Heartfire Potion

Summary

A type of aphrodisiac drug created from extracted mussuba venom. The liquid itself is a red-purple mixture, a result of preservatives, flavorants, and other alchemical aides used to stabilize the venom. As there are only so many ways to do so, the end result is most heartfire potions are very similar to each other across Veltrona. Traditionally the container is usually an opaque glass vial in the shape of a heart. It can also be any other 'enticing' shape that a particular culture might favor (the heart shape is a symbol of sacrifice, not love, in some, for example).
What is noteworthy is that, unlike many other aphrodisiacs, the heartfire is a very universal one. The mussuba adapt to any potential partner they have, and their venom likewise has flexibility to work across many diverse species. Hence, a specially trained mussuba can potentially produce a suitable venom for dozens upon dozens of different kinds. Generally, the heartfire potion does what most any other aphrodisiac would for a given species. This alone is quite useful, but it has another property that makes it stand like a queen among its peers. Being highly compatible with mana infusion, it functionally enhances mana constitution and availability. For the purposes of procreation, it is supremely helpful among monsterkind and any interspecies couples. The likes of dragons and baarham, whose insane mana constitutions require tremendous aides to work with, are top buyers.
As awareness of the mussuba's nature spread, interest in their venom shot skyward overnight. All sorts of alchemical and merchant companies sought them out, peacefully or not, to study its effects. It can be said when desire is left unchecked, great evil follows in its wake, and so many mussuba suffered terribly as a result. This forced their leaders, and those sympathetic to them, to ever more extreme ends. All kinds of quiet wars resulted–namely between mussuba warriors and the companies they aimed to destroy. When the fighting finally grew out of control, reigning governments stepped in to handle the situations.
Still, understanding the value of their venom, entreprising souls sought to commoditize it. To take control of what others had tried to take away from them, and so wield great power. For better or worse this created all kinds of superstition and friction surrounding the mussuba. People began to regard them as evil spirits or other monstrosities, using their venom to enslave people. It is a kind of discrimination not dissimilar to the vampyr and their blood drinking. So it was many mussuba were forced into squalor or relocation, and it is a history they remember bitterly.
Those who succeeded financially created the heartfire potion, and forever established their corner of the global marketplace. Imitations and knockoffs ensued, but genuine heartfire remains so far beyond them it's doubtful the mussuba will ever lose. Hence, many monster civilizations are more than happy to have a mussuba family or company move in and start sales. Regardless of the superstitions, the usefulness of the potion will capture almost anyone's attention.

Significance

The existence of heartfire inspired many alchemists to revisit the aphrodisiac market. It could be said, having something stimulating to consume was a fairly 'solved' problem. Mana infusion, however, remained loftily out of reach as it had all sorts of problems with the mixtures. The success of heartfire in this regard means it is possible, and so renewed interest is leading to newer innovations.

Item type

Drug / Narcotic / Medicine

Rarity

Uncommon (Mussuba inhabited regions only)