Arcane Amplification Perfume
Arcane Amplification Perfume, often shortened to AAP is an aid to spellcasting used by mages throughout Magicians' End ever since its discovery by Oloonya Sarald in the late 20th century APC during the age of the First Popular Ascendancy.
AAP is mildly euphoric and addictive for mages. It is typically carried in a phial which might be worn on a necklace, a choker or a ring so that it can be unstoppered whilst preparing for spellcasting. The olfactory stimulation produced by the perfume helps to co-ordinate the neural flows that focus arcane actions, significantly strengthening their magical effects. Only small quantities are required and it is normally purchased in small phials.
The fabulously expensive bottle shown in the illustration below was sent as a present to the Fisher Queen Aketheema of Nephatar on her corronation in 2231 APC by the rulers of Highloft.
When Synaptic Unbinding Potion (SUP) was developed at the Institute of Magical Analytics in 2964 APC it was at first thought that AAP had been permanently superseded by the newer product. SUP was not only more powerful than AAP but it was also much easier and cheaper to get hold of, since AAP production depended on a relatively rare orchid and was under the control of the merchants of Highloft, who sold it at premium prices. However, it was soon realised that SUP had some nasty side effects which included frequent descents into madness after prolonged usage. This did not stop SUP use which was uncontrolled during the first half of the fourth millenium APC, an age now known as the Time of Terrors.
It was the emergence of the Nexorin Pathogen in 3627 APC, which finally put a stop to SUP, however. Patients infected with the virus who had taken SUP, found that their arcane powers were completely nullified. As a result, there was a return to the older, safer and milder arcane stimulant of AAP and even today, AAP is still the most effective method of enhancing magical power without extremely risky side effects.
Magicians' End - AAP (Arcane Amplification Perfume) by DMFW with Midjourney
Magicians' End - Fisher Queen Aketheema 02 by DMFW with Midjourney
Properties
Origin & Source
The perfume is derived from the Triquetra Orchid, which only grows in the mountain rain forests of central Punjuki. The orchid is cultivated after a fashion although it is not easy to grow. The manufacture of AAP is a monopoly of the merchants of Highloft who derive much of the wealth of the city from the sale of AAP.
Type
Organic
Odor
Slightly sweet and reminiscent of violets
Taste
Tasteless
Color
Pale lilac in an alcoholic solution diluted to the correct concentration
Boiling / Condensation Point
83 degrees centigrade at standard atmospheric pressure
Melting / Freezing Point
Minus 8 degrees centigrade for a standard concentration solution
Common State
Always dissolved in a solution of ethanol and water at standard concentrations
Related Locations
Magicians' End - Triquetra Orchid 01 by DMFW with Midjourney
Oloonya Sarald by DMFW with Midjourney
I love this idea! A magic perfume that's carried around in little glass vials seems classy. I'm sure a few mages have accidentally dropped or broken an expensive vial, much to their own chagrin.
Thanks! I split this article out from one I did in summer camp on the Triquetra Orchid which is the source of AAP and which you were kind enough to leave a like on also. I wanted to have space for some more details and also I started to think about how control over the trade in AAP would affect the economy of the world and drive a search for alternatives which has given me some hopefully interesting inspiration for the next stages in the history of the world of Magicians' End which I'm working on at the moment...