Salt of Erenth Volume 3: Topicals

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, though I will only deal with three publicly.

For purposes of this system I will turn my attention to topicals. Topicals are those which need only touch the bare skin of any creature with a porous membrane of skin. For obvious reasons, they may also be injected or ingested.

I have assigned poison types K-N to this branch of topicals. Each of these types are death to the common man and only the strongest and greatest among us will be able to note the difference that N has over K, nevertheless it is there.

Purchased on the Open Market I have set pricing for my most effective formulas as follows:

• Type K (1000 crowns)
• Type L (2000 crowns)
• Type M (4000 crowns)
• Type N (8000 crowns)

Salt of Erenth Volume 2: Ingestibles

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 I will only deal with three.

For purposes of this system I will turn my attention to ingestibles. Ingestibles are those which must be consumed by the intended victim through the orifice used for eating. Some have attempted to inject those which are designed to traverse the digestive system and found their effectiveness halved. As for coating blades and weapons. They are completely ineffective.

I have assigned poison types G-J to this branch of ingestibles. Type G being the least lethal known with an onset time measured in hours, and J being fatal to all but the hardiest of bodies within a matter of minutes.

Purchased on the Open Market I have set pricing for my most effective formulas as follows:

• Type G (100 crowns)
• Type H (200 crowns)
• Type I (500 crowns)
• Type J (1000 crowns)

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)

The Lost Book of Whatkin

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 his eminence, the Prefect of Bolden.

I have undertaken my previous treatises on poisons and assiduously followed the advice of a man calling himself only the Grandmaster, though of what guild, I know not. For while I am a public fellow of the HC&S Guild of Peakshadow, I have never known anyone in any of the related fields who speaks of himself by this title. While he disquieted me greatly, I am not one to live in fear. Therefore, I will reveal to your investigation, the fourth branch of my system of classification and trust that it remain our little secret.

I have previously indicated that the first thing to recognize with regard to poison, is that each and every one of them may be broadly classified using my system of chemical analysis, into one of 22 basic formulas. Each of these 22 may be further classified by the delivery mechanism which is used -- I regard that there are four.

My previous works have enumerated the injectables, ingestibles, and topicals. I have purposefully left off the inhalibles and those which work by a clever combination of the topical, ingestible and inhalible.

So for purposes of this system I will turn my attention to said inhaliables. These are they which must be brought into the lungs and act by displacing good air with bad. They can be added to an open fire or even infused in candle wax.

I have assigned poison types S-V to this branch of inhalibles. Type S being the least lethal known with an onset time measured in hours, and U being fatal to all but the hardiest of bodies within a matter of minutes.

Type V is a unique three part poison, of which I am particularly fond. Any portion of this tripartite formula will not be considered poison in itself, but when mixed with the others will produce the desired effect.

Purchased on the Open Market I have set pricing for my most effective formulas as follows:

• Type S (1000 crowns)
• Type T (2000 crowns)
• Type U (5000 crowns)
• Type V (10000 crowns)