Sleeperjaw Muddle (or the Ten Minute Bender)

The "Muddle", as it is commonly referred to by the denizens of the Feywood, is currently only known to be induced by the venom stream that can be spit out by a Sleeperjaw. These predators inhabit the Lizard Fens of the northern Feywood. They are indistinguishable from the alligators that infest those swamps; their only identifying feature being the ability to spit the venom that causes this Condition.

Within the past two years, there have been reports of the succesful ability to harvest the venom from the creatures that produce it; this substance retains its potency and can be used as a poison to temporarily debilitate a victim that ingests it. Due to its short-term effects, this use of the substance is more of an annoyance than a threat, and it has become something of a "tavern prank" played by adventurers upon one another.

There have also been reports of alchemists succeeding in creating a powder from the venom delivered via blowtube and subsequenly inhaled by a target. These reports have not been substantiated.

In order to be affected, a potential victim must be struck with Sleeperjaw venom spray, and have the misfortune to have it strike the nose or mouth. The involuntary ingestion or inhalation of the poison that follows will result in the onset of symptoms within a few seconds at most. The Sleeperjaw is capable of projecting this venom for a distance of up to 10 feet, and can do so while submerged just below the surface of the water (possibly rendering the creature undetectable).

The symptoms of Sleeperjaw Muddle resemble those of extreme inebriation, except that they do not last long and do not induce a hangover. The condition is, in fact, sometimes referred to as either "the Ten Minute Bender" or "the Ten Minute Drunk" by adventurers and others - especially when they are making use of it to play practical jokes on their companions.

Once the venom takes effect, the first symptom encountered is a noticeable dulling of the ability to think. Spellcasters have reported that this ability has prevented them from succesfuly concentrating on the casting of spells. This sympton applies to spellcasters of various types - even bards.

This impairment strengthens quickly, and is accompanied by a limited loss of control of fine motor skills. This results in a decreased ability to defend oneself. This effect also increases rapidly to a peak level. Within the first minute, the venom's effects have peaked, and remain active for up to 10 minutes before rapidly fading away.

There are no known methods of reducing the duration of the effects of the Muddle. Fortunately, these effects wear off quickly, so the best treatment course is to first deal with the attacking creature, and then wait a few minutes for the effect to wear off.

The most severe outcome of being afflicted by Sleeperjaw Muddle is the inability to survive the ensuing attack by the Sleeperjaw itself. But should the victim do so, typically with the aid of companions in the immediate vicinity, the effects wear off completely within 10 minutes. There are no discernable aftereffects.

There are no known long-term effects from being exposed to the venom that induces Sleeperjaw Muddle. (As stated earlier, the only long-term consequence known is the death caused by the subsequent, inevitable attack by the Sleeperjaw itself.)

This is to say that the affliction itself does not result in any long-term effects. The long-term effects caused by retribution for a practical joke gone wrong or taken poorly are not considered to be pertinent.

This condition is believed to be capable of affecting Folk of any ancestry, including the Lizardfolk that inhabit the marshes. In fact it is believed to affect any creature that is unfortunate enough to be considered prey by the Sleeperjaw.

The only Folk known to be immune to the effects are those of the Druidic Orders that have advanced sufficiently in their disciplines.

There are no commonly known ways to ensure absolute immunity to this condition. Commonly available alchemical antivenom elixirs may offer a significantly increased chance to avoid suffering the effects of a venom attack, but are not guaranteed to do so. Certain magical talismans and spells may also confer immunity, but again, this is not guaranteed.

This condiiton, like the Sleeperjaw that induces it, were unknown to exist before a time about five years ago. It is possible that this is because no earlier sufferer of the affliction lived to tell of it. The first known "survivor" was a member of an adventuring party that managed to kill the attacking Sleeperjaw before it could finish off their companion.

In the past five years, however, numerous cases of Sleeperjaw Muddle have been reported by survivors returning from attempts to hunt the Sleeperjaw.