Nations on the Brink (storyline)/Researcher Case Contents (summary)

Contents of the Researcher's Case

Below are the looks/reads, etc. of the information found at the Library in Ta'Illistim on June 10th's event.

The Case

a jade-inlaid ebonwood case
Polished to a high sheen, the ebonwood case has brushed silver handles for ease of carrying.  The lacquered lid is inlaid with an intricate pattern of jade flora, especially mushrooms and flowers.  A silver plaque is affixed to the front of the case.
There appears to be something written on it.
>read case
In the Elven language, it reads:
~*~Unreviewed Research Collection~*~
  Category:  Poisons, Foods, Miscellanea
  Researcher:  Atathysn Vanael Illistim
  Status:  Deceased by Own Research

In the ebonwood case you see a battered leather folio, several glaesineth vials and a sheaf of parchment.

The Folio & Its Pages

Several loose sheets of paper are neatly organized within the folio.  A note, bearing the library's seal, has been affixed to the front of the leather folio reading, "This collection, while appearing to be an unsent letter and research, is believed to actually be a copy made by the author for his own records."  Gilt writing is stamped on the cover.
There appears to be something written on it.
>
You tap a battered leather folio in a jade-inlaid ebonwood case.
>
Several loose sheets of paper are neatly organized within the folio.  A note, bearing the library's seal, has been affixed to the front of the leather folio reading, "This collection, while appearing to be an unsent letter and research, is believed to actually be a copy made by the author for his own records."  Gilt writing is stamped on the cover.
There appears to be something written on it.
>
In the Elven language, it reads:
Research of Atathysn Vanael Illistim 

In the leather folio you see a pale ivory page, a pale ivory page, a sapphire foil-stamped page, an ink-splattered page, a silver-gilted page, a wax-marked page, an ivory page, an ebon-inked page and a gold-edged page.

The Pages

You tap a gilt-framed page in a battered leather folio.
>
The page appears to be an unfinished letter.  A scrawl of ink mars the page, as if the writer suddenly were jostled, sending the pen violently across it.  Pinned to the letter is a note bearing the library's seal -- "This letter was found on the desk next to the corpse of Researcher Vanael.  A partially consumed glass of violet liqueur appears to have been the culprit.  According to all reports, Vanael accidentally mixed one of his toxins into his evening spirits.  ~Library of Ta'Illistim Records"
There appears to be something written on it.
>
In the Common language, it reads:
The guilds and colleges, and even the libraries, have turned against me.  I am keeping copies of my research and sending everything I've found so far to you in the hopes you can continue it.  It is my greatest hope that the previous letters with potential poisons, toxins, and paralytics for you to obtain have made it to you.

I am going to my country manor to finish the last phase of experimentation...

You tap a pale ivory page in a battered leather folio.
>
There appears to be something written on it.
>
In the Common language, it reads:
~*~ Drinks:  Intoxicating Beverages ~*~
The primary benefit to using intoxicating substances is the mind-altering effects imbibing causes.  The stronger the better to break down the subject's inhibitions and rational thinking processes.  As long as the toxin induced into the beverage does not stand out from the drink's flavor notes, one may introduce almost any substance with some measure of success.

Another benefit to the utilization of intoxicating beverages is the drink itself is often blamed for any negative effects, drawing attention away from the poisoner.

You tap a sapphire foil-stamped page in a battered leather folio.
>
Delicate sapphire foil in the shape of an owl feather has been stamped onto the lower right-hand corner of the page
There appears to be something written on it.
>
In the Common language, it reads:
~*~ Drinks:  Water, Juices, and Teas ~*~
Paralytics used discolored water and were found to be too obvious for covert uses.  The acidity in most juices impedes several agents from reaching their full potential; however, several plant-based toxins thrive in both juices and teas.  Paralyzing toxins from fauna, specifically poisonous jelly fish, were extremely effective in tea, but their presence was somewhat obvious after the first taste.  Fortunately, the first taste is all that is needed.

Tisanes and other herbal concoctions were also excellent at masking flavors, especially since many ingredients used here share flavor profiles with plant-based poisons.

You tap an ink-splattered page in a battered leather folio.
>
The fine parchment has been splattered with tiny dots of ink, but no writing is obscured.
There appears to be something written on it.
>
In the Common language, it reads:
~*~ Desserts:  Caramels, Creams, and Custards ~*~
Eureka!  The combination of milk or cream and sugar appears to be the trick when attempting to use any sort paralyzing agent.  Caramels and creamy chocolates were excellent conduits, as were custards and anything with sweetened creamy components.

Test subjects indicated the final products maintained flavor, texture, and consistency of unadulterated products.  Unfortunately, the paralytic used was so fast-acting that little additional information could be gleaned, nor could any antidote be administered.  Begin testing against the sovereign specific immediately.

You tap a silver-gilted page in a battered leather folio.
>
There appears to be something written on it.
>
In the Common language, it reads:
~*~ Desserts:  Candy Confections ~*~
Dozens of poisons work excellently in sugar-based confections.  These treats, that are predominantly sugar and water and flavorings, burst upon the palate with a sweetness that obscures many telltale signs of unusual additions.

Unfortunately, placing extra ingredients into confections seems to destabilize the candy's structure, turning most types into unattractive lumps that no self-respecting elf would eat.

A smidgen of success was had with salt water taffy, but the various paralyzying agents still lost a significant amount of efficacy and left a faint aftertaste.  One's intended must eat several taffies in short order to have the desired effects.

Scrawled almost as if an afterthought below the rest of the section is a note reading,"There is some cream in this taffy recipe.  What if??"

You tap a wax-marked page in a battered leather folio.
>
A brief sketch of several loaves of bread sits beneath the elegant handwriting on this page.  A trio of mice nibble on one loaf.
There appears to be something written on it.
>
In the Common language, it reads:
~*~ Breads and Baked Goods ~*~
Ah, nothing is more satisfying than bread!  Few dislike baked goods, and thus it makes an excellent conduit to introduce illicit ingredients.  I have had little success, however, with obtaining permanent results with paralyzing agents.  Perhaps it is the yeast?

While my subjects experience tingling or even partial paralysis in extremities, no lung activity is impacted, nor are the effects permanent or even more than mildly annoying.

You tap an ivory page in a battered leather folio.
>
There appears to be something written on it.
>
In the Common language, it reads:
~*~ Meats, Fowl, and Fish~*~
Wild game, often tangy and pungent, can serve as an effective means to hide unusual flavors and odors, but dissolving or otherwise concealing the actual added ingredient is more difficult than other foods.

Tried several muscle-numbing agents by injecting into meats.  Mice refused to eat.  Volunteer test subjects note no indication of foulness at point of ingestion.  Most severe symptoms included bowel discomfort.

Increase doses?

Several additional question marks cover the bottom of the page.

You tap an ebon-inked page in a battered leather folio.
>
Several mushrooms have been scribbled down the left margins of the page in bright blue ink.
There appears to be something written on it.
>
In the Common language, it reads:
~*~ Sauces, Soups, and Stews~*~

Several poisonous plants can safely be added to these savory liquid dishes, but masking the typically bitter flavors still proves difficult.

Mushrooms and toadstools work best here, but one can either be subtle or one can be expedient, but rarely both.

Known paralytics seem to easily stand out and are not recommended.

Perhaps the Nalfein have additional successes.  Three test subjects succumbed quickly, but all mentioned an unpleasant aroma that would have kept them from partaking of the food without the monetary exchange at hand.

You tap a gold-edged page in a battered leather folio.
>
The page appears to be a letter and is written in Common with an elegant script.
There appears to be something written on it.
>
In the Common language, it reads:
My esteemed colleague,
I have received numerous complaints over my lines and methods of research, and I have found my investigation into the efficacy of poisons, especially those with paralytic properties, when mixed in various food stuffs stalled and stymied at every turn.

I have heard that you are interested in similar studies in Tamzyrr and send you the first of my notes in the hopes that between the two of us, we can carry on this intriguing field of research.

In educational brotherhood,
Atathysn Vanael Illistim
10th of Lormesta, 4995

The Vials

You tap several glaesineth vials in a jade-inlaid ebonwood case.
Carefully inserted in specially padded pockets along the interior edges of the ebonwood case, these vials appear to hold samples of various bits of flora and fauna.

You tap a bulbous vial, which is in your left hand.
The bulbous glaesineth vial contains a preserved brown spider with visible fangs.

You tap a flower-cut vial, which is in your right hand.
Several preserved oleander blossoms fill the glaesineth vial.

You tap a blue-capped vial, which is in your left hand.
Capped with a blue gemstone, the sealed glaesineth vial holds a tiny, dried toadstool.  Its bright bright blue exterior is contrasted with virulent orange gills.

You tap a vial of violet liquid, which is in your right hand.
Flecks of gold float in the bright violet liquid encapsulated in a corked and sealed glaesineth vial.

You tap a liquid-filled vial, which is in your right hand.
Filled with preservative and sealed with a vaalin stopper, the glaesineth vial holds a tiny pink jellyfish.

The Sheaf of Parchments

You tap a sheaf of parchment in a jade-inlaid ebonwood case.
Dozens of sheets of parchment are neatly stacked inside the case.  A quick riffling through the sheaf shows numerous drawings, some looking nearly identical to one another.  The occasional bit of script can be seen beneath several of the sketches. 

You tap a detailed pastel, which is in your right hand.
A detailed and colorful pastel of belladonna in lush bloom covers the parchment.  The remains of several partially erased notes are visible but unreadable.

You tap a nautilus watercolor, which is in your right hand.
A detailed drawing of a nautilus shell and its mollusk stands out against a watercolor background.

You tap a mushroom sketch, which is in your right hand.
This pen and ink sketch depicts a detailed anatomical drawing of a death cap mushroom.

You tap a painted parchment, which is in your right hand.
An intricately painted dinner scene covers the parchment, with a handful of desserts circled in ink.

You tap a brightly inked drawing, which is in your left hand.
A vivid viridian toadstool with bright white gills has been neatly drawn on the parchment.  A small label reads, "Red in nature often means beware."

You tap a small charcoal sketch, which is in your right hand.
The parchment holds a proficient sketch of an acistira plant.  Several labels have been smudged and are unreadable.

You tap a scrap of watercolored parchment, which is in your right hand.
The remnant of fine parchment shows the partial watercolor of a vibrant underwater scene of nielira, Nalfein seaponies, puffer fish, and coral.  Illegible script borders the uneven tear along the bottom.