Time Unguent

Temporal Clarity

The ghosts of Su-mehr Qiamp are spirits trapped in time, whether it's memories of the past as with dusks or fears of the future as with dawns. Typically, they either can't be seen or can only be seen by those with a strong emotional tie to them. The time unguent breaks that rule, allowing someone treated with it to see and hear all spirits. To perceive across time.  

Composition

The unguent is made from common ingredients harvested from local flora, including tree oil, dried and ground flowers, and root pulp. Alchemists cultivate the needed plants and prepare the key ingredients before passing it to the seers. From there, the seers follow an ancient and complex process to turn the ingredients into the unguent.   The resulting ointment looks like mud - dark brown, gritty, and semi-viscous. It carries the aromatics of its components, often being described as smelling like tea tree oil, clove, and dirt, but with something else on top of it. Some part of the process gives a scent that's unnamable, yet also unmistakable.  

Uses

Seers are the only ones authorized to purchase time unguent. When applied to the skin around the eyes, it enables them to perceive spirits - both visually and audibly. The effects are temporary, requiring daily reapplication. Over time, it stains the skin, giving seers the characteristic dark circles around their eyes. The stains can last a week to two months after last application.   It should only be used in carefully-measured amounts. Too little and it won't have the intended effect. Too much, and it can cause skin rashes, mild hallucinations, sleepwalking, and other problems with sleep cycles and the senses. It should never be ingested, as it will cause an upset stomach, possibly including vomiting. It's also an irritant if it makes direct contact with the eye.