Boekomz (/bō-kōmz/)
The elven Lord Mirza moved casually with exceptional grace to a dark wooden drink station on one side of the room. He picked up an ornate crystal bottle containing a light, straw-colored liquid. Lifting the crystal stopper, he inhaled deeply. He glanced to Captain Haruchi, a content smile playing across his lips. “Ah, a Zuul’hy blend - from the Northwestern reaches, if I'm not mistaken?"Many a tale have been told, fortunes won and lost, powerful deals negotiated, and poor life choices made as a result of consuming the potent spirits of the ja'nakh horse lords known far and wide as boekomz. Contrary to poplar belief, "boekomz" is not a single beverage. True connoisseurs will tell you it is a sweeping term meant to describe "the distilled liquor produced from the grasslands of Zuul'hy."
Production
The production of boekomz involves five distinct phases:1. Selection
The first phase of boekomz production involves identifying what specific grains, and in what quantities a brewer wants to leverage for a particular blend. Many brewers have their own recipes and preferences.2. Preparation
The selected grains are cleaned, removing the external bran that causes bitterness in the final product. They are placed in a cauldron and brought to a boil over a fire, where they will be agitated until they are hard on the outside with a soft core. The water is drained and new water added, allowing the grains to soak overnight until fully softening. The next day, the water is drained and natively-occurring molds are added to the cooked grains which will convert starches into sugars over the next several days.3. Fermentation
During the fermentation phase, yeast is added to the grains which slowly converts the sugars into, among other things, alcohol.4. Distillation
After approximately three weeks, the fermented grains will be transferred to a stone chamber known as a kiln still where they will be slowly heated to allow the alcohol to burn off and be collected.5. Casking
Once collected, the alcohol is transferred to casks and stored where it is allowed to age on the order of years.Did you know?
The name boekomz is believed to be a derivation of the ja'nakh words bokoem meaning to trade, and midzlo, meaning water. It was a drink believed to ease and smooth trade negotiations when shared between potential business partners. This is why you might sometimes here it referred to as "Trade Water."Item: Boekomz
Upon consumption of significant quantities of this potent alcohol, take:
- Liquid Courage: +1 Heart
- I'm trustworthy: +2 Compel (when shared with a potential business partner)
- Why is the room spinning: -1 to Wits, Edge, and Shadow
Until you can shake off its effects via a Face Danger (+iron) roll.
Upon consumption of significant quantities of this potent alcohol, take:
- Liquid Courage: +1 Heart
- I'm trustworthy: +2 Compel (when shared with a potential business partner)
- Why is the room spinning: -1 to Wits, Edge, and Shadow
Until you can shake off its effects via a Face Danger (+iron) roll.
Regional Variations
Boekomz spirits are only produced in three of Zuul'hy's six provinces, each having its own unique style and characteristics. In decreasing order of production by volume, they are generally referred to a northwestern, western, and central boekomz.
Freelands Regional Map by Koragath
I would enjoy a glass of that <3 Here is a toast for you: May you reach all your goals this WE!
Thanks Lore! And I'll raise a glass to you as well. To WorldEmber!