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A discussion of the Modes of Action of the Deadly Swamp and the Magic Mushrooms of
Mushroom Island
Kestra, Wizard and Alchemist, Sixth Kingdom
Many a weary traveller has ventured into the Deadly Swamp, never to be seen again. The
local fairies suggest they may have succumbed to the effects of Mushroom Island.
I believe that the swamp mist and water has a soporific effect. The mushrooms induce a
dream and the magical properties of the mushroom dictate the dreams path. I also believe
that the swamp mist carries mushroom spores, which once inhaled, may affect your sight and
hearing.
The Deadly Swamp and Mushroom Island are situated in the Seventh Kingdom, which is east of
the Fourth Kingdom. The Swamp is thirteen miles as the crow flies from King Wendell’s Castle.
On entering the Deadly Swamp, the fairies state “Three things you mustn’t do under any
circumstances.”
- "Don't drink the water."
- "Don't eat the Magic Mushrooms."
- "Don't fall asleep."
Mushrooms
The mushrooms of Mushroom Island (Fig. 1) appear to be an unknown variety of the Fly Agaric
mushroom Amanita muscaria var. muscaria. (Fig. 2) The Fly Agaric mushroom has been
ingested for its hallucinogenic properties since ancient times in the Sixth Kingdom. It has even been called a god, Soma.
On arrival at Mushroom Island, you will more than likely find yourself confronted with a frying pan and some eggs. This, of course is so the mushrooms can coerce you into eating them, by cooking a mushroom omelette. The reasoning behind this is that A. muscaria contains ibotenic acid (fig. 3). When heated or ingested, ibotenic acid is converted to muscamol (fig. 4). Muscamol appears to be the primary hallucinogen and displays activity at 10-15mg.
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Fig.2. (right) Fly Agaric mushroom, A. muscaria v. muscaria
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Fig. 1. Magic Mushroom of Mushroom Island
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