Altum

**Altum** also known as "**Alt**" was a psychedelic stimulant drug found on Titan, claimed to cause mystical experiences. It was the focus of the drug lords who occupied the moon. Altum was a naturally occurring chemical compound found in the massive dark hydrocarbon dunes and liquid bodies of methane and ethane. It occurred as a purple semi-translucent crystal. Altum was extremely valuable, leading to the drug lords to sell at extraordinarily high prices to any nations or people that requested it. Due to the excessively cold and lethal climate on Titan, mining for Altum was very dangerous, and finding it was likened to finding gold on ancient Earth.

## Mining, Extraction, and Refining

Altum was found naturally in the surface of Titan and under its liquid bodies. On the surface, prospectors would blow open dunes to mine at the water ice below, hoping to find Altum encased within. Rarely, Altum could be found on the surface, lying in the sand which had been blown off from on top of it.

Operations to extract Altum from the liquid bodies on Titan also existed. Many of these involved creating dams and filtering Altum out of the methane and ethane, although there were also drones that would scour the bottom of the lakes looking for Altum in the silt.

Once extracted, Altum is smelted under extremely high temperatures to refine it and remove it of contaminates. This liquid Altum is then casted into a prismatic mold for shipping.

## Effects

Altum is addictive, although not as powerful in this regard as some other infamous drugs. Small doses can give a sense of euphoria, while the highest can give users profound spiritual experiences that can forever alter their consciousness and cause permanent depersonalization or dissociation. Many report seeing abstract images or fractal patterns, and rarely auditory hallucinations are also reported. Some of these experiences are enlightening, while others can be traumatizing. All high-dosage hallucinations have been liked to near-death experiences and are claimed to be able to cause ego death. It is rumored some visions seen as a result of the drug are prophetic.

Many who have enlightening experiences, claim that they have received insight into their purpose in life, the true nature of the universe, and how to be their best self. They claim to have visited higher dimensions and communed with spiritual or extra-dimensional beings who acted as guides or healers. These experiences are said to be therapeutic, and there are reports that they have even cured depression and lifelong personal traumas.

However, those who have had traumatic experiences report feelings of hopelessness and loss. They claim the beings they see mock and demoralize them, and they see dark visions of death and destruction. These experiences are claimed to be terrifying and can even cause insanity.

Physically, Altum can cause vomiting, muscle spasms, and increased body temperature. Over time, it can redden the eyes and begin to discolor the skin, although many rich elites who took Altum reversed these effects using cosmetic surgeries.

## Usage

Altum is shattered so that it can be used. It is usually taken orally, smoked, or snorted. Due to its powerful therapeutic effects, many of the richest and most powerful men in the solar system bought it in order to better their lives. Because of its usage by the elite, it was not made illegal despite its addictive and potentially deadly properties.

Nathaniel Titus was a user of Altum, and it is believed that over usage of this drug in combination with others resulted in his delusions that caused him to believe he was the One.