Black Dreaming

- Selling that tea cannot be legal! Look at the havoc it has wrought, and still nobody seems to think about holding those poison-peddlers responsible!
- It's not legal inside the Empire, but it's not being sold here. It's being sold abroad and brought in across the borders legally. There's nothing to be done but... treat them, as we gave oaths to do.

— Conversation between healers at Aldrock Estate

Drinking the herbal blend known as 'Black Barony Tea' is not advised by many who are aware of its origins, yet the allure of its purported mystical qualities attracts many rich, or desperate, people to partake. Under normal circumstances, and in moderation, drinking one cup of the tea is reasonably safe for an average adult humanoid. Usually this is enough to satisfy curiosity as to whether the claims of mystical qualities are true or not, and the drinker can wait an appropriate length of time before trying another cup again.

However, there are those who prepare the tea improperly or drink it too often. These people succumb to a sort of poisoning known as "black dreaming" among healers, and without prompt aid they surely perish. Even prompt and attentive aid may not be enough, sometimes, as the plants used to make Black Barony Tea are a species of the nightshade plant. Their reputation for being deadly is not unearned, even in a world where divine intervention is possible.

Causes

The most common cause of 'black dreaming' is ingesting Black Barony Tea, which derives from a nightshade plant. Most people are aware nightshade is poisonous, though there are a few factors which lead to people taking the tea less seriously. For one, it is described and sold as an herbal tea - it is unexpected to have something which is poisonous available for sale. Secondly, the particular species of nightshade used to make the Black Barony blend has a lower concentration of the toxins which cause problems. Nevertheless, as healers often lament when facing yet another case of black dreaming, it is still nightshade.

It should be noted a condition close to this one can be achieved through ingesting parts of other similar species of nightshade, though the chances of recovery are much less likely. The arguably beneficial effects are not present, either.

Symptoms

The usual onset of black dreaming is often not that different than 'the Baron trance' brought on through ingesting the tea, only with the trouble of the dreamer not waking when it would be expected. This is usually followed by brief periods of convulsions (of varied strength, depending on the dreamer) with longer periods of seemingly restful sleep. Despite the appearance of normal sleep, the dreamer cannot be awakened by any means - attempts to do so can cause an episode of convulsions which can be hazardous to both the dreamer and bystander. Various attempts to use divination to read what the dreamer is thinking usually return a black void - this is where the name of the affliction becomes clearer. It is also the most definitive way to assess whether someone has fallen into the "black dream".

Treatment

Most healers find it difficult to treat black dreamers, but some use dried and powdered valerian root mixed into boiled water. Treatment is made incredibly easier if a healer has access to extraordinary means, such as a Cordial of Rosaly, divine magic, or a specially-prepared amethyst crystal. Results are not always guaranteed, as some cases are far enough gone they can only be saved as a "grey dreamer". Other times, herbal treatment fails or causes an adverse reaction ending in death. Of course, without treatment a black dreamer is doomed to die in their stupor.

Prognosis

Once a dreamer has sunken into the black dream, there are few options to proceed from. Without treatment of any kind, they will begin convulsions briefly before entering a deeper state of unconsciousness from where there is no rousing without divine intervention. After several days of this state, the dreamer will resume convulsions briefly before expiring. Treatment can sometimes be ineffective, leading to the "grey dreaming". In this state, the patient remains in a deep slumber and cannot wake; involuntary reflex actions will allow them to drink liquids placed into their mouth, which means it is possible for them to remain alive. However, there is always the chance they will also succumb to the deep black dreams and death follows as surely as others.

With proper and effective treatment, they may return to waking and begin a slow recovery towards a normal life again. These are usually referred to as having "woken from the black dream", between healers. However, in such cases they are much more sensitive to the toxins which cause this state, making it more likely a habitual drinker of Black Barony will succumb to the black dream as an inevitability.

Type

Neurological