Dangerous New Drug Sweeps Through Ishgard's Brume

There are specters of the past that cast long shadows over the places the beacons of light would rather look away from. One such specter is that of Blackened Rose, which has started to bloom again in the Brume.

Developed during the waning days of the Garlean Wars and named for a weapon of mass destruction the Alliance successfully prevented deployment of, the drug Blackened Rose made a small splash three years ago, according to sources in the Brume. Now, Ishgardian officials have confirmed it's back, and once again the Brume is being shaken by the dangerous designer substance.

Blackened Rose has been marketed to Brumers as a genuine medicine from Ul'dah's Frondale’s Phrontistery as a miracle cure. The Brume has been no stranger to snake-oil salesmen and confidence artists, but Blackened Rose is different. Allegedly, it does have genuine medicinal properties, but exploits the addictive properties of the narcotic somnus and the hallucinogen milkroot to ensure habitual use among those who consume the substance.

According to a spokesperson for the Temple Knights, Ishgardian alchemists have broken down the drug into it's components; principally somnus, pluto and milkroot. The addition of pluto to the concoction adds a series of alternate effects with special dangers. The skin of addicts is said to take on a stone-like quality and the increased aggression is further fueled by stimulants. Several assaults and violent outbursts in the Brume over the last several moons are suspected to be linked to Blackened Rose addiction.

Every known case of Blackened Rose addiction has been fatal.

"As we always do, the Brume is looking out for ourselves," said Snow Rats gang leader Pacifica Roux. "The gangs and guilds alike have been working to treat the afflicted. We have some resources from select few noble houses to help us, but so far progress on reversing Blackened Rose's impact has been glacially slow."

Roux has partnered with officials in the Firmament, sympathetic noble houses, and the House of Commons to ensure all victims of Blackened Rose get palliative care while effort is made by alchemists and researchers.

"For now, please be extra cautious when buying potions, medicines, vitamins, supplements, and anything else with suspect sources," Roux continued. "Whoever is making this is doing everything they can to get it on our streets."

Roux cautioned against speculation about who made the drug and why, but the Brume carries generations of mistrust for the Halonic Church and city nobility. Old tensions have begun to flare, though Ishgard has insisted it is doing everything it can to prevent the spread of the drug.

"We have worked so hard to create an Ishgard where Lords and Commons work together," said MP Gerraldieux, who represents the Brume in Parliament. "We have to work together through this crisis as well. Ishgard is doing what it can to protect her people, and we of the Brume very much are her people. I urge patience, caution, and peace."