Black Bile

Black Bile is an alchemical by-product of the Reconstructive Surgeon's potion making. Discarded by the Surgeon, it is gathered and distributed by the Assistants and serves as a general form of currency in Surgeontown. Many are addicted to the substance - a hard, charcoal-like residue which when crushed and inhaled or smoked, induces vivid visions in its users. Those who are not addicted nevertheless see its value as a medium of trade.
Outside Surgeontown Black Bile is not only worthless, it is also dangerous. Surgeontown exists under the psychic influence of the Flawless One - also known as the Perfect Flesh, the Surgeon's pet project. Taking Black Bile here is as safe as taking a highly addictive drug can be, resulting only in vivid half true, half fantasy hallucinations. And addiction, of course. Outside the town, users are subjected to intense hallucinations bordering on traumatic psychological torture. To the observer, such a trip lasts hours at most. The victim, on the other hand, emerges believing their ordeals have lasted decades or centuries and have the mental damage to support the claim.
Without the Perfect Flesh's aura, the insane demonic thoughts of the Vat-Ceron reverberate in the user's psyche, often scarring permanently those it doesn't kill outright.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Has the appearance of large-grained charcoal with a greasy sheen. Crumbles under persistent force.

Origin & Source

This is an alchemical by-product of the The Reconstructive Surgeon's potion making. He does not value it in the slightest and discards it.

Odor

Musky, acrid, burnt.

Taste

Exceptionally bitter, the bile clings to the linings of the mouth and esophagus and the taste lasts for hours. Smoking the substance produces a thick smoke that falls quickly to earth and has a musky, acrid scent and taste.

Color

Black