Salt of Erenth Volume 1: Injectables

From the scribbings of Whatkin, a Master Herbalist and member of the Healers, Chemists and Surgeons Guild of Peakshadow; a renown chemist, royal druggist and noble apothecary.

To the various and sundry students of the subject of poisons.

While poison is frequently sought to treat infestations of every sort, and sought by common housewives and nobles, alike. It is most curiously often requested of my shop by those adventuring sorts who turn up now and again asking one of three questions: How much will poison cost me, how effective will this poison be against such-and-such a creature; and last but not least, will you make me a poison like that which some creature used against me?

The first thing to recognize is that each and every poison may be classified using my system of chemical analysis, into one of 22 basic formulas. These range from simple insecticide to those which cause pain, blindness, paralysis and death. Each of those 22 may be further classified by the delivery mechanism which is used -- I regard that there are four, but will only speak openly of three.

For purposes of this system I will turn my attention to Injectables. Injectables are those which must, by some means, be excreted into the bloodstream or profuse flesh of the intended victim. In the wild this is often done by the fangs or barbs of one creature or another. Some needles are known to exist for this purpose, but are not in common use outside of tattoo parlors of seaports and the healing huts of Eastrun. Sellswords and other men of ill repute have been known to coat their weapon blades with poisons classified as injectables. Those foolish souls will find that their efficacy is halved and that they have a round or two before such a substance in the open air is rendered inert. On the other hand, in a pinch, most injectables may be consumed as a ingestible and also have about half the effect, without being rendered inert by drying.

I have assigned poison types A-F  and O, P, Q to this branch of injectables. Type A being the least lethal known with an onset time up to a half hour and E or F being immediately fatal to all but the hardiest of bodies. Type O is a paralytic, Type P is a debilitator and Type Q causes blindness.

Purchased on the Open Market I have set pricing for my most reliable concoctions as follows:

• Type A (10 crowns)
• Type B (50 crowns)
• Type C (100 crowns)
• Type D (500 crowns)
• Type E (1000 crowns)
• Type F (2000 crowns)
• Type O (1500 crowns)
• Type P (1500 crowns)
• Type Q (1500 crowns)