Prisoner's Honey

The preferred drug of the Neath, discovered on the Surface but now far more popular below ground. It's made from the flowers of a certain kind of rhododendron (probably) called "exile's rose," which is pollinated by the lamplighter bee; it induces a deep sleep filled with lucid dreams of that mystical alternate world called Parabola. If one wakes up before one's mind has returned from Parabola, that will make them honey-mazed - effectively drunk.
Xenophon, an ancient Greek writer, wrote of prisoner's honey (he called it mad honey), but the effects on his Surface soldiers resemble honey-mazing more than honey-dreams.
The Devils created Prisoner's honey on behalf of the Fingerkings, so people would be able to visit Parabola. As part of this deal, the Fingerkings owe the Devils 1/5 of everything they gain.
Gaoler's Honey

Colloquially called red honey, because, well, look at the illustration. This is a more sinister breed, whose consumption allows one to search through others' memories - which is incredibly painful for the unfortunate victim. It's made from a flower that is a cross between the exile's rose and a flower from Hell. It seems the hybrid has existed since the days of the Fourth City.
Both types of honey feature in Fallen London and Sunless Sea - more info below.
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...a contaminated batch made the Empress's children into monsters. (See The Shuttered Palace and the Empress's Court for more info.) |