Brewed in the timbered longhouses of Malmborg from smoked barley, river honey, and a potent infusion of frost-nettle and aged pine sap, Brunmjød is more than mere liquor — it is the warmth of the clans made liquid. Known as "the fire of the west" by Axeholm’s dockhands and soldiers, this dark, syrupy spirit is brewed in clay-sealed barrels and floated down the Árnstraum River every spring. Legends claim that the first brew was gifted to the Kalamaric high clans by a river spirit named Stræfna, to ease the ache of grief after a bitter winter war. Since then, the drink has been used to seal pacts, celebrate hunts, and honor the fallen.
Due to its precise brewing requirements and the narrow summer trading window, true Brunmjød is rare outside the north — and often faked with sour southern brews.
Value: 75 gp per bottle (holds 3 doses).
Black Market Price: 150 gp in warmer regions.
Properties (per dose):
You may drink a dose of Brunmjød as an action. Upon consumption, roll a d6 to determine the intensity of the spirit’s effects.
| d6 Roll | Effect |
| 1 | Overwhelming Ferment: You are poisoned for 10 minutes as the drink burns your gut like pinefire. Constitution saving throw (DC 13) ends this early. |
| 2–3 | Liquid Courage: You gain advantage on Wisdom saves against fear effects for 1 hour. |
| 4–5 | Burning Vitality: You regain 1d6 + your Constitution modifier hit points and are warmed from within, gaining resistance to cold damage for 10 minutes. |
| 6 | Spirit of Stræfna: For the next hour, your words carry the force of clan-rooted truth. You gain advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) and (Intimidation) checks made toward northern folk or anyone who shares drinks with you. Also, you automatically succeed on the next saving throw against exhaustion caused by cold climates. |
Special Trait – Winterburn Tolerance:
After consuming 3 doses of Brunmjød within 24 hours, make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, you gain one level of exhaustion due to dehydration and alcohol overload.
Notes for Roleplay & Setting Flavor:
- In Malmborg, Brunmjød-drinking contests are used to settle disputes without bloodshed.
- In Axeholm, nobles request barrels of aged Brunmjød to toast fallen heroes — particularly those who died in winter campaigns.
- Falsely selling southern mead as Brunmjød is considered a grave insult and, in some areas, a criminal offense.