Roadwater

Roadwater is an intoxicating drink of halfling derivation made of various plants, spices, and fungi. No two tribes, or indeed no two halfings, brew roadwater in quite the same way, but almost all versions of roadwater can be brewed using ingredients commonly found on the throughout the Mainland. Generally speaking, it is has a spicy taste, with roughly the potency of strong wine or weak brandy. Some halflings, particularly the halfling druids, have knowledge of a more potent and more heavily narcotic version that is often used for ceremonial occasions and rites of passage. A batch of roadwater, regardless of quantity, requires one downtime work-week to brew.

While Halflings might share their roadwater with companions, they will never share the secret of its manufacture. No amount of magic or alchemical experimentation has been able to crack the secret of its manufacture.

Despite the name, Roadwater is made by both boat and road halfling tribes. Boat tribes tend to brew batches on the shores of their seasonal fishing grounds or in the holds of their ships. Road tribes tend to brew in smaller batches in stills constructed beneath carts or even in waterskins carried about the person. Most roadwater available to non-halflings comes from Boat tribes who are able to take advantage of plentiful water and more stable brewing platforms. Some of the larger Road tribes, those with more established routes, are able to match Boat tribe 'water in consistency but rarely in volume. It is common for both Boat and Road tribes to offer a small measure of roadwater to those land owners and civil authorities in whose territory they spend more than a week as a sign of hospitality. Established vintages are labeled by year and route and some are quite valuable (if not always palatable to a non-halfling).

Augury type spells cast while under the influence of hallucinogenic roadwater gain insight and have a slight chance of producing a direct flash of insight about the question, but casting the spell and phrasing the questions well while intoxicated may prove difficult (concentration check at disadvantage to succeed).

Roadwater with hallucinogenic properties is sometimes called "moon juice." Depending on other properties, other Roadwater "vintages" might be called things like "hyper-water," "sleepy-sauce," or other slangy nicknames derived from their effect on the imbiber.

Any competent halfling can brew mundane roadwater (Brewer's Kit - DC 9). "Value added" roadwater requires a much more refined skillset (Brewer's Kit - DC 21).