Drugs

Drugs are substances that, like potions, cause many different effects, both positive and negative.

Description
While most potions in Orrin are usually controlled and made using meticulous and careful processes that require extensive training, there are several substances that, while often providing strong positive benefits, also come with potentially dangerous side effects. Unlike potions, drugs are often consumed recreationally and are subject to imperfections that make their consumption risky. They range from naturally-occurring plants and fungi to manmade substances, with the quality of the end product being significantly more variable than most potions.

Effects
While some drugs have similar effects to pre-existing potions, many are created purely for recreation. They may have utilitarian effects such as pain suppression and heightening of senses, or debilitating side effects such as visual and auditory hallucinations and dissociation.

Legality
Drugs vary greatly in terms of their legality. While a substance may not be restricted in one realm, its use may be completely prohibited in another. Some substances have significant traditional cultural value and are freely distributed in their communities, while others may only be available to well-connected individuals in a society, and still others have extreme social stigma attached to their use or possession. Their availability and rarity usually depends on the region of the world. Some substances, such as Dwarven moss, only grow in the cool, damp caves of the Crimson Mountains, while bear caps only grow in the frigid forests of Naravut Island.