Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane is a beautiful but poisonous flowering perennial plant that is steeped in superstition and lore. The flower is recognisable by its helmet-like petal arrangement. Wolfsbane grows in mountain forests where local communities associate it with death, rebirth, divination, and transfiguration, including a contradictory relationship whereby it is believed to both inhibit physical transformations and also transmit lycanthropy, a curse characterised by forced transformations. As a result of this association with death and rebirth in particular, wolfsbane is used in funeral rites in its native regions, typically the Mournful Howl Rite. Wolfsbane is also an important flower to worshippers of Allyce, Espo, Mordis, Norac, and Noira. Wolfsbane is a favourite flower for bees to visit.
Individuals suffering from wolfsbane poisoning can be identified by their extremely cold extremities and numbness around the mouth.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Wolfsbane is a 50-150cm tall flower with dark green leaves.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Level 1 Properties

Repel lycanthropes (aura)
Repel vampires (aura)
Attract insects (aura)
Repel venomous creatures (aura)
Acid damage (touch, lycanthropes only)

Level 2 Properties

Apneic (consume)
Inflict wound level (consume)
Paralyse (consume)
Damage constitution (consume)
Damage perception (consume)
Damage HP (consume)
Sprout fur or feathers (consume)
Ants beneath the skin (consume)
Damage strength (consume)
Damage balance (consume)
Silence (consume)
Transmit lycanthropy (consume)
Hallucinate (incense and consume)
Empower mysticism magic (incense)
Commune with spirits (incense)

Level 5 Properties

Cure poison
Paralyse

Level 6 Properties

Fortify constitution
Restore HP
Cleanse
Restore wound levels
Cure burn
Resist disease

Level U Properties

Transform into a spider
Fortify wisdom

Level S Properties

Prevent magical or lycanthropic transformation (1 required for Shapeshifter's Bane)
Fly (1 required for Flying Ointment)
Damage HP
Hallucinate
Invisibility (1 required for Invisibility Potion)
Remove self-destructive compulsions (1 required for Removal of Bad Habits)

Compounds

• Paralytic Purger (level 5)
• Paralytic Poison (level 5 with sandbath)
• Orvietan (level 5 with sandbath)
• Counterirritant tonic tincture (level 6)
• Wisdom of the web (level U)
• Elixir of wisdom (level U with sandbath)
• Flying Ointment (level S)
• Shapeshifter's Bane (level S)
• Invisibility Potion (level S)
• Removal of Bad Habits (level S)

Geology & Geography

Wolfsbane grows in temperate, mountainside woods where there is ample rain. It prefers damp, shady areas. It is also grown in gardens by those who want to keep lycanthropes away. Its native range includes:

• Athium
• Saccos, specifically in the mountain forest on the Saccos-Decas border
• Decas
• Dratoran Isles, specifically the Susurr and Aetheran regions.

Origin & Source

Wolfsbane originally grew from patches of ground where cerberus saliva landed.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Common folk grow wolfsbane as a repellant against lycanthropes and other shapeshifting creatures. It is also used by those in rural communities to lace wolf bait in the interest of exterminating these predators if they threaten livestock. When dried, wolfsbane can be used as horse fodder. Those of a particularly brave disposition even use it to hunt large prey such as whales and bears, despite the fact that the poison is potent enough to potentially intoxicate the meat.
As a medicinal ingredient, wolfsbane is used in the production of arthritis treatment and soothing compresses for bites and stings.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Despite its apparent properties of repelling and inhibiting shapeshifters, wolfsbane is considered a cultural symbol of transfiguration and lycanthropy, and is believed to be the source, as well as the bane, of lycanthropes.
Due to its association with death and rebirth, wolfsbane is a key feature of funeral rites in regions it is native to.
Wolfsbane is associated with divination as a consequence of its use in making narcotic spiritual incense.
Delivering a single wolfsbane flower to an individual is considered a coded warning that a deadly foe is nearby.

Refinement

The whole wolfsbane plant can be used for various effects, and thus is often harvested in its entirety. However, the root is the most useful part and is often separated after harvesting.

Manufacturing & Products

• Pesticides and repellants
• Bite and sting ointments
• Arthritic medicines
• Diuretics
• Fever medicines
• Anti-inflammatory medicines
• Respiratory medicines
• Poisons
• Psychoactive drugs

Byproducts & Sideproducts

• Queen of poison (failed level 5, successful at level 4)

Hazards

Wolfsbane is notoriously poisonous. Ingesting any part of the plant without exceptionally intricate alchemical processing will cause serious internal damage to the imbiber, along with paralysis and visual impairment. In the event of wolfsbane poisoning an antidote made from goblin's glove can be used to treat it.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Wolfsbane is an extremely rare exotic ingredient due to its wide-scale outlawing and persecution at the hands of fearful folk. It is typically only sold by a very small number of expert alchemists.

Law & Regulation

Whilst growing wolfsbane around rural farms is often within the bounds of the law, most mountain-dwelling cities have outlawed growing wolfsbane within the city walls without specific writs entitling its growth, transport, and safe use. This is due to its extremely deadly qualities and effectiveness as a poison. Typically, writs are only extended to trusted alchemists and monster hunters.

Wb

Type

Biomaterial

Value

12 silver pennies

Rarity

Ωs-tier ingredient

Odor

Odourless

Taste

Bitter, causing a burning sensation and then followed by numbing of the mouth.

Color

Blue and purple flowers with dark green leaves

Common State

Wolfsbane is almost always found as a flowering plant.