Socrates' Cup

Origin
Socrates was an Athenian philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. He is an enigmatic figure known chiefly through the accounts of classical writers, especially the writings of his students Plato and Xenophon and the plays of his contemporary Aristophanes. In his student Plato’s dialogues, Socrates is renowned for his ideas on ethics and what is now known as the Socratic method, a way of arguing to disprove a side’s validity, usually through their own contradictions.

Although praised as the wisest by the Oracle of Delphi, prominent Athenians found him more of a nuisance. He fully believed that although intelligent, nobody, including himself, could be considered wise. These remarks along with praise of rival city-state Sparta stung the citizens, who called for his punishment. Although he had the option to flee, he instead decided to stay and drink poisonous hemlock. One of his points was the belief that departure would disprove the social contract he had agreed to with the city’s laws, and in effect, his whole philosophy.

Effects
Holding up with both hands increases the user’s knowledge and scientific curiosity. Using only one hand deploys only about half as much vigor, while sharing between multiple people will share the intellect evenly. The cup can only affect a person once, and they are unable to switch positions. Liquids poured into the cup become hemlock.