Adviser's Ink

Adviser's ink is so named as it has been and is still used to kill many administrative officeholders.

Properties

Material Characteristics

This liquid ink appears black to the untrained eye, but is actually green when light is viewed through it.

by Morgan

Physical & Chemical Properties

Adviser's ink is a contact poison when it is wet– less than a single drop can kill a person in under ten minutes. Once dried, the ink's poisonous properties are less potent; touching the dried ink briefly can cause only paralysis of the limb, but much more than that and the natural oils of the body wet the poison to the point of complete potency.

History & Usage

History

Since its discovery, adviser's ink has been successfully collected with the wearing of thick gloves, and used by conspirators and assassins as a poisonous trap for those of the quill throughout these Circles. After the first successful assassination by way of adviser's ink, writers of all levels began to fear for their lives while making their craft; this has led to the invention of quill gloves, to protect the writers, as well as the profession of ink-testers, whose sole job is to test every bottle of ink and piece of paper for adviser's poison.

Discovery

Adviser's ink was first discovered when ink was harvested from a newly-arrived group of ink birds, only for the harvesters to seize up and die during the process.

Everyday use

Adviser's ink can be used as normal ink, but it is highly avoided due to the lethal result of touching it.

Refinement

Immediately after being collected from ink birds, adviser's ink is ready for use, but it is generally allowed to sit in the open to vent away any undesirable fumes, similar to the process for ink from normal ink birds.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Due to the danger posed by procurement and transport, adviser's ink is collected only by highly skilled ink harvesters, and bought only by assassins and idiots who don't ask why the price is so high. Generally, the harvesters will only go after adviser's ink by special request and with an advance payment.

Storage

Adviser's ink is stored in glass drams, covered with a tightly-fitting metal top.

Law & Regulation

Though there is no explicit ban on the collection and use of adviser's ink as an ink, if anyone dies from it (in liquid or written form) then a "murderer" will be found and charged.

Type

Biomaterial

Value

A single dram (2 dr) of adviser's ink can cost between one and four chevrons.

Rarity

Adviser's ink is extremely rare.

Odor

None

Taste

Light bitter taste

Color

Dark green

Common State

Liquid

Related Species

• Ink Bird

Related Professions

• Ink-tester