Boralus, Upton Borough – A peculiar crime was reported over the weekend, leaving locals scratching their heads. The popular tavern "The Groggery" in Upton Borough became the scene of an unusual theft, as two crates of the rare and costly "Dalaran Red" wine seemingly vanished without a trace. According to staff and management, there were no signs of forced entry, no broken locks, and no disturbances—only the undeniable absence of the prized vintage.
The theft was reported after Mr. Zebedeeh Molton, one of The Groggery’s managers, noticed the missing crates early Sunday morning. Molton confirmed the inventory discrepancy and stated that authorities were notified promptly. Petty Officer Seagraves of the harbour guard unit took the report early Sunday. However, given the lack of evidence, the case remains murky.
“We’re as baffled as anyone,” Molton told
The Lion’s Roar. “The crates were securely stored, and there’s nothing out of place.” He declined to speculate further, but his frustration was evident.
The wine in question, Dalaran Red, holds a storied legacy tied to the former magical city of Dalaran. Produced in limited quantities before the city's tumultuous fall, the vintage has become a collector’s item, and some connoisseurs claim it’s even been imbued with magical undertones. Dr. Thaddeus Emberwhisk, a wine historian and reputed expert on Dalaran wines, notes that the scarcity of Dalaran Red has driven prices skyward, drawing buyers with deep pockets and, occasionally, questionable motives. “Dalaran Red isn’t just wine,” Dr. Emberwhisk explained. “It’s a relic, a piece of history with magical allure. There’s a growing cultish fascination with it in certain circles, and its rarity has given it an almost addictive charm.”
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Rumors circulating the city claim that some mages of the Kirin Tor have taken an intense interest in the wine. Emberwhisk speculates that this may be more than just idle chatter. “There’s talk that some mages exhibit behavior akin to the Nightborne’s dependence on arcwine,” he says. “Though I believe it to be a psychological craving rather than a physical one—Dalaran Red has become a symbol of a vanished age, and for some, that’s difficult to let go of.”
But not everyone is convinced a theft took place at all. Among the whispers of missing magic and phantom thieves, some skeptics suggest it might be a scheme by the tavern’s staff to turn a quick profit in the lucrative black market of rare spirits. “I know those folks down at The Groggery,” counters longtime patron Elara Bitterclove. “If they’re saying it’s missing, it’s missing. Maybe some mage decided to poof it away for a midnight drink.”
As the investigation continues, questions hang over Upton Borough. Was the theft the work of a teleporting thief with a taste for fine wine? Or does the mystery lie closer to home? Whatever the case, Boralus remains on the lookout for any sight—or taste—of the elusive Dalaran Red.