Puddleopedia | Entry / OnThePropertyOfFairyDust

Written The 3rd day of the 8th month 532

I recently came into possession of a small quantity of Fairy Dust. Not wanting to let the opportunity to study it go to waste, I enlisted some volunteers to assist me in some controlled tests in the Arena. I have also tested it in the field, mostly against Orga Berserks. I would like to share my findings with ye all. It is my hope that this will lead to a better understanding of the tactical uses of Dust, as it will undoubtedly become more common in the lands in the near future.

As many of ye know already, the Dust will paralyse a target creature or exile, if applied correctly. To achieve this effect, the Dust must be applied precisely and continuously. This requires the use of the weapon hand. Consequently, the wielder of the Dust cannot attack the target. This much is easily deduced in the field.

The tests in the Arena focussed on the question of whether or not the Dust affected the target's ability to regenerate balance and health. This is obviously of some importance in assessing the tactical uses of the substance. The test methodology was as follows: the subjects were invited to swing at me until their balance was reduced by half. (Due to my relatively good defense I was not at much risk, but Healers were standing by in the event that something went wrong.) Then I applied the Dust. Other volunteers then attempted to hit the immobile target, and the recovery rates for balance and health were observed. It should be stressed that nobody was killed, or seriously injured, during this testing.

Two subjects were tested: a Healer and a Fighter. Both reported that balance regeneration was not affected in any perceivable way. Health regeneration was less clear. One subject reported that it was not affected, while the other reported that it was slowed or stopped. However health regeneration, being generally slower than balance regeneration, is more difficult to measure. It is probably prudent to assume that the target can regenerate health, if perhaps at a slower rate.

The conclusions are fairly clear. Since, on the one hand, only one target can be immobilized at a time, and on the other, that target's balance regenerates more or less normally, there are some limitations on the tactical effectiveness of Dust. It is most suitably used against a single powerful foe. (It is little help against a Death Vermine swarm, for example.) And there must be Fighters on hand that can hit the target when it is at full balance. Within those limitations, the Dust can be a very powerful weapon. As an example, in my final field test before my supply ran out, the Dust was instrumental in defending Puddleby from an invasion of Berserks. Many lives may have been saved.

So, should ye manage to acquire Dust, use it wisely. If my sample was representative, it does not last long. But used at the right moment, it can mean the difference between a massacre and a victory.

Ever in your service, Kevas