Path: netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!newsserver.jvnc.net!igor.rutgers.edu!dziuxsolim.rutgers.edu!gandalf.rutgers.edu!jcp From: jcp@gandalf.rutgers.edu (Jonathan Petersen) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [INN] A Challenge: Quest for the Perfect Drink Message-ID: Date: 30 Sep 93 19:19:13 GMT Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Lines: 93 Another wonderful night in the Dragon's Inn. Or was it the same night? Time had a habit of forgetting itself at the inn, which suited most of the patrons just fine. But a night that went on for ever often had the unfortunate side effect of letting one's dinner grow cold. Such was the case of Zebron Twilight, who was only now getting his dinner back after kindly requesting that it be reheated. Starting his dinner (yet again - eventually he'll finish a meal), he looked at his current dinner companion. A new arrival to the inn, Mitchell seemed to be a very powerful mage. Although in appearance he seemed human, the keen eyes of the drow knew that he was far more. But Mitchell was now looking at his goblet of blood wine, which he ordered at Zebron's suggestion, with a rather odd expression on his face. "Something the matter, friend?" queried the dark elf. "Oh, I don't know. This wine lacks body. And the bouquet..." "It is an acquired taste, I'm told. Having been brought up on the stuff, it reminds me that not all aspects of drow culture are bad. But if you want another wine, I'm sure Rowan can help you out. Rumor has it that this place has a bottle of every liquor ever known - and some that haven't been discovered yet." "_Every_ liquor?" Mitchell's eyes were wide with excitement. "Oh no. You're not suggesting we-" "Barkeep! A sample of every drink you have!" Zebron's jaw dropped open with an audible snap. So did Rowan Littlefair's. "But- We can't! You can't drink on an empty stomach..." "Good point. Waitress?" At this point one of the serving girls not involved in going to the wine cellar came to the table. "I'll have a rack of lamb smothered in mustard jelly. Followed by whatever soup the cook has on the fire. Then some of whatever vegetables and fruits are in season. Then a leg of boar, then some bread and cheese, next some pheasant in a good orange-berry sauce, then some fish - it is fresh, right? excellent - prepared with nuts. I like almonds, but whatever you have will be fine. Let's see. That should be it. Unless you want something, Zebron?" At this point, even the short-ogre cook was slack jawed. "Oh no, I just ate," replied the dark elf, rubbing a mystical emerald hanging under his tunic that would hopefully protect him from the ill effects of the incredible amounts of alcohol he was predicting that would soon cross his palate. If what Mitchell ordered was just dinner, the newcommer would obviously be able to drink him under the table. Suddenly, an idea came to Zebron. He leapt upon the table and addressed the crowd. "Friends! My companion has just decided to discover, once and for all, the best drink on this world or any other. But, lest Rowan be forced to bring up every last bottle from his cellar, I ask you: what is the best drink? Just shout out the name, the recipe if it's a mixed drink, and we'll let Mitchell here be the judge." Zebron then sat down as drinks were called from ever corner and table. It was going to be a long night. Looking towards the rafters, he saw that Dusk was already asleep. Then the first tray of Mithcell's dinner arrived. [ADMIN: We're serious! Either post your suggestions (a description of what it's supposed to taste like would be nice) or email them to me - jcp@gandalf.rutgers.edu. For example: Blood Wine -Zebron Twilight; jcp@gandalf.rutgers.edu Blood wine is a drow delicacy, each vintage being made of the collected blood of those slain by a particular drow community in that year (or month, if it was a particularly busy month) rare spices, herbs, and fungi are added to prevent the blood from congealing and to let it ferment, usually for 20 years (one human generation). Due to this process, any blood drinkers trying to gain sustenence from the drink will gain nothing from it. The product is a fairly thick, reddish liquid that varries in brightness according to where the blood actually came from. It has a heady odor, and smells a lot like, well, a bloody battle field. The vintage that Rowan stocks for Zebron is one that is made from the blood of wholly evil creatures and criminals. It is bright red, with a slightly yellow tinge, and is not as thick as some other vintages. This is the only vintage legal in the town limits, although illegal bottles have been rumored to be around. See? Easy.] -jak jcp@gandalf.rutgers.edu