Narcotics
From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
Narcotics are addictive, illegal substances used for their pleasurable side-effects, as opposed to combat drugs and stimms which are used to strengthen the body and mind for battle. Narcotics can be ingested in a variety of forms, most notably inhaled by smoking or injected directly into the bloodstream. Some narcotics share both methods, or take on other forms of use entirely. Smokable forms are commonly kept in paper cylinders, much like a common cigarette, and are ingested using an igniter and a form of filter. Injected versions are held in injector vials or other forms of containment. Narcotics are known to take the form of rocks[2a], glass[2a], plants, gases, and liquids.
History
Since the dawn of time, humanity has used narcotics to alter their physical or psychological state; a truth that has persisted into the 41st Millennium. The most common mind-altering substance is lho-leaf. Easy to obtain, the stick version (which is lit and inhaled via filters) is popular among the Imperium citizenry and military (in the case of the Imperial Guard and the various PDFs).[1] Obscura is another widely used narcotic, illegal, and commonly used by the middle and upper-class citizens of hives in obscura dens. The enforcement of drug control falls upon planetary authorities, though Inquisition can become involved if it becomes a widespread problem.[2b]
Known Narcotics
| Name | Notes | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Admylladox | Pain-killing and mind clearing drug. | The Inquisition (Background Book), pg. 5 |
| Black Lethe | A highly addictive drug used throughout the Imperium. | Gate of Souls (Short Story)  [Help]
|
| Chlorintone | Sedative drug. Used to slow down an enemy's metabolism, subduing them completely. | The Inquisition (Background Book), pg. 21 |
| Clear | A gum made from a plant native to Monrass in the Drusus Marches, clear allows the user to ingest large amounts of alcohol or poison with little to no effect. It is harshly bitter and causes a powerful migraine upon wearing off. | Dark Heresy: Book of Judgement, pg. 70 |
| Cotin | Mild recreational narcotic. | Bloodlines (Novel), Glossary |
| Crash | Illegal drug. Highly addictive, lethal cocktail of 'slaaght and spur, filled with various impurities, that enhances physical and mental endurance for short periods. | The Inquisition (Background Book), pg. 23 |
| Crystal Ersatz | A drug known to cause the development of advanced mathematical abilities and good memory to the growing child if used during pregnancy. | Redemption Corps (Novel), pg. 7 |
| De-Tox | A legal drug used to negate the effects of other drugs, toxins, and gases. De-Tox is administered via injector, and has painful and debilitating side-effects. | Rogue Trader Rulebook pg. 148 |
| Doomberry | A narcotic with tranquilizing effects usually prepared as juice. | Farseer (Novel), Chapter 1  Heretic Tomes
|
| Dreamjuice | A clear, bitter liquid that with psychotropic effects which is a popular recreational drug upon Archaos in the Drusus Marches. Dreamjuice is used by psykers of the Ordo Malleus to dulls the users' resistance to interrogation. | Dark Heresy: Daemon Hunter, pg. 73 |
| Dreamstimm | A narcotic used upon Imperial Navy vessels. | Fire Warrior (Novel), pg. 57-58 |
| Eazielle | A powerful inhibition reducer used by hive nobles of the Drusus Marches, the effects of Eazielle or 'Eaze' are amplified upon repeated use. It is rumoured to be alien in origin. | Dark Heresy: Book of Judgement, pg. 70 |
| Fervor | A drug used by a small group of Redemption Cults in the Calixis Sector to induct new members. It allows the user to move with unnatural grace and flexibility for a short time. Fervor is administered directly into the bloodstream via autoinjector. | Dark Heresy: Church of the Damned, pg. 57 |
| Flects | Small shards of dirty glass wrapped in red paper; staring into them gives a glimpse of a reflection which grants a euphoric high. Flects are chaos-tainted, highly addictive and illegal on most Imperial worlds. | The Inquisition (Background Book), pg. 38 |
| Ghast | A highly profitable narcotic deprived from corpse starch which can awaken the psychic potential of the user. Used on Necromunda by House Delaque to create its spyker agents. Ghast may or may not be another name for Spook. | Necromunda Rulebook (2018), pg. 13 |
| Gladstones | Small, smooth, psychically reactive stones which elicit a feeling of euphoria and well-being lasting multiple days. Used by placing under the tongue. | The Inquisition (Background Book), pg. 38 |
| Golconda | A mild narcotic sometimes taken with Firewine. | Farseer (Novel), Chapter 1 & 6 Heretic Tomes
|
| Grinweed | A cheap, illegal narcotic made of a plant of unknown origin. Can be smoked, ingested, or rendered into a bitter tea. | The Inquisition (Background Book), pg. 40 |
| Holdfast | An illegal, bluish liquid drug originating from Elros, which when injected causes the user to be extremely stubborn. Referred to as 'Puremind' on the hives of Samson IV. | Dark Heresy: Book of Judgement, pg. 70 |
| Idea | A low-grade drug used by poor citizens of planet Persana which elicits a euphoric high often accompanied by impulsive acts of violence. Idea can be taken in liquid form or by inhaler. | Blood Cries For Blood (Short Story) - Inferno! 42 |
| Kalma | A group of euphoric sedative drugs produced in the Underhives of Necromunda which lowers the user's state of consciousness. | Necromunda: Outlanders Rulebook, pg. 58 |
| Klaava | A weak narcotic, similar to caffeine but with the inverse effect; a weak depressant. | Assassinorum: Kingmaker (Novel), Chapter 12 |
| Klay | A military stimulant used by Astra Militarum to sharpen senses and improve recall. | Against the Grain (Short Story) |
| Kyxa | An expensive, mild narcotic and aphrodisiac extracted from plants in the Ultima Segmentum. Kyxa is smoked. | Faith and Fire (Novel), pg. 37 |
| Lacrymata | An expensive narcotic, perfume and aphrodisiac distilled from a rare flower grown underground upon Salome Nigra, the essential oil of which is also a deadly poison. Lacrymata is also referred to as moonskin. | Lacrymata (Short Story) |
| Lho Stick | A popular Imperial narcotic, much like a cigarette, made of a rolled paper tube containing a scented plant-derived substance. The tube is lit and the resultant smoke inhaled through it, causing a mildly narcotic sensation. Lho-sticks are addictive and are common amongst the Imperial Guard and menial workers. | Rogue Trader Rulebook pg. 142 |
| Morphia | A medical drug, phials of morphia are included in Guardmen-issue med-packs. | Fifteen Hours (Novel), Imperial Guard - 01 |
| Obscura | An illegal, highly addictive narcotic used widely throughout the Imperium. Obscura can be smoked or directly injected into the bloodstream to produce a pleasant, dreamlike high. | Rogue Trader Rulebook pg. 141; |
| Opiatix | ||
| Penshel Seeds | A very mild stimulant that have fallen into near-disuse. They are an old favourite in the artists' quarter of Dorsay. The seeds are dried, rolled, and smoked in pipes. | Backcloth For A Crown Additional (Short Story) |
| Qash | A toxic and potent drug used during the early period of the Imperium. | Blood Games (Short Story) - Tales of Heresy (Anthology) |
| Redux | A powerful psychoactive drug which causes user to repeat their last action until the effects wear off. | Dark Heresy: The Black Sepulchre, pg. 35 |
| Sisk Ash | An illegal drug made from the ash of a bushplant on Sisk which produces a relaxed and calm state when mixed with lho and smoked. It has a distinctive sweet and cloying scent. | Dark Heresy: Book of Judgement, pg. 71 |
| Skjaldroot | A Fenrisian narcotic. | The Wolftime (Novel), Appendix : Fenrisian Lexicon |
| Sleeper | A narcotic used in the hives of Alecto. | Bloodlines (Novel), Glossary |
| Sniff-Musk | Another little understood psycho-active drug. It is inhaled through the nose as a inhalant gas. It is usually concentrated and may be able to be utilized in an injection style ingestion. There are various purities ranging from cheap, dangerous concentrations to expensive, "pure" doses. The effect is has is relatively unknown, except that it alters the users mind-state and is deemed illegal by the Imperium. It is generally understood that sniff-musk is frequented among wealthy aristocrats, much like obscura. | [Help]
|
| Somna | A potent drug which induces a coma-like state in the user, causing them to appear deceased. Created from the pollen extract of the Nephyis Orchix on Iocanthos. May or may not be another name for Tyche's Kiss. | Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook, pg. 130 |
| Spook | An addictive and highly illegal psychic drug manufactured in Necromunda. The drug is created from decayed synthdiet found beneath the hive cities. Spook may or may not be another name for Ghast. | White Dwarf 130, Confrontation by Bryan Ansell, Rick Priestley and Nigel Stillman |
| Tabac | Smoked in the form of a stick. | Flesh and Steel (Novel), Chapter 1 & 10 |
| Topaz | A narcotic-stimulant used in the hives of Alecto. | Bloodlines (Novel), Glossary |
| Torpor | A chemical cocktail used to inhibit psychic powers and render the subject docile, used aboard the Black Ships and by some Inquisitors. | Dark Heresy: The Inquisitor's Handbook, pg. 194 |
| Tox-Jack | A drug used in the toxic ammunition loaded into needle pistols in the Calixis Sector, derived from industrial coolant. | Dark Heresy: The Game Master's Kit, pg. 31 |
| Tyche's Kiss | A poison which paralyzes the user; causing them to appear deceased. Tyche's Kiss is created by grinding the seed pods of a particular species of blood-red orchid. May or may not be another name for Somna. | Dark Heresy: The Game Master's Kit, pg. 31 |
| Weirdroot | A narcotic which is smoked to elicit potent hallucinations. | Farseer (Novel), Chapter 1 & 14 Heretic Tomes
|
| Wildfire | A black crystal which combusts and triggers a surge of fury, strength and speed when chewed. Used by the Scorching Creed chaos cult on Redemption. | Cast a Hungry Shadow (Short Story) |
| Yellodes | Slang name for a prohibited stimm, a mood enhancer. Usually found in the form of small, yellow pills. | The Inquisition (Background Book), pg. 94 |
See also
Sources
- 1: Rogue Trader Rulebook, pgs. 141-143
- 2: The Inquisition (Background Book)
