Maelstrom Campaign - Contrabando

There are some goods the trading of which is strictly controlled or even prohibited in some lands. Many of these are addictive and dangerous herbal concoctions but this is not true in all cases. Whilst restrictions on legitimate, profitable trade are to be deplored in all cases, nonetheless the upstanding merchant will do well to carefully consider the following cargoes and their possible destinations to ensure that he does not run foul of the establishment.

Actinian Venom
Actinia are small sea anemones found in the shallow waters of eastern Murland. The venom causes the skin to pale if the anemone is stepped on, but also induces a mild euphoric sensation. Of little use for many years, it has now been discovered that the venom can be mixed into a cream, which if applied to the skin with a pad of needles reduces facial lines and wrinkles and pales the skin for a time as well as producing a feeling of euphoria. The cream has become very popular in Flambard but trade has been prohibited after several notorious murders were carried out by the Garters whilst wearing creams made from Actinian Venom. It does not appear to be addictive.

Agenta
Agenta is a relaxant which was originally discovered by Thomas Huber, emeritus professor of medicine at the University of Saren in Freiboden. It completely relaxes the muscles for a brief period when swallowed resulting in near paralysis which is accompanied by a tremendous sense of calm and wellbeing which can last for an hour or more. The substance became recreationally popular amongst the aristocracy of that land but was banned after the revolution. Over-use of Agenta can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms include aggression, inability to concentrate and shortness of temper as well as cravings. The long term effects are unknown. Agenta is illegal in Freiboden but its use persists amongst those with the money to afford it.

Brandyblend
Brandyblend is a powder made by grinding bark from the tinama tree that grows in Fidelia. It acts as a mild stimulant when mixed with drinks but also purifies dirty water making it potable. Connoisseurs say that it improves the flavour of wines and spirits. Brandyblend is highly toxic to dragons and dracoscions and folk who travel there have suffered for carrying it to that land. Brandyblend is not known to be addictive and the Fidelians who use it extensively seem to enjoy good health into old age.

Catamite
This stimulant is made from natural products from the Murland jungles where it is very popular amongst male Tritoni. Most use it as a dark coloured hard boiled sweet which is sucked to release its effects. Within a few minutes the individual will experience a heady feeling of great confidence and physical exuberance as well as increased strength and endurance. This drug is highly addictive and withdrawal produces nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Long term use is known to cause premature ageing. Possession of Catamite is illegal in Alkyon, Amun-Sa, Fidelia, Flambard, Freiboden and Kamakura. Sale of the substance is illegal in Malathia.

Flame
This spicy liquid gives near total pain resistance, allowing the drinker to continue with wounds that would drop a lesser man. It greatly enhances endurance and can delay fatigue. Unfortunately side effects include a strong increase in the aggressiveness of the imbiber. It is popular in Merisusi lands where it is produced from local fauna. It is addictive if taken frequently and withdrawal symptoms include internal bleeding which in extreme cases can result in death. Long term use causes loss of feeling in all extremities and has been associated with melancholia and brain disease. Possession of Flame is illegal in Fidelia, Flambard, Freiboden, and Kamakura and Rukh. Possession requires a license in Alkyon, Amun-Sa and Malathia.

Geum
This peculiar and noxious plant grows only in Fidelia where it is occasionally sold by unscrupulous tribesmen. Geum is a particularly lethal poison, considerably more deadly than Swamp Fever or Gilded Berries. Anyone who ingests the juice from the leaves will experience agonizing colic which will last for an hour or more. This is followed by overwhelming lethargy leading to hallucinations and eventually death. Very few people have ever survived Geum poisoning and it is illegal in Alkyon, Amun-Sa, Fidelia, Flambard, Freiboden, Kamakura and Rukh.

Gilded Berries
These golden yellow berries grow on the Katsalutsa bush, a small plant which is difficult to cultivate and grow but can be found wild in the mountains of Kamakura. The plant is notable because if the berries are dried and powdered they form a lethal concoction which can be added to almost any food or drink. Gilded Berry poisoning can be cured if a powerful emetic is immediately administered but otherwise the effects are usually fatal. Violent and painful muscle spasms set in an hour after the berry has been administered. The symptoms become more severe until asphyxiation results after several hours. Gilded Berries are illegal in Alkyon, Amun-Sa, Bantustan, Fidelia, Flambard, Freiboden, Kamakura, Malathia, Merisusi, Rukh and Tritoni lands.

Mellifluent Rhind
The mellifluent rhind is an exotic bush which takes great care and attention to cultivate. It is grown by some priests and Bushi in Kamakura. The tiny yellow fruit are tough and inedible but if the rhind is dried and then burned as an incense it produces strange hallucinatory visions accompanied by unearthly singing which provide great insight into deep worldly mysteries. It is addictive if taken too regularly and withdrawal can cause chronic cravings and nausea. Long term use does not appear to have any effects. Sale of the Rhind is illegal in Amun-Sa, Malathia, Fidelia and Flambard.

Oco Powder
The most powerful intoxicant known, this cheap narcotic takes the form of blue crystals that are crushed and then inhaled. They can be smoked or eaten as well. When taken the drug causes the user to fall into a semi-conscious state for a few minutes, followed by an overwhelming euphoric state which can last for hours depending on the quality. Oco Powder is extremely addictive and withdrawal symptoms include bouts of psychosis, narcolepsy, dipsomania and violent aggression interspaced with chronic muscle pains. Long term use impairs eyesight and causes paranoia, schizophrenia and brittle bones. Oco Powder is produced and sold by a handful of the nomadic tribes in Rukh and possession is illegal in Alkyon, Bantustan, Fidelia, Flambard, Freiboden, Kamakura, Malathia, Merisusi and Rukh.

Phulkari
Phulkari is made from the red berries of a small bush which grows in the forests of Maya. The juice of the berries is bitter and tart. They are poisonous, inducing vomiting and nausea, in most people but dragons and most dracoscions can keep them down. The berry induces sleepiness during which the user experiences revelatory dreams. Phulkari is addictive if overused; withdrawal symptoms includes nightmares and chronic insomnia leading to fatigue and exhaustion. Long term users tend to suffer excessive shedding of their scales and in some instances loss of teeth and horns. Phulkari is illegal in Alkyon, Amun-Sa, Fidelia and Flambard.

Rantsin
Rantsin is a stimulant which is popular in Flambard, Malathia and Rukh. It is produced by the Rantsin Volery in Alkyon and was popular there until it was realised that it caused women to produce undersized eggs. Rantsin can be produced as a gum which is chewed or a powder which is inhaled. It makes the user feel vibrant and sharpens concentration and focus. Rantsin is addictive and withdrawal symptoms include lethargy and cravings. Long term use appears causes premature moulting and may lead to excessive hair loss. It is illegal to sell Rantsin to an Alkonian and the substance has now been banned in Rukh after the Satrap’s favourite concubine lost two eggs.

Religious Icons
Until recently there has been a thriving trade in religious icons of the Teacher based around Yugorsk in Fidelia. A large number of these were fakes and the practice was banned under a previous Hierophant. Only authorised priests of the Teacher are allowed to sell religious icons and paraphernalia in Fidelia. Similar laws are in place in Amun-Sa where the priests of the Merchant control the production and sale of religious symbols.

Seraph Tear
This priests of the Soldier in Amun-Sa protect the secret of the creation of this viscous liquid. If ingested it produces an odd effect where the imbiber feels no guilt. It does not interfere with other cognitive processes, and the effects fade after a few days. The priesthood restrict the liquid for use in religious ceremonies but small quantities find their way to market. It does not appear to be addictive, but long term effects are known to include the ‘trembles’, a subtle but involuntary shaking of the limbs. It is illegal to purchase Seraph Tear in Amun-Sa unless you are a native priest of the Soldier.

Slavery
Honest trade in slaves is permitted in all civilised lands, although licenses for slaves are required in Flambard and Kamakura. The Tritoni do not provide any legal support or protection for merchants trading in slaves in their lands.

Swamp Fever
This deadly black sticky liquid is made by the Tritoni women from sap drawn from a tree which grows only in their lands. The liquid is entirely inedible, but when the Tritoni go to war against the Gnolls, they coat their arrow heads with it. If a victim is hit by a Tritoni arrow but survives the wound, the poison from the arrow enters the blood stream. It causes a rising fever, leading to incapacitation, delusions and eventually death within days. Swamp Fever is illegal in Alkyon, Amun-Sa, Bantustan, Fidelia, Flambard, Freiboden, Kamakura, Merisusi and Rukh.

Vineweed Berry
Vineweed grows wild across the warmer regions of Sentoris. This mild painkiller is a common cure for headaches and nausea. It is not known to be addictive and there are no known side effects. Vineweed Berries are illegal in Rukh.

Vineweed Root
Made from the same source as vineweed berries, the root is a much stronger analgesic that can be pressed into open wounds and is often used medically to allay the pain of surgery. It has the capacity to take the edge off injuries and keep a man standing when he would otherwise pass out. Frequent use is known to be addictive and withdrawal symptoms include chronic tinnitus and fatigue. Mild tinnitus can result from long term use. Vineweed root is illegal in Rukh.

Weaponry
A number of types and manufacture of weapons are forbidden in some lands. The secrets of the manufacture of muskets are closely guarded by the Freiboden merchants and it is illegal to sell a musket there since the Defence of the League Act.

In Kamakura only Bushi may carry a sword or use metal weapons and armour. Aspiring merchants are permitted to sell these items, but not to carry them openly. Darkpowder and all darkpowder weapons are completely forbidden in Kamakura by decree of the Shogun and anyone carrying powder or weaponry faces summary execution.

A permit issued by the government is required to own a pistol or musket in Flambard. The bow and crossbow are also illegal in Flambard without a special permit to authorise an individual to use one for hunting.

And so it began......

Dawn breaks, war looms, the evil Lord is gathering his armies to wage a campaign of destruction upon the free peoples of the world. It is up to I, Sir Maximilan Pegasus to stop him, with my trusted band of adventurers we must gather the enchanted sword of Tek, the Shield of Way-Lem and the amulet of Subsidence and together we shall slay this abomination! “TIME FREEZE” And bam, the fantasy world fades away, the enchanted sword of Tek in my hand is a rubber sword smothered in coloured ribbons with a laminated card cable tied to the hilt, I look down and I’m wearing plastic armour and unflattering heropants, and the magical world of my imagination washes away to reveal a field in Wigan, but you know what? It’s larp and I’m a larper, it’s what I do.
I started larping when I was 17, I’d never role-played before, I’d never played D&D or Warhammer, never played WoW or any form of online game, I’d never even read Lord of the Rings, I feel somewhat privileged that I hadn’t done any of those things, I think it gave me an untainted attitude towards what larp could be, I had no preconceptions about saving the maiden fair, slaying the dragon or smiting the liche, to me it was just a new thing to try.
It was cold, really cold, 10am on a September morning, the rain was battering down and I’d been given a faux fur tunic, a mouldy old sword and been pointed towards a man and told, “You’re monstering, there’s the ref he’ll tell you what to do.” I obeyed, I played wave after wave of zombies, orcs and various line monsters and to be honest, was cold, bored and hungry. That is, until lunchtime, the teams switched sides, I got into the kit I’d scrounged up, as with most first timers, a black trenchcoat. I took the mouldy old sword, stood with my fellow adventurers and it hit me, I’m a god damn hero!
Pow, there it was, a new larper was born.