ENVENOM
The envenom skill is a cowardly skill practiced only by thieves, designed to win a battle through alchemy and treachery rather than skill or strength. Or, put another way, it's a skill used by the smart to kill the foolish. Food, drink, and weapons may be envenomed, with varying effects. Poisoned food or drink puts a mild poison spell on the consumer, and is unlikely to be more than a minor inconvience (after all, the typical adventurer could drink sewer water with only a trace of the runs). A poisoned weapon, on the other hand, can inflict serious damage on an opponent as the poison burns through his bloodstream. But be careful, blade venom evaporates quickly and is rendered almost powerless by repeated blows in combat.