Periccus vine
For many years, the Periccus vine had been considered little more than a pest; and a dangerous one at that. However, modern advances in herbalism and alchemy have proven that this weed does have some use, after all.
Full Description
The Periccus vine is widely regarded as a weed. It is largely regarded as a hinderance, due to its tendency to grow up the trunk of one tree, and branch out to several others, creating an awkward web. It's vines are very tough, and require a good hacking with a machette to break through.
The leaves of the Periccus vine are flat and large, and ingesting them is almost always fatal: They are extremely toxic.
Up until recently, the Periccus vine had been considered nothing more than a pest; however herbalists have recently found a potent use for it.
If one crushes two milligrams of Periccus leaf in one litre of water, then boils it for ten minutes, the liquid made is able to be ingested without the outcome of death; the benefits of this drink is quite potent.
Whoever drinks this Periccus water will soon feel numb at their extremities, and before long they will become extremely disoriented. About ten minutes after drinking it, the drinker will lapse into a hibernative/coma like state. While in this state, they will - for all intents and purposes - appear dead: Their heart will only beat once or twice in a minute, and they will breathe as often. Their body temperature will lower to luke-warm, and they will not respond to any sort of interaction. This coma-like state endures for no less than 36 hours (The longest known time that someone has awoken after bieng in this coma is 112 hours).
When the drinker awakens from this hibernation, they will notice their senses have been phenominally improved: They will be able to see in the dark as though it were day; their sense of smell, taste and hearing will be as potent as a wolf, and they would be able to feel a mosquito alight on their skin before it even begins drinking. This effect of increased senses lasts for as long as the drinker was in their coma.
The current theory behind this boost to the senses is that during the coma the body actually loses all sense of smell, taste, sight, hearing and touch, and when they awaken, the body works at a highly increased rate to catch up. This is only the current theory, however, and more studies are taking place.
Additional Information
The Periccus water, also known as 'Reaper's Tea' or the more quaint 'Numb drink', can be used as a method of feigning death; as the drink causes the user to fall in a death-like state.
The 'Reaper's Tea' can be found pre-mixed in vials in the occasional shop, but it is highly recommended not to purchase the drink pre-made. Due to the danger of the Periccus toxins, if the Tea has not been properly made, it can cause severe side effects. Also, if the vial is not sealed properly, and some of the liquid within has evaporated due to long shelf-life, then the solution may be too strong, and this too, may cause dangerous problems.
It is recommended that only the most skilled of herbalists and alchemists attempt to make this drink.
Side effects can range from temporary or permanent loss of one or more of the five senses, and of course, death.
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? Responses (8)
A nice twist on the 'fake death' drug and 'heightened awareness' drug.
Pretty good sub, I'd like to see a little more background or plot ideas with it.
Needs a little more spellchecking.
I like it, and could see a suitably twisted individual spiking drinks with distillate of this vine, bringing home victims who will be hypersensitive to his 'tender' ministrations. Twisted evil aside, this has many potential uses, an anesthetic for the badly injured, something to put into a drinking water supply to knock everyone in a isolated locale out. Not being specifically a poison, a detect poison spell might not even notice it.
I like it too-something that can be used for both good and evil, as well as something that can harm by mistake.
Actually, they are poison, in larger doses than a few miligrams (what a simple, and very complicated method of preparation at the same time, btw). I would think that consuming it in larger quantities would make the stomach revolt instantly, or make the body react in a different way - otherwise you have a poison any assassin would gladly use, the plant likely being destroyed wherever it grows.
As for the senses, is there not a threat that stronger stimuli could overwhelm the imbiber?
Yes, Manfred: At the very least, I can see insomnia bieng a side-effect of this, as the slightest sound or touch will rouse people. They may find the senses painful; bright lights will probably hurt their eyes, loud noises their ears.
But once they are used to it, I can see people becoming addicted to this drug, because once the effects wear off, everything will seem much duller and less grand.
Perhaps it is a little overpowered in the sense that it's nearly an insta-kill in larger doses, however as the GM, you are more than welcome to change that to suit your roleplay.
I could see a mythical group that utilizes this 'drug'.
Assassins in laying 'in state' in casket like arrangements. They have stayed there for so long that they are pale, gaunt, and body is contorted. They are immune to pain. They have enhanced senses beyond what would you expect. They are also lightning quick, as they are not distracted by the trivial details of regular life. They slowly become monsters over the decades, if not centuries. Hmmm. Something for someone to do.
What does this vine look like?