DS9 and Minlister Spirits of Reprisal (Take II)

From: D. Pearton <pearton_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 1996 18:05:15 -0700 (PDT)


Well, It seems as if the return of the Outer Atomic Explorers has caused a resurgence of Gift Carrier activity which have eaten the text of my last post. Anyway, here it is.

Hi all

Regarding the recent mention of Falnagian Diamonds on Deep Space 9, did anyone notice that one of the characters in the same episode was called Chalana Arroy (or something very similar). It seems as if the Gloranthaphiles have managed to infiltrate Star Trek. Now we'll have to add another chapter to the saga of the Moonboat Intrepid - a floating island guarding a portal to the underworld perhaps???

Peter Micheals gives us an excellent Minlister writeup, but he forgets to include the Spirits of Reprisal so, while imbibing the fruits of the master brewers of Guin's Nest I came up with the following.

Butt-Whyper, Foster and the Lion of Castle Hansa (1)
(Spirits of reprisal of the Minlister cult)

During the greater darkness while Mislister languished in the halls of the dead and the Barley mother slept the world was without the strengthening and hearting influence of Minlister's brew. While no-one was sure of what the brew actually was and what it tasted like, everyone hearkened back to the days when the divine nectar was available to cheer everyone's hearts.

An intrepid heroquestor Anhuaser of the Bush clan decided to try and bring back the blessings of beer to his people. Unfortunately, as all knowledge of the process had been lost he had no idea of how to go about this. He sought the help of the gods for inspiration and was given advice by a grey-bearded man with rheumy, blood shot eyes (and his dishevelled robe on backwards) (2). Anhauser was so greatful for the advice that he was did not notice the old man's oddities or the strangeness of the advice. He then set out and, following the old man's directions, found a strong water godling, whom he beffiended. They travelled to the underworld where Ernalda and he daughters lay weakened and sleeping. There the water spirit forcebly ravished the grain mother (3) and left her with child.

The child, when born, proved to partake strongly of his father's watery nature, but with a hint of Minlister's brew. The people, who had never tasted, or who had forgotten the trutse of beer, were extatic and drank profusely of the watery stuff as they knew no better.

Of course, when the Barley Mother awoke and Minlister returned with his bounty most people realised how they had been duped and forcably cast out these spirits of bad drink from thier midst. Minlister in a fit of bonhomie induced by a drinking match with Eurmal granted the poor spirits a place in his hall where they now serve as spirits of retribution against brewers who abuse their craft.

Some heretics still believe, however, that But-Whyper and Foster are true sons of Minlister, but these are scorned by all right thinking (drinking?) folk.

Game effects:

A brewer who has abused his craft - purposely selling bad or spoilt beer, etc. will be infested by But-Whyper or Foster. These spirits will drive away any good brew spirits and infest any beer made by the brewer rendering it watery and unpalatable, yet still capable of giving a hangover.

The spirits are also contactable by Eurmali to whom they will grant the spell Change Beer to Water. This has the side effect that for a day after each casting the Eurmali will be unable to face any alcoholic liquid.

Notes:
(1) These appear to be regional variations of the same spirit, although
they appear to be spreading thier influence alarmingly in the third age. Yet another sign of the upheaval and disruption of the hero wars?

(2) Modern scholars believe that this was Eurmal in disguise, but there
is a school of thought that suggests that it was Lhankor Mhy in the throws of a bag hangover.

(3) There is some confusion as to which grain goddess was the mother of
these spirits, some claiming that it could not be the barley mother but that it was the Rice mother instead.

Oh well, I hope somebody enjoys this... I really have to get out of the lab more often!

Keep up with all the good stuff, particular thanks to Jim Chapin for the OAE and his earlier Strange Broo stories.

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