Faerie & Consumables

Much like mortals the Fae enjoy imbibing alcohol or the rush of the occasional drug coursing through their system. Unlike mortals however, the Fae have much, much higher tolerances for these drugs and alcohol. Fae physiology is such that their metabolism runs at a much higher rate. This causes the effects of drugs and alcohol to be greatly diminished compared to what they can do to their mortal counterparts. Thus, the Fae have developed techniques to increase both the flavor and the intensity of these vices.  

Mortal Intoxicants

  Mortal intoxicants have very little effect on the Fae. Fae metabolism processes the effects of the drug quickly and their physiology all but prevents addiction entirely to these substances. The lack of effect, combined with the inability to become addicted, leads many Fae to freely partake in mortal substances, though the enjoyment from such activity is fleeting at best.   In rare cases, it is possible for mortals to drink too much Faerie alcohol and as such, require immediate Faerie medical attention and healing. It should be considered that permanent damage can occur with too long a delay, up to and potentially including permanent character injuries and death. However, no player character will be harmed against the players wishes in those circumstances.  

Fae Alcohol

  Fae versions of ale, beer, mead, wine, rum, and more all have a place within Realm society. The fermentation methods to create these various liquors and spirits of the Fae are orders of magnitude more advanced than that which mortals utilize. This causes the alcohol to have a more traditional effect on Fae, allowing them to become inebriated and enjoy the warmth of their drinks.  

Common drinks found within the Courts:

 

Spring

Spring is known best for its myriad of Ambrosia creations entirely unlike any mortal realm equivalent. These wonderfully light, sweet and fruity drinks are a result of rituals beginning with a wide variety of plants native to Spring Realm. Further clear, shimmering alcohols that glitter in the light, push back darkness of hearts, then unfurl warmly when imbibed. Each of these impart a burst of joy in tribute to the Realm ruler, being known as the Bringer of Joy is often taken literally. As most or nearly all of these drinks are either formed by ritual, blessing, creative magic, or healing magic, some have a dual use beyond drinking for pleasure. This is especially as there are drinks used in gentle, spiritual rituals which may have some tender, gentle sensuality as an aesthetic.   Other drinks might be compared to the Faerie heightened versions of sweet fruity liqueurs, with such pleasant notes and pure essences as elderflower, honey, mint, though these produce a warm euphoric presence of peace, and never illness for Faeries imbibing. Many varieties of drinks also that use the famed Spring Ambrosia can be blended with botanical liqueurs to produce further elegant blends. There are thousands of different varieties of perfectly sweetened wine and rich, magically bubbling champagne which breach the surface of what is available. Many plants of spring, the majority of which are entirely edible and give off their own psychedelic notes, are often added to these many wines. This tradition offers a true measure of healing floatation for the entire range of senses.   For those that live closer to the famed Blackwood and Wildwood respectively, the light fruity presence of what is preferred often gives way to a richer, darker preference, which is no less passionate with enjoyment. Heavier red, but sweet wine is common given the richness of the wild and cultivated grape varieties that can be grown. One of several legally protected designations second to Ambrosia or any of its famed blends is the Silverthorn root, which was created by a Dreamweaver aligned to Spring Realm and a Cradle healer bonded pair some ten million years ago.   Initially, their plan was to work together to make a battle-ready healing trauma potion for those members of the Thorns most on duty, due to several friends dealing with painful war mental wounds, but instead managed to make a drink very similar to a rich fruit-kissed wine with the effects of a potion. With the accidental addition of extra root is a liquid that can be added to tea, cake, or can be used to gently heal an imbiber painfully trapped in their own mind. Called Telempëa, or Silverthorn Wine, in various common tongues, its export to the other realms is considered among Spring Realms one-of-a-kind delicacies.  

Summer

When you’re wanting to feel Summer, nothing hits the tongue like a shot of “Hot Damn!”. This dark, rich whiskey-like drink smells of orange with a lingering cinnamon burn. Beyond its taste, the drink is known for its potent punch that burns hot and burns fast. For those that enjoy the loose, warm, relaxed feeling of intoxication, the Hot Damn! delivers in spades packing a whole night's worth of drinking sensation into just a few minutes of inebriated bliss. Because of its powerful effects, the drink is served in three sizes - a shot, an old fashioned, and a collins. Each is meant to be drank the same way, all at once - those who sip and nurse at their Hot Damn! are going to be disappointed - and the size dictates both the length and the intensity of the experience. But even the tallest burns out after a handful of minutes, leaving imbibers ready to go about their night - or hunting another round.   If you’re looking to cool down and just enjoy the evening or just prefer flavor over potency, the Dragontail Daiquiri is for you. Sweet like pineapple and cherry, this frozen beverage is served in wide brimmed glasses rimmed with toasted cinnamon sugar. The rum in the drink is made from the sugars of an exotic tropical fruit - the Dragontail, giving the drink its namesake - that keeps your lips smacking and mouth salivating for more. But be careful, the power of this daiquiri isn’t in its upfront presentation but in the slow burn that it provides all night.   It should be no shock that Summer is perhaps known best for its selection of wines - from full-bodied reds to aromatic whites, there is no shortage of wine types to be found in the various halls, taverns, and homes of Summer. It’s a drink to enjoy casually, socially, and classily, there’s a wine for every occasion. More than a few Fae spend their lives carefully tending to great fields and perfecting their craft to produce fine wines that are more than just a drink, they deliver a fully oral experience. But if you’re looking for something harder, you needn’t look beyond the various rums and brandy’s the Summer is known to produce - Dragontail Rum is a crowd favorite to be sure, but if you’re looking to indulge on your own or impress the latest courtiers you can’t do better than a glass of Phoenix Down - a deep multi-layer brandy that delivers high fruity that hits sour as it goes down and settles into a warm campfire heat that’ll keep you warm all night.  

Autumn

As the realm of plenty and harvest, the fae of Autumn love turning fruit and spices into alcoholic concoctions. Autumn primarily deals in ales, ciders and meads because of this. But ciders can come from any number of fermented fruit, from apples to peaches, to orange, to the unique crops only grown in the fae realms. Meads can become an equally adventurous endeavor, and Autumn and Winter enjoy a healthy partnership and exchange of ideas when it comes to new flavors.   Mulled wine is another very popular beverage amongst the Autumn realm, as are hot toddies and whisky. If one can imagine drinking it indoors on a rainy, windy day in front of a fire, or in a cozy boisterous tavern, Autumn has probably perfected brewing it.  

Winter

The Winter Realm is known for its thick honey mead from bees tended in subterranean heated caves called Nectelissë, or merely honey mead in any common language. Delicate and beautiful rice wines are imbibed from the smallest decorated cups. In areas with further cold and icy climes of Winter, the preference for mulled and heavily spiced red wine is a storied tradition, while the grapes are specifically grown underground with mirrored lighting to mimic the heat of sunlight. Faerie Black Ice Scotch, is a protected singular malt variety, although all of these types of drinks are known for their strength of alcoholic content and the deep smoothness when aged hundreds and even thousands of years. It is not unheard of to hear of drinks that have been hoarded and aged millions of years as particular treasures in the deepest ice caves in a sort of enchanted suspended animation.   One can find artistically crafted glass, which can be nearly unbreakable to hold such stunning, and eventually drinkable works of art. For the eldest Faerie of Winter, a sharply bitter enchanted blood wine that requires the coldest frozen climate of Winter to create, while infused with the power of dreams is particularly famous. Frozen Dreamwine is its common name, though it has an older hailing of Yórmirah, and a long history from the first Sirens.   The warmer the burn the better to stave off the frozen, harsh winds, it is said, especially by the eldest ancients of Winter. A drink that can be paired with a hearty meal is also well known, or carried in a flask. Rum has a special place with some families as a beloved import of many varieties from Summer Realm, as sugar cane and molasses require particularly vibrant warm weather. While ill-advised, rare, and possibly an affectation of the youngest and more thrill seeking Fae in Winter, some are known to add drops of distilled alostar and other magically infused herbs and flowered remnants into their drinks.