The general quiet of every city and council was disturbed nearly a year ago when into the public eye came a fascinating family of brewery workers. Members of this family visited every city and council, speaking of the grand opportunities that could be brought just by entering ideas for unique drinks of all sorts. A variety of responses were gained, but overall the interest was clear: Aetherius was ready for some new spirits, and not the elemental or nature-y kind. The plans for the Festival of Spirits were underway! Citizens waited with bated breath as the months rolled by, awaiting the day when the Festival would roll into town.
Finally the planning was done. The traveling festival first stopped in Khandava, where the Prophet Lionas showed his great affinity for the bizarrely addictive shot called "Grub Glub," for which Jaxt received the silver cask for Khandava's Best! Raucous, booze-filled times were had by all, culminating in a game of drunken "Racial Whispers" where it was determined that one must indeed eat his grub in order to defeat it.
Within the month the festival had moved to Kinsarmar, where Alvetta received the Kinsarmar's Best prize for her Double Chocolate ale, and where Ser Brind Eoir showcased his bizarre propensity to hit on married women. A beautiful impromptu wedding ceremony was also held on the festival tavern floor, uniting Desari and Syranas in loving commitment.
Quickly after, the festival moved to Celidon, where an absent Macie was awarded a silver cask for Celidon's Best for her shot of "Earthquake." Skye's many entries gained much attention as a drinking game was held during the presentation of each entry, and Sumie and Skye were about neck and neck as the stop drew to a close.
Antioch was the next stop as Ser Brind Eoir became drunker and drunker. Aenit Eoir presented Laia with Antioch's Best for her shot "Holy Lizard," a spicy cinnamon drink with quite a kick. Yurii graced the festival grounds temporarily before a brief hiatus, during which he lost a great deal of gold in combat. Sympathetic to his plight, Aenit provided him with a steady flow of alcohol to ease his suffering.
In Ithaqua, next, the festival was held. Ithaquans were greatly inebriated and very much enjoyed the game of Racial Whispers which seemed to confirm that if a Warden fell in the forest and there was no one around to hear it, he would still be the complete opposite of an Ansheri. Ithaqua's Best went to Amaris for her drink "Frost Nymph's Kiss," the contents of which were questioned by Iluv. In a burst of generosity Aenit let slip that apparently the secret ingredient was distilled nymph tears. How these tears were gained, however, was never determined!
Finally, Stavenn saw the festival and met it with aplomb befitting nobles. The Imperator Kari won by default for being the only entry with "Demon's Tongue," a decidedly acquired-taste drink. Where the inebriation was kept to a minimum, however, conversation about further glories abounded, as did talk of bloody drinks and the particular taste of distilled ogre pulp.
The traveling festival made a final stop in Caanae, where the overall winner was announced and Khandava's Ozreas accepted for the council the first prize of a heavy golden cask. A drinking contest was also held, with the obligatory dwarf Orotu winning first prize, Naidia second, and Linslet an unexpected third after a strong beginning.
As the festival came to a close, a new bar was unveiled in Caanae, "The Bantam Barroom," which stocks all of the Eoir beers currently available as well as all of the winning drinks in the contest. Certainly an exciting ending to such an exciting event!
Penned by My hand on the 22nd of Aequitas, in the year 662 AD.
