Alcohol
Roll the dice to see if I'm getting drunk! — Dead Alewives D&D sketch.
Alcohol
In alcohol cultures, the term alcohol originally refereed to the primary alcohol ethyl alcohol (ethanol), the dominating alcohol in alcoholic beverages. However, since then, other alcohols have been identified, including the secondary alcohol isopropanol, and the tertiary alcohol tert-Amyl alcohol. Nowadays, the term alcohol in this context instead refers to the alcohol as a drug family (chemical class). It is a colorless, odorless liquid well known for it's intoxicating effects on carbon based life-forms.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing. It is medically considered a disease, specifically an addictive illness. In psychiatry several other terms have been used, specifically "alcohol abuse", "alcohol dependence," and "alcohol use disorder" which have slightly different definitions.
Alcohol Table
| Drinks in a row | Will Save | If failed will save Effected by | Duration | Addiction Rating |
| 1st | DC:2 | Spell: Dazed | 1d4 (- Con modifier) hours | Negligible |
| 2nd | DC:4 | spell: Charm person “drinking buddy” | 1d4+1 (- Con modifier) hours | Low |
| 4th | DC:8 | spell: Tasha’s hideous laughter | 1d4+2 (- Con modifier) hours | Low |
| 6th | DC:16 | spell: Suggestion “in trusted person” | 2d4+ (- Con modifier) hours | Medium |
| 8th | DC:32 | spell: Confusion | 3d4+ (- Con modifier) hours | Medium |
| 10th | DC:64 | spell: Modify memory “blackout” | 4d4+ (- Con modifier) hours | High |
| 12th | DC:128 | spell: Geas/ quest “get another drink” | Intel unconsciousness | High |
| 14th | DC:256 | spell: Insanity | Permanent | Extreme |
Drink Size Table
| Creature Size | 1 drink Weight |
| Fine | 1/1024 lb. |
| Diminutive | 1/64 lb. |
| Tiny | 1/16 lb. |
| Small | 1/4 lb. |
| Medium | 1 lb. |
| Large | 4 lb. |
| Huge | 16 lb. |
| Gargantuan | 64 lb. |
| Colossal | 1024 lb. |
Alcohol Poisoning
As with all drugs and poisons, alcohol abuse deals ability damage rather than hit point damage. The effects of drug addiction and a list of additional drugs can be found in the Book of Vile Darkness [1]
Creatures that are immune to Poison are immune to the effects of alcohol. A Detect Poison spell will not detect alcohol. However, a Purify Food and Drink spell will remove the alcohol from said drink
Special
For a DRUNKEN MASTER only as defined in the Complete Warrior [2]
1 drink = 1 duration of his Drink Like a Demon (Ex):
DRUNKEN MASTER at 2nd level their Stagger (Ex): ability also means they cannot be Dazed by alcohol
One of a Wu jen’s possible taboos are that they cannot drink alcohol.
Society Views on Drinking
| Elf | Elves are fully aware that they are lightweights and are very likely to say “no thank you” when offered a drink. On the very rare occasion when an elf would enjoy a drink, it would be for ceremonial purposes only. | Elven wine is always a very fine wine with a vintage of over 100 years. |
| Dwarf | Dwarves will find almost any excuse to have a drink. Whether celebrating a victory or mourning a defeat, dwarves love to drink. Because dwarves are heavyweights, it will take a large amount of alcohol to get a dwarf fully intoxicated. | Dwarven ale tastes horrible but has a high alcohol content. A human would liken the alcohol content to be along the lines of 4-5 normal drinks. |
| Halfling | Halflings do enjoy a good drink but always in moderation. Most halflings pride themselves on their knowledge of, or collection of, different types of alcoholic drinks. If a sober halfling finds a drunken halfling, he will always try to help his fellow kin to sleep it off and/or sober up. | Halfling drinks have a wide variety of colours, tastes, testers and types. |
| Orcs | Orcs drink to get as drunk as possible until they pass out on the floor, only to drink more the next day. | Depending on the setting, Orcs either do not make their own alcohol or can only make crummy grog. Warcraft-style Orcs may make some sort of simple alcohol, while LOTR Orcs can make barely drinkable grog or just steal whatever they need. |
| Human | Almost every human has a different viewpoint on drinking.
Most lawful humans view getting drink as something only someone uncivilized would do, while most chaotic humans view drinking as a way to have fun. |
Human drinks can be found in the Food, Drink, and Lodging table of the Player's Handbook |