The Institute of Questionable Science (IQS) got its hands on the excavated formula for 1,2-Superdupermethamphetamine bicarbonate just long enough to make one small batch.
IQS chemists tested it on lab mice. The mice vaporized on contact, leaving a faint whiff of burnt fur and a lingering question mark.
While the scientists stared at the question mark, imps snatched the recipe page back and vanished. The IQS kept no notes and no backups, so the vaporized-mouse batch is now the only known sample of the substance on Earth.
Word of the "Ultimate Scarcity" spread fast, and so did the bidding. Goblins are offering outrageous sums for the smallest sample of a substance whose only known effect is turning mice into dust.
"This is pure goblin madness," said Grungle Gristle, GNN's Chief Analyst, who has secretly bid on a vial of vaporized-mouse essence. "We have no idea what it does to a goblin. That's what makes it valuable."
The Goblin Council of Elders has warned against consuming or experimenting with the substance. The warning raised the price by 40%.
