"That sounds like an incredibly valuable substance," Astarion mused, tilting his head to one side. He couldn't help but wonder if such a thing could effectively block the abilities of a vampire lord. Not that it mattered in the here and now, but if he could find something similar back home...

"If it isn't too boring a question, what's the societal structure of your peoples? I assume each branch of the proverbial family tree has their own culture and quirks, as it were."