Deep Breath

Joana was the one to make a connection between the unusually energetic goats and the pale red flowers dotting the slope. She made a paste of the flowers and spread it over her meager breakfast. The energy she gained from the flowers was undeniable, and soon many of the other refugees were taking it as well.

Kiran Blackwell-Biography of Lord Fenton Caius

Transmission & Vectors

The petals of the High Aapamire, found on the northern slopes of the mountains, contain the chemicals that bring about Deep Breath. While they can be consumed in a paste, as the refugees discovered, the effects are much stronger if dried and smoked.

Symptoms

High Aapamire, in small doses, is the mountaineer's friend. Chewing the leaves while climbing cuts down on shortness of breath, headaches, and dizziness that results from low oxygen. Taking Aapamire in areas of normal oxygen increases focus and stamina. Messenger running letters from town to town often chew Aapamire to assist in their runs.
However, one's body can become addicted to Aapamire, causing short breath, headaches and dizziness when not on the flower. In the late stages of the addiction, where only smoked Aapamire will sate the need, the addict can be seen taking huge, deep breaths, savoring every gulp of air they can get.

Treatment

Coming off of a full blown Aapamire addiction is a slow and dangerous process. Quitting cold can lead to damage of the lungs or even death by asphyxiation, so a caretaker must be on standby with fresh Aapamire for the patient to chew.

Prevention

Aapamire isn't inherently dangerous to use, it is only as their body becomes accustomed to the extra energy the flower provides that users need to be careful. The recommended use is around than once every three days, but even that is contested in some medical circles.

Cultural Reception

While Aapamire addiction is not common among the mountain scouts, enough suffer from it yearly that the Major's office in Oss opened a rehabilitation shop for scouts (and others) who push it too far.

Type

Physiological

Origin

Natural