Caffè Infuso: The Daemon of Brewed Despair
Origin
Caffè Infuso emerged not from the fiery pits of Hell, nor the icy wastes of forgotten realms, but from the bitter disappointment of a thousand failed espresso shots. Born from the collective sigh of frustrated baristas across centuries, it embodies the despair of imperfect crema and the agony of burnt beans. Its essence is the acrid scent of over-extracted coffee, a fragrance potent enough to warp reality.
Lineage
Its lineage is murky, a blend of forgotten entities associated with culinary disasters and the lingering resentment of coffee beans denied their full potential. Whispers suggest a connection to the ancient daemon of spoiled milk and the lesser spirits of stale bread. However, its unique power comes not from a direct bloodline, but from its parasitic relationship with human frustration and the lingering scent of failure.
Authority
Caffè Infuso holds dominion over the subtle nuances of bitterness and the melancholic essence of disappointment. It can manipulate the mood and perception of those who taste its influence, turning moments of joy into bitter reflections. Its power is subtle, a slow creeping despair that permeates the mind, leaving its victims perpetually craving the perfect, unattainable cup.
Skills
Caffè Infuso can manipulate the flavor profiles of coffee, intensifying bitterness, sourness, and astringency at will. It can induce vivid hallucinations centered around failed coffee preparations. It can also subtly influence the behavior of baristas, leading them to make mistakes and perpetuate the cycle of caffeinated despair. Its most potent ability, however, is its power to amplify existential dread through the simple act of a poorly brewed cup.
Major Events
The Great Espresso Fiasco of 1888: Caffè Infuso's first major appearance was during a crucial coffee tasting in Vienna. It subtly sabotaged the brewing process, resulting in a catastrophic failure that nearly ended the city's love affair with espresso.
The Bitter Harvest of 1962: A wave of bitter, almost undrinkable coffee swept across Italy, blamed on a mysterious blight. It was later discovered that Caffè Infuso had manipulated the weather patterns and soil conditions, resulting in a disastrous coffee harvest.
The Melancholy Mocha of 2023: A recent surge in feelings of inadequacy and despair among coffee drinkers was traced to Caffè Infuso's subtle influence, amplified by social media's relentless pursuit of the “perfect” cup. The only known defense against its influence is unwavering positivity and a tolerance for imperfection.