Adoxipham

Adoxipham, colloquially known as "Dox", is a magic-infused drug by which addiction is "perfect" (even the smallest amount leads to permanent dependence) and is impossible to overcome or overdose on. It is distributed exclusively through criminal street gangs and is administered intravenously primarily through forced injection called "inspiring," and is rampant throughout much of the lower class of Galwyndor.

Development

The drug was developed by the Vurg and supplied to Vralius as a secret weapon in his empirical campaign, and is used as an economic machine as well as a biological weapon. The specific compound was clandestinely supplied by a Vurg rosh named Olibin under the auspices of a collaborative effort between Daector Talmage and the Arkaeni. The drug uses a substance supplied by the Vurg which was believed to contain magic. The Arkaeni Niril took a special interest in the drug's magical properties, which led him to help Talmage create the synthetic hormone phyrocinin, which enabled them to build a secret weapon that could be used against the Vurg at a later time, should the need arise. It was Niril who first noticed how the Vurg would only perform their transfusions from within the safety of byrridium-lined chambers, which is why the walls of the Arkaeni lair at Victurus are also lined with the material.

Withdrawal

Because one dose is enough to hook someone for life, if one doesn't get more dox after a time, they experience a painful withdrawal commonly called the Slow Burn. Essentially, this is a burning sensation that covers the entire body, as it targets the nerves. If left long enough, the pain feels like fire, and can be debilitating.

Notes

• Dox is primarily spread by force using needles. The people tasked with this are called "pokers". Germ, the first poker to appear in the series uses a retrofitted Anderman T44K wrist rack which he calls "Little Skulf".