Legal Drugs
Sugar
The most common sweetener in the Dominion is cane sugar (and not high-fructose corn syrup). Honey is an expensive and sought-after delicacy.
Game effects: Sugar is cheap and legal = 0 points, a mild stimulant. [B122] Long-term abusers may have issues with chronic health conditions.
Tobacco
Smoking is a thing, but mostly in cities on Zargonia and planets with habitable biospheres, such as Russell’s World, Zarg’s World and Pristine. Smoking in artificial environments is discouraged and usually restricted to designated areas if not forbidden outright. People on ships and space stations who smoke are usually pegged as ‘dirtsiders’ or ‘grubbers’, ie people from lower class upbringings on habitable worlds. That said, there are tobacco plantations – there was a big one on Russell’s World where Oliver grew up.
The associated cigarette lighters are common among the lower classes, although some people smoke self-igniting cigarettes. There are a few super-sensitive areas where such a device would be considered a weapon or a dangerous device. Electrically powered ones are more common than fluid or gas, although less versatile.
Game effects: Tobacco is cheap, highly addictive, and legal; a chain-smoker has a -5-point Addiction. [B122]
Alcohol
Apart from sugar, this is the Dominion’s preferred recreational intoxicant.
Most drinks in the Dominion are beers and spirits. There are a limited selection of wines that matches the limited selection of grape varietals and usually preferred by the upper classes. Basi is a more common fermented drink for the middle and lower classes. Most spirits are rums and vodkas, and rarer drinks to our contemporary world such as Cachasa (fermented and distilled sugar cane). Rye Whiskys are available and vary in quality availability and popularity.
Beers in the dominion are generally quite different from our contemporary ones, being made mostly of rye, wheat or breadfruit rather than barley. Game effects: Alcoholism is its own disadvantage. [B122] Effects of Drinking and Intoxication [B439]
Quasi-Legal (Prescription) Drugs
Doobries
Usually in pill form, these are a relaxant. Prolonged use can cause mild physical addition. Medical grade are sometimes prescribed for certain medical conditions. Quality of ‘home made’ is variable, with attendant possible negative side effects.
Slicktabs
Usually applied as a flat applicator on the skin of the neck, wrist or sometimes inner thigh, slicktabs are a long-lasting stimulant available in a variety of strengths from a mild upper to mania-inducing. The main risk is ‘the crash’ once the drug wears off, which can in some cases induce severe depression. Slicktabs are mildly physically addictive, but users seeking to avoid the crash sometimes use them constantly. Prolonged use can cause cardiovascular and kidney issues, and paranoia in some people.
Illicit Drugs
Zoner!
Zoner is a synthetically manufactured hallucinogenic and euphoric. Effects typically last two- three Tasks but experienced users can sometimes spin the experience out for up to a Job or more. There are no after effects or other side effects. Zoner! does not have the Hallucinogenic effect tag, a user who needs to can shrug off the effects in 10 seconds with a Will roll, which may be retried every 10 seconds (though you’ve ruined your buzz!).
A hallucinogenic drug renders you useless for work or combat, though you might be active and talkative. [B122]
Game effects: Very Expensive, -20; Effects: Highly Psychologically Addictive (-5 on withdrawal roll), -5 Illegal [B122] Addictive Drugs [B440]
Pulse
It’s potentially psychologically addictive, and temporarily debilitating, but it’s more of a party drug/occasional use thing. The effects are like a long-lasting hit of nitrous oxide, the effects can last several Moments. Heavy use can cause persistent headaches.
Game effects: Pulse is Incapacitating and Illegal. Users may occasionally be psychologically addicted.