The Blooming Burn

“Where hearts are bound by duty, let Blushwine light the fire.”

— Common in Amaraexal wedding ceremonies, especially among nobility.

Blushwine is a magical aphrodisiac-laced cordial, derived from rare botanicals and magically infused nectars crafted with its twin known as the Binding Elixir. Each drink is infused with a unique resonance that is incomplete on its own. When both are consumed - by the intended couple - they activate a temporary, mutual enchantment known as the Blooming Burn.

Blushwine was first developed in the deeply conservative kingdom Treyshill, where arranged marriages were commonplace and emotional intimacy between spouses was not always assured. It was created by a discreet sect of priestess under the patronage of the god Aelathri, god of love and passion. These priestess sought a way to ensure that even in marriages of political or social necessity, affection may bloom.

Mechanism

The pair contains opposing yet complementary strands of enchantment, encoded magically to ‘recognise’ and harmonise with its twin. Aetheri alchemists believe the enchantment binds to a person’s Aether signature, and only when it detects the resonance of its mate does the full effect awaken.

Symptoms (when activated)

• Heightened physical attraction - focused solely on the other drinker.
• Increased heartbeat, skin sensitivity, a mild flush in the cheeks and chest.
• Surge of oxytocin-like warmth, making physical closeness feel natural and safe.
• Temporary easing of social anxiety or hesitation.
• Mutual pull or magnetism, like a gravity that exists only between them.

“Blushwine: because arranged marriages should at least come with perks.”

— Unknown - but probably said by your scandalous aunt...

Aftereffects of the Blooming Burn

Lingering Magnetism

Even once the enchantment fades, the couple often experiences a phantom pull toward one another for several days. Note: in arranged marriages, this is often considered helpful to building early intimacy. In cases of mismatched or forced pairings, however, it can lead to awkwarness, discomfort or guilt.

Aetheral Residue

The drink binds briefly to each individual Aether signature. When the enchantment wears off, it often leaves a subtle glow - in both physical and metaphysical sense:

• A faint warmth in the chest or hands for a day or two
• A low, pleasant hum in the bloodstream, especially when near the other person.
• In trained Aetheri, this residue maybe visibly detectable as soft light clinging to their aura for several hours after.

Emotional Disorientation

Though Blushwine does not create love, the enchantment stirs powerful emotions. After it fades, some individuals experience -

• A strange hollowness of gentle melancholy - as if something warm has left.
• Confusion over whether what they felt was real, or simple alchemical.
• Moments of regrets or longing, especially if the pairing was not mutually desired.

“One sip and suddenly the groom’s ears aren’t so big after all.”

— - Unknown

The Burned Alone (rare side effect)

In rare, and usually tragic cases, someone consumes Blushwive believing it was paired, but the match was tampered with - or never meant to be. This can result in:

• A phantom pull with no true target
• Dreams that reach out and find nothing
• A restless, irritable need for touch that can’t be satisfied.
• Temporary emotional numbness or weeping spells.

This conditions whispered in ballads and cautionary tales as ‘The Burned Alone”

“Blushwine is pink, or sometimes red, It makes you think of beds and bread. You feel all warm, and maybe tingly, Unless you’re dead. Then it’s just... ming-ly?”

— Udolf Jin - The Bad Bard. As heard in at three wedding feasts, and once outside a latrine in Seyalind.