Nightmare Fuel

Nightmare fuel is a putrid, incredibly flammable and corrosive oil-like substance with insidious magical properties. It can induce horrific hallucinations and turn living beings into half-liquefied zombies. Its creation and distribution is strictly prohibited by magical law, but there remain cases of it showing up. What's really troubling, however, is that it may be used to create something far more sinister.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Oily black liquid that gives off grayish vapors. Ambiguous shapes sometimes appear in it when the light hits it right.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Extremely corrosive and flammable. Organic substances are especially susceptible to its corrosive effects. Doesn't mix with water, and attempting to put out a nightmare fuel fire with water will only make it worse.

Origin & Source

Like most potions, nightmare fuel is created by combining eight components, though its requirements are a bit more strict than other recipes:

1. Crude oil or gasoline (potion base)
2. Rotting meat (scent component)
3. A strong acid (touch component)
4. Moldy food (taste component)
5. A powerful hallucinogenic substance (sight component)
6. Screams of terror (sound component)
7. A captured nightmare (mind component)
8. A scary story (spirit component)

Life & Expiration

Nightmare fuel takes a long time to break down, and can stay relatively fresh for several years.

History & Usage

Discovery

It is currently unknown who first discovered the recipe for nightmare fuel or for what purpose.

Refinement

Rumors have recently surfaced that nightmare fuel can be refined into a more potent and less messy zombie creation formula, but no concrete evidence has surfaced as of late to confirm or deny this.

Hazards

Emitted vapors are extremely hallucinogenic, capable of inducing vivid, horrifying visions and feelings of paranoia and dread. Auditory hallucinations of distant screaming have also been reported. Direct consumption of fuel or prolonged exposure to fumes can cause severe corrosive damage to internal organs until they are reduced to an oily mush. Victims of this process continue to shamble around as zombies for several days, potentially spreading it before succumbing entirely.

Environmental Impact

Any plant life that comes in contact with it is quickly dissolved, and nightmare fuel fires burn through material more quickly and spread more rapidly. Animals are also susceptible to its corrosive and zombifying properties.

Distribution

Trade & Market

The only place to get nightmare fuel without making it yourself is on the black market for potions and other magical materials.

Storage

Nightmare fuel can best be kept in glass or plastic containers, as they are the least likely to suffer from its corrosive effects.

Law & Regulation

The creation, distribution, and use of nightmare fuel are all highly illegal by magical law. Possession of it is considered a felony in all 50 states and those caught with it can face heavy fines and jail time.

Type

Metaphysical

Value

$200 per fluid ounce

Rarity

Very rare

Odor

Putrid, described as smelling like a mixture of rotting flesh and gasoline

Taste

Unknown, last person who tried to sample it had their mouth and throat dissolved

Color

Pure black

Density

873 kg/m³

Common State

Liquid