Foreword by the Librarian

Trading Baraij is one of the most lucrative professions one can approach. Especially in the south, prices for a simple glass can reach as much as 120 Core Coins.

Here is a look into why you may want to trade Baraij, why you should be careful when entering the business, and the cultural impact that you might be a part of.

BARAIJ

FRUIT

The Baraij Plant grows on the Acilantra Island directly on the shoreline where it uses the heat of the sun for energy and the salty water to sustain its fruits. They are growing on the shoreline so that they can not be eaten by underwater wildlife and that despite the extreme heat during the day they can stay relatively cool. The fruits are relatively small but grow in bigger quantities. Towards the end of its growth cycle when the harvest can begin a lot of water is added, reducing the amount of internal rib that makes the fruit spicey because it would otherwise be inedible.

PREPARATION

The fruit is usually harvested and the water is drained. Then they are shipped in boxes (usually Category A for air trade) to their target destination. There the fruits are steamed wherein the steam takes on the taste of the fruit. That steam is later distilled and cooked up to reduce the amount of water. Now you have the base “Baraij” which is a relatively thick, relatively spicy, fresh drink. It can be drunk cold or hot with or without any additional herbs or mixed with other drinks. Methods vary widely from culture to culture.

SERVE

It is usually served in a very small cup. The Baraij spoon needs to be used to stir under the green layer that sets itself on the top creating an orange-brown colored drink. If consumed in a Baraij house it is often consumed after the full hourglass, when the owner says “Baraij”. Upon that, everyone answers “Baraij”, stirs, then drinks, then continue what they were doing. In the Vondo jungle, bigger cups are used that are supposed to be drunk in one continuous sip.

CULTURES

Many places on the Atlas adopt a tradition of neighboring countries or which house many kinds of Baraij places inspired by other cultures. The following are those with a distinct approach to the beverage:

VONDO Baraij Terrace: In Vondo the drink is drunk from a big cup in a continuous sip. This happens first during a Nature Worship initiation and retains a more symbolic meaning. It is rarely drunk just for pleasure as there is little pleasure in the very dense Baraij which is the tradition in Vondo. It is notoriously spicy and is after the ritual only drunk on special occasions: When a person needs to do something difficult they put off or need to make a choice that hurts but they know is the right one they usually go to the next Baraij terrace and drink an extra big cup as a proof of their commitment to themselves and the right course of action. The people there are usually in the same position or have just joined the place to see who comes in, hear their stories, give advice, and encourage them to do what seems to be the right thing in their given situation. As such Baraij Terraces get less frequent visits and hence often don’t exist as a full building but rather as a patio, a terrace, or a half-open hut.

ACILANTRA Baraij Cave: The Baraij caves in Acilantra is a sort of bar in which the Vondo tradition of commitment is changed to one of courage. Usually, the glasses are smaller, and the people who drink it younger. It is often used by adolescents to find out who can take the most. As such its association with courage and the ability to decidedly take on the highly concentrated Baraij is a sign of someone trying to prove something. The saying “I’d the whole bar for her/him” refers to this tradition: One would drink all the Baraij in the bar to impress her/him. Usually though this tradition is something the men are more drawn to.

DYNASTY Baraij House: Baraij houses in the Dynasty serve a more sophisticated, less spicy option. They mix in different flavors and do not cook the distilled Baraij for too long which creates a fresher taste that is usually enhanced through herbs and other drinks but never alcohol for the Baraij house is not a bar for recreational purposes. In the Baraij house people come together to write, think, discuss, and work on their most prominent and intellectual pursuits. Architects, senators, painters, philosophers, priests, merchants, lawyers, and writers are the most prominent figures that show up in these houses regularly. They often rent a table there and even get sent in the mail to their address at the Baraij house. The houses are traditionally equipped with a small library that contains stimulating reads across mostly philosophy, history, and self-mastery. They are also sometimes connected to a courtyard which includes an Alitea Tent in which discussions can be held. The houses are open around the clock to accommodate different clients and the doors are often guarded by a well-dressed guard who greets all those who enter with bows, smiles, and a “good evening sir” or “good evening milady”. Entrance is only allowed with halfway decent clothes. If one does not possess such clothes they are given to him although most such Baraij houses only have a limited wardrobe and they will prefer paying customers if the tables get sparse. Inside the house, it is common to the full hour that a man walks up to a big gong and shouts: “Ladies and Gentlemen: Baraij!” upon which everyone answers "Baraij" and drinks empty one of the tiny cups.

FREYA Baraij House: Freyan Baraij houses work much the same as their Dynasty counterparts. However because Baraij has been historically so expensive as it has to endure a long trip from the north to the south of the Atlas Freyan Baraij is so expensive that by far not everyone can drink it, especially regularly. Therefore consumption of Baraij has become a royal or aristocratic symbol. Baraij houses serve good food, have shiny interiors, are often attached to a theater house, and serve more as a leisure establishment in which the wealthy go out, discuss and make business deals and mingle with other affluent folks. Freyan Baraij houses have been built elsewhere also outside Freya where they became very popular as the Baraij is still sold at Freyan prices although the import price is significantly lowered. These establishments sometimes have even more magnificent architecture and décor and have been ever more common after Freya’s misdeeds in the Aristocracy Wars were slowly forgotten. Baraij in all Freyan Baraij houses is made to be ever so slightly spicey and often has quite little to do with the actual drink as other flavors play a more prominent role in its taste.

THE DUKES Baraij Bars: Harlon Eru pioneered a bar in which Baraij was mixed with alcohol such as the high percentage Hero Spirit. These mixes are the trademark of a Duke Baraij Bar together with the fact that the bar is a bar and usually sells to travelers, local drinkers, and some late adolescent kids who usually order the more spicey version to prove things to each other. They are known as less sophisticated establishments but stand above the average roadside as bars that can afford Baraij in any way usually have proper beds and decent enough food.

TRADE

Generally, the most profitable trade is still on the sea route because ships with certain hulls can travel routes that have been used for hundreds of years and fill the entire ship without having to worry about import tariffs when crossing many borders or paying for the Fagaerium and airport space. However, the best routes depend on which kind of bars you want to serve. The most profitable is of course the Freyan Baraij Houses. But they also go to great lengths to ensure maximum quality and getting into delivery with them will take a spotless track record with other Baraij deliveries. I can recommend the Dynasty-type Baraij house. These usually serve clients in a well-maintained building, have certain standards attached and because they mix Baraij they pay well for the little they need. They are also easily connected by ship around Cape Aruna and down to the Frostland coast where new openings have happened recently as far south as Port Tivan. However, the most rapidly expanding markets are along the east coasts of the Dynasty, Reonur, and Catelon where new houses are opened every moon. In Andalun alone we had six separate openings within the last double moon cycle and looking at a map of the cities' affluent regions and the way that the local population embraces the concept we think that there will be significant additional trade volume to be had. In addition, because Baraij is already quite sought after for some time Acilantran coast farmers have created an overcapacity which lowers prices and enables even smaller ventures to buy a good boatload. Of course, one has to make sure to not be greedy when it comes to the costs for a skilled ship captain who can estimate and navigate the perfidious lumo tropic storms that have wrecked so many ships on the Cape Aruna.

CONCLUSION

We hope this guide was interesting to you and has given you a further look into the prospects of the Baraij trade. This report was put forward by the Andalun Trade & Loan Association. We would be happy to fund your next venture.

At your service,

Rutecer Bluesand, Company Director