:3 blend of magic:mundane honey, the flavor and smell are clearly honey (though of an extremely fine example of such). Consuming it makes people feel happy, though not overpowering so (roleplaying note rather than mechanic). Price per crock is roughly x4 standard honey, with it also available on food and as a sweetener in tea on site.
[Note: Vis extracted] -
Magna Pollen: Samples of the Bees of Virtue pollen, it is of noticeably larger grain then normal pollen. When eaten it is slightly crunchy before shifting to a smooth chewy texture, and with a chalky, sweet taste that is reminiscent of the pure magic honey. The smell is of a field bursting full of wild flowers, with hints of that undescribable nature found in the honey. Price per crock is roughly x2 standard honey.
[Note: never contained Vis] -
Magna Wax: A strong, glossy smooth, and completely clean burning wax produced by the Bees of Virtue. It is Exceptional (+1) quality. Sold in blocks at roughly x5 the cost of standard wax.
[Note: never contained Vis]
There is also a range of food for sale, mostly pork or fowl basted with Arolin's Honey while roasting. Additionally there is tea made from Magna Pollen and sweetened with a dollop of Arolin's Honey for any who do not desire alcohol. Prices for these are all kept very reasonable and should be in line with those charged by most taverns.
Products, Special
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True Ambrosia: Only available for sale to a Magus Arolin likes. The 'real' real deal, made from pure magic honey. Quality is Exceptional (+1). It features a nearly undescribable flavor and smell, but that "missing something" is actually there. Those under its affect become euphoric (gain personality trait Euphoric +5) rather than drunk. They are also totally unaffected by the Gift. Price per gallon crock is 2 pawns of Vis.
[Note: contains Vis but not enough to extract a pawn (roughly half pawn). Consumers do not actually become drunk.] -
True Nectar: Only available for sale to a Magus Arolin likes. The pure unadulterated magic honey. While it maintains much of the undescribable flavor and smell profile of Ambrosia, that "missing something" is actually there. Consuming an ounce gives the personality traits Happy +3 and Content +1, as well as not noticing the "ick" factor from the Gift (though the -3 penalty remains) for an hour. Quality is Exceptional (+2). Price per crock is 2 pawns of Vis
[Note: contains a pawn of Animal Vis] -
"On Ambrosia and Nectar" by Arolin of Bonisagus: A tractatus (Quality: 10) on Animal, focused around the life and car of bees as well as their products. It features a glossy waxed leather cover with a rich honey brown color. It can also be studied as a tractatus (Quality: 6) on Profession: Bee Keeper. Arolin will happily sell (1 pawn) or trade copies of her work to those who engage her in conversation about bees and products derived from them.