Thank you, Neokove, for clearing up a few points about this issue over the venoms. I'd like to point out a few things to the general public also.

First of all, It is actually in the interest of the general public that certain venoms, if not all, won't go into the hands of thugs, rogues and villians that easily.

Noxalar, who set up his Shabby Shop at first in Hashan, then moved it to Delos, is probably the first person ever to sell venoms in land. Generally speaking, both the Serpentlords and the Shadowsnakes have relied on Noxalar's wisdom and looked to his shop's list, in deciding which venom is legal, which venom is not.

Over the years, many things may have changed in land -- skills, guilds, politics, etc., but Noxalar's wares list has proven to be useful as a guideline, even if not fully updated.

For example, voyria is a deadly venom, which would have created a lot of unnecessary havoc in land, if it had become too easily available, especially in the old days when the immunity elixir wasn't even created yet. Then there are venoms specifically targetted at paladins, occultists, infernals, druids & sentinels, that Noxalar won't sell for reasons still held as true or already outdated.

As a Shadowsnake, it is my desire of course that venoms don't get underpriced or oversupplied in the market. It cheapens our profession and I always feel sick at the thought of it. As an Elder in land, I want to see that venoms go into more responsible hands, not to be readily available to just anyone who wants to get the thrill out of harming just anyone without a good reason.

So many things have changed over the years, while the land is ever evolving. The recent influx of illegal venoms into the black market was brought on by a number of factors, mainly war and the growth in population -- more suppliers, more consumers. I often sat down and pondered whether it's still realistic to continue the venom ban anymore.

Soon after Eris' awakening from her long slumber, I presented the whole issue to her. She quickly pointed out to me that we're in dire need of rooms & facilities for hygenic & sanitary purposes in producing the venoms. Finally, many months later, the idea became a reality.

There has always been a ban on certain venoms, only this time my brothers in arms have taken it up upon themselves to enforce the ban. All this while, I begin the envision the possibility of having all guilds concerned -- specifically the Serpentlords, the Shadowsnakes, the Paladins and the Infernals -- confer with each other on the whole issue and come up with some resolutions agreeable to all. Noxalar is a key person as well. Please don't forget to invite him if there is ever any treaty meeting on the venom issue.

It is a dream of mine, which may never happen, but I still dare to dream it and ask you all to consider it. I have had other dreams, some of which have been twisted into nightmares and dashed into pieces. Alas, I am not yet totally disillusioned.

For the blue skies above,
Mistral, Eye of the Shadow

Penned by my hand on the 11th of Valnuary, in the year 246 AF.