Book of Nomad

DECEMBER 2023 I NOMADIC LANDS
Maple Bourbon CIder
Nomad picks up reports of a planet that was just struck by a meteorite and decides to check it out along with Dog. Arriving at the largely oceanic planet, Nomad learns from the land-dwelling locals that while the impact didn’t cause the most catastrophic destruction, it did seem to affect the tilt and rotation of the planet, shifting the forthcoming seasons irreparably. Some of the planet’s warmest oceans are already starting to freeze over, and Nomad joins an emergency agency which is trying to drill through the oceanic ice to send a message to the marine capital city that they must evacuate before the whole metropolis is frozen solid.

JANUARY 2024 I TRAILS END
Peat Smoked Whiskey Cider
After half a day of drilling, the team is finally able to break through the ice and Nomad volunteers to take her ship in submersible mode down to the marine capital. The ship shudders and struggles through the frosty, freezing waters, but Nomad and Dog eventually reach the squid-like alien inhabitants and give them the ominous news of the incoming freeze. The city board decides to immediately mobilize all escape shuttles and without any other options, the citizens scramble to migrate to newer, warmer waters.

FEBRUARY 2024 I SMOKE LODGE
Smoked Agave Tequilla Cider
As Nomad and the squid-like aliens journey away from the doomed capital, their vehicles are slowly enveloped by huge, shadowy silhouettes. Mayhem breaks loose as giant predatory sea scorpions swarm the caravan and devour ships one by one. With the only ship armed with weaponry, Nomad and Dog peel back and fire at the sea scorpions with their nitrogen cannon, searing wounds that freeze the predators from the inside out. Though the marine aliens suffer losses in the hundreds, thousands more survive thanks to Nomad and finally reach their destination half a world away and begin rebuilding their civilization in a new location.

SEPTEMBER 2023 I OBSIDIAN FIELDS
Blackberry Blood Orange Amaro Cider
Wanting to make some overdue repairs and improvements to his ship, Nomad decides to seek out the powerful Hephaestus for help forging the new parts. Exploring the volcanic planet Etna, at first Nomad and Dog find no signs of the deity, or any civilization for that matter. Eventually, Dog’s ears perk up at the sound of hammers clanging, and they follow the noise to a gigantic roaring lavafall. Fashioning an impromptu umbrella out of the most fire-resistant alloys from his ship, Nomad leads Dog through the falls and discovers Hephaestus’ ancient workshop in the caverns beyond.

OCTOBER 2023 I FIRST FORGING
Cherry Bergamot Amaro Cider
Upon hearing Nomad’s requests, Hephaestus points out that he has no reason to help a man and dog he’s never met or heard of before. Just to avoid being dismissed then and there, Nomad challenges the deity to a metalworking contest. Hephaestus laughs at the ludicrous idea, but impressed with his confidence, agrees – if Nomad can forge 3 things even half as good as him, he will help with the ship upgrades. As a crowd of gods and men form, Nomad and Hephaestus get to swinging, and the clangs and sizzles of their work echo through the stone halls.

NOVEMBER 2023 I LINKS THAT BIND
Raspberry Bitter Orange Amaro Cider
When the bell sounds to signal times-up, it’s clear that Nomad’s work is nowhere near the level of Hephaestus. But looking over his spear, shield, and helm, the god can’t help but admire the mortal’s handiwork. Hephaestus offers a second contest: if Nomad and Dog can make a chainmail hood halfway as quickly as him, he would still help them. With Dog coiling the wire and Nomad cutting and crimping, they are able to succeed at the task. Following the cheers and applause, they shake hands and paws and proceed to work on the space vessel.

JUNE 2023 I SOUL PRAYER
Pineapple Painkiller Cocktail Cider
Taking a well-earned vacation on a tropical island, Nomad and Dog can’t help but notice that the local villagers seem to be distressed. Asking around, Nomad learns that a great shadowy beast had started haunting the village, until warriors drove it away to another nearby island. This coincided with the disappearance of a local woman, Talia, and her children think that she has been turned into the beast by a cursed mask they discovered washed up on the shore. Upon their invitation, Nomad observes as a handful of villagers, led by an enchantress, don ceremonial masks and perform an incantation at dusk meant to protect Talia’s soul from being lost forever within the beast.

JULY 2023 I ISLAND AMBUSH
Passion Fruit Zombie Cocktail Cider
The next day, Nomad and Dog agree to be taken to the neighboring island to get a glimpse of the beast and figure out a plan. They are warned that the power of the beast lies within its gaze, and that they must do all they can to stay hidden. When they arrive, they cautiously scour for clues of the beast. Dog calls Nomad’s attention to an interesting arrangement of rocks, and upon inquiring with their navigator, they learn that it spells out what translates to “reflection” – suddenly, the beast bursts out of the foliage, and when its eyes fall upon Nomad, he is consumed by searing pain, as if scorched from within his very heart.

AUGUST 2023 I MIRROR MASK
Cherry Singapore Sling Cocktail Cider
Nomad and the others are just able to escape, and arrive back at the home island gasping for breath and quaking with fear. Regaining his composure, Nomad asks the local craftspeople if they can make him a reflective mask to hopefully ward off the monster’s cursed gaze. Once complete however, the sailors who previously led them refuse to go back to the island. Talia’s children, however, insist that they can take Nomad back. Wearing the freshly forged mirror mask, Nomad finds the beast, and when it sees its own image reflected back it lets out a terrible shriek and becomes enveloped in smoke. When the fog clears, Nomad finds Talia laying in the sand, restored and unharmed, and leads her back to her children.

MARCH 2023 I THIEVING FROM THIEVES
Strawberry Tamarind Sake Cider
Looking in on a dingy warehouse from their portal vantage point, Nomad and the local kids spy on the plunderers and their activities. They realize that the men have schemed to use shady and unproven tech to simulate the past, which they are deforesting indiscriminately to bring back to the present. Quinn, the boy who first fell through the portal, volunteers to run in as a distraction – after grabbing one man’s rifle, he knocks over shelving and causes havoc before slipping back through the portal with a slew of bandits chasing after him.

DECEMBER 2022 I WARMTH IN WINTER
Riesling Blueberry Cider
On a wintry world, Nomad and Dog are introduced to a greenhouse civilization occupied by an assortment of strange aliens. With blistering winds howling outside, they tour the magnificent halls of crops and greenery. As the weather worsens outside, an alarm sounds, announcing that a humongous hailstorm is headed their way. As the residents begin to take shelter, hunks of ice suddenly pelt the city structure, shattering glass and sending the temperature plummeting in sections of town.

JANUARY 2023 I STITCH BY STITCH
Riesling Strawberry Cherry Cider
Huddled in the bunkers down below, the civilians and city leaders discuss with Nomad emergency actions that they can take to rescue themselves from the imposing freeze. Nomad and the warm-blooded aliens venture back out into the cold to fetch supplies, and the artisans and sewist begin to stitch together great quilted sheets to temporarily repair the broken panes of glass. Soon, every able body is hard at work in order to save the city from the deep chill.

FEBRUARY 2023 I PATCHWORK SANCTUARY
Riesling Tangerine Peach Cider
With the completed quilts, Nomad leads some of the best flying and climbing aliens back out to the greenhouse and they begin to install the patchwork repairs. Little by little, they are able to close up the holes in the walls and ceiling, providing relief to citizens. Later in the day, the sun finally comes out, and the wide array of creatures are able to bask in the comforting warmth.

SEPTEMBER 2022 I MOTH TO A FLAME
Blueberry Nordic Mead
On a densely wooded planet, Nomad and Dog are taking a leisurely walk on the forest floor. Swatting away some pestering moths, Nomad notices that their numbers are only growing stronger. Before long they are swarmed by huge moths with 8 foot wingspans, which nip and harass Nomad and Dog as they break into a full sprint. Nomad trips and falls on a twisted root, and when Dog is trying to help her up, they are surrounded, bound in silk, and captured.

JUNE 2022 I RUMORS OF RUIN
Mango Dragonfruit Slushie Cider
Nomad and dog return to spend time with their band of seafaring misfits in the tropics. Sharing food and cider at a coastal outpost, the sailors tell Nomad that the local population has dwindled, and a cloud of fear looms heavy. Stories are told that Calico, the vicious pirate they had previously defeated, was almost eaten by sharks after being knocked off his ship, but was somehow protected by some perplexing side effect of Blueblood’s vial. He now terrorizes the seas as an abomination; part feline, and part elasmobranch, with yellow goo oozing from his wounds.

MARCH 2022 I STRANGE PORTAL
Strawberry White Grape Sake Cider
Nomad and Dog are spending time in an urban moon colony, playing kickball with some of the local children. One of the easy serves gets booted hard and Quinn, a local boy, sprints hard chasing after it. Just as he is diving for the ball, a mysterious hexagonal portal opens up, swallowing up the child. Peering through, Nomad, Dog and the other children observe an odd world of geometric plant life. Despite their misgivings about the perplexing realm, they decide they must follow in pursuit of the boy.

DECEMBER 2021 I FRIGID AUGER
Riesling Yuzu Peach Cider
Nomad picks up reports of a planet that was just struck by a meteorite and decides to check it out along with Dog. Arriving at the largely oceanic planet, Nomad learns from the land-dwelling locals that while the impact didn’t cause the most catastrophic destruction, it did seem to affect the tilt and rotation of the planet, shifting the forthcoming seasons irreparably. Some of the planet’s warmest oceans are already starting to freeze over, and Nomad joins an emergency agency that is trying to drill through the oceanic ice to send a message to the marine capital city that they must evacuate before the whole metropolis is frozen solid.

JANUARY 2022 I FREEZING WATERS
Merlot Blueberry Cider
After half a day of drilling, the team is finally able to break through the ice and Nomad volunteers to take her ship in submersible mode down to the marine capital. The ship shudders and struggles through the frosty, freezing waters, but Nomad and Dog eventually reach the squid-like alien inhabitants and give them the ominous news of the incoming freeze. The city board decides to immediately mobilize all escape shuttles and without any other options, the citizens scramble to migrate to newer, warmer waters.

FEBRUARY 2022 I APEX PREDATOR
Pinot Noir Blackberry Cider
As Nomad and the squid-like aliens journey away from the doomed capital, their vehicles are slowly enveloped by huge, shadowy silhouettes. Mayhem breaks loose as giant predatory sea scorpions swarm the caravan and devour ships one by one. With the only ship armed with weaponry, Nomad and Dog peel back and fire at the sea scorpions with their nitrogen cannon, searing wounds that freeze the predators from the inside out. Though the marine aliens suffer losses in the hundreds, thousands more survive thanks to Nomad and finally reach their destination half a world away and begin rebuilding their civilization in a new location.

SEPTEMBER 2021 I RED, ROE, RUIN
Nordic Cranberry Mead
Nomad and Dog pay a visit to a cold arctic land as the days begin to grow shorter. Seeing smoke in the distance, they rush towards a village of red deer and roe deer to see the larder building set ablaze. Nomad and Dog quickly assist the villagers in putting out the flames, but by the time they succeed the building is badly damaged and the food stores are wasted. In a community meeting, the deer conclude that their larder was intentionally burned by the new coalition of wolves and foxes, who have conspired to assault and capture the village to feast upon.

OCTOBER 2021 I LINKS WITH LYNX
Nordic Elderberry Mead
Deliberating upon possible allies that might come to their aid, the deer realize that most of their friends do not possess the strength to fight the potential onslaught of canines. Their distant hope is that the neighboring lynx population might help them since they themselves share a disdain for the wild dogs. Nomad volunteers herself to journey into the mountains with a deer companion in search for the lynxes. Dog stays behind in the village so as not to alarm the felines, and to help the deer with their fortifications. Reaching the lynx stronghold, Nomad negotiates a deal to let them keep the bodies of any slain in the upcoming battle, and the leader of the lynxes agrees.

NOVEMBER 2021 I JAWS OF DEFEAT
Nordic Raspberry Mead
Returning to the deer village, Nomad and the lynx warriors realize that the wolves and foxes have already begun their siege. Corpses have piled up on both sides, as the deer and their allies have fought valiantly against their fanged foes. Joining the battle, the reinforcements are able to overpower and defeat the canine army. In the aftermath of the clash, the lynx realize that they will have sufficient food for many months to come, and the herbivores will have to fear no harm of predation for the foreseeable future. An alliance of rodents agree to help the deer village restore their larder to make it through the winter, and through their new agreements, all the animals find new hope for their survival in the days to come.

JUNE 2021 I VOLTAIC DRIP
Watermelon Strawberry Slushie Cider
Nomad and Dog are exploring a vast semi-arid planet in search of new herbs and spices and during their expedition they stumble across numerous creatures they’ve never witnessed before. After filling their packs with specimen samples they return to their ship, but discover that insect-like aliens have gnawed on their battery, which has leaked out all its juice. Without any way to repair the ship, Nomad scans the horizon with her rangefinder and spots the ruins left by a former civilization. With no choice but hope they might find some tech to scrap together, the pair head out towards the ancient buildings in the distance.

JULY 2021 I CAPTIVE STRANGERS
Pineapple Blueberry Slushie Cider
As Nomad and Dog are nearing the ruins, they notice shadowy figures darting behind cover. Before they know it, they are surrounded by muscular, ape-like alien creatures that seem to have taken residence in the ruins. Nomad pleads with them, promising she is stranded and means them no harm, but the creatures swiftly snatch her and dog up, bind them, and imprison them. From her cage, Nomad watches as the creatures discuss with one another as they go through her pack examining all her gear. Once they pick up her translator tool, Nomad is able to coax and gesture them to turn it on.

AUGUST 2021 I TINY SPARK
Mango Coconut Slushie Cider
The ape-like creatures are surprised and Nomad sighs with relief as the translator begins working. The different parties communicate, even with dog pitching in, until they come to a mutual understanding and trust. The aliens release Nomad and Dog and allow them to scour the ruins for any tech that might be helpful. To Nomad’s displeasure though, they turn up with nothing useful. After explaining her frustration to the aliens, they discuss briefly and mention that the grubs of the very same insects are literally shocking to the touch. They bring her to find one of the insect nests, and Nomad traps a grub in a capsule. Together, they return to the ship and wearing rubber gloves, Nomad squeezes the grub over the dead battery, which jump-starts the ship as everyone jumps for joy. Greeting the aliens goodbye, Nomad and Dog are able to depart and continue their wayfaring.

MARCH 2021 I SWEET MIRAGE
Guava Kiwi Sake Cider
Nomad and Dog decide to revisit the garden world of Antheia, where they had once saved the Princess from a half-time curse. As soon as they exit the ship, they smell a sweet delicious fragrance in the air, and all the citizens seem to be blissfully dancing. Ascending the citadel steps, Nomad gradually becomes lightheaded and collapses in front of the royal quarters. She awakens to see the Princess, who has now taken the crown as Empress, who explains that a flower that blooms once every 200 years has released its hallucinogenic pollen into the air. Many of the people of Antheia have given up on their filtration masks and surrendered to the drug-induced visions from the pollen, eventually succumbing to lethargic madness.

APRIL 2021 I CRAZED GRAZERS
Apricot Passion Fruit Sake Cider
The Empress asks Nomad to travel to the neighboring lab complex to see where the scientists are with any potential solutions to the hallucinogenic pollen in the air, and Nomad agrees. Riding in an air-scooter with Dog in the sidecar, Nomad flies through the countryside where the air is thick with pollen until she is stopped by a roaming herd of buffalo-like alien creatures. Trying to slowly meander through the masses, the scooter’s exhaust backfires and the noise sends the creatures into a drug-induced panic. Struggling in the chaos, Nomad takes a hard kick to the face, which cracks her ventilation mask and the floral fumes immediately take hold of her.

MAY 2021 I SYNTHETIC SALVATION
Prickly Pear Plum Sake Cider
Running ahead to the lab complex, Dog gets the attention of some scientists who follow him back to find Nomad laying in the field. Once Nomad wakes up, she asks the scientists about their progress on possible solutions to the pollen situation. The lead scientist unveils that they’re putting the finishing touches on their designs for a robotic pollinator bug that can target hallucinogenic pollen. The bugs can even be reprogrammed later to help with other environmental needs. Nomad and Dog help deploy the first test batch and look on optimistically as the robots begin the task at hand.

FEBRUARY 2021 I KINGS JUDGEMENT
Gewurztraminer Peach Rhubarb Cider
Ferus, distraught that the Serpent King is poisoning the animals under his protection works with Nomad to set a trap. When the Serpent King goes to high rock for his skin shedding ritual, Ferus attacks. Ferus and the Serpent King clash in the clouds for hours and as the sun starts to set the giant snake slows. Ferus takes the advantage, stabbing his spear through the snakes open mouth and clean through the back of his head. As the last of the impaled serpents spasms die out, Ferus knows order can finally be restored to the Garden.

SEPTEMBER 2020 I LAKE SPIRIT
Cherry Cranberry Mead
Nomad and Dog visit the grove in early autumn and find the woodland animals busy with the prime fishing season as the salmon return to the streams to spawn. However, the animals are all noticeably nervous and agitated as they go about their tasks. After asking around, Nomad learns that there has been a shape-shifting Nixie plaguing them — luring individuals with beautiful music to drown in the deep rapids. In the past week alone, four villagers’ bodies were found washed up downstream.

OCTOBER 2020 I BEASTLY HOLLOWS
Blueberry Plum Mead
When asked why the Nixie could be tormenting them, the woodland creatures admit they have no idea why. Nomad and Dog agree to seek out the Nixie’s hideaway, rumored to be in a lake cave behind the waterfall upstream. Their first visit is fruitless, although they find plenty of evidence of the water spirit. They work up the courage to return after dark, rowing slowly and seeing only as far as their torch will illuminate. Once all the way in, they see it: a dark, glistening creature part horse, part human, part snake, and part fish, although which parts were which they could not say.

NOVEMBER 2020 I RIVER’S BARGAIN 
Raspberry Blackberry Mead
To Nomad’s surprise, the Nixie speaks with a plain human voice. The Nixie reveals that he has swam these rivers for a thousand years and the numbers of fish have been decimated over the years as the woodland creatures have gotten more and more ingenious with their fishing equipment. Their drownings were the Nixie’s attempt at bringing balance to the streams. Nomad points out that the animals must gorge themselves now to prepare for the lean months, but wonders aloud if a more elegant solution can be found. After a long discussion, Nomad and Dog are able to return to the grove with an arrangement: the Nixie will help round up the fish once they have successfully spawned, and Nomad will help teach them to dry out the haul to last them through the winter.

JUNE 2020 I TIDELANDS
Blue Slushie Cider - Blueberry Pineapple
JNomad and Dog decide to pay a visit to Duoluna, a watery planet with a pair of helixing moons. After docking at a summit-top landing pad, they stop in the fishing village and feast on fresh seafood. Chatting with their attendant, Marin, they learn that the planet is going through a phase of particularly strong tidal changes, with the water levels changing nearly a mile in a day’s time. As Nomad and Dog settle into their lodging for the evening, they witness the seas receding, revealing a glistening intertidal zone teaming with life.

JULY 2020 I STRANDED SHORES
Red Slushie Cider - Raspberry Mango
In the morning Nomad is greeted by a distraught Marin who is worried sick that her wife’s fishing boat never returned from sea the previous day. Nomad volunteers to take a small watercraft out in search, since Marin cannot close down the bed & breakfast with all the guests. After hours on the hunt, Nomad finally finds Marin’s wife, Briny, and her colleagues stranded on a pinnacle island. They explain that their fishing boat got caught on the rocks in the ebbing tide and their attempts to dislodge it brought it crashing down into rubble. With room for only one more passenger Briny joins Nomad on the watercraft to find a larger rescue vessel.

MARCH 2020 I MIDNIGHT CITY
Dragon Fruit Guava Sake Cider
After years, Nomad and Dog return to the Domain of Daika to discover the whole region blanketed in darkness. They learn that after the Bokun was defeated and cast out, they retaliated by creating an eclipsing satellite to orbit the planet, casting a permanent shadow over the land. The androids were unconcerned at first, transitioning from solar power to fossil fuels, but as time passed, the plants withered, and the smog grew until acid rain started to corrode the machines. Over the years, the economy has crumbled, and much of society has become engulfed in chaos and crime.

APRIL 2020 I AFTERGLOW
Acai Plum Sake Cider
Retreating to a grimy oxygen bar for the breathing population, Nomad meets an underground amateur botanist named N0_4H who has kept an array of seeds stored away in his lab. The botanist laments that despite his efforts, germination attempts keep on failing because of lack of sun. As the night wears on, conversation starts to dwindle and Nomad looks at the pink glowing lights and realizes that they can use LED lights to simulate the effects of sunlight to foster plant growth. The next day Nomad and dog go around the city gathering up all the red and blue light bulbs they can find and bring it back to N0_4H’s lab. Sure enough, the seeds respond to their new stimulation and over the next few months grow into numerous healthy plants..⁠

MAY 2020 I PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Yuzu Peach Sake Cider
Just as Nomad and N0_4H are beginning to worry about overcrowding in the lab, they hear a terrific boom overhead. Rushing outside, the androids are beeping and chirping with joy because their leaders have shot multiple super-lasers at the eclipse satellite, allowing beams of light to shine through. Nomad, dog and the botanist bring up their new plants and spread the word to all the residents of Daika to plant gardens wherever the light can shine through. After the painful era in the darkness, the androids have learned that even creatures of silicon and steel need the members of kingdom Plantae to prosper.

DECEMBER 2019 I SNOWDRIFT
Reisling Strawberry Cherry Cider

Nomad, Dog and a cast of animals ride on the back of a large elephant seal, descending down a steep mountain top. In their party is the ice sorceress, Navadia, who they’ve offered to help find the stones of divination. Suddenly the sheets of ice and snow below them collapse and they quickly descend to the mysteries beneath... 

JANUARY 2020 I CRYSTAL TEMPLE
Cabernet Franc Black Currant Cider

The group finds themselves under the sheets of snow, in the middle of a mountain, which was once home to an ancient civilization. Surrounding themselves around a fire and holding hands, Navadia starts conjuring the spirits in this abandoned realm to save them before they are caved in from falling snow and trapped.⁠

FEBRUARY 2020 I ICE PIERCER
Gewurztraminer Apricot Cider

It seems Navadia’s spells have worked; an increasingly loud rumbling sound occurs below them. A spike starts to protrude below them, breaking through the ground. A narwhal’s face appears and offers them all escape through climbing his horn to break through the thick walls of snow above them. They all ascend along his horn, where he promises the rare Stones of Divination sit above ground...

SEPTEMBER 2019 I FLOCK TOGETHER
Coconut Chocolate Honey Cider

During their explorations, Nomad and Dog stumble across Anatidae, a forest world inhabited by giant birds. They befriend Toulouse, an adolescent goose with beautiful feathers of grey, blue, and white. Toulouse and his nest-mates seem nervous, and they explain to Nomad that time is soon approaching for their first migration across the planet to winter in the southern hemisphere. Hearing of Nomad’s extensive travels, Toulouse asks her if she would travel with him. Nomad questions whether her additional weight would be an impediment, but Toulouse assures her that he is a capable flyer, but would love a friend to help with navigation. Nomad agrees, and they settle in for the night and prepare to depart in the morning.

OCTOBER 2019 I TIMBER & TINDER
Ginger Cinnamon Honey Cider

Approaching the dry equator, Nomad and Toulouse realize that there is a gigantic wildfire burning. Stretching as far as the eye can see, the inferno is unavoidable and they accelerate full-speed ahead, dodging flares and embers left and right. The situation goes from bad to worse — flaming arrows volley through the smoke, fired by ruthless, fearless hunters. Toulouse eludes the obstacles with incredible agility, but eventually, during the gauntlet an arrow strikes Toulouse in the wing, piercing through and setting feathers ablaze.

NOVEMBER 2019 I COLD SMOLDER
Coffee Vanilla Honey Cider

As Toulouse frantically flaps his sizzling wing, Nomad spots a lake in the distance through the smoke and urges him to dive in. They zoom downwards and plunge into the cold water, extinguishing the flames. After catching their breath, they realize that Toulouse’s wing is too badly burned to take flight again. Toulouse begins to weep, but his cries are heard by a magical phoenix who swoops down and wraps its wings around him. Then without a word, the phoenix flies away again. Nomad looks at Toulouse’s wing and sees that the burnt feathers are now restored with feathers of crimson and gold. Relieved and rejuvenated, they are able to take off and finish the journey unscathed.

AUGUST 2019 I LIQUID COURAGE
Strawberry Kiwi Slushie Gose Cider

Sneaking aboard Los Oso’s massive ship, Nomad finds the enemy’s leader, Calico (cat-like, tiger face), drinking smuggled rum on the stern. Intrigued by the offer of a relic from Blueblood’s chest, he swipes the vial from Nomad’s hand and takes it down, becoming dizzy and nearly falling off his ship. He leaps forward, pulling out his sword (handle shaped like an old pistol) to challegend Nomad to a duel. The vial slows Calico down, giving Nomad the upper hand in this battle as she kicks his legs out from under him, knocking him off his prized vessel. Calico’s crew accepts Nomad & Dog as their new leaders as they sail off for much needed leisure.

JULY 2019 I BLUEBLOOD
Guava Passion Fruit Slushie Gose

Awakening from shipwreck after losing the battle, the crew finds themselves underwater. They open their eyes in shock, staring at a large, glowing octopus named Blueblood. He has granted them the ability to temporarily breathe underwater as he moves backwards to reveal a large treasure chest. It opens, revealing a small vial of liquid that would change their fate forever…

JUNE 2019 I BON VOYAGE
Pineapple Raspberry Slushie Gose

After weeks at sea, Nomad, Dog and their ragtag crew of pirates and misfits see what appears to be another sloop in the distance. As it approaches them a large, tattered flag is raised showing a bear’s face. The crew screams in terror as they realize they are about to face the treacherous Los Osos. Bracing herself, Nomad accepts her role as captain and orders the crew to go full sail and face the ship swiftly approaching them.

MARCH 2019 I EMPRESS’S DAUGHTER
Strawberry Mochi Cider

Nomad and dog arrive on Antheia, a garden world that has long prospered with its plentiful blossoms and fruits. Upon entering the royal citadel, it is clear that everything is in a state of disarray. Nomad is told that the Empress’s husband had recently passed away from illness, and the Princess, unprepared for the death, was particularly distraught. She made a hasty deal with a witch, who promised her twice her normal lifespan, in exchange for pardon from her previous malfeasance. Nomad and dog enter the quarters to see the Princess trapped in a magic sphere where she exists at half the speed of the world around her. Moving in slow-motion, she cries out in a low voice to her mother. The Empress, wiping away tears, asks Nomad and dog if they would help her daughter.

APRIL 2019 I BLOSSOM OF REMORESE
Apricot Mochi Cider

The empress explains to nomad that the only known way to reverse the witch’s spell is to find a rare flower - the metaméleia, or blossom of remorse. The once-common flower was over-harvested and is now only rarely found amongst fields of a copycat flower that evolved to mimic its appearance. The empress shows nomad and dog a used, dried specimen and has them note the details - the metaméleia has an inner circle of 3 pedals, and an outer circle of 5, whereas the copycat has only 4. Nomad and dog join the dozens of citizens out in the vast wildflower fields to search for the blossom. Hours become days without any success, and bleak hopelessness begins to set in.

MAY 2019 I FRUITS OF FAVOR
Peach Mochi Cider

Dog suddenly goes into high alert and darts off in a hurried pace. Nomad encourages Dog as he sniffs around, and within no time, they’ve found it: the elusive Metaméleia. Nomad shoots a flare into the sky, and they are finally picked up by the royal scouts. Upon their return, the precious blossom is infused into a magic tonic and given to the empress’s daughter. Thankfully, the spell is lifted and the princess is restored. As a token of her gratitude, the princess presents Nomad and Dog with a bounty of exotic alien fruit to nourish them on their future travels.

DEC 2018 I SHADOWS & SNAKES
Bourbon Maple Raspberry Cider

Nomad & Dog decide to relax and take a weekend retreat at a mansion in Cryptos- a captivating nearby town with a murky history. Upon their first night stay, they hear a rattling noise from the basement and discover it’s coming from a decayed ouija board with message already drafted for them: NOW WE BEGIN. Suddenly the walls are covered in snakes, slithering their way down. The planchette moves around the board spelling out: PLAY THEM SOMETHING NICE AND FAST. A flute appears in the box as Nomad quickly reaches for it, in attempt to not ‘hiss’ these guys off.

JAN 2019 I PORTALS OF DREAD
Bourbon Chocolate Cherry Cider

The ground violently shakes beneath Nomad & Dog. The room seems to expand around them: Parts of the walls crumble as openings are made to resemble portals. There are three total, each filled with a different horror: flames, horrendous spikes, and slime-covered tentacles. The ouija planchette moves swiftly across the cursed board: 'Fear the unknown-embrace it to survive'. As Nomad biggest fear is fire, the duo rushes through the flaming portal as the smoke envelops them...

FEB 2019 I PHANTOM CARRIAGE
Bourbon Vanilla Blueberry Cider

Nomad and Dog appear in the foyer of the mansion, unscathed from the flaming portal and bolt towards the front door. As Dog and Nomad step outside, a curious-looking faun stands beside a carriage drawn by an elephant. The faun promises a swift and safe journey from the treacherous place in exchange for the duo regaling the trials they faced inside the portals. They take the faun up on his offer, leaving cryptos and its dark secrets behind.