The paste is obtained from the Ahal nut,a large pod that sprouts from the branches of a certain species of tree that thrives and flourishes in swamps. About the size of a grape,it is a a deep,shiny red in hue and possesses a soft layer of skin that can be easily broken.

The women and children collect it in the case of the Powi, since in their society foraging and cultivation is regarded as ‘‘woman’s work,though with the other cultures that also employ the special propeties of this nut,it may be harvested by men too.

  When popped into one’s mouth and chewed,it dissolves easily into a brownish,rather bitter paste that leaves an unpleasent after-taste that in the case of those with sensitive palates,might cause them to throw up.

Unsuprisingly,warriors who have spat the paste at the vulnereble,exposed parts of an enemy with devastating effect,will swear that they have tasted nothing sweeter on their tounges. Blow pipes are sometimes used to further the range of this deadly gunk.

A band of Powi once wiped out an entire brigade of lesser demons by gumming up the crevices and hinges of the black armor that the fiends wore. This was accomplished by the warriors simply discharging the paste,with the aid of the blow pipes,at the exposed chinks and links in the armor of their foes. Trapped in their armor and unable to move at all,the demons were helpless to stop the victorious Powi from butchering them all like goats or sheep.

In another battle,a fearsome eyed Giant that attacked a Powi village,was blinded in all four eyes with with paste wielding warriors,compelling it to flee back into the forest,screaming in pain.

Properties:

When transferred to a person’s mouth,the saliva present in that enviroment will immediately cause the nut to disentigrate into a weak,watery paste that sloshes around in the mouth.

But if sprayed or spat onto the surface of someone’s skin,it imediately reacts with the sweat present and thickens,becoming as thick and solid as concrete. Those who handle the paste are extremely careful to wipe their hands dry throughly before they handle it. Sometimes,they use primitive gloves made of dried lizard hide.

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