Thornstem

Thornstem is a highly potent drug found in northern Hrundar. Named for it's thorny exterior, the true drug is a jelly like substance that relieves pain and can induce psychedelic illusions. Originally used as a medicine in Ascor, it has found a strong foothold in Ruitis as a hard drug, leading the nobility to call for it's prohibition.

History

February 22nd, 372 ME- Thornstem is first sold in Ruitis: On February 22nd, 372 ME, the Ascorian ship Fanged Flower ported in the Kingdom of Ruitis. Under the guidance of the Serpent's Way, the ship was stocked with wood and crops from Ascor. While ported, a Ruitis artesian named Rennith Krow noticed the crew ingesting Thornstem and inquired on it's purpose. After trying some himself, the artesian bought the rest of the Thornstem and offered the crew 30 sp if they returned a month later with more Thornstem. The captain of this vessel agreed and the ship departed for Ascor
March 27th, 372 ME- Formation of the Krow Drug Company: The Fanged Flower returns to Ruitis and meets Rennith Krow once more. After travelling to Rue, the captain of the Fanged Flower and Krow obtained a hefty loan with the Fanged Flower and Krow's artesian business as collateral. Krow then began the Krow Drug Company, importing Thornstem from Ascor and selling them to the citizens of Ruitis.

Significance

Abuse in Ruitis: Following it's introduction in Ruitis, overuse of the drug quickly became an epidemic level issue. The low price of the drug paired with it's stress relieving effect made Thornstem a popular pastime of the lower class of Rue. Reports suggest upwards of 90% of the lower class ingested Thornstem regularly, with the average age to begin being as low as 8 years old. As the popularity of Thornstem increased, deaths did as well. At the time, a single hit of Thornstem could be as much as 2 sp, a high price for the lower class of Rue. Addicted citizens would buy Thornstem over food, not realizing they were starving due to the drugs highly relaxing effects. As the bodies began to pile up and workers failed to arrive at work, the nobility called for the prohibition of the drug. Krow's Drug Company, not wanting to lose their most valued product, set new regulations when selling their product, which included age requirements to buy the plant and less exportation to the lower class areas of Rue. These changes lowered the deaths, however to this day Thornstem is a major contributor for the class disparity in Rue.

Item type

Drug / Narcotic / Medicine

Current Location

Hrundar

Rarity

In Nature: Thornstem can be uncommonly found in northern Hrundar growing in small patches. Requiring little light, gatherers look under thick canopies or damp caves for the plant.
Farming: Thornstem is a mass produced crop in Ascor with entire tribes being dedicated to growing, exporting, and selling the crop. Normally grown in damp caves near waterfalls or streams, the plant's fast growth allows tribes to sell hundreds if not thousands of pounds per plot per month. This mass production has had negative effects on the value of the plant, however it has also had extremely positive effects on "naturally grown" Thornstem, with a pound selling for upwards of 2 gp in some areas.

Base Price

3 cp