“Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is Jack Daniels Barrel Proof Rye that keeps the darkness at bay.”
I love that you didn’t just ask how drugs are used in fantasy, but why they matter narratively, symbolically, and ethically. It’s easy to fall into the “cool factor” of fantasy substances—but you unpacked the weight behind the magic.
This line especially stuck with me:
“The more powerful the substance, the greater the temptation—and the deeper the moral implications.”
Exactly. Whether it’s alchemy, psionics, divine nectar, or straight-up spice, what matters is how it shapes the soul arc—what it costs, what it offers, and who chooses what.
As someone who writes a bit of sci-fi-fantasy with entangled metaphysics and grief-tinctured myth, I really appreciated the clarity and depth here.
Subbed. Robe on. Following the trail with interest.
And yes, when I first began writing and exploring worlds I would introduce aspects all the time that just “sounded cool” but I would fail to consider the narrative weight.
Even if it works, knowing why can help you figure out how to incorporate it, or shape it further.
In my later books, there's gonna be a "Glow" potion that humans take while going into dungeons, that makes your flesh light up, but dulls your senses.
There's also gonna be a potion that acts like meth— super strength and super speed for a limited time, but your "Constitution" (so to speak) is permanently reduced. Forever. No take backs.
Now I want go make one of my characters do a line of coke at the cafe 🤔
Phil doing a line of magical fairy dust.
I think you could spin it where a young boy named Peter is running a drug ring. I will assist with this story line in every way lol.
😈
I've always thought Gandolf was pretty neat, but he'd be a lot cooler if we was slamming hard whiskey. "Hobbits, hold my beer!"
“Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is Jack Daniels Barrel Proof Rye that keeps the darkness at bay.”
Andrew—this was fantastic.
I love that you didn’t just ask how drugs are used in fantasy, but why they matter narratively, symbolically, and ethically. It’s easy to fall into the “cool factor” of fantasy substances—but you unpacked the weight behind the magic.
This line especially stuck with me:
“The more powerful the substance, the greater the temptation—and the deeper the moral implications.”
Exactly. Whether it’s alchemy, psionics, divine nectar, or straight-up spice, what matters is how it shapes the soul arc—what it costs, what it offers, and who chooses what.
As someone who writes a bit of sci-fi-fantasy with entangled metaphysics and grief-tinctured myth, I really appreciated the clarity and depth here.
Subbed. Robe on. Following the trail with interest.
Steven — The Bathrobe Guy 👘
Thanks, appreciate that!
And yes, when I first began writing and exploring worlds I would introduce aspects all the time that just “sounded cool” but I would fail to consider the narrative weight.
Even if it works, knowing why can help you figure out how to incorporate it, or shape it further.
Love this article.
In my later books, there's gonna be a "Glow" potion that humans take while going into dungeons, that makes your flesh light up, but dulls your senses.
There's also gonna be a potion that acts like meth— super strength and super speed for a limited time, but your "Constitution" (so to speak) is permanently reduced. Forever. No take backs.
Can't wait to dig into THRAIN!