Voidbloom
| Type | Hallucinogenic narcotic |
|---|---|
| Origin | Unknown [citation needed] |
| Effects | Euphoria, ego dissolution, becoming a ship |
| Dependence | Severe |
| Legality | Contraband |
Voidbloom is a dark, highly addictive hallucinogenic substance trafficked through the ports of Lyra. Named for its black, petal-like appearance, the drug is prized by users for inducing intense euphoria and profound dissolution of the self, and condemned by nearly everyone else for the same reasons. Its origin and means of cultivation remain unknown [citation needed].
Contents
Effects
Voidbloom is consumed in small doses, producing visions, euphoria, and a loosening of the boundary between mind and surroundings. At heavy doses users report complete ego dissolution, with consciousness expanding into nearby objects, vessels, or planes of existence. Dependence develops rapidly, and habitual users describe an insistent craving that outlasts the visions.
Healers caution that Voidbloom should not be confused with the mind-expanding mushrooms distributed by certain druids, which are described by their proponents as "completely different" [citation needed].
The Eastport Seizure
Voidbloom entered public awareness in 1487 DR when a routine investigation of the dockside warehouses of Eastport, commissioned by Mayor Duncan Wells, uncovered a major smuggling ring with crates of the substance hidden among legitimate cargo. The operation was dismantled by the adventurers later dubbed the Heroes of Eastport, though the town Watch drew criticism for having failed to detect a drug ring operating at that scale in a warehouse district it patrolled daily.
Notable Use
The best documented Voidbloom experience on record belongs to the warlock Skaf from Yonder, who first sampled the drug during the Eastport investigation and later consumed a heavy dose in the galley of The Stubborn Arse while crossing the Kalani Strait. Skaf reportedly experienced complete mental dissolution, claiming his consciousness merged with the vessel — "Imagine yourself exposed to the universe. Imagine you are a ship." — and conducted a direct conversation with his otherworldly patron. Skaf has described the experience as transformative. His companions have described it as a dangerous path [citation needed].