Honey

Nectar of the gods?

by Nestor Alren (and a little something extra from Kalli...shhhh)
Honey is delicious. It is sweet, but not too sweet, sticky, but easily dissolves into a warm cup of tea, and very, very, difficult to acquire. This humble scholar reckons it as one of the greatest, most singular pleasures, he has been blessed to experience.
Show spoiler
    Pssst. I'm Kalli, hi. *waves* I'm the bartender/innkeeper at a little place called Lethe Hollow that you probably haven't heard of. It's in the Lost Lands. And yes *cough* I am a Kallikantzaros. I got, uh, left behind one Midwinter... Anyway, thanks to my job, I uh, know some things the Nestor here doesn't. Don't get me wrong, the guy is smart, and he knows a lot. I mean, that's why I'm reading his stuff in the first place. But I may...am...privy to a few things he is not. So check for my notes, if ya know what's good for ya. *winks and giggles*

Properties

Material Characteristics

Honey is thick and sticky, and ranges in color from pale yellow to a sort of toasted orange. It is typically fairly translucent. Its viscosity is similar to sapa, and it is very sensitive to temperature changes, hardening when chilled, and thinning with heat. If left sitting, over time, it crystallizes, gaining a certain grittiness, and increasing in opacity.

Origin & Source

by JC with Canva
Honey is produced primarily by bees. Bees themselves were long thought to be extinct following the Desolation, but at some point, the people of Melissia found some, and began to caretake and cultivate bee colonies. Melissia, located in eastern Myrea, near the Penedare River, is currently the only known location of actual bee hives. Thus, it is the only known producer of honey.

History & Usage

History

According to our records, honey has been used to sweeten foods throughout most of human history, and in various locations throughout Tellus, much like Sapa is now. Many cultures also used it for medicinal purposes, to treat wounds and infections, as well as respiratory distress. At some point, science even found it effective as a therapeutic treatment for certain respiratory ailments they called "allergies".

Everyday use

Today, it is so very rare, only the Melissians themselves, and those rich enough to acquire some, are able to use it. I am told these uses are typically for the flavor, but may also be medicinal in nature. I have been unable to obtain more specific information on this point.  
Show spoiler
    Kalli here. Yes, honey is yummy. Even better than sapa and salt, honestly. But there's a use the Nestor here doesn't know about. If you haven't read them already, check out his articles on Ambrosia, Omicron and the Aimana, and Resubstantiation. Because honey is the key. Along with blood, of course. And there's a reason Melissia has had to be rebuilt so many times. I mean, if you were the Cult of Avernus, wouldn't you want to control the ingredients that could raise the dead?
by JC with Canva
Type
Biomaterial
Value
Unknown; Possibly Priceless
Rarity
Very rare
Odor
Sweet
Taste
Sweet, floral
Color
Varying shades of yellow, gold, and orange
Common State
Liquid
Related Locations


Cover image: by JC with Canva

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