And before anyone makes a cheeky “what do you need this for 🤨” comment, I’m a writer. I’m not going to murder anyone I promise, I just want to write a scene where one guy gets poisoned.

I need something that doesn’t require modern technology to extract/produce, and would make sense to be avaible in a place with a temperate to mediterranean climate. The slower, the better. Does a plant or something like that exist or do I need to make one up?

Update: I looked into death cap mushrooms and they might be just what I’m looking for! Long reaction time, and being dried doesn’t make them less toxic! (the scene takes place in midwinter so no fresh ones would be avaible) If anyone has more info on them, please do share.

  • @[email protected]
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    1 month ago

    In almost every case in fictional writing it’s better to make up a poison then use a real one. That way you don’t have someone picking it apart later. Also you can give it whatever properties you want/need. Now excuse me while I continue to work on my immunity to iocane powder.

    • SharkAttak
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      571 month ago

      They’re gonna pick it apart anyway. A reader criticized the historical accuracy of a fantasy novel my sister wrote.

      • @[email protected]OP
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        221 month ago

        H-how does one even criticise something like that? Like, “you got this and that wrong about the world you made up”?

        • SharkAttak
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          41 month ago

          Not even that, (in a medieval-fantsy setting) one criticized the use of archer for defense, another wanted for her to write the exact years the events happened… Another one asked why one nation had an italian-sounding name, while the bordering countries had foreign-like names, and different languages! (hello, ever been to Europe?) @[email protected] (is this how I mention someone?)

        • Gloomy
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          141 month ago

          Mental illnesses are very clearly defined, for example in the ICD-10 puplished by the WHO. Pedantry is defnetly not listed in there.

          And yes, this was an attempt of humour.

          • zqps
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            21 month ago

            defnetly

            That’s a new one.

            And the commonly accepted authority on the definition of mental illnesses is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The current edition is referred to as DSM-5.

            • Gloomy
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              21 month ago

              The ICD-10 is used in Europe and the DSM-5 in America. In that sense we are both correct.

              • zqps
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                31 month ago

                Who’s to say pedantry is useless? I’m learning new things!

      • HubertManne
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        91 month ago

        I knew a guy I was working summers with in college. Said he did not like roger rabbit because it was unrealistic.

      • @[email protected]
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        31 month ago

        I’ve never seen anyone even think twice about the Tears of Lys or The Strangler. And after Milk of the Poppy, it’s established that we may expect some similarity to reality in this world.