Shadow Tongue Mead

As seen in

In Their Shadows (Prose)

Alternate Names

Shadowmead
Irkath's Nectar
Dark King's Elixer
Azryth's Tongue

Local To

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It may sound a fanciful name for a common beverage but this rare delicacy requires very precise preparation and is the most beloved indulgence of Zalikar himself. One might also question it's peculiar appearance, possessing the consistency of a caliginous ooze. Despite the duplicitous simplicity and unflattering appearance, this is a drink like no other—the experience of a lifetime.

When prepared and consumed correctly, this brew casts a powerful and peculiar hallucinogenic spell on the consumer. But it is the specific nature of these hallucinations that make this mead so sought after: it allows the consumer to experience potential or alternate versions of their life were they to make a specific choice, change a particular detail or had they done something differently in their past. They simply need to think of this alternative as they drink the mead and they will be transported into this reality by their own perception for the given duration. And this isn't a simple dream or fantasy, this alternative will be based on actual facts and hidden knowledge from Irkath, aspect of the Unknown. The consumer will truly experience the reality of this alternate path.

In order to craft this brew, one must employ the use of both Void Bees and Shadowtongue Clematis. These species and the process of refining their nectar are all temperamental and any error will result in utter loss. If even the teeniest amount of light touches this mead at any point in its journey, it will fade into shadow in a seeming puff of smoke.

One can also enjoy this as a simple honeycomb if they are feeling hasty. Azowyr in particular enjoys eating the honey as is. In this form one can experience brief and random visions. However, only properly brewed Shadow Tongue Mead will impart the full effects of the honey's innate Material Magic. The honey must be refined in the hands of a capable mage for these visions to last longer and possess the desired lucidity to choose the path. But if one wants to experience a life where a loved didn't pass away, where they took that chance and confessed to the love of their life or want to see what fate may have in store if they wander the right path, the price tag may seem trivial.

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History

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This dish was first discovered during the Dark Era of Emynean history. An Allmage of yore was experimenting with the variances in qualities of Void Bees honey when sampling nectar of specific plants. Until stumbling onto the specific variant which can result in this unique honey, only Irkath himself knew of the properties of this dish—hiding it even from his brothers and Zalikar's conscious mind. This mage even suffered assassination attempts and sabotage of their experiments, sent by the Dark King himself under direction from his secretive aspect. Of course, they didn't realize this was to impede their seemingly inocuous experiment. They assumed it was thanks to their position as Allmage. In the end, they were successful and unwittingly opened a Pandora's box.

Irkath has always been wary of sharing their hidden knowledge with those who shouldn't possess it. He knew that this brew had the potential of allowing anyone who partakes of it to barge in and pry the secrets within his plane from his grasp in uncontrollable ways. But he also knew his brothers, his fellow aspects, could fall into addictive habits with this brew—especially Vokda. It was for this specific reason that Irkath originally suggested to Azowyr that his blessing for the Shadowtongue Clematis carry it's specific stipulation of fading when touched by light. So that any production of this brew couldn't be done in excessive quantities.

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Method

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In order to produce this mead, there are a number of requirements. First of course is the growth of the Shadow Tongue Clematis. This is a flowering vine which can only grow in total darkness. Any light at any stage of its growth will instantly kill this species. They only grow within the furthest depths of the Tenebrous Chain, either in the forests surrounding Murk Mountain

or within the deepest caves lacing under the entire region. The plant's second blessing allows the plant to sense its own fate and it will not germinate until it is meant to, until conditions are exactly as they need to be for it to successfully thrive.

The second piece to this puzzle is Void Bees. These creatures are far less temperamental than the Clematis but far more dangerous. They possess Vokda's Touch meaning their venom causes the space between materials to expand violently, the site of their sting bursting and leaving nothing behind. One sting is incredibly painful but a swarm will rip a victim to pieces. For this reason, only the truly fearless or those capable of Beastmastery True Magic even attempt to keep these creatures. Yet simultaneously, only these bees are capable of producing the honey necessary, their own unique void essence essential for the brew.

The final piece, aside from precariously keeping the plant, bees and honey from the light, is the actual brewing of the mead! It is at this point different variations become possible and many brewers have tried to improve on the mead itself whether it's efficacy or flavor. Various spices, fruit, grains and the like can be added and, aside from flavor, material magic and even alchemy can be utilized to alter the spell this brew will impart. There are a number of particular formulas that have become standard over the centuries and one must employ the aid of a mage to truly bring out the intended effects. This adds an even higher price tag to this already sought after beverage. But what price would you pay to live the alternative path you've only ever dreamed of?

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