Efflux

"We've made monsters out of ourselves. Drink up." -- Sgt. Rolando Bismora 423 P.D.

Miracle Liquid

Efflux, a chemical concoction of magically charged and fused elements, is the fuel that powers modern warfare on Sonnerand. To put it simply, Efflux is a bit like a permanent steriod or hormone that is ingested orally and increases the consumer's physical capabilities. 
The chemical flushes the system of toxins, opens channels and inner-gateways to Sonnerand's magical field, and slows down the degeneration of the body's cells. This all occurs without any negative or adverse side effects to the consumer. After consuming Efflux, one's muscles move faster, their mind sharper, their spells more potent. 
If it sounds too good to be true, that's because it should have been. Efflux was discovered, distilled, and stolen by Richardo Reignheim-- the current Lord Steward of Dellwind as of 435. The original formula, and indeed the true concoction, was something Reignheim discovered in the Feywild, a place separate from reality. 
Along with the principles of healing magic, Reignheim was able to copy and reproduce the Fey chemical-- to the great annoyance and displeasure of many Fey. The other-worldly origin of the compound helps to explain its net beneficial properties, the chemical follows other elemental and physical laws than Sonnerand-created compounds, though part of this also because Efflux is naturally magical. 
Fey, and other scholars, would argue that Efflux has an obvious side-effect-- once you consume it, the chemical never leaves the body unless distilled and extracted directly from the blood. You are tagged once you've consumed Efflux. 
Philosophers argue that drinking Efflux opens oneself up to violence. It is a tool and chemical principally designed to create more effective warfare. It can not be used peacefully, as its only real purpose is to make men better killing machines. Being weaponized is the other side effect of Efflux. Efflux consumers seek out and fight other efflux consumers-- because they are the only fighters who can impact the battlefield and circumstances of combat. Non-Efflux consumers, thusly, are "turned into baying sheep at the mercy of their non-visually mutated and chemical-driven peers."
The adverse effects of aging seem to be muted after consuming Efflux as well. For example, Efflux halts balding, reinforces the liver and kidneys, and even causes nails the skin to replace themselves at almost double the normal rate.
Consumers of Efflux almost never have bad things to say about the chemical, other than that some resent the fact its stuck with them for life. A few more still even bask in the warps and subtle changes to the body.
These individuals, known as "Flux Sippers" drink more than the one required phial of Efflux. This does not have any discernable effect, and ultimately culminates in a huge and unnecessary loss in money and resources.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Efflux looks indistinguishable from other liquids like water, vodka, or acetone. It is mostly colorless, with only a barely-detectable shade of purple that appears in bright light. The entire liquid brightly glows under a blacklight.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Efflux is stable and hard to detect. At room temperature, the liquid slightly bubbles.

Compounds

Phosphate, Hydrogen, Oxygen, & Gold.
P₄H₁₂O₆Au₁₅

Origin & Source

Laboratory-Made

Life & Expiration

Efflux loses its potency in its base form after 5 years. (2500 days).

History & Usage

History

Efflux has been in use since 160 P.D. The liquid is lucrative to all peoples around the world. While the ATSQC was the first nation and military to use Efflux, the centuries that followed saw Efflux and its formula being distributed around the world.
The ATSQC was never keen on keeping the formula to Efflux to itself. Dellwind personally sent Efflux stores to Mantle, Geneca, Tnnil, Pirivuwy, Erfitt, Cherrymore, and even Aomia. This is because Efflux's creator is a huge proponent of the freedom of magical processes.

Discovery

Efflux was first distilled in 160 P.D. by the legendary adventurer, diplomatic, explorer, and chemist Richardo Reignheim in his lab within the ATSQC's northern capital city of Dellwind.

Everyday use

Efflux is a chemical that heightens a consumer's link to Sonnerand's magical field. This happens due to Efflux slowing the body's natural entropy. While not able to extend lifespans, Efflux causes the body to convert energy by ambiently using the Arcanomatrix. This means the body operates far more efficiently. As a result, consumers can move faster, perceive greater, and spellcasters can even gain access to more powerful spellcasting abilities.

Cultural Significance and Usage

In Sonnerand, there is a silent belief that one must consume Efflux in order to compete with the strongest people and armies in the world. In every nation in Sonnerand, with the only exceptions being the most secluded of societies, Efflux is consumed by soldiers and adventurers. 
The consumption of Efflux is seen in many cultures as a rite of passage. It is a rite of passage that signals an individual's willingness to participate in a life of combat, war, and magic. 
Efflux is non-addictive, non-habit forming, tasteless, odorless, and only needs to be consumed once. Afterwards, the effects of the chemical remain and linger in the body until and after death. 
For adventurers, the consumption of Efflux marks a separation of class. It's said that if one wants to "go big time," then Efflux simply must be consumed. 
Efflux has a huge grip over Sonnerand's cultures and societies. Though it is not an unwelcome one.

Industrial Use

When mass-distilled for militaries in laboratories, Efflux is either filled in .5 oz glass phials for individual distribution or filled in a 1 L glass decanter for the use of an entire squad or unit. The individual phials are far more common.

Hazards

The creation of Efflux causes surges of Positive Energy to billow out into the ambient magical atmosphere of Sonnerand. Positive Energy does not naturally entropy unless it is counteracted by a source of Negative Energy.

Reusability & Recycling

Necromancers and other brutal factions of the world are able to extract efflux directly from the bloodstream; the liquid is surprisingly easy to isolate.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Privately distributed within militaries.
Can be found in gray markets dominated by the interests of the upper class.

Storage

Stored in cool, dark, dry places. Most militaries use specialized dehydrated refrigerators to store large quantities of Efflux.

Law & Regulation

There is no officially written laws on the use, distribution, or ethics of Efflux. But it would generally frowned upon to give Efflux to a child, animal, or unwilling recipient. Someone would be in considerable trouble if caught hoarding Efflux. In more regulated nations like Geneca, Efflux is a highly controlled item that barely leaves the hands of government and military officials.

Type

Composite

Value

1 Phial = 2355 GP

Rarity

Rare

Odor

Odorless

Taste

Tasteless

Color

Extremely Subtle Purple Tint

Boiling / Condensation Point

138.2 F

Melting / Freezing Point

-139.4 F

Density

9.45 g/cc

Common State

Liquid