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Old 03-01-2004, 09:37 AM   #276
Ransom
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Some randomn dorm in Pittsburgh
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After his somewhat tardy morning meal, Casimir rose and briskly marched out of the inn. He returned juggling two leather-bound books, several more message cases, and another case of ink in his thin arms. While some messengers regularly stopped at the Seventh Star to drop off letters or switch horses, this Gondorian had evidently elected to take the half an hour-long stroll to the nearest hamlet with a permanent mail post. Besides the obvious need for a trusted depository for his mail, the hour-long walk gave him time to collect his thoughts and enjoy the fresh air. Casimir had tried his hardest to sleep well last night, but had only achieved three or four hours of a fitful, half sleep.

The walker deposited his most recent acquisitions on another empty table and hurried up the stairwell to his room. One of the passing servants quickly read the titles on the book’s well-worn spines: Poisonous Beasts and Fauna from the libraries in House of Healing and last year’s Annals of the Judicial Courts of Gondor from the archives of the White Tower. This piece of information would undoubtedly find its way into the hands of the innkeeper before the sun set. No one knew much of this strange guest; save that he wore the garb of an officer or official and that he paid promptly in freshly minted silver coins. Casimir did not notice the servant’s clandestine espionage as he descended the stairs with his black book and his writing kit. He pushed the Annals, message containers, and writing implements to the side and set the two remaining books in front of him.

He opened the black book to his previous night’s labor and began to review his findings. Then, he began to browse through the book from the House of Healing, pausing to check the black ledger every few minutes. After a few more minutes of reading, he pulled out a fresh pot of ink and a feather. Casimir flipped to the back of his book and began to write:

Quote:
Several of the people in question suffered vomiting, violent shaking, and general malaise prior to their demise. However, this does not assist in the classification of the poisons in question because of their widespread occurrence. Some of the ministers and masters lingered for several days before their demise, but some fell dead after a matter of minutes.

Hemlock causes a considerable amount of spit to form in the mouth. Followed by considerable shortness of breath and finally death by suffocation. It can be taken in to the body through wine and water. Perhaps one or two deaths over a year.

Water hemlock, on the other hand, starts agitation and general unwellness of the mind. The body begins to shake and flail, necessitating the restraint of the patient. The victim slips into a deep sleep before expiring. I believe we can attribute the death of the Minister of the Treasury to this.

Mandrake and deadly nightshade both cause their victims to become, as one loremaster put it, “red as a beet, dry as a bone, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter, and hot as a hare.” The healers seem to believe that this has caused the ills of a fair number of rich nobles. Several have expired from secondary infections or complications.

Several herbs can cause damage to the heart, mind, and stomach, but I do not have the expertise or evidence to determine if they have attributed to any poisonings.
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