Ramesses II’s Tankard

Origins
Ramesses II was the third pharaoh of the nineteenth dynasty in ancient Egypt. Ramesses was one of the most powerful and celebrated pharaohs in Egyptian history, reasserting dominance in Canaan and sending expeditions into the rich land of Nubia. He took place in the throne in his late teens. The early part of his reign focused on building cities and constructing monuments and temples to fill them.

During his fifth year of regnal rule, he fought the Battle of Kadesh. It was against the Hittites in Syria, where Ramesses tried and failed to expand Egypt’s borders and take over their prized city like his father had done so in the past. It was a major loss, where Ramesses was lucky his entire army was not slaughtered. Afterwards, he lied to his people about how decisive the battle was, when it was actually a terrible defeat.

Effects
Whomever drinks from the cup will be able to say any lie believably for a certain amount of time, no matter how far-fetched it sounds. After the time limit has run out, the person who drank from the cup will lose his credibility of telling the truth, even though people will still believe the lie he told.