Dragon Dust

Properties

Material Characteristics

Dust, with the consistency of damp sand, except more fine. It tends to clump together to a certain degree, but a fine wind can also blow it into the air. Dragon bone itself is incredibly massive and durable, making the grinding process extremely difficult both in human labor and in tools, as most common stone tools - everything including mortal and pestle to millstones - is unable to sufficiently grind the substance. It is for this purpose that arcane methods are used, or otherwise if only physical implements are available, diamonds or electrum tipped tools are used.

Origin & Source

The main ingredient of Dragon Dust is the bone meal of dragons.

History & Usage

Discovery

Dragon dust is an ancient chemical invention. It was collectively discovered by many different mortals, but primarily assumed to have been discovered by Orcs and Humans. While both races used the substance for a variety of uses, including medicinal and as an aphrodisiac mixed with wine or ale, it was eventually discovered that Dragon Dust contained remarkable stimulating effects when consumed nasally.
Typically, most people come upon Dragon Dust by finding the ancient skeletal remains of a dragon. Since few creatures beyond insectoids attempt to consume the bones of dragons, these bones can remain on a landscape for centuries without degrading. If a community is able to seek out these bones, they can be carried to the center of the community and slowly broken down.

Everyday use

Dragon Dust is primarily used as a stimulant. It allows individuals who consume the material to gain a heightened state of energy, allowing them to stay away for long periods of time. 
More prominently, however, the material allows an individual to exceed their normal physical abilities. Individuals gain immense levels of strength uncharacteristic of their normal forms. Even weak and physically inactive individuals will note dramatic increases in strength, stamina, and overall physical ability.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Dragon Dust is generally regarded as an illegal narcotic due to the various hazards in its consumption. However, its physical appearance is often similar to that of tobacco snuff or cocaine, and is often colored by rogues to further disguise its appearance. As such, although distateful by most imperial governments, enforcement of this material is incredibly difficult.
The most prominent use of Dragon Dust is in military applications. More common in human and orc militaries, but also occasionally used by Elvish militaries, Dragon Dust is distributed to high ranking and skilled soldiers before large-scale or critical battles. Soldiers are allowed to dose themselves, and use the strength provided to act better upon battlefields. Orc soldiers in particular are especially fearsome when dosed with Dragon Dust, and their portrayal of bulged and bloodshot eyes is a common racist caricature of Orcs, as well as other more tribal or monstrous races. 
Dragon Dust is also common among serfs throughout all the realms. Usually consumed in very small doses around harvesting season, or other large scale projects, the substance allows workers to work longer hours with more grueling work without feeling the ill effects during the process. This is especially common in shipyards, where teams of shipwrights often invest in a large amount of Dragon Dust to more quickly complete large construction contracts, particularly for galleys and longships. Dragon Dust is also used by various industrial workers - just as at smelting factories - due to the taxing labor required. 
Finally, Dragon Dust is common among the elite and nobility. Although seen largely as distasteful, particularly human nobility abuse the substance for its stimulating effects and ability to stay away for long hours. Orcs khans also have many rituals surrounding Dragon Dust, and use it in this context frequently.

Hazards

Dragon Dust is highly detrimental and dangerous for consumption due to its affects on the physical body. Consumption of Dragon Dust almost always results in a hangover, exhausting the user greatly when the effects wear off. This is compounded by any strenuous or exhausting activity the user may have performed while under the influence, further exacerbating the exhaustive effects. Physical wounds are also incredibly common. Dragon Dust aids in suspending pain to a moderate degree, but as a result, users frequently overexert themselves. Common injuries include: lifting something beyond their ability, thereby straining or spraining a limb; overexertion due to sprinting, whereupon the tendons and muscles especially in the feet and ankles, but also the legs, are torn, damaged, or otherwise injured. Additionally, because Dragon Dust negates pain, individuals may not notice any wounds they receive through normal pain reactions, meaning simple injuries can be drastically worsened due to further overexertion, or simple lack of care. Soldiers are particularly susceptible, as they may not realize they have been stabbed or wounded, and may not seek treatment for injuries, raising the risk of bleeding out or collapsing.
Additionally, Dragon Dust is detrimental to logical thought functioning. One's ability to think clearly is dulled while under the effects. This is generally why the drug is most sought out by those who seek high level physical activity, as those who might otherwise benefit from the stimulating effects usually do not wish for a degradation in their mental faculties.

Type

Organic

Odor

Metallic and dusty, with varying scents of floral depending on the herbs added.

Taste

Bitter and acrid.

Color

White or grey.