Leechleaf Juice
Leechleaf juice is derived from the Leechleaf bush which grows on several islands in the Middlesea, most notably Garrangara. It enables the transfer of magical energy from one vessel to another, making it a vital component in several magical arts. It is known as “Avidhruva” among the Naga, and “Shinrinjū” in the Empire of Wamato.
Leechleaf juice is difficult to obtain for several reasons. First, and foremost, is the locations where it can be acquired. It grows on several islands, but all lie deep within The Middlesea. Travel through this region is perilous in the extreme - not only do the ocean currents make the journey difficult, but The Middlesea is one of the Wild Places, and as such is prone to strange and dangerous phenomena. Monstrous creatures roam the waters, and the weather itself can be vindictive. Even the islands in The Middlesea can wander, and it is possible that there are counterparts to the massive Tortuka deep within this region.
Once an expedition has located and reached an island where the leechleaf bush grows, the challenge of acquiring the juice continues. The leechleaf is a spiritual parasite. The plant is covered in very fine and brittle hairs, that can snap off at the slightest contact. These hairs will embed themselves in the skin easily, and attempts to remove them tend to shatter the hairs, leaving the tips embedded in the victim. These hairs form a sympathetic link between the plant and the animal, allowing the plant to begin siphoning away the victim's spiritual energy. Additionally, the hairs inflict debilitating pain. Those who have survived describe the experience as if they were being burned, dipped in acid, flayed, and pummeled all at once. They almost always collapse and begin to seize within moments of touching the plant with an unprotected bit of skin. After about a minute, the victim is unable to move without the pain magnifying enormously, and will usually lie still and panting, while the plant drains their soul's energy into itself. The whole process can take days. The plant's ability to drain its victim is not diminished by distance - when victims have been carried away, the draining process continues unabated. Only the physical death of either the victim or the plant can prevent the afflicted individual from undergoing soul-death. Destroying the draining plant requires that it be uprooted and burned, at significant risk to those performing this task. Even then, this only stops the spiritual drain on the victim. The pain continues, and has been known to linger for years, and to lie dormant for months at a time before striking again, as intense as it ever was.
Due to these hazards, collecting the juice of the leechleaf is not a task for the ignorant or unprepared. Would-be harvesters must wear thick protective clothing over their entire body, and be careful to remove any hairs that might cling to this armor. If a single hair was overlooked and touched, even weeks later, the pain will be immediate, and if the plant that grew the hair still lives, it will begin to drain the victim's soul.
The juice is extracted from the leaves of the bush. The harvester, wearing their armor, collects the leaves carefully and places them into a smooth and non-porous container, usually of metal. The leaves are then boiled for several hours, which causes the hairs to dissolve and renders the remaining liquid harmless to the touch. This liquid is then strained and the remaining leaf pulp is pressed to extract anything that may remain in it. Finally, the leechleaf-infused water is distilled several times, until the final leechleaf juice is ready.
This juice is used primarily in two areas, on opposite sides of the Great Ring. In Saba, it is an integral component of Naga alchemy, allowing the energy collected by their Orichalcum implements to be drained away into the prepared formula, empowering them and allowing their extraordinary powers to be used. The other use is primarily within the Empire of Wamato - there it is used in the art of Mahōbori. Mahōbori involves creating mystical tattoos that allow the bearer to access their spiritual energy to perform supernatural feats, such as an impossible leap or a moment of incredible strength. The juice of the leechleaf is mixed into the ink, and opens the way for the person's spiritual energy to flow. When combined with the correct symbology and the other ingredients of the ink, the Mahōbori tattoo can be crafted.
Due to the hazards associated with harvesting leechleaf, the supply is strictly limited. Attempts to cultivate it outside The Middlesea have been unsuccessful, with the plants developing the painful hairs, but not the ability to drain or transfer magical energies. Because of the high prices it commands, there are always those who will venture into The Middlesea to acquire some - these missions are frequently disasters, either due to the hazards of The Middlesea, or through encounters with the plants themselves. There are also many who attempt to sell counterfeit juice, but those schemes rarely last as neither Naga alchemists or Mahōbori practitioners are safe people to swindle. Some few skilled harvesters have been successful in repeatedly delivering the juice, but even they occasionally meet with disaster, and they frequently need to take on new hands to help sail their missions.
You've created a very perilous substance here - I see why it's not used much!