Pyra

A highly addictive narcotic agent that has only surfaced in the last decade. It has several properties in common with other stimulants, and can be taken nasally by snorting, through intravenous injection, or orally as mixed into a drink. In all forms Pyra has a bright orangish color, and Pyra addicts are typically distinguished by an orangish tint to the whites of their eyes (though this indicator can be treated with eye drops for bloodshot eyes).

Pyra is believed to be magical in nature, for none of it has survived in impound long enough to be analyzed by authorities. Confiscated loads of Pyra spontaneously degrade and leave behind only piles of grayish, ash-like substance.

Pyra originated in the Gate Dimension, either in the south of Guardia or the El Nido isles. It is illegal in most nations of the Web (but not, controversially, in the Tasnica Republic). The enormous volume of trade between Tasnica and Guardia makes policing for illicit Pyra shipments almost impossible, leading to some tension between the two powers.

There is some controversy as to the involvement of the Guardian government in the actual creation and distribution of Pyra; the result of this scandal was the ZAPS Corruption Hearings, which focused on Norstein Bekkler's involvement and eventually forced the eccentric ZAPS Director to flee Guardia with the help of Mister Bones.