Valadain and the Dark Blood

The results of a Detect Poison cast by Valadain on himself and his companions

The Detect Poison spell cast by priests of any religion can identify the specific type of poison it comes across. This is determined by faith (DM: 5% per level of the caster) but is as accurate as possible. What Valadain Raikos discovers, however, is that the poisons administered to himself – and to most of his companions – are unique. So unique that they give a signature, an unquestionable author of the terrible poisons within.

Valadain is infected with three such poisons. All subtle…all unique…two of which are located in most of the party (DM: you may have actually failed some of the rolls but enough evidence suggests that it is likely that your companions are similarly infected). The most obvious is also the subtlest. Vance Dexton has secreted a poison he calls **$$£!!* (he hasn’t actually given it a name) which lingers in the blood and acts directly on the cognitive area of the brain. You suspect that this poison will restrict the ability to impart certain information to others (DM: this goes beyond the remit of Detect Poison but bear with me) that is directly related to Vance himself. It is in the form of thou shall not bear false witness against me – in other words you will find it very difficult to plot against him or to inform others of his skill. Very clever…very dangerous.

The second poison you discover is called Nalgash and is the creation of Malador. This poison you share with the party also and you suspect it was administered recently as it is absorbed through the skin. It is a slow acting poison that in time will cripple the individual, rendering him an invalid whilst his mind is unaffected…sharp enough to realise that the muscles are withering into nothingness. This poison is so slow acting as to be almost undetectable…though there is no antidote. (DM: the effects show themselves in periodic and unexplained loss of strength and constitution). The problem with this poison is that it is designed to affect the soul and is therefore very hard to counter…the soul is not something easily mended.

Finally to the poison unique to Valadain himself. Another splendid concoction from a skilled and deadly Poisoner…though the author of this one is a surprise. It was created by Illium Runesabre and can only be administered orally. Somehow he has managed to slip something in a drink or your food. It is called Devil’s Sneer and like Vance Dexton’s brew sits dormant until a trigger occurs. This trigger is a spell…when Valadain casts a certain spell (you have not yet fathomed what that spell is…perhaps you haven’t even picked it yet!) you will die instantly.

Valadain Raikos has a feel for the Detect Poison spell, an intuition that goes beyond the actual spell itself. A god-given perception in times of great need. When all else fails a priest turns to faith…it is perhaps that faith that gives you these insights. Your blood is impure, your soul is soiled and you face almost certain death should you cast a spell that the Chancellor of Gran Breton has forbidden. Valadain Raikos retires to sleep but his slumber is troubled by nightmares…though in the midst of his inner turmoil he sees a woman. Beautiful, pale and dressed in white…her smile is like the sun rising on a summer’s morning. “The time of revelation is close at hand, priest…”