Holiday: Candy Cane for Solstice Season

 

Candy Cane for Solstice Season

Candy Cane: Apparently, the modern candy cane comes to us by way of the sugar stick craze that had overtaken Europe in the 1600’s. A story I saw repeated, but not substantiated, was that a German choirmaster was trying to get the children in his choir to behave so he gave them sugar sticks as a bribe. The church board heard about this and said it wasn’t adhering to church values to give indulgent sweets to kids, so the choirmaster had the next batch of sugar sticks bent into the shape of a shepherd’s crook as an allusion to Christ being the shepherd of his faithful flock. This change appeased the board and Christmas candy canes were born.

This wand of winter mirth improves the mood of any who takes a lick. The refreshing minty flavor also improves the breath and makes it easier to spread cheer.

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There are many holidays around the Winter Solstice. It is an important time for many people and many cultures. Wishing everyone who celebrates something in this time well.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Wind Waker: A jug of seawater

 A jug of seawater.

Bottled Water: Fresh water scooped up into an empty bottle. Link can pour this water out when something needs a quenching. One important use of water in Link’s journey is when he must water withered bomb flowers on Dragon Roost Island to gain entry into the Dragon Roost Caves.

You’ve found it, the jug of endless seawater. Sort of a sick trick since you can’t drink the water and most desalination methods will be hampered by the critters, flotsam, and jetsam that occasionally spurt out. On top of that, the gurgling noise it makes is just plain unsettling.

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Based on the real gulping jugs that use the jugs’ odd shape to make them gulp in air intermittently while pouring. I also thought an Ewer of Endless water is a world-breaking artifact that isn’t provocative like a blade that can cut reality or a book that can rewrite fate but could have a significant impact if used properly. What adventures would happen in a desert society centered around a magical carafe that was the only source of water for miles in any direction?

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Wind Waker: A bottle of fire water.

A bottle of fire water.

Bottle: Bottles are used to store and transport various potions, drinks, soups, and critters throughout the Great Sea. Link can earn a total of four empty bottles in his travels. Link earns the first bottle helping a sage accomplish an important personal goal. The next is earned by stopping a robbery. One is found in a submarine. And the last can be purchased from Beedle for 500 rupees. 

Come guess me this riddle, what beats pipes and fiddle

What's hotter than mustard and milder than cream

What best wets your whistle, what's clearer than crystal

What's sweeter than honey and stronger than steam

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Today’s blurb is brought to you by The Humors of Whiskey, a traditional Irish song. Hozier does a wonderful version that you can enjoy here.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph

Wind Waker: Eye patches to help you truly see.

Eye patches to help you truly see.

Hero's Charm: Wearing the Hero’s Charm allows Link to see how much health a targeted enemy has. This information shows up as an HP bar and when I played through the Wind Waker I didn’t like how gamey it felt so I didn’t use it often. How you get the charm depends on which version of the game you are playing. In its original release, Link must give a total of 40 joy pendants to Mrs. Marie at the school of Joy to earn the charm. In the HD re-release, Link must conquer the challenges of the Savage Labyrinth, an optional dungeon hidden on Outset Island to discover the charm.

Most eye patches aren’t worn because someone is missing an eye, rather they are worn to keep a good eye safe or prepared for different light levels. Some enchanted patches allow the wearer to augment what their mundane eyes perceive. Even rarer patches teach the wearer to ignore their mundane sight and instead open their third eye to glimpse absolute truth.

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No long post-amble. Enjoy the eye patches.

Be excellent to everyone.

-Ceph