Potions
Using Potions
Characters can drink potions (or give them to others) using the Alchemy skill ability Administer.
Characters normally only have one slot for potion effects; gaining points in Alchemy can increase that limit. Characters lose all active potion effects when they rest.
Potion effects only work while they remain active; their effects disappear when the potion effect ends.
For example, a character with 3 Endurance (and only one potion slot) drinks a potion with the effect "Gain +1 Endurance", temporarily increasing his Endurance to 4. He then takes 3 damage, reducing his Endurance to 1. If he then drinks a different potion, it replaces the effect active on him. His Endurance reduces by 1, and he is left helpless.
- You have one potion slot, which drinking a potion fills.
- Potion effects are all continuous; they go away when replaced.
- Drinking a new potion replaces your current one.
Creating Potions
Creating potions requires the Potion Engineering action gained from the Alchemy skill. You can only create potions that you have the formula for (also gained from the Alchemy skill). Each formula has a level, specified below the name. You can only make potions from formulae with levels that are equal to or less than your Alchemy.
You can make as many of each potion as you like, you and your allies can all hold as many brewed potions as you like, and brewed potions remain usable forever.
In the Arbiter's Guide, I suggest some ways of limiting the number of potions you and you allies can have and use. If you find yourself abusing the permissiveness of the rules written here in a way that isn't fun for you, I recommend using one of those limits.
Potion Formulae
You learn two sets of potion formulae of your choice when you reach 3 Alchemy, and one extra set when you reach 5, 7, and 9 Alchemy. You learn all the formulae from the sets you choose, but you can only create potions from formulae up to your Alchemy in level.
Support
These potions provide basic medical support for your team, keeping them on their feet a little longer and temporarily improving your first-aid skills.
+1 Endurance.
You suffer no ill effects from diseases. Any diseases you have do not get worse.
+2 Medicine, -2 Depths.
+3 Endurance, -1 Energetics.
Transformation
These potions allow for miraculous (if only situationally useful) transformations of yourself or your allies.
You can walk on liquids.
Multiply your size by 2. You can lift and carry larger objects.
Divide your size by 2.
Light
These potions concern the creation and detection of light.
You emit light to a distance of 10 m.
When you touch solid surfaces with your bare skin you leave a glowing residue. The residue lasts for ten minutes and emits light to a distance of 5 m.
While your eyes are open, radiant light from them illuminates anything within your field of vision to a distance of 30 m.
You emit light to a distance of 50 m. Other creatures within 5 m of you cannot see.
Dark
A set of potions relating to shadow and deception.
You can see in total darkness, but not in any other level of light.
You can hide in dim light as if it were darkness, and creatures cannot see you in dim light if they aren't aware of you.
You are invisible.
Power
A set of potions based around increasing your magical or mental strength at the cost of physical endurance.
+2 Spirituality, -2 Endurance.
+2 Depths, -2 Endurance.
+2 Energetics, -2 Endurance.
Suppression
These advanced potions provide powerful effects to disable your opponents.
Your other potion effects are suppressed. They still count as active potion effects, and take up a slot, but have no effect.
Your speed is zero.
You cannot cast spells.
Vampire
This set of potions give you some of the powers (and weaknesses) of the mythical vampire.
You do not need to sleep. Direct sunlight causes your skin to burn painfully.
Poisons have no effect on you (this does not include negative potion effects). You do not need to breathe.
When you are rendered helpless, you immediately die and turn to dust. Attacks made using mundane weapons (except those made of or coated in silver) do not harm you.
You transform into mist. You can't take actions, can't be hurt, can fly, and can squeeze through any gap that smoke could. You can choose to end this potion effect at any time.
You do not age.