Champig Bae (SHAHM-pig bay)

Written by bwallace

Champig Bae (also known as Bay Champagne) is a distilled drink made of certain fungus called "Champig". The fungus is actually a mushroom that grows only in the tall, meteoric crater walls/outcroppings surrounding the halfling/tiefling village of Colinvale. The rind of the aurim fruit is also a component that requires import from Terpan on a semi-regular basis. Combined together, it has a clear, reddish color and an oddly fruity, smoky taste that can cause a very pleasant, peaceful and joyful inebriation with the downing of 3-4 pints. For this reason it is highly sought after in taverns all over Melas.
The consumption of Champig Bae also causes an odd healing effect, which cures 1d8+2 HP per pint, similar to a Healing Potion, as well as alleviating certain conditions such as arthritis, lumbago, planter's wart, and numerous other random ailments and conditions. There are other hidden properties as well just waiting to be discovered.
The manufacture of Champig Bae is a closely guarded secret among the inhabitants of Colinvale, and as such all distilling and bottling is done hidden away underground. The bottles are shipped secretly to distribution stations along the Paradon River, and to date no one outside the settlement knows where it is made nor what the ingredients are. Due to the popular name, it is suspected to come from a location with Bay in the name, such as Coldwind Bay or even far away Kosi Bay, and this is happily undisputed by the halflings.
Legends surrounding who actually manufactures Champig Bae abound throughout the region, as it restorative and regenerative properties have created a number of interesting origin stories. Some Bay Champagne aficionados credit the mystery manufacturers with possible magical qualities, while others swear it is a gift from some benevolent god. All generally acknowledge that the creators are touched by greatness, and eagerly await a new shipment.

Utility

It is unknown what property the Champig Mushroom possesses to give the Bae its healing and flavorful qualities. The fungus grows deep inside nooks and crevices of caves and other hard-to-reach areas of the outcropping crater walls and rocks that surround Colinvale, and have existed there for as long as anyone can remember. Only a chance exploration by a tiefling/halfling spelunking group and their vanderjack companions happened to discover them, and even then a happy accident brewed it into a tea. The entire story is one worth hearing, so ask a halfling or a tiefling. Or a vanderjack if you can get one in a talkative mood...

When a pint of Champig Bae is consumed,

1. Roll a 1d8 and add 2. The imbiber will gain back this many hit points. There's also a cumulative 25% chance per pint they will become non-threateninglyinebriated and fall into a happy, slumber.
2. Roll a d100 and consult the following chart to determine its extra effects. The effects typically last for 1 week.
   
   
   
   

01-10 Cure acne and other superficial facial abnormalities
11-20 Significantly alleviate arthritis and other types of chronic joint pain
21-30 Improves breathing difficulties or increases oxygen intake
31-40 Cardiac functions improve which increases stamina
41-50 Digestion issues improve
51-60 Sexual robustness restored or enhanced
61-70 Dental issues resolved
71-80 Warts, blemishes, birthmarks and other congenital skin abnormalities go away
81-90 Eyesight or hearing improves
91-94 All physical stats (STR, DEX, CON) improve by 1 point temporarily
95-98 All mental stats (INT, WIS, CHA) improve by 1 point temporarily
99 Drinker is afflicted with painful rash that does not go away
00 Drinker is permanently cured of an affliction

Manufacturing

The tools and equipment required to brew and barrel beer are virtually identical to those required to create Chantig Bae, although the process of converting the mushrooms to a mash is more delicate and there is less waste of material.

Champig Bae typically takes 6 months to create an exportable barrel, from Champig Mushroom collection, through the brewing and fermenting process, to when it is barreled and ready for shipping. All of these steps are done in hidden, underground crafting centers, and even the transport of mushrooms from collecting to the loading of barrels onto wagons is done as secretly and nonchalantly as possible.

SECRET INFORMATION
The relationship between Champig Bae and the halflings of Colinwood is a closely guarded secret. As far as the majority of the world knows, the barrels just appear periodically from parts unknown up the Paradon River.

Inventor(s)

The identity of the team of explorers credited with discovering the medicinal properties of chambig mushrooms has long been in dispute, with many halfling families (quietly) claiming to be descended from one or more of their members. One fact not in dispute is that it was not a tiefling, for as a rule tieflings do not drink tea.

Access & Availability

Bay Champagne is not common, but can usually only be found in a tavernkeeper's private stash. Supplies are typically only replenished for individual taverns outside of the larger settlements about 1-2 times a year.

While it is uncommon enough for tavernkeepers and patrons alike to eagerly await another shipment, it is not so rare that it is hoarded and kept only for use of the wealthy and privileged. The halflings see to its equitable distribution by various means, including dispatching agents and hirelings out to keep tabs on their legacy.

Appreciation of Bay Champagne is one of the few common elements that unite all civilizations and cultures of Melas. The love of Champig Bae is a source of pride for halflings, as they see it as their small contribution to the happiness of the world.

Complexity

One barrel of Chambig Bae (enough for ~200-250 pints) requires app. 4-5 lbs of chambig mushrooms. The process is similar to using using grain mash to ferment and make beer from this point.

Discovery

The drink itself was discovered by accident, as a handful of champig mushrooms accidentally were mixed in with some tea an expedition was brewing. The party accidentally got slightly intoxicated, while finding relief from various injuries and maladies overnight. Further research discovered that fermenting the mushrooms into an ale greatly increased their positive effects.