Blooming Spur

Blooming Spur is an ingestible poison that acts as an anticoagulant with a cascade haemorrhage effect.

Symptoms start out like regular Larkspur poisoning, with burning sensations in the lips and tongue, convulsions, spasms, vomiting, etc. However, the convulsions and spasms eventually get worse, becoming so bad that the muscles of the body essentially lock up. The vomiting moves on to bloody foam, and the burning starts to spread through the veins. At this point, the veins start discolouring, showing as almost plant-like tendrils moving across the skin. Finally, some of these rupture, forming bruises that resemble bell-like flowerheads. Death then follows shortly after. Depending on the dilution of the poison, it can take between thirty minutes to three days for death to occur.

Throughout the entire process, the pain experienced is excruciating.

In its earlier iterations, Blooming Spur was merely known as a nameless poison that cropped up occasionally in unusual situations across Tordronnen. These poisonings frequently seemed to happen to individuals who were either known to, or later revealed to, abuse or otherwise harm children, though they happened so far apart, both physically and chronologically, that they were not originally connected.

It wasn't until 1219 that Blooming Spur officially became associated with the Larkspur of the Dödsgänget, and they acknowledged their previous use of the poison. Despite the poison being used in several high-profile assassinations, the use of Blooming Spur, and therefore the involvement of the Dödsgänget, was generally kept secret by authorities involved in investigations. This did not prevent rumours from spreading, and Blooming Spur became known as "the direct line to Thallo". It is greatly feared amongst Nobles, particularly those who operate in more nefarious circles.

Blooming Spur is currently the only known poison to have no known antidote or preventative, thus giving it at 100% mortality rate. It is considered one of the most "perfect" poisons, and has never been fully replicated by any Alchemist other than its original creator.

Research into it has led to the production of "False Spur", a much weaker and less lethal variant, but Blooming Spur remains the most widely feared poison known in the entire continent of Imrathen.