The Absinthe Ritual

The favored drink of Parisian artists and writers in the late 19th century, this potent anise-flavored spirit is  derived from a collection of plants and herbs, including wormwood. The chlorophyll content of absinthe’s constituents lends a green hue to the liquor inspiring the nickname “the green fairy” (la fée verte). Traditional preparation follows an elaborate ritual referred to as La Louche (pronounced loosh) involving the painstakingly slow addition of iced water to absinthe over a flat perforated spoon bearing a sugar cube positioned atop the glass. Sophisticated absinthe consumers employ an absinthe fountain containing iced water to allow precisely controlled flow over the spoon. Wealthy aficionados indulge in intricately detailed fountains depicting nymphs, fairies, and other strange creatures. As the water and sugar mix with the absinthe, the emerald drink assumes a milky, opalescent hue as the nuanced herbal flavors emerge.
Underlying absinthe’s unique taste are the stimulating properties of thujone, a chemical found in wormwood oil. In the mid-19th century French psychiatrist Valentin Magnan studied thujone hoping to understand the unique delirium induced by absinthe. With Magnan’s alleged “absinthe effect,” the rising temperance movement received aid from the wine industry in smearing absinthe as a dangerous and addictive hallucinogen. The sordid association with deviant behavior and violent crimes led to bans in multiple countries, including the United States in 1912 and even France in 1914.
Most absinthe served in Jazz Age New Orleans is watered down for tourists to preserve the outlawed bohemian beverage. Furthermore, the concentration of thujone in absinthe is now markedly lower than that consumed by libertine French artists in Montmartre cafes thanks to bans and health concerns. If planning to include an absinthe ritual, consider supplying a rare bottle from the Count’s priceless reserves. Perhaps the generous Count set aside a prized pour rescued from Toulouse-Lautrec or Van Gogh’s personal cache to serve in extravagant fashion for his guests after they arrive. The absence of the Count and the Author for such a momentous occasion should certainly raise concern.
Should any investigator drink more than one glass of potent absinthe, they should suffer from a mild delusion (or hallucination) of the Keeper’s choosing (see Keeper Rulebook, pages 162-63).