The Viper Nest
Hidden within the shadows of Malar's Throat is a small building with a carved viper above the door. This is the Viper Nest, a store filled with poisons, drugs, and concoctions. The owner of this establishment is a Chultan woman named Razira Atazi. She grew up in the slums of Malar's Throat and became an explorer and an adventurer. She used to be part of the Zentarim, but hasn't been since five years ago. She still does business with them, but will not grant any favors to her former "family". Razira provides a small portion of her profit to Merchant Prince Jessamine. Not the customary amount the Merchant Prince is owed, but enough that Jessamine hasn't bothered the Nest... yet.
Razira sells many items considered taboo in the city. She sells hallucinogenic drugs as well as poisons and tribal elixirs. The Viper Nest has the following products for sale:
- Grung Poison. The viper nest sells vials of green and blue Grungs poison. A vial of either grung poison sells for 150 gp.
- Assassin's Blood. This poison is a common poison utilized by criminals across Faerûn. A dose of the poison has a starting price of 150 gp.
- Serpent Venom. This venom is extracted from giant poisonous snakes while they are alive or after they have died. The starting price for this venom is 200 gp for a dose.
- Spiral. A flammable, forest-green liquid sold in small dropper jars. Spiral is a fast-acting and addictive oral drug. A user’s sinuses and sense of balance are thrown out of whack as the drug begins to take hold, making them very dizzy. It simultaneously acts to dull pain and mute powerful sensory stimuli, giving advantage on any rolls that are dependent on resisting pain, blinding light, massive sounds, terrible stenches, etc. The dizzying effect makes rolls to keep one’s feet or dodge harder, however. It can also be slowly burnt to produce smoke with a diluted version of the effects. The smoke seems to be lethal to most insects, and those that don’t immediately die drift around aimlessly until they do. A jar of Spiral sells for 20 gp.
- Ember Berries. These faintly glowing black berries are used in coming-of-age rituals in some Chultan tribes. Drink a tea made from these, and you will become relaxed and calm. After a few minutes, flames begin cloaking your body - as long as you remain focused and calm, they cannot hurt you. A batch of Ember Berries sells for 20 gp.
- Sutara. When applied to the tongue, the user can speak any language they desire, that is, if they can handle the drug. Incorrect dosage or an unprepared system will result in them speaking in absolute gibberish for the duration. A hit of Sutara sells for 10 gp.
- Red Hive. When smoked, you can speak to insects. Other effects include reddened vision, euphoria, and a crawling on your skin like bees walking on it. A bag of Red Hive sells for 10 gp.
- Barb. A thorny stalk from the Cheb barb weed (looks like purple buck thorn). Sold by the branch, you can pull off individual thorns and use them to scrape or pierce the skin. The side effects are similar to pot, but too much can result in paralysis. A branch of Barb sells for 35 gp.
- Lakua. A ground silvery bark from a type of tree only found deep in swamps. Low dosages are generally taken orally. Heavier users often make a paste to apply to their gums. Addicts may smear it into cuts. It gives an adrenaline rush and time seems to slow down but the duration of the high is short. Death comes from heart failure or self-neglect. Psychologically addictive not physically.
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