Alchemy on Titan
These rule modifications are a replacement/supplement to the 1st edition DMG section on making potions.
1. Potion Formulas will be treated as spells for the purpose of acquiring them and learning to brew them. This means that the character must roll his or her Chance to Learn a Spell in order to comprehend the formula enough to utilize it.
2. Some formulas are more complex then others.
3. Brewing a Potion, or making any other Alchemical substance has a chance of failure. Such a failure can range from mild, loss of ingredients, to catastrophic, loss of the building!
4. Conditions, equipment, level and experience can all modify the chance of success. Modifiers can never reduce the chance of failure below 10%.
5. The more complex the formula the greater the chance of failure.
|
Formula Complexity |
Base Chance of Failure |
|
Simple Formula |
40% |
|
Average Formula |
50% |
|
Complex Formula |
66% |
|
Very Complex Formula |
75% |
Any Magic User can attempt to make a potion or other alchemical substance regardless of their level. (See Modifier Table below!)
An Alchemist is a Magic User who has specialized or concentrated on learning Formulae rather then spells. (Though they may also know spells.) Generally speaking, if the magic user in question has more then half of their grimoires filled with formulae, then they are an alchemist first and a magic user second!
Formulas are found in Alchemy books, some spell books, inscribed on scrolls, tablets and similar. Formulas do not radiate magic no matter what they are written on.
Formulas are written in the same Language of Magic as spells are written in. Any magic user can read such a formula, but anyone else attempting to do so will require the spell Read Magic to understand it.
Formulas have a market value in themselves. The value depends on how common the formula is, whether the buyer (MU or Alchemist) already has it, the accuracy of the formula, its provenance, proven reliability and the accompanying source materials, if any. Note: Buyers will want ALL the ORIGINAL documents, not a copy!
In general the value of a Formula is thus.:
|
Complexity of the Formula |
Untested/Uncertain Source |
Tested/Proven Source |
Well Documented |
|
Simple Formula |
Lowest GP value for a potion of the type |
3x GP value for a potion of the type |
+50% |
|
Average Formula |
Lowest GP value for a potion of the type |
5x GP value for a potion of the type |
+50% |
|
Complex Formula |
Lowest GP value for a potion of the type |
10x GP value for a potion of the type |
+50% |
|
Very Complex Formula |
Lowest GP value for a potion of the type |
20x GP value for a potion of the type |
+50% |
Example: A thief finds a scroll with the Formula for a Potion of Speed on it. A Potion of Speed is of Average Complexity for an Alchemist and the potion itself sells for about 450gp.
If the thief had found the scroll in a tube on a long dead body in a ditch, the formula would bring about 450gp from an alchemist, or potion making Magic User, who lacks that formula.
However, if the scroll was taken from a reputable and reliable alchemist, and the theft is known or can be substantiated, the formula is worth around 2250gp. If the thief was also able to steal any related notes or observations made by the alchemist in previous brewing or while researching the formula originally, the whole bundle is worth 3375gp.
Compounding Modifiers
|
NOTE: Modifiers can never reduce the chance of failure below 10%. |
|
Assistance of a trained Alchemist -10% also reduces compounding time by 50% |
|
Each level below 6th of the Magic User +2% |
|
Each level above 7th of the Magic User -2% |
|
Improvised, temporary lab +10% |
|
Cramped, poorly lit, badly ventilated lab +5% |
|
Adequate space and lighting 0% |
|
Room to spread out, ideal conditions -5% |
|
Magically Enhanced Lab (Cont Light, Air and Water Purified, etc -10% |
|
Primitive Equipment Attempting to brew with no alchemy equipment, alembic, retorts, improvising tools, etc at all +20% and compounding time increased 20x |
|
Sub-Standard equipment, damaged, worn out +10% Compounding time increased 10x |
|
Portable Lab (Minimal) Equipment +5% Compounding time increased 5x |
|
Basic Lab Equipment 0% |
|
Enhanced Lab Equipment -5% Compounding time reduced 20% |
|
Advanced Lab Equipment -10% Compounding time reduced 33% |
|
Making Multiple Doses of a Simple Formula +5% per Dose (Maximum of 6 at a time) |
|
Making Multiple Doses of a Average Formula +10% per Dose (Maximum of 4 at a time) |
|
Making Multiple Doses of a Complex Formula +20% per Dose (Maximum of 2 at a time) |
A Basic laboratory that is considered adequate for the task at hand must have a well ventilated fireplace, two work tables of 4’x8’ in size, shelves or cabinets for storage, a source of clean water, a light source and plentiful fuel for the fireplace. To work safely the room should be at least 15’x 20’ in size. Real estate and building features aside, cost to equip is about 100gp.
Portable Lab (minimal equipment): 2 each, alcohol lamp, alembics, flasks, dishes, mortar and pestle, basins, jugs, retort, measuring devices Wooden case 3’x1’x2’ 60lbs. Compounding time is 5x normal Cost is 200gp
Basic Lab: Brazier, 4 alembics, flasks, dishes, mortar and pestle, basins, jugs, retort, measuring devices Compounding time is normal Cost is 500gp
Enhanced Lab: Brazier, 8 each of alcohol lamps, alembics, flasks, dishes, mortar and pestle, basins, jugs, retorts, measuring devices Compounding time is reduced by 20% Cost is 1000gp
Advanced Lab: Brazier, scales, 12+ each of alcohol lamps, alembics, flasks, dishes, mortar and pestle, basins, jugs, retorts, measuring devices Compounding time is reduced by 33% Cost is 2000gp
FAILURES!
|
ROLL |
Failure for a SIMPLE formula |
Failure for an AVERAGE formula |
Failure for a COMPLEX formula |
Failure for a VERY COMPLEX formula |
|
1 |
Flash, bang, cloud of foul smoke, ingredients lost |
Medium fireball, BIG bang, foul smoke, ingredients lost apparatus (25% of total lab value) destroyed 2d4 damage to all working on the brew or within 10 feet of table |
Medium fireball, BIG bang, foul smoke, ingredients lost apparatus (33% of total lab value) destroyed , table damaged 2d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 15 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Stinking Cloud spell ingredients lost apparatus (40% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. Area on fire 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table |
|
2 |
Small fireball, BIG bang, foul smoke, ingredients lost apparatus (10% of total lab value) destroyed |
Medium fireball, BIG bang, foul smoke, ingredients lost apparatus (33% of total lab value) destroyed 2d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 10 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Stinking Cloud spell ingredients lost apparatus (33% of total lab value) destroyed Work table damaged. 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 20 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Cloud Kill spell ingredients lost apparatus (50% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. Area on fire 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table |
|
3 |
Small fireball, BIG bang, foul smoke, ingredients lost apparatus (15% of total lab value) destroyed, 1d4 damage to all working on the brew. |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Stinking Cloud spell ingredients lost apparatus (33% of total lab value) destroyed Work table damaged. 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 20 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Stinking Cloud spell ingredients lost apparatus (33% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. Area on fire. 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 20 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Cloud Kill spell ingredients lost apparatus (50% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. Entire room on fire 6d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table |
|
4 |
Medium fireball, BIG bang, foul smoke, ingredients lost apparatus (25% of total lab value) destroyed 2d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 10 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Stinking Cloud spell ingredients lost apparatus (40% of total lab value) destroyed Work table damaged. 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 20 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Stinking Cloud spell ingredients lost apparatus (40% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. Area on fire 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Cloud Kill spell ingredients lost apparatus (60% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. Entire room on fire, building on fire and sustains structural damage 8d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table |
|
5 |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Stinking Cloud spell ingredients lost apparatus (25% of total lab value) destroyed 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 20 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Stinking Cloud spell ingredients lost apparatus (40% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Cloud Kill spell ingredients lost apparatus (50% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. Area on fire 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Cloud Kill spell ingredients lost apparatus (75% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. Entire room on fire, building on fire and sustains major structural damage 8d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table |
|
6 |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Stinking Cloud spell ingredients lost apparatus (25% of total lab value) destroyed Work table damaged. 4d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 20 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Stinking Cloud spell ingredients lost apparatus (40% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. 6d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Cloud Kill spell ingredients lost apparatus (50% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. Entire room on fire 6d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table |
Large fireball, HUGE bang, foul smoke as Cloud Kill spell ingredients lost apparatus (60% of total lab value) destroyed Work table destroyed. Entire building collapses 10d6 damage to all working on the brew or within 30 feet of table plus 6d6 from collapsing building |
Base Elixir
A fundamental formula and ingredient, required for ALL other formulae, is the Base Elixir. This formula can be adjusted to reflect the desired product, liquid to drink, paste to rub on, powder, etc. Whatever the form, it provides the basic magical/alchemical framework to hold or ‘energize’ the rest of the formula that is involved in compounding the finished product. The Base Elixir MUST be successfully compounded and processed BEFORE attempting the next step. In effect this means that every formulation requires two complete processes for success.
Although the formula of the Base Elixir is of Average Complexity, it can be treated at a Simple Formula for the purposes of making multiple ‘doses’ at one time (up to 6 maximum.) Like other formulas, Base Elixirs can be compounded and stored for future use. It is possible to purchase prepared doses of Base Elixir in some Magic Shops. Results are not guaranteed!