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.

  • MyTurtleSwimsUpsideDown@fedia.io
    23·
    3 days ago

    What do you mean by slow? Time till symptoms? time till death? Hours? Days? Weeks?

    Raw castor beans contain ricin its a cool looking plant that gets big. My neighbor grew on once accidentally.

    symptoms commonly begin within two to four hours, but may be delayed by up to 36 hours.

    Unless treated, death can be expected to occur within 3–5 days; however, in most cases a full recovery can be made.

    Actually a lot of beans are toxic when raw, but not deadly. Raw lima beans are special though; they contain something that the human body breaks down into cyanide. No clue how long that takes or how many it would take to cause harm.

    Heavy metals (mercury, arsenic, cadmium, lead) are known for building up over time with many exposures. Think mad hatter syndrome, etc. but exposures can also be acute if high enough. IIRC acute arsenic poisoning makes you vomit and diarrhea until you die of dehydration after days or weeks.