Let's Do Drugs

[Macabre]

I haven't really looked into it much around the forums yet, but only because I figured this was such a trivial manner that it wouldn't even necessarily ever be officially mentioned in any permanent information threads. But, anyway, do the people of Althanas have any special alias for Cocaine (or any other drug that we commonly know of), or would that be something left to me, the writer? Do they even exist?

On that same note, would there be any sort of prohibition of the use of such things, or would it just be greatly frowned upon? Or maybe it's, yet again, left to me to decide?

In an effort to support 016573's idea, here a sort of drug reference and their effects (save for the common drugs most people should know of) for others based on what I've heard:

Mind Dust (similar to cocaine).

Cigarettes.

"Radasanthian Reefer" (marijuana).

Tobacco and pipe smoking.

Lawrence Spades. A man, rather than an ingested chemical. Presence alone induces a sense of absolute joy and euphoria, addictive.

Skrit. Mixed chemicals that the user snorts, doubling their strength and numbing the body from pain. Brief, incredibly addictive, and induces minor hallucinations.

Spatsy. Snorted like Skrit. An even more potent hallucinogen that enables the user to move faster, their adrenaline making it seem as if time was going slower. Lasts even more briefly than Skrit, and addictive, but not as addictive.

Glass. A glittery mix that has little to none known physical or psychological side effects. Addictive, and the ingredients to make it can only be found in Fallien.

Third Eye. A gummy substance that the user chews. A recently found drug that was otherwise never really known, with an addiction rate that varies with the individual. Of Akashiman origin, and illegal to the general public. To the common man it is an extreme hallucinogen that induces visions beyond normal comprehension, often times driving people mad depending on how much is used, though these visions only last a brief period of time. To those knowledgeable, Third Eye is mainly used by Akashiman Spirit Warders (in very small doses) to allow them to view the supernatural. One cannot forget what they see, save for severe cases of amnesia.

Belladonna. An herb that the user smokes. Belladonna is a severe hallucinogenic toxin that can be used as both a medicine and a poison, depending on the user's intentions. A myriad of symptoms result from use of this, including blurred vision and loss of balance as well. Though due to the vivid hallucinations, varying with dosage, some people use this as a recreational drug.

Quick Silver. Comes in the form of cigarettes, mixed with a blend of four distinct ingredients: Ground root from a red wood tree that must be harvested on a full moon, red petals from an Akashiman Blue Rose, Black petals of a White Orchid Flower, and the new shoots of a petrified tree. It is not very addictive, however the result of smoking Quick Silver heightens the user's adrenaline in such an extreme fashion that it allows them to move twice as fast for a short period of time, and such an effect could be mentally addicting. The method for creating Quick Silver has ever been a mystery despite the ingredients being passed on easily. Most of the time the drug is simply pawned off in Bazaars.

If you have something you want to add for future reference, let me know. I figure it would add another dynamic to our role playing to see people and the characters they create using similar and commonly known drugs where applicable, rather than coming up with your own varieties for each scenario.

[Breaker]

It's pretty much all up to you. But hey - let's turn this thread into a resource of Althanas' narcotics. Anyone used special substances in your threads? Post 'em here.

Personally I've only used earth-based drugs and just found obvious names for them... and one time I had an NPC sellin powdered sugar bearing a happiness charm or something.

The only region I know that has any official prohibition is Fallien, and they prohibit just about everything.

[Knave]

Law's body in both sweat and smell produces an addictive sense of euphoria. I haven't made the best use of the ability, yet, but in terms of service, Lawrence Spades is drugs. All the negative side effects might just be a product of getting to know him.

[Macabre]

I like that!

I've made my character with a quaint addiction to a drug I've dubbed "Mind Dust", which has similar effects to cocaine though I did tweak some things. I'm sure some of you will know that Mind Dust isn't actually very original, but oh well.

[Rayse Valentino]

Rayse is addicted to cigarettes, not really what you would call a hard drug but there you go.

[Yari Rafanas]

I've seen several profiles reference weed (or at least an Althanas equivalent.) but always by some silly weed name, like Radasanthian Reefer. That one's either from Kastira or Numbers guy.

[Macabre]

I took to editing my main post with stuff you guys have mentioned. I figured it was a cool enough idea.

[Scrotus]

Here you go ese. (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?3223-Paz-Level-Zero) One of Manda's old characters (I think) that was a drug dealer.

Three drugs listed on the bottom of that profile.

[Knave]

Seeing as I have every intention of situation Lawrence in something like an opium den, I'd like Lawrence Spades added to the list. Drugs are drugs, no matter how sentient they are.

[Macabre]

Absolutely. Glad to see people willing to contribute.

[Lord Anglekos]

Hell. I'll post in this for shits and giggles.

"Third Eye" - While the drug has just recently come out into the general, public view, it has always been around. Originating from Akashima, Third Eye was originally used as a way for Spirit Warders to greatly improve their Sight abilities for a brief period of time - to the point that even those without any spiritual "eye" would be able to see into the realm of the supernatural for a time, as if they too possessed the 'Sight'. However, due to the fact that this would often cause users to go insane, Third Eye was disbanded from the public use and users of the True Sight would regulate it to Spirit Warders only, in small amounts.
However, a recent outbreak of Third Eye drug distributions to the public has caused wonder as to the intentions of the Akashiman Spirit Warders, and several gangs have formed to control the illegal distribution.

Effect: Allows user to possess a "Third Eye" for a short period of time, allowing them to see into the supernatural plane and adopt the True Sight, whereupon anything they see they cannot forget, ever, save a total case of amnesia.
Rarity: Uncommon - Rare. Recent outbreaks in Corone and Radasanth have made it easier to find at this point.
Application: Third Eye is a solid, gummy substance that is chewed, and upon chewing it releases endorphins to the consumer's brain, which allows it to temporarily increase activity and unlock True Sight. The effect lasts for the time spent consuming, and generally ten to twenty minutes past that, depending on the amount consumed.
Harmful Effects/Addiction Rate: While not being directly harmful to a person's body, the sights the "average" individual can see with True Sight often drive them insane with time as they cannot "unSee" what has been Seen with True Sight, if they are not trained to handle such. As it is, the addiction rate can also vary with the individual, but generally has a moderate (couple times a week) to extreme (at least once a day) rate.

[Wynken]

Wynken smokes various herbs wrapped in parchment paper. I haven't spent any time in developing it as a major motif, but it's likely atropa belladonna or some similarly poisonous herb that he smokes and I'd like to eventually use it as more of a defining trait or plot point.

[Macabre]

When I first saw "third eye", my gutter mind went below the belt.

[Lord Anglekos]

When I first saw "third eye", my gutter mind went below the belt.
You douchebag.

[Macabre]

I got you too, Wynken. He does know that belladonna ain't good for him though, right?

[Wynken]

I got you too, Wynken. He does know that belladonna ain't good for him though, right?

The way I see it, he could either develop some kind of condition or an immunity. In reality, it's a potent hallucinogen, so the fact that he smokes it and performs in any capacity makes me lean toward the fact that he's at least somewhat immune.

He's an assassin, so I'd eventually like to play on the fact that he knows a thing or two about herbalism and poisons.

[Hysteria]

Talen smokes cigarettes made from 'mysterious herbs' that doubles his speed for four posts. I never really went into what the herbs were, and Talen wouldn't know (he bought it in the bazaar). He bought a cigarette case that was enchanted to produce one such cigarette each day. If I was to quickly come up with something:

Quick Silver:
This is a particular mix of four plants, that when dried and smoked in cigarette increased the speed of the user. In itself Quick Silver is not addictive, but those who consume the drug will often yearn to feel the exhilaration of moving so quickly. How the drug is created is a mystery, although the ingredients and method for combining them are freely passed on, it seems impossible to make.

Ingredients:
The ground root of a Red Wood tree, harvested during a full moon.
Red petals from the Akashima Blue Rose.
Black petals of the White Orchid flower.
New shoots from a petrified tree.

I could explain how one gets all those, but I wont :D

[The International]

I just imagine that all the plants we have in the real world they'd have somewhere on Althanas. I also have this huge book of symbolism, and many plants in human history were once believed to have special powers. For example, the pomegranate was considered an aphrodisiac because the many seeds on its inside represented fertility. Technically it isn't an aphrodisiac. It doesn't cause the chemical reactions needed to arouse a someone, but if I had a character eating one on Althanas... you bet your ass they'd get horny.

[Macabre]

Yeah, you're right. I just figured that whatever such plants and drugs we may have, could be termed something different here on Althanas. A common reference guide might be nice so people don't have to keep coming up with new names for their herbs and drugs.

[Cyrus the virus]

Cool thread. I've been thinking of making a new character and reincarnating Luc, this would help with the idea I have.

[orphans]

Are we only putting in drugs or are herbs or other uses allowed? If so, I can ask my mother more about the wild herbs and such that she learned about from her mother and grandmother. As well as edible plants, trees and such. Only issues is, I don't know how to translate the names over to English.

For example, I have a tree with edible leaves growing in my backyard, but there is a more common variant with the exact same leaves that is slightly toxic. The only difference is the smell of the leaves when crushed.

[Macabre]

No, that's perfect stuff for me to catalog. Interesting flora and fauna that can be used both medicinally to heal or poisonously to harm, or even just ingredients that alter something in some way. It would be nice to see people incorporating these kinds of things into their stories more, and actually trees like that could easily add some special flair to a character's jaunt through their local forest. And on that note, would be nice to see people using common things more often.

[Yari Rafanas]

Windlacer: Can Yari just get stoned with Relt?
professorhapple: that would be
professorhapple: AWESOME
Windlacer: He'll have flashbacks to Kade (Kastira) offering him drugs in the Facade.
professorhapple: hugs not drugs
professorhapple: d.a.r.e.
Windlacer: He was a good kid back then.
professorhapple: not like now
professorhapple: now he'd probably snort a line of an orc's boner
professorhapple: off of
Windlacer: o_o
professorhapple: off of an orc's boner
professorhapple: i wouldn't want you to misinterpret my orc boner joke

[mikelawson]

i wouldn't want you to misinterpret my orc boner joke

[orphans]

I'm going to start adding tidbits of what I remember offhand, probably just one at a time... oh and google helps me in translating the names over to English! I'll put a quick blurb of uses, as those who are interested can look it up (since it's a real plant.)

Shepard's Purse ( Ji Cai ) - an edible plant and medicinal herb that grows nearly anywhere in temperate climates or areas with a growing season. The taste can be described to having a subtle sweet taste and cooling of the body. Medicinally, it is used to help reduce inflammation of the liver, stop bleeding and help improve eyesight.

In Althanas terms, probably more native to regions along the same temperate zone as Corone, maybe present in Salvar, but not as plentiful and only during summer. Not sure if it'd be in Fallien at all though. Could be crushed and applied as a tincture to external wounds with a clean bandage and supplement a traveler's diet through foraging.

In real life, I cook with it :D! though... gathering it is always kinda awkward because it looks like I'm... digging up random plants from the grass and putting it into bags >_>. Most people have actually seen these plants and think they're weeds. Growth wise, they're slightly aggressive and can grow almost anywhere (had one growing on an old windowsill once.)

The seeds can be gathered, but cultivated ones aren't as fragrant in flavor or as robust as wild ones.