Serpents Oil

The mixture used to create the Serpent's Oil begins as a pearl-like light grey, a blend of natural ingredients such as bamboo sap and several substances traced to the heavens. These are uniformly fitted within egg-shaped glass jars, roughly the size of an adult's palm, and painted to match both the vendor's and customer's colors. Soft petals, pink with vibrant yellow centers, are used to help differentiate between commands. These, placed into the small batches, are suspended within the oil, caught in the middle. No matter how the egg is turned, it always appears to be facing skyward. Shaking the glass, however, or subjecting it to fast movements, causes it to take a bit longer to right itself. However, they will return to the center, the golden facing the sun anew.

The chemicals used to create Serpent's Oil are unknown to most. It remains warm to the touch within the glass, yet this heat is consistent. It doesn't matter how hot or cold it is outside, or if it was over-exposed to sunlight. Of course, the latter is never recommended. Once the glass is broken, the surface will combust into a small flame, dancing within the confines. Pouring, or drinking, extinguishes it.

Additionally, the oil produces an unnatural, sickly smell due to the leaves used in the concoction. Because of this, it is not recommended to be used indoors.

For Tracking:
The main purpose of the Serpent's Oil is for tracking. Using an entire bottle causes both a strong scent and mutes the colors wherever it was poured, much like nature itself before the sun rises, condensed within a small sphere. The strong, unbearable scent dissipates within the first few minutes. The colors also return, though at a much slower rate. An average person will see the colors return within the hour. An artist, or someone with a sensitivity to colors, claims it takes the better part of a day for the ground to return to normal. For an Elf or Vampire, the color only returns after several days. Each of the various hues, as it returns to the original, shows how long ago another was there.

For Energy:
Similarly, those who consume these drinks for energy are easily spotted in a crowd. Their breaths, despite the heat of the liquid itself, are cold. Many wash out their mouths to avoid the numbness that spreads through the face. Like the plants, their color drains after drinking, giving a sickly visage. Still, it only lasts for a few minutes.

The Serpent's Oil is commonly used by the Vampires, allowing them to quickly mark the areas they've passed through, alerting others of their presence. These messages can vary greatly, offering warnings of dangerous creatures ahead, informing other Vampires of a settlement under their protection, or informing the others that their leaders desire a meeting with whoever finds them first. The meanings behind the flowers change yearly, making it difficult for anyone not privy to the information to track them.

The Vampires of Kjurvog are lenient concerning their own laws. Many will purchase extra of this substance to feed to their followers. Drinking half a dosage offers an average of three hours of energy.

Glass shards are relatively common in the northern wastes.

Alchemists among the Trel buy the various components needed to make Serpent's Oil. Once it is done, their wares are sold to the merchants among the Kjurvog. These 'Faces' then sell them among the many Vampires.