Dhakyde

Dhakyde, commonly known as wraith, crimson death or rhedd, is a plant of the genus aconitum native to Andellion. It is the most poisonous plant on Andellion and the third most poisonous plant in the Seven Realms to current human knowledge. It has the ability to kill a grown man within two hours when a fatal dose is obtained, the fatal dose being anything between a flower when the plant is young to juice residues when the plant has matured.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Leaves of the species are dark green and are palmate with seven segments and are arranged in alternance. Stem is tall and erect and will grow in width as well as height due to the fact that Aconitum plants are dicots. Flowers are arranged in racemes and ressemble monkshood, except from the fact that the colour of the petals are a deep, blackish purple, and the fruit, which ressemble beans in structure, becomes dark red upon maturity.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Dhakyde is highly poisonous to any organism relying on vesicular transport and nervous systems to survive.

Compounds

One of the main toxic compounds in dhakyde is aconitine, a powerful neurotoxin which causes neurons to become too easily excitable, leading to seizures among other things. Dhakyde has also differentiated itself from other plants of its genus by evolving to contain fatal levels of cyanide, which cause asphyxiation of the cells by disrupting mitochondria. Other compounds are responsible for other symptoms such as generalized organ failure.

Geology & Geography

Dhakyde is a particularly robust plant that prefers partial exposure to sunlight and cooler climates. It is particularly common in mountain ranges of Andellion.

History & Usage

History

Dhakyde, commonly called rhedd in eastern Andellion, is said by legends to have been created following the gods' defeat of the great Nightwraith Bixitith, when the Nightwraith's blood fell to the ground and became the poisonous plant. Dhakyde has a rather infamous history as a poison and was used to poison water sources and famous historical figures including Kerdovan Farseer. The death of Farseer prompted Kerdovan's Watch to impose a ban on dhakyde and incite a continent-wide hunt in order to seek the eradication of the plant, with varied success. Now, dhakyde can only be found in areas untouched by men, weathering extreme conditions such as the high peaks of the Apers mountains.

Everyday use

The most common use for dhakyde is as a poison, although its fruit can also be processed into a red dye.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Was used by Norsans as a very dilute solution in order to create hallucinogenic beverages.

Manufacturing & Products

Can occasionally be used as a dye. On the black market, can be used to make Myst, a powerful psychoactive drug which is mixed with alcohol or dopamine-releasing drugs for addiciton.

Hazards

All part of the plant is extremely toxic and must be handled with care.

Environmental Impact

Toxic to wildlife, contamination of waterways can lead to localized extinction of fauna.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Found on the black market for a steep price.

Law & Regulation

Banned in all countries of Andellion, to the point that possession of dhakyde can lead to capital punishment in many countries. Most countries have policies in place to eradicate the plant.

Type

Biomaterial

Value

Expensive poison due to rarity.

Rarity

Rare.

Color

Dark purple, almost black flower and red bean-like fruit. Leaves on mature plant take on a purplish red or orange red hue.