Octarine (drug)

Octarine is a rare drow-made drug usually given to magically-inept warriors during raids and other battles, although spell-casters can gain a strategic benefit too. It is a black powdery substance that must be nasally ingested, and gives the user a limited arcane ability, along with potentially dangerous side-effects.

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Availability

The drug is not only illegal in most civilized settings due to the high risk, but it is also a restricted substance among the drow who will regularly execute drow and non-drow alike for unauthorized possession. About the only known place in the multiverse where this drug is somewhat tolerated is Sigil, and dealers tend to be exclusively drow. Typical dealers of the drug will carry about 1d12+4 doses on them, with about 1d4+1 different 'flavours' to choose from.

Cost

One dose of Octarine costs about 300gp, and oftentimes four doses can be purchased at once for 1000gp.

Usage

Users of Octarine will typically inhale one dose (about 60mg) nasally, with the drug's effects taking hold immediately. More than one dose will result in stronger effects but with a higher risk to health. Someone high on Octarine will also have a slight purplish glow to their eyes.

Effects

Ingesting Octarine will result in the user immediately experiencing a sense of euphoria and a hyper-awareness of their surroundings. One dose will also allow the user to temporarily cast a flavoured cantrip at will, as well as learn a 1st level spell which can be cast by a spellcaster with an available spell slot. The effects last for upto 1d4 hours from the last dose taken.
Additional doses bestow the user with a spell slot, starting at 1st level and increasing the slot's level with each dose, but only ever granting one slot per drug trip. For example, taking 3 doses of Octarine would give the user access to the associated cantrip and a 2nd level spell slot to cast the learned 1st level spell, or any other known spell. If the spell slot is used between doses then the energy is spent and dosage starts anew.

Side Effects

Taking one dose of Octarine requires the user to make a Constitution save DC 13, taking 1d10 force damage on a fail and half as much on a success. However, taking additional doses while already under the influence of Octarine has greater consequences: For every additional dose, the user must make another save, adding 2 to the DC each time, and adding an additional 1d10 force damage. For example, taking 3 doses of Octarine would require the user to make 3 saves, DC 13, 15, and 17, resulting in 1d10, 2d10, and 3d10 force damage respectively.
Additionally, on a failure for the second or third save, the user gains a Short-Term Madness as per the DMG (page 259). Any failed save beyond that will result in a Long-Term Madness as per DMG (pg 260).

Addiction

While the drug itself is not chemically addictive, the lure and rush of power tends to bring back repeat users among non-drow. Spellcasters especially find the prospect of renewing depleted power as enough benefit to outweigh the risks, yet every sanatorium has it's share of those lose their minds chasing the colour of magic.

Flavours

Octarine comes in different 'flavours' as indicated by an extra colour amidst the sparkling black powder, which denotes the cantrip and spell temporarily learned from ingesting it:

Red

the firebolt cantrip and burning hands spell

Green

the poison spray cantrip and ray of sickness spell

Cyan

the shocking grasp cantrip and witchbolt spell

Blue

the frostbite cantrip and ice knife spell

Indigo

the eldritch blast cantrip and hex spell

Bronze

the sword burst cantrip and ensnaring strike spell

Silver

the true strike cantrip and hunter's mark spell

Gold

the vicious mockery cantrip and charm person spell

Ivory

the spare the dying cantrip and cure wounds spell

Pearlescent

the thaumaturgy cantrip and zephyr strike spell

Source

It is commonly believed that Octarine is made from some form of Residuum, but the drow are very secretive about the process and its origins.

Odor

Charred meat, honey, and lavender.

Taste

Sweet charcoal

Color

Black with purple iridescent sparkle

Common State

powdered

Related Locations

• Sigil, City of Doors