Mulled Polewine

History

Mulled Polewine is mentioned in various texts by the cult dating to at least the 8,000s, though the recipe may be far older than its direct references as various rituals, customs, and traditions that are far older make use of the wine. It has primarily been used as a ceremonial offering to the Polecat god throughout its history, generally to bless other sacred objects, though has also traditionally been used a ceremonial and celebratory drink in of itself.
The recipe is a highly guarded secret, with the specific brewing methods and what wines used only known to high ranking priests within the cult. It is widely believed that the wine and brandy used for the drink are provided by the Cult of Sasakia.

Significance

This wine is part of many rituals and customs within the Cult of Ludovic, the majority of which predate the cult's patron god himself. The wine itself is not considered sacred, but often used to bless items such as artifacts, cooking items, weaponry, hunting tools, and meals to denote them as sacred and for ritual use. To bless an item, the wine is poured over it and into an unfired clay or terracotta dish that is often carved with the cult's sacred symbols- polecats, deer, horses, and the sun and moon. Prayers are said over the dish and it is passed over and under a flame, generally from a natural beeswax candle, until all the wine has been soaked into the dish and the item allowed to dry, after which it is ready for ceremonial use. When blessing meals, often a bottle of the wine itself is blessed and then added to the food prior to cooking, which for all sacred meals must be done in a dirt carved fire pit or fireplace, which are generally located within the walls of the temples themselves. Sacred cookware is a must, or the blessing is considered incomplete.
When not used for ritual, mulled polewine is a popular drink among Ludovic's cult for celebration and general drinking alongside meads, brandy, and whisky, with the polewine in particular preferred for the winter months due to its warm and bright flavors.

Item type

Consumable, Food / Drink

Rarity

Restricted- Only for use by Ludovic's cult

Raw materials & Components

dry red wine, orange brandy, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, anise, cardamom, honey, blend of other various spices and flavorings