Pesh and Qat

The recent journal mentions dealers in "pesh" and qat," and since it mentions them selling them in "plain sight," I assume they're of an otherwise dubious nature in most places.

What are pesh and qat? I assume they're a kind of narcotic.

I really enjoyed the journal, and I loved how we become familiarized with it through the exploits of Eando Kline.

The young girl in Sirathu intrigued the hell out of me. Will there be any additional mention of this in CotCT, a future journal, or Guide to Korvosa?

The recent journal mentions dealers in "pesh" and qat," and since it mentions them selling them in "plain sight," I assume they're of an otherwise dubious nature in most places.

What are pesh and qat? I assume they're a kind of narcotic.

I really enjoyed the journal, and I loved how we become familiarized with it through the exploits of Eando Kline.

** spoiler omitted **

The young girl in Sirathu intrigued the hell out of me. Will there be any additional mention of this in CotCT, a future journal, or Guide to Korvosa?

In real-world Earth, pesh is a slang term (which I didn't use when I came up with the name). In real-world Earth, qat is a drug I learned about reading and watching Blackhawk Down (one of my favorite movies and also a great book).

PSA: Don't do drugs, kids.

Yes, pesh and qat are drugs that are illegal in Korvosa, but the sale of which are more or less tolerated because the thieves' guild pays a tax on all drug sales in the city. Yes, you read that right: the city taxes illegal drugs and the thieves' guild actually pays the tax.

PSA: Don't do drugs, kids.

The young girl mentioned is a throw-away reference, really. We might explore her again some day, but I doubt it. Feel free to use her as your campaign dictates. She does not appear in Guide to Korvosa.

In real-world Earth, pesh is a slang term (which I didn't use when I came up with the name). In real-world Earth, qat is a drug I learned about reading and watching Blackhawk Down (one of my favorite movies and also a great book).

PSA: Don't do drugs, kids.

I believe qat also plays a role in the movie "Dirty Pretty Things" where Chiwetel Ejiofor's character is a heavy user of the drug. I also recall seeing a documentary some time ago which dealt with how intertwined qat use was/is in Yemeni culture. The wikipedia article (3rd paragraph down) re-enforces this assertion, somewhat.

Was any explanation or crunch ever provided for the drug to which

Yes, pesh and qat are drugs that are illegal in Korvosa, but the sale of which are more or less tolerated because the thieves' guild pays a tax on all drug sales in the city. Yes, you read that right: the city taxes illegal drugs and the thieves' guild actually pays the tax.

Sounds like Kansas

So Korvosa is ruled by an enlightened tyrant who is called the Patrician?

"If we must have crime, we might as well get it organised"

The drug that...

So Korvosa is ruled by an enlightened tyrant who is called the Patrician?

"If we must have crime, we might as well get it organised"

Heh, not quite. The quote sounds very Korvosan, though. :)

So Korvosa is ruled by an enlightened tyrant who is called the Patrician?

"If we must have crime, we might as well get it organised"

My thoughts as well. And now I'm waiting for oversized dwarves, werewolves and trolls in Korvosa's City Watch.

Sounds like Kansas

::speechless::

I also had a soylent green moment, but thanks for confirming for me.

I'm familiar with Qat (or Khat, if you prefer), but what form of drug is Pesh?

Akin to heroin? Cocaine?

Hmm, a very potent form of absinthe might be cool . . .

I'm familiar with Qat (or Khat, if you prefer), but what form of drug is Pesh?

Akin to heroin? Cocaine?

Hmm, a very potent form of absinthe might be cool . . .

I'm trying to remember what I wrote about it. IIRC, it's kind of a combination of RL drugs in its effects. I guess we'll all see in February. ;D

KaeYoss wrote:

So Korvosa is ruled by an enlightened tyrant who is called the Patrician?

"If we must have crime, we might as well get it organised"

My thoughts as well. And now I'm waiting for oversized dwarves, werewolves and trolls in Korvosa's City Watch.

Rat on a stick, anyone?

Ketchup's extra...

WormysQueue wrote:

KaeYoss wrote:

So Korvosa is ruled by an enlightened tyrant who is called the Patrician?

"If we must have crime, we might as well get it organised"

My thoughts as well. And now I'm waiting for oversized dwarves, werewolves and trolls in Korvosa's City Watch.

Rat on a stick, anyone?

Ketchup's extra...

And why's that?

Overheads.

And because without it, rat on a stick tastes like... rat on a stick.

I'm trying to remember what I wrote about it. IIRC, it's kind of a combination of RL drugs in its effects. I guess we'll all see in February. ;D

Remember, shmemember. Here's a copy/paste from what I wrote in the book. Keep in mind this isn't canon until we send it off to the printer, but for now pesh is like this:

Pesh: This strong stimulant also has mild hallucinogenic properties, which together make its users easily agitated and randomly aggressive. Originally imported from Katapesh, pesh first became popular a century ago and remains one of the top drugs in Korvosa. A pesh addict is identifiable by his blood-shot eyes and frequent nosebleeds, as the fine powder is taken by snorting.

Mike, what about Qat? Is it smokable?

Mike, what about Qat? Is it smokable?

I believe, in "The World of Reality", users chew the young, supple Qat leaves. In practice (based entirely on third-hand observations of hollywood depictions) it seems quite similar to chewed tobacco products, aka "Dip," or as my fellow midwesterners (and perhaps as far south as Texas) call it, "Chaw".

*wipes away a tear*

terry pratchett's diskworld. i love you guys.

i need to start reading the Journals...............

thereal thom wrote:

Mike, what about Qat? Is it smokable?

I believe, in "The World of Reality", users chew the young, supple Qat leaves. In practice (based entirely on third-hand observations of hollywood depictions) it seems quite similar to chewed tobacco products, aka "Dip," or as my fellow midwesterners (and perhaps as far south as Texas) call it, "Chaw".

Yup, that's right. Qat in Golarion is just like qat on Earth: you chew it.

Yes, pesh and qat are drugs that are illegal in Korvosa, but the sale of which are more or less tolerated because the thieves' guild pays a tax on all drug sales in the city. Yes, you read that right: the city taxes illegal drugs and the thieves' guild actually pays the tax.

Korvosa is run by libertarians?

Mike McArtor wrote:

Yes, pesh and qat are drugs that are illegal in Korvosa, but the sale of which are more or less tolerated because the thieves' guild pays a tax on all drug sales in the city. Yes, you read that right: the city taxes illegal drugs and the thieves' guild actually pays the tax.

Korvosa is run by libertarians?

That's a relatively fair assessment. Militaristic libertarians.

That's a relatively fair assessment. Militaristic libertarians.

Except Libertarians would not outlaw drugs, and would not have taxes.