Fermenting Mages,

A short essay on Brewing in Aysle

A version of this article originally appeared in "Da Newsletter", Volume One, Number Three. © David Oakes, 1997.

s with every other aspect of life in Aysle, the four Magic skills have become the cornerstones of the Art of Brewing. It started with simple Divination/Plant cantrips to find the best ingredients for fermentation, and grew from there. Now Divination/True Knowledge spells are often cast by brewers to determine not only the quality of ingredients, but also their base essence, so that they can be mixed in the physical and supernatural planes for the best possible flavor. Divination/Time spells are cast at the time of bottling to determine when a fermentation will be at its peak, and when the product will be best to drink.

pportation spells, while not used as much in brewing as they have in more physical arts such as Mining and Sculpture, still impact it greatly. Apportation/Glass (a recently discovered Earth synonymous knowledge) spells are used to move wine bottles quickly without disturbing the sediments. And in taverns across Aysle and throughout the realms, Barkeeps have instant access to their stock through Apportation/Water tap spells, and their serving staff is often hired for the proper Birth Magic more than their looks. In fact, in the more upscale inns, the staff is neither seen nor heard, as all imbibables are decanted from silver jugs by Apportation/Metal wards.

t is with Alteration magics, however, that the art of Brewing truly came in to its own in Aysle. And like most industries that rely on the production of material goods, it is also where the seed of Corruption flourished. The most common use of Alteration magic in brewing is, sadly, the same as any other: the transformation of lead into gold, at least long enough to sell it. Or in this case, the alteration of vinegar into wine long enough for your buyer to get out the door- and in some of the darker taverns of Aysle, into the waiting daggers of cutpurses or worse! And even in the more reputable houses, it is the rare and honorable Barkeep that can say she has never used the occasional Alteration/Water to increase the volume of her stock on busy nights. Alteration magics have always brought out the worst in folk, and it is sad that they continue to tarnish the image of such fine works as ales and distilled spirits!

ut for those that can avoid the lure of quick money, there is also great art in Alteration. Carefully controlling the mechanics of the brewing process through a mix of Living Forces, Inanimate Forces, Plant, and Water Knowledges, the Brewmasters of Aysle have produced some truly exquisite brews, many of which would be impossible through natural means. In fact, the use of Alteration magics have greatly expanded the traditional methods of Brewing and the traditional ingredients. In the underground environs of the Dwarves, fermentation is much more reliable than farming, and during times of war, all but the ephemeral Conjured plants soon disappear. But necessity is the mother of invention, and never have the Dwarves shown their skills better than in the application of Magic to brewing. One has not truly lived until you have tasted the deep, earthy tones of a Dwarven Rock Ale, or sampled the brilliant richness or Liquid Gold! [Editor's Note: Personally, the "brilliant richness" of Dwarven beers is more like licking cold pig iron, but to each their own...]

onjuration magics are generally disdained by the Brew Masters of Aysle. They claim that "Vulgar Magicks" can never duplicate the subtleties of their craft, and will always produce a product inferior to their own. In this matter they feel that Conjuration is the worst, since Alteration at least starts with their work, and will bear some of their skill in the final drink. Many Brew Masters claim that they can distinguish Conjured, and even Altered, drinks with a single sip, and will not drink an "illusionary" beverage. But some form of a Conjuration/Water spell is usually the first that a potential mage learns upon entering the College, and so a common version is presented here, purely as an intellectual exercise.

Sample Brewing Spell - Ale.

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