Amberjack Cider

"I hesitated, not quite sure whether I wanted to risk ingesting faery food. Curiosity won over and I took a swig. All of a sudden, I felt very warm, very partial to the beings around me, though I had never seen them before. I stole a glance at the table and at once desired to down every single morsel. All around me I could see others imbibing, growing friendlier with every drink. Many were on the ground, laughing raucously in pure joy at nothing in particular... It is easy to see why Amberjack Cider is so popular in the land of Altairus."

— Professor James Harmony

Amberjack Cider refers to a brand of hard apple cider that is consumed throughout Altairus. Once produced by the legendary Drunk Dryad of the Altairian Zodiac, Amberjack Cider is an indispensable part of Autumn Equinox celebrations all across Altairus, especially in rural areas.

Unique Properties

Amberjack Cider has one ingredient that gives it very unique properties: fermented aruberries.

Aruberries are known throughout Altairus for their appetite-stimulating effect when eaten raw. When they are fermented, they retain this effect, but the interaction of the aruberries with the alcohol produces other effects as well.

Stages of Inebriation

Stage 1

This stage is the mildest. Upon ingestion, the imbiber will begin to feel warm and pleasant. Even complete strangers will become the best of friends under the influence of Amberjack Cider as they become more talkative and their inhibitions dissolve. Appetite also increases due to the aruberries. This stage persists from about 1-3 drinks in.

These properties are the reason why Amberjack Cider is commonly involved in autumn and winter celebrations. It helps loosen up nervous Altairians so they can eat and connect with others at the party.

Stage 2

About 3-6 drinks in, the imbiber's warm mood will be joined by a pleasant, ticklish tingling sensation spreading throughout their entire body. It usually starts in the belly and spreads throughout. Even their emotions will feel somewhat "ticklish" as the fermented aruberries and alcohol interact with the brain. This is what causes the spontaneous fits of laughter Amberjack Cider is known for causing.

Eventually, with enough cider consumed, the ticklish sensations become so intense that even the slightest bit of stimulation can set off a laughing fit. It can escalate very quickly, especially in a group. Altairians hearing each other laugh creates a positive feedback loop. At many Autumnal Equinox celebrations, where Amberjack Cider is consumed, one laughing fit often sets off a chain reaction of them.

Stage 3

At this stage, the imbiber is completely off the walls. The imbiber becomes incredibly giddy, experiencing hallucinations and thought disturbances that further add to their uncontrollable laughter. Most ridiculous behavior done under the influence of Amberjack Cider is done by imbibers at this stage. Reason and common sense are gone, completely replaced by drunkenness and gleeful abandon.

Appetite is also at its peak during this stage. In their dazed gaiety, Altairians may demolish entire serving platters or barrels full of cider. Their behavior is often met with raucous encouragement and celebration from the others, who are usually only barely more sober.

This is the most drunk an imbiber can get before the body begins to flush out the cider. It is also the stage that produces the worst hangover.

Stage 4

After some time, the imbiber's energy will begin to drop. The uncontrollable laughter gradually ceases, replaced by a tired calmness. Whether or not one passes out or vomits, the body will slowly flush out the chemicals in the fermented aruberries and the alcohol. Even as the laughter stops, though, the friendliness does not go away. In fact, the imbiber's warm, friendly demeanor is the last thing to go when they sober up.

Altairians might suffer intestinal difficulties from the vast quantities of food they have consumed. Certain races that already have big appetites, such as Gremlins, will experience far less discomfort than other beings. It is usually not dangerous in the moment, but repeated binges can lead to health problems including Obesity.

History

Amberjack Cider is named after its original brewer, the dryad Amberjack. After she disappeared, her family took up the mantle of brewing the cider. What was once a small family-owned business is now a multi-national corporation.

This cider is popular in Altairus for its mood-elevating effects. The use of fermented aruberries for its alcohol content makes it less likely that one who imbibes will become an angry or mean drunk. That does not mean that it is impossible; it's just a lot less likely than with other kinds of liquor. It also produces a hangover that is fairly mild, especially compared to other, harsher alcohols that can be found in Altairus.

The Great Strombolio and Amberwood, both completely drunk off their gourds and laughing nonstop. This is the most famous effect of Amberjack Cider consumption.

Item type

Consumable, Food / Drink

Creation Date

c. 2000 G. E.

Raw materials & Components

Amberjack Cider includes many fruits and spices associated with fall.

• Apples
• Pumpkin Pulp
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Allspice

Its last ingredient is the most important one. Fermented aruberries are added to the cider to give it its alcoholic content, as well as a few other special magical properties.

Due to the reactions it begets from consumers, it was at one point believed that Amberjack Cider contained cannabis. Batch testing has concluded that this is not the case. However, Amberjack Cider does carry some of the same risks as excessive cannabis consumption if it is abused.