Greetings Kurdubad Odsi,
With this report I wish to inform you about those phials you gave me. It peeked my curiosity and made it my top priority. These three phials that you looted from the orcs roaming in Khazad-Dum are quite troublesome, I have never seen anything like it. I will go into detail regarding each phial and its content. Please note that I have never been to Khazad-Dum and therefore not had the chance to discover what life grows in the depths. Nevertheless, I believe I have uncovered some new insights that you may find useful.
Phial 1
Appearance: A glowing green content, bubbling now and then. The Phial emits light when standing in the dark. When removing the lid, a green damp immediately bites the skin. Do not open this phial!
Contents: I carefully examined its content and was able to classify its origin. This is a product from the world of fungi. It’s quite similar to a fungus that grows in the depths of Ered Luin, but this specimen is far more deadly. Hidden from any form of light these fungus have gained the ability to create light on their own. It’s marvelous to behold! This phial contains the lethal spores of a fungus that I have not encountered yet.
Usage: Someone was willing to test this on a goblin captive. When thrown the spores fly around and once inhaled, it burned the lungs of the Snaga. It screamed as the Snaga burned up from the inside resulting in death within minutes. Just by breathing.
Phial 2
Appearance: A dark and murky content with some strange red and white colours in it. Once opened a vile air erupts from it, making one vomit.
Contents: The very dark red substance appeared to be blood at first, but it sure is not! Once again the dark substance is that of a strange fungus. It emits such a nauseating smell that one cannot help but vomit instantly. Once again I have never encountered a fungus like this one, there are simply no such species in Ered Luin. I went through all the books on my shelves, and stinking toadstools can be found anywhere, but not with such magnitude as the one in this phial.
Usage: Well, we tried this on a snaga, the ugly critter instantly vomited. Not just once, but he kept vomiting till he lay drained of all energy in his cage. Most interesting.
Phial 3
Appearance: A dark black liquid with some light green veins running through it. It is fizzing and bubbles like a volcano. I must admit that this phial simply terrifies me.
Contents: I have no idea! I tried to examine its contents but this does not come from the land of the living. It does not belong to the world of plants or fungi. Some dark and sinister power is at work here, of which I lack all knowledge. I can’t think of anyone who can help you, other than the elves. I believe the elves would have some knowledge about the ancient secrets that lay hidden in the dark corners of the world.
Usage: We did try this on a snaga. Poor thing. Like you told me, the creature burned entirely leaving nothing more than a puddle of goo. No armour could withstand the contents of this phial, to this there is simply no protection.
Final thoughts
Most interesting for a herbalist to discover new species! But very troublesome that the orcs have discovered a way to use this as a weapon. I have a theory: this new weapon was specifically created against our kin. Any of these phials negates armor or any skill in battle, and can cause death without ever getting the chance to fight them. May this report serve you Kurdubad. I’m always available for any further questions.
*Signed
Hilfar Ironhammer
