Thentian Black Wine

As written by Mintar for the City of Thentis, in the Gorean world commonly referred to as “JAG”.

Black Wine is grown only in Thentis. Due to climate, altitude and soil type, Thentis is the only region in Gor that can produce high-quality beans. The plant is very susceptible to disease and growers must be instructed on how to protect their crops. Requiring much processing and labor, this drink is very expensive, though it is not as rare as it once was. Black Wine has somehow become one of JAG’s most popular beverages. Therefore, it is in the interest of the City to control, protect and limit this export to ensure it returns to its lofty position as a high-quality, “rare” and “expensive” Gorean beverage. To this end, the whole process from planting to brewing will be subject to Merchant Law and City standards for quality. Likewise the supply of black wine will be drastically curbed by deliberate limiting of the black wine harvest. Thentis will do everything in its power to strictly control the black wine trade.

The beans will be grown, processed, roasted and placed in sacks at the Black Wine Plantation of Thentis. The plantation must have the proper agricultural procedures in place to ensure the plants thrive and the harvest is limited as required. A shade-grown process will be implemented to prevent deforestation of the landscape and to minimize the impact of bird and wildlife species. Likewise the harvesting, defruiting, drying, sorting, aging and roasting of the beans will be supervised to ensure proper handling. The fields will be under tight security, with patrols of sleens roaming the country side. The Magistrate will conduct sporadic inspections to ensure all processes meet the highest quality standards. Beans allocated for export will be transported to Fort Haskins where all trade of Black Wine to outside vendors will be conducted. Black Wine intended for use and sale within Thentis will be taken directly to the City Market. The guards at Fort Haskins will inspect all shipments of Black Wine moving out of Thentian territory for the proper paperwork and certifications. The City Guards of Thentis will not allow any large volume of Black Wine beans to leave the City. All such traffic is funneled to Fort Haskins where the appropriate security measures can be enforced.

All establishments selling black wine in Thentian Territory will be subject to inspection of their grinding and brewing procedures. The resulting drink will be judged by the Merchant Magistrate for proper flavor, aroma, mouth-feel and acidity. If properly prepared, 1 stone of black wine beans will yield 200 cups. Establishments must charge a minimum of 2 silvers per cup, and may charge more. Spent grounds will not be discarded in Thentis, but will be saved and collected for the use of fertilizer.

In the few cases where legitimate trade to outside entities is sanctioned, the beans will be sold by “the stone”. The quantity allowed to each Buyer will be based on the number of Men expected to be served in a year. Thentis will allow a consumption rate of 1 cup per day for each Free Man. Thentis will contract the transportation with a third-party carrier and add the price of the transportation to each order. Unlike most other products in Gor, the cost of black wine is largely non-negotiable. Thentis will charge a wholesale price of 1 silver per cup for Cities in the Trade Alliance and 2 silvers per cup for all other Homes. Each winter, contracts for large-volume exports to various Gorean Markets will be negotiated. By doing this Thentis can estimate the demand and adjust its next years harvest accordingly. Large volume contracts will not be negotiated once the black wine plants have started to bloom. All contracts and trading rights must be approved by the Merchant Magistrate of Thentis. Ground beans will not be sold or traded. Only whole beans, properly prepared and roasted will be allowed into the market.

The illegal smuggling of black wine beans out of Thentis will be punishable by death. The Merchant Magistrate will ensure all security procedures are in place, and will stand in judgment over those caught in the act.

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