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kaiju-z · 3 years

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Seon Adventures: Episode 32 - Chain of Command

There was a victory. A bitter, bitter, ugly victory, from wherein our heroes were left amidst piles of bodies, surrounding the lake of Stren.

From hundreds, if not thousands of dead, there were 34 survivors. Among whom were Dak and Kit. We come back to the scene as our heroes get their bearings of this ordeal...

Bodies. So many corpses. And among them, the party of five stand. Tired. Weary. Hurt. Covered in blood, gunk and lake shit. Stren’s gook sticking to the soles of their footwear as they ponder on where to carry on to from here.

A decision is raised. While half the party ;Belli, Jun and Mournimar go to the nearest town to get help with the bodies, Luctan opts to join Malak on the daunting task to bury the fallen. As long as it’ll take.

From Bavorum, the elite guard make smoke signals, signing that they are drawing near to the scene as the less armored trio, followed by the trusty Morgan go off, carrying Kit to the town of Askrivium.

Kit, who had been one of those luckily spared by the death curse. Kit, was slowly coming to, in her own cheeky way. Much to the amusement of Jun, who watches the half-orc bard bicker at the “sleeping” changeling rogue.

And while their group head for Askrivium, the two changeling having a little back and forth, the armored duo of Luck and Malak get to work. Steadily, taking shifts, on agreement, to do this deed.

2 hours pass. A large shadow comes over the horizon. That of the Darksbane Army, finally arriving at the scene, led by Laila Duststone. Joined by Terrowin the Half-Orc and Kraag the Orc Barbarian. Full force and mobilized, they approach the scene and one after the other, Terrowin and Laila talk with Luck and Malak.

Mournfully, Luctan retells the story of what happened, first to Terrowin, then to Laila. Each of whom at the very least are glad that the party is in full form, having lost no one among them. Laila encourages Luck to not blame himself over what had transpired, even as he does so.

Laila explains that the people, who touched the crystal orb will be gathering within a week to discuss what’s happening. Savron included. So it’s serious. Laila had come into contact with the crystal and born witness to what would happen.

Luctan wants to join them, if possible. But Laila declines, as they had done enough. She hands him a note with a certain number. A collective 25,000 Gold for the party, should they travel east next, before their work up north.

Still, the two holy fighters carry on with what they decided upon the end of the battle.

Among the bodies, a pondering Luck finds a familiar face. But it’s not who he was expecting. It’s one of the younger priests in the temple of Sa Doma. A tiny little Halfling woman.

The boys bond over sadness and emotions. Luck’s always here if Malak wants to talk.

Malak will remember this.

Luck tries to heal Malak. Nothing happens, but it’s the thought that counts.

Fastforwarding to Ascrovium!...

The squishy half of the party, and honorary member Kit, enter the grounds and... It’s a small town, definitely more of a stopping point for travelers than anything else. What’s shocking about the town, however, is the amount of people that are currently gathered.

The town is remarkably packed. These are families of people, who walked off in the middle of the night. Partners, etc .Everyone seems particularly tense, no one is sure where everyone is.

It is at this moment that Belli decides to bring out her Thaumaturgy stone and get everyone’s attention...

Without mincing words, she tells everyone what happened. How their loved ones were gathered at the lake. How tragiclaly most of them met their end there, if, but for 34 among them. A small light of hope in the constricting darkness.

Most of the crowd is in shock. Some just start running. 10-15 minutes later, the town is cleared from the exess folk, everyone that could afford to make a run, heading there immediatelly.

“This broughtcast was brought to you by Peppery Pete.”

Jun commends Belli for her way of handling the encounter. Belli thanks her, attributing her skill to it either being her maturing or adding another layer of trauma to herself.

... yeah....

They check for a possible morgue and find a thin Half-Orc girl, who guards the graveyard with a pike, for her aunt, who had gone to find her father. Possibly among the people, who met their end.

The party quickly assess that the graveyard is too small for the capacity of bodies. 10% of the bodies seen at lake Stren could probably fit in and that’s probably without counting the ones, already occupying the dirt.

Their group end up heading for the nearest tavern, discussing Ficus’ relationship status as Jun finds him handsome, but Belli protects her brother, claiming he is “spoken for”. Which brings Jun to ponder on Ficus’ thoughts on relationships of a kind.

As they take to a tavern, get cleaned and find their rest in their own respective way, the armored boys are still at it. 1 AM. They are still working. Aided by the army, but are still going about it and watching out, just in case someone tries to nick something from the bodies. Which almost happens. But Malak’s stern fatherly disapproval brings Kraag to return the watch.

Morning comes. One half of the party wake up and have breakfast. The other has been working all evening, through the waking hours and have exhausted themselves physically. But by gum, so much work had been done.

As Jun gets the diggers food in a basket, Belli checks with her brother, updating him on Kit.

Ficus had been running all night, after what Belli had told him previously, making his way to lake Stren. Which. Is probably a long way, given that he probably started off at a different location.

“Welp. I’m sure that won’t come back to haunt me!” - Belli says, before burrying her face in Orion’s fur. (gross cat noises commence).

The party reconnects at the lake, where Luctan and Malak finally get to eat, while catching up their party on what had occured, while they were gone.

Once done eating, they gather their things and travel by carriage eastward. Luck gives Malak permission to take the holy axe from the bag of holding and Malak attunes to it on the travel. While the boys have themselves a good long rest after what they had been through.

(Also Belli is Stress Knitting. Headcanon time: The reason why the party’s clothes tend to look mostly fine after battle, is because Belli fixes the cuts).

Over the next couple of days, the party bond over battle strategies and counters to what they had just witnessed and Malak learns about a bit more about the battle axe he now has in his possession. The axe, a union of Radience and Hellishness carries celestial runes, speaking of holy vengeance.

On the 3rd day of our travel, the group take a different road, ‘cause for some of them this has been a familiar road already. Along the path, they notice stables. 2 men posted outside the door. But it’s just some stables.

Suspicious, the group stops as night approaches.

And, while Mournimar speaks with Morgan and Orion, this is how the Cultbusters would meet Henry and Ronald, a cute couple, doing some sort of business (speaking in heavy New York accents)

Henry, the beefier of the two and Ronald, an orange haired man with freckled cheeks.

The two sides come together and agree on casting Zone of Truth on each other, as a means to learn about one another, so less suspicion could be had.

They are here to guard the room and it’s contents. They won’t say what the room they guard holds within it, but they won’t hurt the adventurers, if they don’t mess with the room.

The truth is being said. And Belli creatively speaks what she has to say. “You’re a tricksy little bitch and I like you!” one of the men admits, under the effects of the spell and Belli just has a laugh. She wants no drama.

Also, like it has to be said, but Henry finds Malak a pretty man. (We all do, but come on).

Once everyone gets coasy with one another, the party and the couple of Henry and Ronald join together for a happy dinner together.

The food is nice. The mood is high. Henry and Ronald seem to be delightful. Complimentary as heck about Belli’s cooking. The lads are the poifect gentlemen, basically.

Once the dinner is done, the party find places to spend their longrests in, but before the actual long rest occurs, Luck pulls Belli aside and suggests she send a bug-shifted Orion into the couple’s room. Just to be sure they were on the up and up.

Something felt off this night and he wasn’t sure what.

That was the gameplan!

And as the night progresses...

Luctan goes into his dreams again. Like multiple times before.

And... things happen. Sad things. And he sleeps.

In the meanwhile, Jun also has a dream of her own. Whether it’s anything like Luck’s is it’s own story.

In the middle of the night, something happens. 6 hours in, as the party have had their full rest, the flutter of wings awake Henry and Ronald, the latter of whom silently calls over Belli to witness what they were seeing.

.What Belli joins in on watching...

Is 5 imps.

Carrying Luck away. Each holding a limb, the 5th his head.

And Luck is sleeping.

Belli gets Mournimar’s attention and the digitigraded tiefling bolts through the door, upon hearing that. Screaming his loudest “WTF?!”

Which wakes everyone up.

Belli wastes no time. And casts Sleep on one of the imps, causing it to let go of one of Luck’s arms as it drops on the ground.

ROLL FOR INITIATIVE!

All the commotion that follow brings a red flash behind the board.

Just behind said board, a red creature with curled horns and 4 chains being wrapped behind it appears, hovering behind the imps. Glaring at the group.

Belli casts Polymorph on Luck. But Luck, sleeping, unfortunatelly counters it.

Annoyed, Belli chants a Vicious Mockery on one of the imps, while Chain Devil takes a stance.

Moves in close and attacks most of the party with his chains.

One chain smacks Jun and she gets restrained, grappled. Unable to move form her spot as the sickle at the end of the Devil’s chain stabs into her.

Another chain grapples Malak and a third misses Mournimar, which luckily takes the tension off of Belli as the 4th chain goes for the archer, stabbing hinto him like with the other two.

Jun uses all her acrobatic skill to free herself and do so easily from the chains. All her time as a dominatrix pays off as that is an easy feat for her. She immediatelly Hexes their attacker and moves in, ready to attack with her Gambler’s Blade.

And Luck’s still asleep.

Sadly, Mournimar isn’t as flexible as Jun and can’t find freedom from the chains. So instead, shouts at the Fiend in Infernal. He DEMANDS to know where they are trying to take Luctan.

This distraction gives Malak the chance to attack the imps, without having to move. Malak casts Toll The Dead on the imps on the right. While one is more stable, the other’s head outright explodes.

Because... “For Whom The Bell Tolls, Time Marches on.”

And before you ask, YES! THIS IS A DBZ REFERENCE!

Luck’s leg is free as Malak brings out his Spiritual Weapon. And smashes it into the nearest imp he can see, the sleeping one, messing him up visibly.

As the remaining 3 Imps try to escape with Luctan, Belli runs around from the other entrance of the barn and casts Dispell Magic on Luctan, putting all her Arcane skill into it.

And Luck wakes. glaring at his captors.

Your friends don’t care about you, they only like what you can offer them.” She gives an imp Anxiety. How much anxiety? Well, it straight up dies. So that’s the amount!

The Chain Devil attacks Jun again. Misses. Then grabs her and pierces her body with his thick hook again, causing bodily harm to the changeling. As she, Malak and Mournimar take continual damage from the chains wrapped around them, Mournimar’s pain response kicks in and he casts Hellish Rebuke at the Fiend.

Much to his shagrin, however, that doesn’t work out. As the devil is not even tickled from this effort.

It’s form starts to shift. It’s face taking a resemblence to Harker, Mournimar’s father, as he had last seen him. Face mangled. Burned. Aching.

The stress seems to be too much... but Mournimar steels his mind to the mental attack of the Devil. He will not be fooled by the mental projection of this Fiend!

Jun escapes. Again. Takes her rapier and dramatically cuts her thigh open.

After last night she got brave. Bringing forth an electric stabbing upon the Devil with the power of her Blood Rites.

Luctan Teleports behind the devil, swings twice, misses. But then strikes a gash at the back of the creature.

And Luck heals Jun some. In Infernal, he tells the Devil to leave.

Mournimar struggles to free himself and Malak acknowledges that, casting Freedom of Movement on Mournimar. And then attacks the Devil with the Spiritual weapon, clobbering onto him.

The imps try to attack Luck from behind. But neither manages quite to get purching on the fighter/sorcerer’s armor, pathetically gnawing at the material. But nothing much else.

Belli attempts to dispell one of the chains, the one holding Malak. And succeeds, after which she mocks again. “You’re a cowardly little cunt. You will die alone and no one will love you.” sending waves of psychic damage to the fiend.

Frustrated, he looks between the two tieflings. It looks between Mournimar and Luck and finally speaks, determined: “ He’s coming home. Now!”

As Malak gets freed, Jun gets snatched up again and soon Luctan catches the bane of the chains on his body.

Unlike Luck, however, all the pain causes Jun to go limp and unconscious in the grasp of the metal, much to Luctan’s shock.

The Devil shifts his face again, glaring at Malak. Taking the form of one of his late comrades.

But Malak is used to this sort of thing by now. He’s seen far worse in his nightmares. So he keeps his mind strong and defended.

As the two get carried away, Luck notices life in Jun’s unconscious frame, giving him strength to free himself from the chains, one of which goes limp. Then Luctan wakes her up again, wishing some vitality into her form, while Mournimar brings out his arrows and Marks the devil for the Hunt.

Fires, misses twice, but that’s quite ok.

Malak attacks, but misses by a few inches as his powerful Guiding Bolt blasts elsewhere.

He still has an attack, however, splatting one of the remaining imps.

Scared and alone, the singular awake imp turns invisible. And the party knows not where it’d go. (DAMN YOU, COTTON EYE JOE!)

Which is bad, because it stings Jun. Who almost drops again.

Ah. But in this moment you forget about the bard.

NO ONE DARE FORGET ABOUT THE BARD!!!

With Jun’s consent, Belli transforms Jun...

Then she mocks the Devil. “Luck’s our friend. If you’re that lonely just drill a hole in the wall.” But the Devil takes it in stride.

“He’s not my friend. I serve him. He just doesn’t know what’s best for him right now.” Luck gets smacked around. Hard! And this chained hellman starts to chant in a mix of Infernal and Arcane.

As the Devil tries to teleport away with the grappled Luctan, a thick shadow comes from his left. And before he can react, the Chain Devil gets chomped on by a monochromatic Spinosaurus Seonipticus.

As Belli draws closer, Jun gets the HDYWTDT with her Jawsy-Wawsies. And she tears him to shreds.

Very easily she shreds this Devil and gently plucks the chains off of Luck’s body. And puts him down on the ground. The duality of Jun. She will tear you asunder, but she will also bleed on you and be nice.

As for the last of the awoken imps... Jun distractedly swings her tail and the Imp just gets punted into Hell. All that is left is a splatter on the wall, before Belli turns Jun back to her general fine self.

As Luctan and Jun catch their bearings,Malak and Mournimar join the bard over the body of the sleeping, if fucked up, imp. Deciding on a gameplan on questioning him, Belli stabs it through the foot.

Which. Um. Unfortunately kills it?!

Moments pass. Henry and Ronald still inside, the group convenes around Luck to get a better idea of what just happened. Jun asks the disguised tiefling if he’s ok, keeping an eye on him as she asks. He is. Feels oddly free. And he heals Jun once again as he confirms.

When asked to explain what this was all about, how the Devil knew him, where it was planning on taking him, a tired and less reluctant Luck encourages them to think of what he’s already said about himself.

“I’m not from Seon. I ran away from home after freeing my mother’s slaves. A Chain Devil and Imps tried to take me “home”.”

Belli and Malak begin putting two and two together real fast. They would know that the things the party just saw and dealt with were and are devils, not demons. Devils serve Potencia. Demons serve Quorrin.

With a tired smile, Luctan admits it.

“I guess, I’m the son of Potencia.” and he says this, his gaze never faltering from Malak’s face.

He proceeds to give them the briefest description of his recent interaction with her, in his dreams. Meeting her in her office. In a form he hadn’t often seen her in. Her disappointment in him for not allout killing the Traveling Gentlemen. Having expected “better” of him.

Wanting him to become an Arch Devil to one of the hells, who’s leader was missing. His refusal. And then, her doing something, before he woke up, being carried away.

And he looked at Malak, the whole time, having taken off his ring during the talk.

Whatever Malak was thinking, he was keeping inside and away from any insight that could be made on him.

Jun acts very flustered at first, when Luck spills the beans as he does. She had seemingly been in contact with someone and mentions “The Evenchord Boy”, something that subtly catches Luck’s attention...

As Luck takes a moment to catch his breath again from what happened, he takes a seat on the ground. Mournimar and Belli, surprisingly, were encouraging of him. Rather than judginess from Mournimar, given said Ranger’s history with the cult of Potencia and Luctan’s heavy connection... He had expected an earful. At the fucking least. But that hadn’t happened.

Luck could all but laugh. Pitifully laugh and ponder. More surprisingly, Jun would kneel beside him, arm over his shoulders and offers him an ear to listen to his troubles if he needs it. Somehow she understands. However that works, she understands and makes it a point to tell him some important words:

“Your roots don’t make you. You make you.”

Then he receives a kiss on the forehead from the changeling woman as he slowly realizes that he may have human relatives somewhere...

After a night of devilry and a slight argument with the duo of Henry and Ronald, the party finally get their second long rest. It would become revealed that Henry and Ronald were actually clerics, possibly of Dyunificus, who were protecting a bunch of kids and silver foxes and were keeping them secret from the party (understandably so) as Adventurers came in many moral colors.

Belli would pay them to ease their tensions, too tired and frustrated from the combat to argue with the men.

Some time passes again as the party carries on on the road. Luctan often looking to Malak, but giving him space.

Eventually they’d draw near to Crystalgate.

And take shifts in a campsight of their making.

1st Luctan, 2nd Jun, 3rd Malak, 4th Mournimar. All this to help Belli have a full rest to prepare meals in the morning.

Sure enough, the night is peaceful and when Belli gets her turn, she makes a perception check... She sweeps the area and-

She feels pretty alright, as she cooks. “These times are easy to appreciate the world. All six of us are safe.”

SIX?!

Wait. Something’s wrong. She looks and at the fire is an half-elf man with strong black curly hair. Deep brown eyes in the campfire light. Dark skin? He’s relaxed and casually pokes at the fire with a stick.

“Hi?!”

“Oh, Morning.”

“Oh, you can wake the rest of your friends, if you’d like. I believe we have some catching up to do.”

“Who are you?”

“My name is Akar’niel.”

Belli wakes the rest of the party and, well. He introduces himself to the group.

For the most part, it seems that he knows the names, though he’s not quite as familiar with Jun and Malak, nor does he seem to be aware of Luck’s true name.

He knows what the party have been doing and have been up against. He represents a higher power.

Before he disappears in purple smoke, he whispers something.

Luctan would look at his journal and read the mantra that he had sewn into the pages:

“ When the Western Fields lie sundered, blackened with ash.

When Lake Stren turns red with the blood of your allies

When brother turns against brother in the North

When the Giants of the East flee from demons bigger than they

When the Council lie with their throats slit

That is when I will come for you. And it will be the End."

And as the episode ends, the party levels up.

Previous Episode / Next Episode

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wineanddinosaur · 4 years

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We Asked 10 Bartenders: Which Single-Barrel Bourbon Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

As bars and restaurants continue to navigate the coronavirus pandemic and reopening phases, VinePair asked the bartenders below to provide a virtual tip jar or fund of their choice. More resources for helping hospitality professionals are available here.

Widely considered as the most unadulterated expression of bourbon, the single barrel, also known as single cask, is highly sought-after. While the standard bottle of bourbon is typically made with a blend of whiskeys from multiple casks, single barrel indicates the liquor has spent its life in just one — and because the unique flavor profiles that can develop in a single barrel make these bourbons coveted products for whiskey lovers, that often means they command higher price tags.

That’s why VinePair asked bartenders around the country to share which single-barrel bourbon bottles they’re reaching for that meet both their budget and quality needs. As fall approaches and sipping spirits beckon, there are plenty of single-barrel bourbon options that won’t break the bank.

“Four Roses Single Barrel is my favorite for the price. The whiskey has a nice burnt sugar quality and has a balance with an almost rye-like spiciness, which I personally am fond of. It’s also not too expensive to make a delicious Old Fashioned with, so it’s a mainstay in my bar for sure.” — Gavin Humes, Bartender, Scratch Bar & Kitchen, Los Angeles

“Probably Knob Creek Single Barrel (which also happens to be cask-strength). It’s a go-to for Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, and is also great on its own! I like it because it packs a little more punch than some other bourbons out there, [and] balances the sweetness with some rich spice.” — Hannah Brunner, Bartender, Lost Lake, Chicago

Donate: Lost Lake Relief Fund

“Jim Beam was one of the first bourbons in the game to offer a single-barrel expression, and they’ve continued to make it super accessible in price point (under $40) and taste. It’s mixing-friendly and lovely on its own. Roasted corn caramel and vanilla hit first, along with the backbone of oak char. There’s smoky notes, some orange peel, and honey sweetness during the mid-sip, followed by a subtle, peppery spice and dark cocoa bitterness. Finally, that corn caramel sweetness comes back on the palate, finishing with some sharp spice. My dad actually turned me on to this, as it became his go-to for Manhattans.” — Maureen Shannon, Head Bartender, In the Valley, Philadelphia

“When you want a single-barrel bourbon, you’re specifically looking for unique elements of flavor, so I love Black Dirt Distillery Single Barrel Bourbon. Made in the Black Dirt Region of New York, heavily featuring locally grown corn in the mash bill, this special bottle always packs a punch. Rich, and unrelentingly deep flavors like black cherry, cacao, and toasted almond give way to a more delicate finish of honey and sweet potato. For a price tag [of] around $70, you really can’t beat the price-to-quality ratio on this one.” — Jeremy Fowler, Wine and Beverage Director, Zuma, NYC

“From the first time I tasted it, I knew the Henry McKenna Single Barrel bourbon was my favorite, and I couldn’t believe how affordable it was. This bourbon is the longest-aged bottled-in-bond bourbon available today, and although it is high-proof, it is perfectly balanced with flavors of vanilla, caramel, oak, spice, and herbaceous notes. Because it is so perfectly balanced between spicy and sweet, it is just as good on the rocks or neat as it is in a cocktail.” — Kristel Poole, General Manager, Corpse Reviver Cocktail Bar, Durham, N.C.

“Russell’s Reserve Bourbon: This is a bold, punchy bourbon with obvious char flavors that are extremely cocktail-friendly, so much so we purchased two barrels of our own. Its value as a sipper cannot be understated; it’s a great play for someone who is looking for intensity with a decent integration of oak spice flavors.” — Pete Stanton, Head Bartender, Ai Fiori at The Langham, NYC

“Henry Mckenna Single Barrel. I recently had it from a plastic cup in a park, and it couldn’t have been more enjoyable.” — Tim Wiggins, Co-owner/Bar Manager, Yellowbelly and Retreat Gastropub, St. Louis

“Evan Williams Single Barrel is nearly unbeatable for the price. It’s got all the classic hallmarks of good bourbon: oak, spice, vanilla, and marshmallow. It’s one of the best sipping whiskeys that can regularly be found for less than $30. It’s fairly low-proof, so neat is the way I take it.” — Sean Umstead, Owner, Kingfisher/QueenBurger, Durham, N.C.

“My top pick would be American Prairie Bourbon from High West Distillery. There is always a story and a creative aspect in its whiskey production that I relate to and appreciate as a cocktail creator. The American Prairie Bourbon is warm and inviting enough, with its bright caramel notes, to sip leisurely on its own, and as a bold base for a classic bourbon cocktail. I recommend it in an Old Fashioned with Demerara syrup (raw brown sugar syrup), orange, and Angostura bitters.” — Antoine Hodge, Bar & Spirits Director, Baccarat Hotel New York, NYC

“Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond is a fantastic offering for the price. The flavor profile is long and complex. The wood flavors can become slightly overbearing depending on the barrel, but this release consistently provides good density and depth of flavor — especially given the price point.” — Andrew Nichols, Head of Mixology, Atlas Restaurant Group, Baltimore

The article We Asked 10 Bartenders: Which Single-Barrel Bourbon Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/10-single-barrel-bourbons-2020-bartenders/

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delfinamaggiousa · 4 years

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We Asked 10 Bartenders: Which Single-Barrel Bourbon Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

Donate: Lost Lake Relief Fund

The article We Asked 10 Bartenders: Which Single-Barrel Bourbon Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/10-single-barrel-bourbons-2020-bartenders/

source https://vinology1.wordpress.com/2020/09/16/we-asked-10-bartenders-which-single-barrel-bourbon-offers-the-best-bang-for-your-buck/

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isaiahrippinus · 4 years

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We Asked 10 Bartenders: Which Single-Barrel Bourbon Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

Donate: Lost Lake Relief Fund

The article We Asked 10 Bartenders: Which Single-Barrel Bourbon Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/10-single-barrel-bourbons-2020-bartenders/ source https://vinology1.tumblr.com/post/629422455942938624

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johnboothus · 4 years

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We Asked 10 Bartenders: Which Single-Barrel Bourbon Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

Donate: Lost Lake Relief Fund

The article We Asked 10 Bartenders: Which Single-Barrel Bourbon Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck? appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/10-single-barrel-bourbons-2020-bartenders/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/we-asked-10-bartenders-which-single-barrel-bourbon-offers-the-best-bang-for-your-buck

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pita-petes · 5 years

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This locally-grown microgreen mix is our newest ingredient. It's a mix of radish sprouts (peppery), sunflower shoots (nutty), and pea shoots (sweet) which are loaded with antioxidants, enzymes, and vitamins. Get it on your next pita, naked pita, quesapita, or pita pizza (at Pita Pete's) https://www.instagram.com/p/BylIMI5hyEr/?igshid=1k1emg34s5hli

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cryptnus-blog · 6 years

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The Vanguard reopens with a new chef

New Post has been published on https://cryptnus.com/2018/09/the-vanguard-reopens-with-a-new-chef/

The Vanguard reopens with a new chef

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The Vanguard menu and cocktail list this time around will be more approachable and affordable, owner says

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Duck confit roulades with dijon mustard, raclette cheese and cherry jam by chef Adam Ditter at The Vanguard in Broad Ripple. The restaurant closed in late June 2018.(Photo: Liz Biro/IndyStar)Buy Photo

If you gave up on The Vanguard when its chef and bar manager both quit, forcing the place to close in June, you lost faith too soon. The Broad Ripple restaurant reopens Sept. 18 with an impressive chef at the helm.

Charles Mereday earned critical acclaim for his previous South Florida restaurants, and he clocked a few months at La Maison Troisgros, a Michelin three-star restaurant in Roanne, France, while he was teaching in the early 2000s at Culinard: The Culinary Institute of Virginia College in Birmingham, Ala.

Downtown Indy’s most-anticipated restaurants finally open

Top Indianapolis chefs you should know

In Indianapolis, Mereday ran the well-received, albeit short-lived, Mile Square Bistro, in the former City Café downtown. Mile Square, shuttered after six months, was among a rash of restaurant closings that plagued Indy in 2017.

Vibrant and unpretentious describes Mereday’s cooking. The classically trained chef often leans vegan, has a soft spot for seafood (he hails from the N.C. coast) and enjoys world flavors.

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Chef Charles Mereday’s oyster eggs benedict stacks fried oysters, poached eggs and from-scratch hollandaise sauce on buttery English muffins, with peppery home fries on the side. Mereday served the dish at Mile Square Bistro, a downtown Indianapolis restaurant that closed in mid-2017. (Photo: Liz Biro/IndyStar)

At The Vanguard, 6319 Guilford Ave., that may mean soy-brined, sambal-spiced wings dusted in cornstarch and deep-fried, Mereday said. His meatless version of Kentucky’s famous burgoo stew involves caramelized root vegetables, the steaming bowl garnished with crispy fresh vegetables like celery leaves and shaved carrots.

Mereday is thinking about warming shaved garlic and red pepper flakes in extra-virgin olive oil, seasoning the blend with fresh lemon and parsley and then pouring it over uni (raw sea urchin) in a shallow bowl to create a spread for bread.

All that’s not to say steaks and burgers won’t make appearances. And, yes, The Vanguard’s beloved fried chicken will return, this time flour-coated and simply seasoned with salt and pepper and then served with Texas Pete to drizzle on the crispy pieces, Mereday said.

“I just want people to have a good time, enjoy good friendly service and good food,” Mereday said. “I want people to feel welcome. Everyone.”

Mile Square Bistro chef Charles Mereday once hosted celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse at a restaurant Mereday owned in Naples, Fla. (Photo: Provided by Robert Hunter)

Bill Ficca, a partner at Indy’s Northside Social and Delicia restaurants, launched The Vanguard in January 2017. The original menu was created and supplied by a catering company. By mid-year, Bluebeard alum Adam Ditter and revered Indy barman Steve Simon stepped in, marking a creative turning point for restaurant.

Ditter introduced striking entrees such as duck confit wrapped in tender pasta sheets and dressed with cherry jam. Simon poured extraordinary cocktails, from clear milk punches to whimsically named stunners such at This Cat Looks Real, a blend of bourbon, pineapple rum, orgeat, lemon and bitters.

The pair resigned with what Ficca said was little notice to take jobs at SoBro’s new German restaurant and brewery, Liter House. Simon told the IndyStar it was time to move on while Ditter offered no comment.

Mereday and Ficca agreed The Vanguard menu and cocktail list this time around must be more approachable and affordable while still filling what Ficca sees as a growing need for “higher-end restaurants” in Broad Ripple and a classy late-night bar as the neighborhood’s population increases and condos rise.

“On that last incarnation of The Vanguard, the menu got so elaborate and changed so frequently that we really didn’t have a chance to sort of garner an identity,” Ficca said.

Follow IndyStar food writer Liz Biro on Twitter: @lizbiro, Instagram: @lizbiro, and on Facebook. Call her at 317-444-6264.

Read or Share this story: https://indy.st/2x4OcnE

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pepperypetespepppers · 3 months

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Peppery Pete's Peppers turned 2 today!

#tumblr birthday #tumblr milestone

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twelvebyseventyfive · 5 years

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Central Otago (6) Providore

Pete Bartle is the winemaker at VinPro, which is one of the two most significant contract wineries in Central Otago. He currently makes some of the highest-rated wines in Central Otago. Even though VinPro are a big winery in the region, they process only 800 tons through their winery each year, which in a New Zealand context is quite small. Last vintage this was split into 105 different fermentations, and the winery, with its many small tanks, reflects this parcellation approach, with lots of different clients making wine here.

Pete Bartle, winemaker, VinPro and Providore

But as well as doing contract winemaking, VinPro are now launching their own wine brand, Providore. This was the reason for my visit, to talk with Pete, taste the wines, and discuss why they are taking a step that might look like a bit of a conflict of interest with their clients.

A short film introducing the brand:

youtube

Pete explained the reason for the move. They have been making their own wines on and off since 2006, and selling some in bulk. ‘The industry is quite dynamic and changeable at the moment,’ says Pete. ‘Some of our bottling business is going to Marlborough and a lot of fruit is going out of the area. We are proudly Central Otago.’ VinPro realise that they are probably going to be losing some business in the next few years because of consolidation, and larger groups and wineries making their own wine, some out of the region. And a strong contract winery operation is important for lots of the smaller producers who otherwise would find the cost of building their own wineries, and hiring a winemaker, prohibitive.

Pete says that one of the reasons is that he wanted to do it: he’s been in the industry for 20 years making wine for other people. ‘This is a project for me, as well as the rest of the shareholders of Providore.’

VinPro winery

So they have started Providore, which initially is 4000 cases, and they wanted to make a full range to got to market straight out. In 2017 they made a premium Pinot Noir from Abel clone grown in Queensbury, and in 2018 they added a Pinot Gris, a Blanc de Noir, a rosé and an early release Pinot. These were all launched together in December 2018.

They lease two vineyards in Gibbston which they manage manage themselves (9 hectares) and partner with a couple of growers in Bannockburn and Queensbury. For the labels they took a photo looking northeast from Bannockburn and had an artwork commissioned, which is then turned into a nice set of labels that share a family resemblance. They wanted to do things a bit differently in terms of marketing. ‘The market is busy with good wines,’ says Pete, ‘so we decided to use the social media route and devlop an app.’ With the app, the labels suddenly come alive. It’s cool and interactive.

‘It has been a great experience,’ says Pete. ‘We are putting ourselves in the same shoes as all our clients.’

Providore Pinot Gris 2018 100% Hand picked, Gibbston, some whole bunch, some skin contact, racked to tank taking some lees, tank fermented but also some older barrels. Bright and fruit driven with nice crisp citrus and green apple aromatics. Textural and interesting with a hint of sweetness (3.5 g/l) and nice fine spiciness. Shows generous fruit but also freshness. 92/100 ($25)

Providore Luminaire Blanc de Noir 2018 Pinot Noir from Bannockburn, Champagne press cycle then fermented in tank, finished with 2.9 g/l residual sugar. Very pale pink/yellow colour. There’s nice gentle texture here with a hint of cream and some stoniness. Lovely pear and apple fruit with a hint of redcurrant, and nice weight and balance, with a hint of sweetness. Finishes with some spicy tangerine notes. 91/100 ($25)

Providore Rosé 2018 2.1 g/l rs. 7.1 g/l acid. From the Clark Vineyard, which is the highest elevation vineyard in Gibbston. Attractive pink colour. Bright with lovely tangy cherry and raspberry fruit. Fresh with nice assertive acidity, a hint of melon and some briskness on the finish, with a bit of structure and a saline twist. Lovely stuff. 92/100 ($25)

Providore Pinot Noir 2017 Queensbury (on the way to Wanaka, not many vineyards there), 100% Abel clone. This has amazing, pretty floral notes on the nose. There’s a lovely directness and concentration on the palate with some meaty, peppery depth and lovely raspberry and black cherry fruit. Good structure. Lots and lots of sweet dark fruit here, but impeccable balance. Hints of blackcurrant and clove, too. 94/100 ($39)

Providore First Edition Pinot Noir 2018 This is the early release Pinot Noir, and it’s nearly all from Gibbston fruit. 20% in barrel, no new oak, then the rest on staves in stainless steel, all destemmed. Aromatic and floral with lovely red cherries and some fine herbal notes. Bright, juicy, fruity and textural on the palate with lovely purity and focus. Just a hint of reduction works really well here. So juicy, delicious and spicy with a twist of complexity. 91/100 ($25)

from Jamie Goode's wine blog http://www.wineanorak.com:/wineblog/new-zealand/central-otago-6-providore For Fine Wine Investment opportunities check out Twelve by Seventy Five: http://www.twelve-by-seventy-five.com/

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kaiju-z · 4 years

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In the past couple of episodes, 8 teams have been fighting for supremacy. Each trying to be more fficient, each trying to do what they do better, faster, harder and stronger than their opponent to reach and win the finale of the Spring Welcoming Tournament.

We’ve seen explosions, we’ve seen dinosaurs and we’ve seen the steady rise of two teams.

Today, these two teams go up against one another. The winner takes 20,000 gold and a mansion. And for someone among them, there is something personal as well...

Seon Adventures Episode 28: “The Cultbusters vs The Traveling Gentlefolk”

The Day of the Tournament’s finale has arrived and each member of the Cultbusters deals with things in their own way. Humor, a precautionary spell set in place, stretching and words to go by. Sweets. Psyching one’s self under a silent gaze, never leaving the direction of the Echosmith Hall, the Colliseum, wherein the battle shall be held.

The party head out and make an easy entrance, with Malak casting Aid on Belli, Amelia and Mournimar. Entering, we are greeted by two figures. One, River, recovered from the 1st round and back in work attire, waiting her turn as our gnome business partner, Peppery Pete comes forth.

Pep talk aside, the aged gnome reveals another motive for his presence in the waiting room for our party, which is to give us an open offer for a job of some sort. A job to map out some part of the continent, under the request of one of Pete’s investors. A high paying job, to be sure from one Lucius Bennett.

As Belli hands Orion and the remainder of her Blueberry Muffins for Pete to take care of (the muffins clearly there to appease the fey creature’s eternal hunger), River comes up next and informs the party of a job offer of her own.

A mostly hush-hush work, River’s offer is the retrieval of a valuable artifact lost for quite a while. She appears to trust us with the details for later talks, should we come to her as well, after having successfully brought the crystal ball from our Cultbusting escapade.

Despite Belli’s best efforst, we do not receive any spoilers on the mission, beyond the surface level stuff. River congratulates the party on how far the Cultbusters have come in the tournament, appreciating the initiative of it all and suggests they go for the Wizard first..

“Go for the wizard’s knees!” which turns everyone’s heads in Amelia’s direction, given that, after all, Sabrina is her sister. She does agree, to some extent. Taking out Sabrina first would be the most logical move to make. However she opposes any scarring and long lasting injuries.

“I’m here. And I’m watching your every. Fucking. Move!”

As Malak casts Anti-Life on himself, which causes black lines to temporarily cover his body, the horn blows, signaling the beginning of the finale.

The Trial of the Betrayed.

Both teams step out. The Cultbusters from the South Side, The Traveling Gentlefolk from the North, right from under the VIP seats.

As the man, sitting in the middle raises and then quickly lowers his hands, the battle begins.

Initiative is rolled and Malak takes point.

And casts Guardian Of Faith in the middle of the five. It takes the form of a Seviper (you know, from Pokémon)! One move out of it’s range and the victim will take the appropriate damage.

With this, Belli takes action and focuses on the promised goal. Taking out the wizard first. Thus, she looks to Sabrina and focuses a spell she had been holding onto for a while to use: Enemies Abound.

Sabrina tries to fight through it. But fails, perceiving everyone around her as a hostile target. As a bonus to all this, she inspires Amelia, given the situation they find themselves in.

With all that happens, Landis calls for his Crusdaer’s Mantle and charges towards Malak, right after getting bitten for his troubles by Sammy, the Seviper Guardian Of Faith.

Standing before the Cleric, he glares, aching from the damage he took from his clever first cast of the match, while the old man that appears with some similar features to him, Jeffry Ramsey tries to knock Belli out of her concentration.

But she easily avoids both his arrows.

Seeing all this, a determined Luctan takes his action, pulling the Greatsword off his back, chanting a word and suddenly... teleporting out of sight from the rest!

Only to reappear right in front of Dink Jawbone, Griffin Tallywork and Sabrina, herself. Three strikes delivered. A Slash on Griffin, a Slash on Dink and a Bonk with the flat side of his major weapon on the wizard in an attempt to stop her in her tracks.

Yes. Luck has truly become... Anime.

With Sabrina down, Dink messed up badly and Griffin not looking so hot, the Halfling pulls out a mace and axe in each hand, attacking Luctan as he teleports again, this time within his reach. He hits twice with the mace, barely doing any notable damage to the magic fighter, right before missing with the axe.

Luctan, seeing this display, and seeing Landis ready to attack Malak, leaves, offended at the insult of Griffin’s weak attacks. And gets hurt some from Landis’Mantle as he draws within range.

But the halfling has no time to process all this as Amelia charges in, right when Mournimar first misses, then critically hits Dink, knocking him out for a microsecond.

Amelia cocks her fists and swings in fast motion against the dual wielding Halfling. Brutalizing him with that good ol’ Dope Ass Monk Shit.

As Luck approaches, Malak attacks the Paladin, unloading blow after powerful blow. First, his Executioner’s Axe Spiritual Weapon strikes from the back, then he comes for the man with his actual axe, followed up with a couple of channeled divine attacks. Each strike is fueled with Necrotic Damage as what Landis essentially goes through in six seconds is essentially the touch of Death Itself.

Her avatar, Malak, the Death Cleric.

By the time he’s done, Landis does not look happy at all over this situation. Truly did not expect such initiative from a man of faith. But One does not simply underestimate a Death Cleric.

This opening gives Belli the chance to initiate the second part of her plan. The plucky Bard focuses her magic and music onto the brutalized Dink and Griffin aaaand...

Puts them to bed with her signature Sleep spell. Doctor Sleep in the house.

And for all of Malak’s efforts, she quickly gives him inspiration. Given Landis’ actions that come, following this, the cleric may as well need that.

Slash, followed by a second. Divine Smite implemented and Malak gets rocked in retaliation for all that happened mere moments prior.

With the focus shifting away from the Folk’s archer, Ramsey dashes over to Sabrina, resucitating her with a healing touch. And takes a bite for his troubles from the Guardian Of Faith.

As Luck approaches Landis, he attempts to hit him from behind with a Guiding Bolt, but that misses. The frustration of that misaction drives him to fight on, however as Luck Surges into Action.

One slash. It hits. Second slash, also hits!

Mournimar tries to help with taking on the Paladin. But the armored avenger dodges out of the way and the arrows fly through Amelia’s hair as she makes a dramatic bullet time dodge.

Regaining her posture, she turns to the slept men before her, right as Sabrina starts getting up again. And she starts stomping on them, flurry of blows upon flurry of blows Dink and Griffin.

The horrific display that follows knocks out the two men, which brings Sabrina to an internal monologue, in which she decides it best to prepare a spell for her lover, Landis.

As this happens, Jeffrey takes a Spiritual Axe to the chest from Malak, who ducks and dodges a swing from Landis’ sword, making a run for the Ranger across the field. While Belli sticks true to character and sends Sabrina into a dreamland of her own with another Sleep Spell.

Upon reaching Griffin and Dink, he touches each with the Spare The Dying spell, stabilizing them in the process from slipping beyond unconsciousness.

With the Paladin distracted, Belli uses the acting skills to good use to copy Sabrina’s voice and goes “LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU!” at Landis. Which gets him to, of course, look behind his back to see a Sleeping Sabrina, causing him to scream out in surprise.

Landis gets played like a fiddle. Again.

Enraged and entering desperation mode with two of his allies unconscious, a third fallen asleep and forth barely holding it together and casting, Landis strikes Luctan with his longsword, drawing blood and knocking the helmet off his head with the spin of his footing.

Luctan, as though by his titular alias or a twist of fate, avoids what clearly would have then become a Smiting attack, saving himself from the kinda damage that even his parents would have felt.

Lucky indeed, as Jeffrey Ramsey casts Conjure Animal, from his grounded position, summoning a pair of Giant Spiders. One next to Luctan and another next to Belli.

Fun. Or not so much for Mournimar, who releases a girly scream, as the tiefling has to watch as one bites onto Belli, who luckily fights through the poison and keeps the sleep spell a-going.

Surprisingly, the other spider goes for Malak. A mistake as it’s web misses the cleric. And for that mistake, Ramsey pays with a blue blur that charges him from the side, while Luck dodges a sword slash from the Paladin as he dashes to Belli.

In reaching distance of her, Luctan casts Flight on the Bard, in order to give her some distance from the large arachnid.

Angry that she can’t get to Landis, Amelia opts to finish things off with knocking out Jeffrey Ramsey. And that she does in spectacular fashion as each of her blows strikes true and hard on the long range combatant’s body.

True to form, Amelia knocks his ass out, using all her strength, speed and inspiration for this task, right as Mournimar critically wounds and then finishes off one of Ramsey’s spiders. As Ramsey loses consciousness, the other Spider vanishes.

And thus, the two stop the menace that is the Spiders man.

Gagging over the spider doing it’s spidery-death thing aside, Mournimar hears the horn blow. The crowd erupting in cheers and chants as the battle comes to an end. And with it, the Spring Welcoming Tournament!

Celebrations begin as Amelia takes to her sister, before she gets escorted out of the arena with the rest of The Traveling Gentlemen. Luctan has no time to follow them with a gaze as Malak calls for Sammy to wrap himself around the lot of them and bring them into a Celebratory Group Hug, wherein compliments start flying from the refocused Tiefling in disguise.

An announcer joins The Cultbusters in the arena and, using a Thaumaturgical purple rock, declares them the winners, before handing them a golden key, which Mournimar accepts. This. This is the key to their new home.

Someone in the audience goes “Why didn’t you make her a T-Rex again?!” Amelia questions this too, but Belli assures her she just has to ask.

Fireworks blast overhead and Belli uses what time she has left under Luck’s spell to fly about, just overhead Mournimar to be the “taller one”.

As the high from the battle starts to go down, the party are given the address for the ball that will take place later on, which is funny, ‘cause it’s in the arena, ya know? The ball will be this evening and the victors are expected to wear their best wear. Which means, of course... Shopping time!

And shop they do. Right after they visit their new home, of course!

It is an enormous place, fitting for 5 people and guests in mind.

A stoney structure with a wooden fill in set between the rocks.

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 study rooms, kitchen and a dining area. There is a large greenery in the back that is their yard, perfect for gardening!

Each gets an outfit fitting their style, with the nuance of every party member spending their cut of ther 20,000 gold (4,000 each) in different ways.

Malak hands coin to the people around the area of their new home, near the Crematorium. His kindness brings many a smiles on people’s faces that day.

Belli, with the aid of Ficus, buys and delivers a ton of toys and money to the Orphanage, where she shakes Doreen, the Firbolg, to her knees with the display of kindness. With all this money... all kids will be able to go through school! And if anyone needs anything, Belli would gladly give more. Which brings Doreen to tears.

Santa Belli teaches kids the true meaning of D&D.

Amelia visits a couple of places. Harper’s Treats and later, her favorite flower shop in the city (which for some reason I didn’t write down in this session. Because I am dummy.) And from Lissandra, the Eladrin, she buys one of every baked good in the store. Lissandra’s shooketh.

Mournimar, meanwhile, visits Dyunificus’ Temple and gives a large number of money, much to the awe of a halfling fellow, who winks at the praying tiefling. “Bless yoouuuuuu!”

All the while everyone spends their cash, Luck remains at their new home, in the room he picked for himself. There, he sits, half undressed and staring at the bag of coinage splayed on a fancy chair before him. He sits. And he ponders. Because that’s a lot of money and he has a lot of thoughts going through his fatigued mind.

As the night comes and people gather and enter the Echosmith once more, the party make their arrival. Fancy. As. Fuck.

Archers set up on top, to guard the area in case someone comes to wreck the festivities, the Cultbusters take notice of Idarys from Crystalgate’s Finest, who was placed as the lone guard on door duty.

Looking inside, there’s a grand buffet table and food and drink abound. Anything we can want? It’s there! For the pickings!!!

Aside from Idarys and most members of the Forest Hearted Bretheren, the second of whom opted out due to this fancy-schmancy stuff not being their thing, pretty much everyone is here from the different teams, even Gutrot from Miniature Mayhem! Though, his charges aren’t in sight. Oddly enough.

Ye Olde Ska music catches Belli’s attention and she points out the Kobold band “Less Than Drake” to everyone. Mostly playing horn instruments, there is a drummer among them.

Pete waves at the five from among the crowd, dressed in his finest tux, which makes him look even smaller. His work clothes having some bulk to them, apparently.

Without even saying a word, like their minds are in sync, Amelia and Luck grab large plates of fried chicken and bottles of Alcohol and bring them out to Idarys.

Who. Um. Yeah. “Confiscates” the contraband.

While Belli approaches the Band and Luck searches for Ficus, Malak takes heed of the people that have arrived at the celebration, while having himself a good nom.

Pretty soon Luck finds the Roguish Narah steals him away from Lord Arwen, with whom he had been having a conversation at the time. And then. They dance. With Belli, who convinced the Kobolds, to join them for a performance, using her clout as a Narah, herself.

And the boys dance. Going full Carameldancen on the dancefloor.

While this goes on, Mournimar and Samson meet up and catch up on old times. Samson admits that he hadn’t seen that much action before and after meeting the party and was genuinely glad to see them again. He missed adventuring with the lot of them.

Mournimar, suddenly, asks for a favor. He hands Samson 30 gold to split between himself, Savon and the guild. Which, Samson takes seriously as he writes the instructions on his hand. With blood. Go big or go home, huh?

The tiefling ranger then would help Samson with a request of his own, helping him to find a secluded area where he could just. Chill out from all the noise.Samson winds up on a balcony, where he relaxes and takes a puff from his pipe.

He congratulates Mourni on the win and then... well. Awkward nature lads fuck off to do their own things. Which leads Mournimar to Sabrina.

And Landis.

And they talk about the fight earlier in the day. “Good fight.” Mournimar feels apologetic for bruising Griffin’s ego, but Sabrina waves that off, saying that he needed to be taken down a peg. “You know how men can be!” she jokes. But it flies over the poor tief’s head.

Looking to the dance floor, he tries to add mood lighting for the oblivious Luck and Ficus, but the anti-magic field around them prevents such usage.

Then, in an act of kindness that was not forseen, or maybe it was??? Mournimar hands 1,000 gold to Sabrina and Landis. Which just floors the wizard and Paladin, who admit that they were going to re-enter the tournament the following year.

Asked if he wanted anything in return for this exess of money, Mournimar declines. As it is a gift! To FRIENDS OF THE PARTY!!! Alas, Mourni is not good with handling money, it seemed...

This whole thing prods Amelia to wander over soon enough, extra nervous over the situation at hand. She worries if tieflings are just like that. Handing out money whenever, given Luck’s own track record with giving money out of kindness in the past.

Sabrina is just. Amazed. They could buy a house with this much money. Pay off the schooling. Taking the money, she opts to head home and put it somewhere safe, while Landis follows soon enough after her. Confused and doesn’t know what to do with himself. It’s been a weird few days.

What follows is an... awkward talk. Mournimar tries to apologize for past behavior, not being good with words and general manners... But! But Mournimar wants to do better. By her, by everyone and aplogizes for any trouble caused in the past.

On her end... Amelia speaks as well.

She doesn’t hold it against Mournimar. But she cares a lot, really and is hurt, but “it’s ok” as she puts it.

Mournimar offers to talk with her, if she ever wants to to talk or chat, but Amelia doesn’t seem to easily be reciprocating the comraderie with Mournimar. If anything changes, just let me know.” – Mournimar states. And in turn, Amelia suggests she’s too sober and she’s not in the mood for feelings. Normally any other day she’d be so happy, but it’s been a few days.

Looking about, they do see a variety of alcohols. Top shelf stuff. And Mournimar jokes about the Centaur Moonshine. Amelia, countering of course, that she was on a ship for 9 years. Worrying about her wouldn’t be necessary.

Um. Good talk there.

In the meanwhile, Belli would get herself into shenanigans with the Guards, revolving around Orion, his size and his very presence at the festivities, as animals weren’t allowed.

Half a table. Half of it! Cleared out by the chunky cat familiar. Shock and awe!

Eventually she and Mournimar join up again and play “Hot or Not”, judging the fancy people’s looks. It’s wild.

All the while, Malak keeps an eye out for anyone evil vibey.

He seems some people, who are high off their tits, no one malicious. With the high investigation check, he sees a gentleman, who wasn’t in any of the tournaments. He’s high elven, red haired, clearly getting on a lot in years, though. He gives off very low-key evil vibes. Like in the rich man billionaire evil kinda way. His vibes are fucking rancid, bro. That special kind of evil. You know? I can’t be evil, I give to charity” kinda evil.

Self rightcheous-morally corrupt vibes. His face seems familiar, but he’s unsure from where. He can’t quite recall him, sadly. Dude’s pale and has a tattoo on his ring finger of a snake eating it’s own tail. So maybe he’s a follower of Keemis, as well? Odd that such a person would, however.

He’s talking with Salvador, the Aasimar from the Crystalgate’s Finest.

Luck and Amelia each try to learn first hand from the man.

What Luctan learns is that this man is:

- Ingram Bretannen, one of the vigilants of the guard. Oldest and longest of them. Trained with the captain.

- The guy is bragadocious as fuck.

- People tried taking his money, but that was rumor and heresay. He offers us a job at Lucious Beckett’s. (Pete gave us his card).

- He’s been bullshitting a few of the stories, he’s been in the city for a while, something about the 30 years ago seems dishonest.

And while Luck would go off to find Malak and inform him of what knowledge he had gathered...

Amelia approaches, after talking with Malak as well about the guy, while Mournimar and Belli accidentally commit microaggressions against elven workers.

What she learns is...

- Ingram is high up in the guard. Old, snooty and also has a normal wedding ring, as well as the tattoo of the Keemis ring. In honor of one of his late wives.

- She creeps him out.

- His 3rd wife’s name is Arabella and he has 3 kids. Gilme and twins Luanda and Ellis.

- His sister sails on the “Yellow Tail”.

- This Fuckmothering Shit looks a bit like NEL!

- He totally has had kids out of wedlock, based on his behavior!

(20 minutes of fantasy Billy Mays jokes follow as Belli makes acquaintances with one, Bardy Scott. Lauren kills us with laughter. It’s. It’s so good, ok?! You had to be there.)

Still on the search for Malak, who had already left for the Keemis Temple, Luctan winds up being passed by The Traveling Gentlefolk.Which he only really notices after getting patted on the shoulder by a passing Landis, arm in arm with Sabrina and the money.

He gets the feeling, from this gesture, that Landis was being friendly.

And as he watches them go... Luctan feels himself in turmoil...

As the night and festivities carry on, the four remaining decide to crash the night at Nel’s place. But before that, they agree to go over to the temple and bring Malak with them. He is, after all, a Cultbuster.

Small talk is had along the way over getting the cats kitty toys and bonding is had over the whole thing.

All the while Malak would talk with Mother Destine, discussing the man he was unnerved by at the familiar looking elven man (WHO IS DEFINITELY NOT NEL’S DAD! NO SIREE, BOB!)

After a short discussion (I really wish I could record the sessions for better summaries ; u ;;;; ), Malak walks out of the temple and is greeted by the party, happily taking them up on their offer to head to Nel’s.

Seriously. We need so much Guidance as a party. it’s ridicilous.

Nel welcomes the party, in pajamas. The good kind. Silk and pink. She’s got class, damn it! She congratulates the five on the achievement and she even made sweets for the occasion!

Zone Of Truth shenanigans happen after Nel jokes about being with Belli’s dad.

“Did you fuck my dad, Nel?!”

She didn’t, of course.

And then... wlel, the bombshell not so much drops, as it reaches the final stage of the explosion as Amelia admits to the rest of the party that she is retiring from her adventuring life.

After everything they had been through, Amelia was in a different place as a person. She had Archie. She had Nelatha? And now? Now she had even her sister back!

The party takes this in their own way. With Belli being the most vocal one as she enters a panic mode over how to break the news to the animals. With Morgan vibing at the new mannor the party have, what are they to do with this info?!

Amelia is certain in her decision. And though Luctan keeps quiet and focuses as much of a brave face as he can, on the inside it’s a whole different story.

All this and there is so much work to do too.

Jobs from River and Pete. A revisit to Lake Stren? Going back to Menum to see if anything can be done for Luck’s body?!.

Luck’s body... Oh, now there was a story that needed more elaboration, eh?

As though on a whim, maybe more to it, of course, Luck removed the ring from his right middle finger and his form would change into his true body. And the glamour he had put his festive suit under faded, showing the deep gold color, instead of the fresh mint vibe that was there for hours on end.

He does so. and elaborates as much as he can brave to Malak and Nel. Why the ring. Why the vendetta. Why the everything that he can tell them, except what he had confided in Amelia.

And as the revelation of Luck’s appearance hits the last two members of the party, the new Malak and the honorary Nelatha, this episode comes to an end...

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thegloober · 6 years

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7 Essential Hot Sauces to Keep in Your Pantry at All Times

Here’s the thing people who don’t like spicy food don’t really understand: adding heat to your food, whether in the form of fresh chile peppers, their dried counterparts, or any number or cooked, mixed, and fermented chile-based condiments, is not just about upping the Scoville units. What the true piquancy people know is that chiles aren’t just spicy, they’re full of amazing, floral fruit flavors that you can’t get anywhere else.

Often, the best way to add that can’t-stop-eating-it peppery bite is in the form of prepared hot sauces. There are tens of thousands out there, too many of which are characterized only by heat levels and how much devil imagery they can fit on their labels. But hot sauce shouldn’t be a dare. It’s an invitation to a new world of flavor that can accentuate whatever its added to.

You could get by with one or two, but in order to truly experience what a hot sauce can do, there are seven that cover the spectrum perfectly, bringing excitement to whatever they touch. Well, these seven, and the countless other bottles I can’t stopped stuffing my lazy susan with. But, these are the ones I can’t live without. Let’s do it.

1. Carribean Pepper Sauce: Marie Sharp’s

A blend of Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers, onion, garlic, citrus, and fruit and vegetables such as mango, carrots, or pineapple, this style is characterized by its floral aroma. Habaneros are hot, but they also have seriously amazing fruity flavor, and it makes the sting worth it.

The Famous Marie Sharp’s comes from the mainland of Belize, but its proximity to Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, where the habanero originated, and the Caribbean islands lends the best of what both regions have to offer. Most well stocked grocery stores carry this one, or it’s easy enough to pick up online.

2. Sriracha: Shark Brand Chili Sauce

You’re most likely familiar with the green topped Huy Fong, with the famous rooster on the label. It’s cheap and fine, though a little chalky and bitter. I prefer a true Thai-style sriracha, which somehow manages to taste more garlicky, more vinegary, and more like fresh chiles than its better known competitor. It’s also less spicy, so you can add more flavor to the dish without going overboard on the heat. It’s available on Amazon, but don’t buy it there. It costs nearly five times as much as your local Asian grocery store, where you can get 25 oz for about $3.50. Not too bad.

3. Cajun Hot Sauce: Crystal

Characterized by their intense vinegar flavor, American hot sauces tend to be thin in texture and packed with the good funk of fermentation. Texas Pete and Tabasco have their fans, but my vote goes to Crystal for being the most versatile, all-purpose sauce when you want to spice up a dish. Many in the south wouldn’t make a pot of greens or a buttermilk fried chicken brine without it, and I can’t blame them. It’s available everywhere in the East, Midwest, and Southern US, and as well as the majority of supermarkets in West, and, of course, online. It’s extremely affordable, so there’s no reason not to keep it around for when the occasion calls.

4. Jalisco-Style Hot Sauce: Cholula

Along with Crystal, Cholula is the most widely available on this list, and for good reason: it’s the favorite mass market brand of many hot sauce aficionados.

The most popular hot sauces in Mexico all come from the state of Jalisco, along its central west coast. Valentina and Huichol are in the same family, as well as Tapatio, though that one’s actually made in California. These sauces are known for their earthier, dried chile flavor (as opposed to the fresh red chile notes of a sriracha), and they work well as toppings or seasoning for long-cooked dishes. Jalisco hot sauces work especially well with rich or fried foods and tomato-based dishes, and it’s my go-to for pizza, soups, and whenever I want something to dip tortilla chips in.

5. Crisp Chili Oil (whatever you can find)

A lot of the flavors in chile peppers are fat soluble, and so they take on an entirely different character when infused in oil. These sauces are full of textural interest, with a rich, nutty flavor that tastes like nothing else. When I eat it, I can’t help but recall the line by Peter Meehan in the Lucky Peach 101 Easy Asian Recipes cookbook, which declares chile crisp “a signifier to other food nerds that you’ve crossed the sriracha river into the land of freak-deaky hot sauces that will never be trendy.”

This is my favorite style on the list, and examples can be found from Mexico to China to Northern Africa. Use what you get. Lao Gan Ma and Master brand are available in many Asian grocery stores, and each are delicious.

6. Chipotle Hot Sauce: Kroger House Brand (Really).

Bear with me here, but my go-to smokey chipotle hot sauce is not the originator, Búfalo, nor the widely available Tabasco, but the in-store brand available at Kroger-owned grocery stores. (Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have Fred Meyer and QFC, but they’re all the same at the corporate level.)

Why? It’s delicious. It’s smokey and sweet and energizing without being overwhelmingly hot. It’s a great way to add vibrancy and depth to a pot of chili or any long, slow-cooked soup or braise. It’s the one I reach for most when I splash some on my morning eggs, and we go through a lot at our house. When I pick it up at the store, I always buy two. Thankfully, a bottle only cost $1.75. Good deal.

7. Indonesian Sambal Oelek

A sambal refers to any mixed chile paste condiment in the cuisines of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. You might be familiar with the jarred, gold label version made by Huy Fong, featuring the same rooster as their Sriracha product. Skip that one, and look for legit Indonesian version at your Asian grocery store, which will include the key ingredient: some form or dried or fermented seafood, usually shrimp paste.

Sound weird? It’s not. Rather, it’s a extremely savory, umami-rich way to add serious zing and depth to your dishes. A jar of this can turn a plate of plain white rice into a fully satisfying meal. As we’ve learned from Southeastern Asia cooking of all sorts (such as your beloved Pad Thai) – the seafood doesn’t make it fishy. It just makes it delicious.

Combined, these seven sauces will accomplish all your heat adding needs, plus bring loads of additional flavor to the party. Of course, we know there are lots of other options out there, and we want to hear about them. Post your favorite, most versatile hot sauces in the comments below.

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Source: https://bloghyped.com/7-essential-hot-sauces-to-keep-in-your-pantry-at-all-times/

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