Poisons of Golarion

Poison

(Alchemical item)

Type

Poison

Source: Ultimate Equipment, pg(s). 110

This page does not cover hazards or diseases. See Hazards of Golarion and Diseases of Golarion.

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Poison, toxin, or venom can quickly kill a fit and healthy person and, on Golarion, poison is an omnipresent danger, be it naturally occurring in plants or venomous creatures, or the manufactured essence brewed by an expert in the hands of a trained assassin.

Toxins can enter the body by ingestion, contact, inhalation, via a wound, or from the use of a spell.

Gods and poison

The gods Norgorber and Ydersius claim poison as part of their portfolios, as do demigods such as the demon lord Jubilex, the daemonic harbinger Vorasha, the psychopomp usher Teshallas, and the Malebranche known as Scarmiglione.

Norgorber

Assassins, alchemists, and herbalists, follow Norgorber as cultists who worship his guise as 'Blackfingers'.

Ydersius

Ydersius is sometimes called the 'Lord of Coiling Poison' and is famous for his threefold poison: fang venom, toxic blood and a cloud of poison exuded from his body.

Jubilex

Jubilex is the Demon Lord of Poison and Ooze and has many poisoners as followers.

Scarmiglione

The Malebranche known as Scarmiglione has Poison in his portfolio as well as Deceit and Temptation.

Teshallas

Teshallas, the Primordial Poison, is the psychopomp usher of poison and venomous creatures, but also acts as a patron of those who transform nature's poisons into medicines, such as alchemists and herbalists.

Vorasha

The daemonic harbinger Vorasha the Ophidian counts poison and toxicity as major elements of her portfolio.

Creatures and poison

Many creatures carry toxin administered in innumerable ways, such as through their bite, like venomous snakes; from touching their skin, like some frogs; from a sting, like a bee's; from tentacles, like a jellyfish; and from their breath, like some dragons. Some of these creatures are bred for and milked of their venom, however, and these poisons are listed below under List of poisons.

Using poison

Using poison on an arrow.

Reiko poisons a shuriken.

As a group perhaps assassins are the most famous users of poison, but many more people utilize its effectiveness, especially trained inquisitors. Some rogues also specialize in the poisoner's art.

Special equipment may be purchased or fabricated to aid in poisoning an enemy, for instance the blowgun often used in the Mwangi Expanse, Tian Xia, and the jungles of Vudra.

Blackfingers Paste is another aid for poisoners, which was invented by the church of Norgorber. The poisoner applies it to his fingers before applying poison to a blade to prevent poisoning himself; the paste then leaves a tell-tale black stain for days afterwards.

Creating poison

Poisons can be extracted, distilled, or otherwise derived from many natural sources, including venomous creatures and poisonous plants. Several poisons listed below under List of poisons describe how and from what they are created.

Arcanotoxins

Alchemists who master poisonmaking can rapidly create and apply enhanced versions of existing poisons, which are known as arcanotoxins. Alchemists who specialize in arcanotoxins and poisons are known as eldritch poisoners.

Magical poisons

While certain spells can directly poison a creature, there are other ways magic can aid a poisoner.

Infused poisons

Poisons can be infused through potioncraft to add a spell's effects to the poison's. An infused poison has a magical aura, and its spell takes affect after the poison starts to work. Infused poisons are noted as such in the list of poisons acting from the use of a spell below.

Necrotoxins

Rare poisons invented in Geb (and also mastered in Daggermark) combine alchemy and necromancy to poison a victim's soul as well as its body. These necrotoxins often require reagents from undead creatures and the ability to channel negative energy into the brew. Necrotoxins are noted as such in the list of poisons below.

Poison manufacturers and organizations

Many people use poison, some more openly than others. That means there is a need to manufacture or collect poisons and there needs to be a market for trading in poison. Making poison is a skillful process and those untrained in the craft risk poisoning themselves. Trading in poison, depending on the region, may be open and public or the sole preserve of a black market. Cities like Absalom, Katapesh, Daggermark and Port Peril all have brisk and relatively open trade of poisons.

Poisons may be made by experts in that field, or by alchemists or herbalists.

• In Daggermark, the Daggermark Poisoners' Guild is a criminal organization dealing in poisons, and is closely associated with the Daggermark Assassins' Guild.
• There is a Poison Makers' Guild in Katapesh, as well as the infamous Nightstalls where poison can be openly purchased.
• In Sandpoint, The Pillbug's Pantry has a discreet side line in poisons.
• In Sothis, Aqsarm plies his nefarious wares.

Surviving poison

Poison attacks the body quickly and to survive poison quick action is essential. There are a number of ways to combat poison:

• Spells such as delay poison, heal, or neutralize poison
• Ingesting a vial of antitoxin
• A stout constitution, dwarves are particularly resistant to poison
• A healer's care
• Immunity to poison, for instance, like a powerful alchemist's, druid's or monk's innate ability or immunity granted through a spell like heroes' feast
• A paladin's mercy

List of poisons

Below is a list of some of the poisons that can be found throughout Golarion, with an idea of the average cost of a dose of the poison. Some are found on every continent, while others are highly localized. It is by no means an exhaustive list.

Poisons acting through contact

Babau slime, concentrated Concentrated babau slime can be made into a potent poison by mixing it with many of the contact poisons listed here. Blackfrost In the far north of Golarion on the Boreal Expanse is found a black sludge called Blackfrost. It is a poisonous remnant of a civilization that built the Nameless Spire. It deals damage through acidic and intense cold. Black lotus extract Black lotus extract is a paste added to assassin's blades to make the target unable to be healed. It appears as a dark, sticky substance. 4,500 gp Blistercap spore poison This fungus takes its name from the bruise-colored puffballs capping its stem, which weep a toxic yellow fluid It is found primarily in the Darklands. 1,125 gp Cockatrice spit Able to take effect from contact, ingestion or through a wound, this poison causes petrification. 1,000 gp Count Ambras's punishment One of the unique poisons to be developed by the Daggermark Poisoners' Guild and named after its founder Count Ambras Imre, this poison debilitates the victim in minutes. 350 gp Dragon bile 1,500 gp Goblinvine oil This is a goblin created oil that causes sickness and is made from the leaves of the goblinvine. 125 gp Jellyfish poison Cost unknown Kiss of Barbatos A rare, slow-acting poison found in Magnimar, and named after the archdevil of the same name, though it is also known as Hermit's Breath. It can act through contact or ingestion. The Kiss of Barbatos makes it appear as though the target is the victim of a wasting disease and leaves few visible traces, except for a yellowing of the eyes and purple flecks in the iris; this latter symptom is a good guide to the poison's use. The poison has to be administered over many weeks, and there is no known antidote. 7,500 gp	Kraken ink Cost unknown Malyass root paste 250 gp Nitharit A metal found near veins of iron or copper that is poisonous on contact when ground to dust. Dwarves and older surface cultures know of its properties. 650 gp Radiation An apparently naturally occurring poison in the alien ruins of Numeria, radiation is invisible, permeating, and lingering. In sufficiently large doses, its draining properties can be fatal, either immediately or over the course of days. Some spells, technological items and weapons, and environmental hazards emit or absorb radiation. Rainbow jellyfish toxin Acting through contact or a wound, this poison can cause paralysis. 400 gp Red tears This posion causes the afflicted creature's wounds to bleed more freely. 50 gp Sassone leaf residue 300 gp Shamweed This poison is infamous as a poison exclusively available from Daggermark's guilds. 6,500 gp Tatzlwyrm's breath — Tears of death Jellied from pulverized ghoul and wight hands and aged in stone urns for several weeks. 6,500 gp Terinav root 400 gp Thornapple This poison is infamous as a poison exclusively available from Daggermark's guilds. 90 gp Violet venom Extracted from the tentacles of a dead violet fungus, this poison is a diluted version of the original. 800 gp Waters of the Whispering River Cost unknown

Poisons acting through ingestion

An ingested poison is secreted into the punch at a Taldan masquerade.

Abysium powder Powdered and alchemically processed abysium produces a potent, nauseating poison. 900 gp Abyssal arsenic An infused poison; see below under Poisons acting from the use of a spell. Aconite Root This poison is infamous as a poison exclusively available from Daggermark's guilds. 1,800 gp Addlemind This poison impairs a target's mental abilities, particularly regarding knowledge recollection and perception. 75 gp Amber Lotus Powder This is a poison that brings on involuntary sleep. Cost unknown Arsenic Arsenic is a crystalline metal known as the 'king of poisons' and is often created by purifying realgar. When infused with the disfiguring touch spell, it becomes abyssal arsenic. 120 gp Baneberry This poison is infamous as a poison exclusively available from Daggermark's guilds. This poison can also take effect via an injury. 90 gp Belladonna When infused with the touch of combustion spell, this poison becomes burning heart. 100 gp Bloodbrush extract, or bloodbrush toxin This drug is manufactured by refining the poison of the thorns of the bloodbrush: an animate plant found in Numeria. Rarely used as a toxin, as it would require repeated doses to be effective, the extract is more commonly used as a mildly addictive, hallucinogenic drug. 25 gp Blue dragonfly poison Blue dragonfly poison, also called swampseer poison, is made from blue dragonflies by boggard swampseers, who cultivate the insects specifically for their poison. It is highly dangerous and damages the mind, but it also produces visions in a similar fashion as an hallucinogenic drug; the boggards consider these visions to be from their goddess, Gogunta. 7 gp Brinestump special This is a goblin-created concoction made from fermenting flora from the Brinestump Marsh; it is particularly favoured by the Licktoad goblins. Goblins enjoy it, but all others are nauseated by this poison. 400 gp Burning heart An infused poison; see below under Poisons acting from the use of a spell. Calotropis This poison is infamous as a poison exclusively available from Daggermark's guilds. 120 gp Cockatrice Spit See above under Poisons acting through contact. Cytillesh Extract Derros manufacture this memory-altering poison from the cytillesh fungus. 800 gp Dark reaver powder 800 gp Dragon's Breath Poison Cost unknown Dust of Eox An infused poison; see below under Poisons acting from the use of a spell. Dream Crystal Toxin This is a cursed poison made from a corrupted dream crystal that attacks the victim's intelligence and risks the transformation of the victim into an id mutant. 2,500 gp Everwake Serum This poison prevents the target resting or sleeping. This poison is thus particularly debilitating when used against spell casters. 2,500 gp Fiddleback Venom Able to take effect from ingestion or through a wound, this virulent poison causes sickness and physical weakness. 500 gp Frostspore Brown mould spores are used to create this pale blue poison, which injures its target by freezing damage. 100 gp	Hag Spit Acting through ingestion or through a wound, this poison causes blindness and attacks the mind. 1,500 gp Heathensnuff This poison is sometimes willingly ingested as it allows the user to better endure pain, albeit destroying the person's health at the same time. For its ability to reduce the effects of pain, it is frowned upon by the followers of Zon-Kuthon and illegal in Nidal. This poison is a very addictive drug. 10 gp Hemlock 2,500 gp Heresy's Bounty This poison is relatively slow to manifest in a victim's body; and continues to work over days reducing the victim's ability to understand their being duped or manipulated. Cost unknown Indigo dreams This ingested poison attacks the mind. When infused with the suggestion spell, it becomes liquid influence. 150 gp Id moss 125 gp King's sleep A slow-working alchemical tincture of fermented snake and scorpion venoms preferred by nobles trying to avoid suspicion. 5,000 gp Lazurite flakes This gray flaky necrotoxin causes humanoid victims to rise as ghouls after their deaths. 5,400 gp Lich dust When infused with the spell dispel magic, this poison becomes Dust of Eox. 400 gp Liquid influence An infused poison; see below under Poisons acting from the use of a spell. Liquid Persuasion One of the unique poisons to be developed by the Daggermark Poisoners' Guild, this poison twists the victim's mind to being more amenable. 120 gp Loose-leaf When ingested this poison eventually leads to a prolonged, debilitating stomach upset. Oil of taggit The condensed vapors of heated magical creature components, such as pixie wings and brass dragon scales. It also supposedly forms in some oozes. 90 gp Purple Pesh The rotting milk of a dead Pesh cactus harvested by the poison makers of Katapesh to create a highly effective poison. It costs 200 gp per dose (paste). Red bedlam This is a poison crafted from the scab-red red bedlam mushrooms. It is an hallucinogen that causes confusion but is also used by witches of the Hoarwood to enhance their revels. 1,200 gp Snap will Impairs focus and self-control. 2,500 gp Striped toadstool 180 gp Sweet dreams Sweet dreams poison attacks the mind and can quickly induce unconsciousness in the victim. Whisperwound Causes significant pain when the victim attempts to speak any louder than a soft whisper. 5,000 gp Wolfsbane 500 gp

Poisons acting through inhalation

Alchemical Isolation One of the unique poisons to be developed by the Daggermark Poisoners' Guild, this deafens then blinds the victim within minutes. 175 gp Azure Lily Pollen The azure lily grows only in the Hooktongue Slough and is rare even there. The plant's pollen is toxic causing nausea and paralysis that may last for many hours. Alchemists and poisoners can carefully harvest the pollen and craft a refined poison for trade. 1,500 gp Brain blot This poison attacks the mind and causes a lack of concentration; it can, therefore, be used successfully against spell casters. 800 gp Burnt othur fumes The fumes from burned bundles of poison-soaked herbs are toxic. Recipes vary regionally but are consistently rare and expensive. 2,100 gp Confabulation Powder A dero poison that affects the mind such that imagined events seem real to the victim. 80 gp Death worm egg fumes Until broken the eggs of a death worm are harmless, but on premature breakage the eggs discharge a noxious gas that can quickly kill any close by. Entropic dust This white grit necrotoxin inhibits divine magic and positive energy channeling. 1,500 gp Fury Gas This orc-concocted poison affects orcs differently from other victims: orcs enter a barbarian-like rage while non-orcs are blinded. 900 gp	Hazemind mist Hazemind mist, a weaker version of hazemind concentrate (q.v.), affects the mind allowing easier manipulation of the subject. This can be particularly effective against familiars. 225 gp Insanity mist 1,500 gp Laughing gas The afflicted creature laughs uncontrollably while affected by laughing gas. 500 gp Lungtaker This poison from Magnimar attacks the victims lungs, causing quick suffocation. 1,200 gp Maiden Lily Attar This poison generates a cloud of poisonous gas that can knock unconscious any who breathe the vapour. Cost unknown Nightmare vapour While promoted as a substance from Leng, it is created on Golarion by boiling sweat from humanoids in the throes of nightmares. 1,800 gp Smell of Fear This orc-concocted poison induces fear in its victims. 600 gp Ungol dust Can be found in undead-infested tombs or created by grinding the bones of undead skeletons or dry zombie flesh. Doses consist of little more than a pinch of the dust. 1,000 gp Xensh spores This necrotoxin made from spores native to the Shadow Plane can absorb positive energy. 1,200 gp

Poisons acting through an injury or wound

Baneberry This poison is infamous as a poison exclusively available from Daggermark's guilds. This poison can also take effect via ingestion. 90 gp Black adder venom 120 gp Black smear This poison is the most widely used by caligni creepers. It is a pungent black paste made from Darklands fungi. 5 gp Black whinnis Black whinnis toxin is created from the same source as blue whinnis (q.v.), namely a red creeper vine. It is more expensive to purchase as it is a more refined version of blue whinnis poison. It attacks the body and causes nausea. 200 gp Bloodroot 100 gp Blue whinnis Blue whinnis toxin is created from the blue whinnis fungal mould which has a pale blue hue, or the sap of rare blue-thorned whinnis vines. In its mould form, it is only mildly toxic possibly causing the eater a bout of nausea. To create blue whinnis poison, the toxic elements need to be properly extracted and concentrated. 120 gp Cockatrice Spit See above under Poisons acting through contact. Dhabba Spittle It is harvested from specially drugged dhabbas. The poison burns the flesh around where a victim is injured while also sickening the creature. It costs 50 gp per dose (liquid). Deathblade 1,800 gp Dhat-gunchi paste Dream Crystal Toxin See above under Poisons acting through ingestion. Drow poison 75 gp Fiddleback Venom See above under Poisons acting through ingestion. Flaming Doom This orc-concocted poison burns its victims by a touch. 900 gp Frostspore See above under Poisons acting through ingestion. Giant wasp poison 210 gp Greenblood oil 100 gp Hag Spit See above under Poisons acting through ingestion. Hazemind concentrate Hazemind concentrate, a stronger version of hazemind mist (q.v.), affects the mind allowing easier manipulation of the subject. This can be particularly effective against familiars. 200 gp	Ice troll phlegm Created by winter witches in Irrisen to punish thieves in the act and to help identify them for later detention, this poison debilitates its victims and colours their skin bright blue. 150 gp Jackalroot essence Gnolls of the deserts of Katapesh harvest the roots of the prickly jackalroot to make a poisonous ichor that brings on uncontrollable laughter in its victims. 600 gp Large scorpion venom 200 gp Monstrous spider venom 150 gp Nettlefin Toxin Cost unknown Peasant's woe Peasant's woe slows the victim. 400 gp Poison of Poisonous Frogs The poison of poisonous frogs is collected by primitive tribes for use with arrows and darts. Cost unknown Purple worm poison 700 gp Quick rot This pungent necrotoxin infects a victim's wounds with gangrene. 450 gp Rainbow Jellyfish Toxin See above under Poisons acting through contact. Shadow essence 250 gp Small centipede poison 90 gp Spider Vine Poison Cost unknown Tears of Perfection 600 gp Tetrodotoxin This poison is derived from the sting of the tetrolimulus, a large aquatic crab-mantis-scorpion beast. It is favoured by assassins of the Red Mantis due to its cruelty and ability to paralyse the victim allowing for an easier assassination. Tetrodotoxin is also found on the spines of the pufferfish. 1,300 gp or more Vampire's Kiss One of the unique poisons to be developed by the Daggermark Poisoners' Guild, this poison attacks the victim's health and makes them more prone to bleed. 75 gp Woundweal 100 gp Wyvern poison 3,000 gp

Poisons acting from the use of a spell

Infused poisons Abyssal arsenic This infusion combines the disfiguring touch spell with arsenic and is popular among demon cults. 420 gp Burning heart Nobles in Cheliax and Taldor use this infusion combining the touch of combustion spell with belladonna to embarrass victims by causing them to spontaneously combust. 150 gp Dust of Eox Red Mantis assassins use this black metallic powder, which infuses lich dust with the dispel magic spell, to disable targeted magic users. 1,150 gp Liquid influence This infusion of the suggestion spell with indigo dreams makes its victims more compulsive. 900 gp	Others Cloudkill spell — Green prismatic poison — Mandragora poison The poison from the mandragora can be harvested and used to aid the scrying spell by reducing the target's will. Poison spell — Transmute potion to poison spell — Venomous promise spell This spell triggers a poison when the victim shares certain warded information. —

References

Paizo published a sourcebook about poisons: Potions & Poisons.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.