Breaking Alchemy
The fall of House Targaryen and the death of Aerys II Targaryen had far reaching consequences for the entire Seven Kingdoms. In a span of a single year, a new Baratheon dynasty had been established and the balance of power had shifted.
But in King's Landing, none were as hit by these changes as the Alchemist Guild. Favored by the Mad King thanks to his obsession with Wildfire, the organization now found itself not only out of favor but also under suspicion. Many highborn and lowborn alike still remembered the stench of burning flesh from within the Red Keep, accompanied by the bone-chilling laughter of their ruler.
Without the favor from the court and with a blackened reputation, the Guild began slowly descending into squalor. Gone were the donations from the crown, gone was the coin.
Wisdom Walder is a family man, with a loving wife and two healthy children. Until now, he could easily provide for them. They had a warm place to live, a steady source of food and clothing. But now? Uncertainty crept in.
The Substance had ruined them all. The Alchemists focused too much on it, foolishly made themselves too dependent on it. They forgot that they had the knowledge and means to achieve far greater feats. He could feel it in his bones, the drive to succeed by any means necessary.
So he sat down in the Guild's library and read the ancient alchemy tomes in the candlelight, trying to find a way to once more earn coin for his family. To be sure, one day he encountered a long-forgotten recipe for a product that was sure to be in high demand.
Blue in coloration and crystalline in form this product was capable of ensnaring even the strongest of men. It was rather easy to make and the ingredients weren't particularly expensive to acquire.
With this, he could rise above the entire guild. He could approach the amoral groups of outlaws in Flea Bottom to distribute his creation. In time, perhaps those of higher classes in society could be persuaded to use this new product.
Which is why he now sat in front of a powerful individual in a dark tavern in Flea Bottom, a man only described as 'Fring' by his... employees.
"The most devout Septons wear crystals around their necks, to show everyone how faithful they are. I've other crystals in mind."
Walder shows the gang leader the blue, crystalline powder. Fring waves over one of his underlings and instructs him to snort the powder, as explained to him beforehand. The man does so and suddenly shivers in pleasure, clearly invigorated and with a feeling of strength.
Fring seems satisfied and simply asks for the name of this new substance.
"Seven Blessings," he names his product.