A New Form of Wolfsbane?

[Marcus Annwyl]

Please Click Here for the link to the Wiki Chapter, the Werewolf Attacks!

There was a discussion last night regarding my new character, Vane Hendric, and exactly how he hunts werewolves when he too is a werewolf. A couple of different interpretations of how Wolfsbane actually works was discussed, and it ended up with something that while interesting, led to us conversing about something a bit more controversial.

That topic was a new form of Wolfsbane, developed by the Department of Mysteries, that actually supresses the transformation. Please note that this is NOT a cure-all for the illness that is Lycanthropy. The transformation itself is stopped, but the subject suffers from side-effects. The initial one discussed was flu-like symptoms, but there can be more. There would also be a trial phase for the potion that would happen before it was released to the masses. Vane Hendric would be the one that actually tests the stuff, and he would be doing it at great risk to his health and life.

What needs to be discussed is any other possible side-effects. Since it supresses the transformation, there has to be some sort of trade-off. Flu symptoms are pretty bad, but should there be the possibility of some other side-effects? What could they be?

Would this cost as much as the regular Wolfsbane, or will it be more expensive? Will it be handed out for free though a government sponsored program?

There will be those that don't accept this new potion. How do you think the community would react?

If you have a werewolf character, would he/she try out this new potion? Would it make a difference if it had already gone though the trial phase to have it perfected?


I will be doing some research on herbs for the next week or so to get an idea of what the actual concoction would be. When I've reached a conclusion, I'll add it to the discussion and we can figure out if this is something that we want to do.

I want as much feedback as possible, even if you don't feel like it'll be helpful. If you have something to say, let it be heard no matter how big or small. If there are any additional questions, I will do my best to answer them.

Thanks,
Chris

[Analiza Snark]

HM this is an interesting idea since I can definitely see it affecting Ana as well as other werewolves for the simple purpose that she would have been the head of the DoM during it's creation and would have known about it, yet chose to still expell Ollie. Might really heat up matters if that gets out...

[Figaro Sellaphix]

Lycanthropy in HP-Verse
It is a chronic illness that makes a person sickly, especially so as the moon waxes.  During a full moon, they will transform into a terrible, violent wolf creature.  If they take the wolfsbane potion the werewolf will be able to keep their wits about them and maintain self-control. 

The wolfsbane potion was invented by Damcles Belby (?) very likely in the twenty-first century.  It is very difficult to brew.

Lycanthropy at Absit Omen
The Ministry of Magic provides wolfsbane potion to registered werewolves, who are required to take it. 


Questions I Have About New Wolfsbane

1. Why is Vane Hendric the guinea pig?

2. Flu-like symptoms do not seem like a cool enough side-effect.  Here are some of my brainstorms:

• Severe light-sensitivity
• Dampened magical ability.
• Amnesia spanning the time the transformation would have taken place.  During the full moon, you would know who you were and remember your previous plans.  But as the moon sets, the night slips away from your memory.

Responses to Your Questions:

1. If it's still in the testing phase, the Ministry would likely not dispense it.  Perhaps it is unstable still, and very expensive, or perhaps kind of immoral to procure the ingredients.  Maybe this is why the Runespoor smuggling is on the rise - some Runespoor bit is important to the potion.

2. I think the Dept of Mysteries would keep it a secret until it was perfect.

[Fauna Blake]

I think it would be cool if the Ministry developed something like this, but we don’t have anyone active in the Dept of Mysteries at the moment.

It could be more of an underground experiment. Would any characters be interested in helping to develop this potion? I'm thinking healers, herbologists, potion experts, etc. It doesn't necessarily have to be regulated by the Ministry (might be fun if they tried to get control of it, though).

Perhaps this potion is leaked to the black market while it's still in its beginning stages. It could be very expensive and very risky, with all kinds of scary side effects. We'd need some shady types willing to distribute and sell it, and others willing to sabotage it as well .

Just thoughts. I like the side effects you listed, Sarah.  

[Niobe Thursby]

If we decide to go with an underground, Non-Ministry effort, I'd volunteer Figaro's father Mr. Sellaphix.  He's currently not even an NPC, but is the owner of a Diagon/Knockturn apothecary.  He's kind of a hardass.

[Marcus Annwyl]

I do like the side-effects listed, as long as they are merely possible ones. Everyone is different, and it'd be neat to see how it affects different people.

The reason why Vane is the guinea pig is, well... because I thought it up. Also, because it fit in to how I wanted to introduce it, and him. The idea is that as a potions master, Vane is knowledgable of ingredients and effects. If he takes it, and let's say he tastes iron for the rest of the day, he'll have an idea of what it was that made it happen and he'll be able to have more intelligent imput.

As for who actually owns it, it'd be kind of cool to have it start with the Ministry and then perhaps the recipe is leaked to a few forward-thinkers. Or perhaps the creation of it was developed within the Department of Mysteries and then outsourced for the testing phase, as per... some company's, agreement. I'm just spit balling here. Maybe that's part of why Ana left, because their creation was being handed off to someone else.

If the brew is in the testing phase, and the Ministry is regulating it, then they definitely would not dispense it.

I'm not completely attached to Vane being the guinea pig if it feels more natural to go a different route. I do want him to be a big part of it. It'll give my new, lone wolf character a firm grounding in London, and give him one more reason to stay.

[Elisabeth Pascal]

As the expelled werewolf I do have Ollie hanging around and could asked to be involved. I doubt they would allow it to be tested on one so young but she could potentially be involved some how if you wish her to be.

[Covadonga Gertrudis]

Ooo... having some runespoor in it would be a GREAT crossover!  Nice idear, Sarah.

Over time I have given this idear much thought as well.

I was personally thinking that if there were ever going to be an "uber" form of Wolfsbane it wouldn't actually inhibit the transformation but strengthen the mental faculties of the werewolf, the human part of the brain.  They still wouldn't be able to do magic or speak, but they could still communicate and work with others and possibly retain some memory of the events which transpired while the infected was transformed.

Another type of Wolfsbane I had thought up would make the transformed's bite harmless.

Though I had originally thought that any Wolfsbane alternate which would stop the transformation would be going too far from the spirit of it (that whole cure-all issue), I find now that this is a workable idea.

Since no one is RPing actively in the DoM currently (and if Alisha doesn't object) would it be alright to say that the formulation of the new drug be a collaboration between the RCMC and someone like Mr. Sellaphix?  Part of the Werewolf Wing is indeed very interested in researching things of this nature.

[Fauna Blake]

Since no one is RPing actively in the DoM currently (and if Alisha doesn't object) would it be alright to say that the formulation of the new drug be a collaboration between the RCMC and someone like Mr. Sellaphix?  Part of the Werewolf Wing is indeed very interested in researching things of this nature.

Ooo I think that's a great idea.

Would Vane be able to get the potion in its testing stages from the RCMC, Paz? Or would it be something he'd be more likely to get through another company or other channels?

[Knox Greyfriar]

Vane - I didn't mean to suggest you shouldn't be the guinea pig! This idea is great fun and you should be as involved as you want to be - it's your idea!  As a potion-maker and werewolf, he'd be in a prime position to be involved in the development.

I have no plans to write the severe old Mr. Sellaphix, but I'd make an outline for anyone to adopt for for anyone to NPC.  But of course if there are warm bodies who want to be involved, no reason an NPC should keep them from it. 



Paz, - I know right?! I love tying things together.  Runespoor in the punch!

[Marcus Annwyl]

Having the Runespoor tie into it would be great! As Bryan and I often say, "Oops, stepped in gold again!"

Sarah, I wasn't meaning anything by what could have easily been considered a defensive answer. The way it sounded when I spoke it out loud was very arrogant, and that was what I was going for.

I honestly think that it should be handled by the DoM, simply because that would be the best way to introduce a solid structure to the concept. After that though, who knows? Let the Ministry of Magic have it initially, make sure there is a solid base, and then we can start messing with the system.

How many people do we have on the site with werewolf characters? Would this plot inspire people to try a werewolf character?

[Tabitha Williamson]

Ooo ooo ooo!

I have Marietta Grimlish still in reserve as a secondary.  She stepped down from Head of the DoM to pursue more fieldwork, perhaps she wanted to take a more active part in the invention of the Wolfsbane than she was able to as Head?  Or perhaps she was ousted, not being as strong as Ana to hang on to a position during political battles.

Also, I have the new Tabitha here and I'd love for her to be involved.  Working with the Registry at the Werewolf Wing would know of any changes in the Ministry's Wolfsbane policy, etc.  Would she be familiar with Vane? I assume she would know of him to some degree.

[Marcus Annwyl]

Vane's been in and out of London several times in his life, I would imagine at some point that him and Tabitha had crossed paths. I'm not even talking necessarily about at the Ministry, but it could be anywhere. She is a clerk, which means she is familiar with paperwork regarding registration. Vane is from London, so his paperwork is filed with the London Ministry. I don't know, maybe we can find some common thread.

I like the idea of Marietta stepping down of her own accord, rather than being forced out. Besides, we don't have another official Head yet, so it can be considered that she is still the Department Head is some respects. Or more realistically, an interem (I hope I'm spelling that right) Department Head has been named.

It could be something that is used later, with Ana claiming that no one is able to fill the spot as well as she did. Again, just some spit balling here.

[Fauna Blake]

I was personally thinking that if there were ever going to be an "uber" form of Wolfsbane it wouldn't actually inhibit the transformation but strengthen the mental faculties of the werewolf, the human part of the brain.  They still wouldn't be able to do magic or speak, but they could still communicate and work with others and possibly retain some memory of the events which transpired while the infected was transformed.

Another type of Wolfsbane I had thought up would make the transformed's bite harmless.

I really love Paz's ideas as well, especially the first one- the werewolf is still a wolf but able to think and reason more like a human. That would help keep Vane's identity under wraps, if that is a factor. Just thinking .

Also, random idea! As a side-effect of wolfsbane 2.0, or, perhaps as a form of sabotage, it might be interesting if werewolves start to transform at surprising and inconvenient times. Since the potion tries to suppress the transformation during the full moon, perhaps some werewolves start to transform at other times of the month, even in broad daylight? Could be lots of fun and crazy . Like when the runespoor got loose, but.... with rampaging werewolves  ::cackles::.

[Covadonga Gertrudis]

Ooo... if it happens like the runespoor thread (which was a riot) that would be sooo much fun.  An excellent side-effect!

Hmm... mayhaps research might be being done on several alternate versions of Wolfsbane?  Heehee, that way we could play with all of them.

If I get some good feedback I'll write up a few articles and send it to the Prophet.