“This photo shows evidence that the crime scene had been visited by a "chalk fairy" — a term used to describe mysterious police officers who feel the need to draw lines around the body and then disappear when investigators attempt to find out who contaminated the scene.” - Vernon Geberth, Practical Homicide Investigation
Artifact: Chalk Fairy
Power: Minor.
Description: A vial full of chalk dust, either yellow or white. Gathered from a crime scene contaminated in error by well-meaning first responders or bystanders and itself contaminated by oil of wormwood - the adulterant responsible for absinthe’s hallucinogenic reputation. It sparkles softly when it catches the light. It takes effect when consumed or blown into someone’s face.
Effect: People believe all sorts of incorrect things. Sometimes these false ideas are passed around and take on a life of their own, transmuting through the gravitas of propagation into stubbornly persistent urban myths. In some ways the internet era has quelled this phenomenon by providing easy access to information, in others it has exacerbated it by creating echo chambers and polarization.
To someone under the effects of a chalk fairy the next one of these memetic tripwires presented seems entirely truthful, no matter how nonsensical (“Yeah but Big Al says dogs can’t look up!”). It won’t force them to do anything they ordinarily wouldn’t especially in conflict with their other beliefs, but false certainty can be a hell of a thing when it comes to arguments and drunken bets. Being presented with incontrovertible evidence of the mistaken belief typically prompts a rank 2-4 Self check depending on how they’ve handled it (“...but I was so sure”).
A chalk fairy lasts 12 minutes from the time it is consumed/inhaled. Arguments can go on much longer, people dig their heels in on principle about stupid things all the time.
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