Zhirzakto Psychosis

As part of their desensitization and training, Zhirzakto of the The Night of Apopshe are exposed to and consume a variety of poisons, including smoke from burning Wax Rose bushes, Southern Mottled Venom Toad secretions, and venom from poisonous asps. In the final stage of their training, those that survive consume raw Zhirzpla, a poison far deadlier than any of its constituent ingredients. Zhirzpla in any form and in tiny amounts will kill an adult Human in seconds. Even for a Zhirzakto undergoing final training, partially but still not fully resistant to the poison, the effects of raw zhizpla are devastating. Many die. Others are left physically debilitated, their health permanently ruined, in constant pain, crippled, and internal organs ravaged. Most of those choose suicide rather than live on as invalids in Drow Elvirim society, where only the strongest survive.   And then there are those that survive physically, but are scarred mentally, some to the point that they are unable to function in Drow society. Those that are affected mentally by exposure to and consuming raw zhirzpla are said be suffering from "zhizakto psychosis" or in the Drow dialect of Elvrimkou, "zhirzutak," literally "poisoned brain."   Depending on how profoundly the Zhirzakto is affected by zhirzpla, the effects may be limited to mild psychosis - occasional hallucinations, emotional outbursts, irrational thinking - to profound mental disability, leaving the Drow incapable of functioning without constant care. In the cruel Drow society of Isolabirre, individuals unable to function or care for themselves are usually disposed of by being thrown into the Well of the Lost.   Zhirzakto that fail their final training and suffer from zhirzakto psychosis, but are still able to function, often serve as assistants to Zhirzakto compounding zhirzpla and other poisons, as their resistance to poisons is invaluable.   There are a few failed Zhirzakto whose minds are altered by the hallucinogenic properties of zhizpla and the other poisons they consume in strange ways. Some gain magical powers of thaumaturgy, divination and foresight, conjuration, and other strange manifestations of paranormal abilities. Depending on the type of power manifested and the mental state of the individual, the failed Zhirzakto may be revered, reviled, or feared. In all cases, however, the Gowriat and Tygowriat of the Drow noble houses watch such individuals closely, and any that show signs of being a danger are eliminated.   Most Drow Elvirim believe that every Zhirzakto is affected by zhirzutak - zhirzakto psychosis - to some degree. It is likely that this is true.