Ruby Sulphur Extract

Old World poisons traditionally had a peculiar taste or stench until the development of arsenic in the Border Princes. Discovered in the nearby foothills, miners found an odd crystal deposit they called ruby sulphur. Shortly after it was taken from the mines, it changed colour and disintegrated into a harmless powder. Later, an Araby alchemist realized a connection between the often-sudden transformation and the presence of light, finding that the amount and intensity of light affected the rock’s rate of decomposition. Curious, he brought back a sample under the cover of night to his laboratory. After conducting a series of tests, he melted the stone down and when it dried; what remained was a strange white powder. Using the normal testing, he found the powder lacked an odour, taste, and when mixed in solutions, it didn’t change the colour. Unfortunately for the alchemist, his extensive experiments led to his death. Around the same time, a new poison suddenly spread throughout the Old World. People died with no explanation as to how and why, leaving no apparent evidence in food or drink. It was only after the Estalia government captured an assassin did they discover this new poison, and the link between the alchemist and the rash of recent deaths became known.

Ruby sulphur extract, sometimes called arsenic, is the preferred type of poison for those who can afford it. Expensive and found only in one location in all the Old World, though rumour has it that Cathayan merchants sometimes transport small quantities of this powder, it is beyond the reach of most would-be killers.

To use ruby sulphur extract, it must either be mixed in with food or drink, or inhaled, such as by rubbing the powder on a handkerchief or scarf.

Source
[[Category:R]] [[Category:S]] [[Category:A]]
 * Warhammer Fantasy RPG 2nd ED -- Old World Armoury
 * pg. 73