Alchemy: The Secret Art Lead into gold? Maybe not. But alchemy in the form of various useful potions and elixirs is a steadfast part of fantasy games. For simplicity and space considerations, the GURPS supplements have limited alchemy to descriptions of effects and costs of materials. But for the GM who wishes to really make his or her alchemists work for their ingredients, here are recipies for all the elixirs found in GURPS Magic and GURPS Magic Items. Some of the ingredients in these listings are purely the product of the author's imagination, and GMs are encouraged to modify these to fit their own game worlds. Resources for this article included Jean Auel's wonderful Earth's Children novels, a book called Charms, Spells, and Potions (for the modern-day enchanter), a catalog of mail-order herb and wellness products, and bits and pieces gleaned from other games. Naturally, the actual attempt to mix up any of these elixirs would be at best nauseating and at worst fatal, so don't even try! All costs given are for one dose only. Subtract one from the final skill roll for each extra dose made in the same batch. To make a powder, add three days to creation time for drying and grinding. To make a pastille, double materials and time to create. Add 3 dr. of alum and 2 dr. ground flour per dose. Must be formed into pellets and dried or baked. To make an unguent, add two days to creation time and either: 6 oz. gum bezoin mixed with 1 dr. jellied spearmint or 6 oz. lard mixed with 1 dr. camphor oil Minimum Necessary Equipment: Mortar and pestle Vials (glass, metal, or ceramic) Beakers and jars Distillation device Funnel (glass) Tongs (metal) Brazier (brass) Vat (copper) Balance and Weights Bellows Crucible (for melting metals) Elixir base (required for all potions) 5 oz. distilled water 1 dram lead shavings 1 dram queen's moss 1/2 carat powdered opal Abbreviations: dr. = dram (unit of measurement) oz. = ounce (likewise) ct. = carat (for gems and precious stones) Measurements: 1 dr. = 1/8 fl. oz. = 1/2 tsp + 1/8 tsp. 2 dr. = 1/4 fl. oz. = 1/2 tbsp. 4 dr. = 1/2 fl. oz. = 1 tbsp. 6 dr. = 4/3 fl. oz. = 1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp. 8 dr. = 1 fl. oz. = 2 tbsp. Recipie List for GURPS Elixirs -- *** Animal Controls: Bird Control 2 dr. powdered tin 1 ct. powdered sapphire 1 dr. ashes from burnt feather 1 dr. rosemary 2 dr. St. Taren's herb 1 dr. tarragon 1 oz. Oil of Avis Beast-Speech 2 dr. ash from burnt mockingbird feather 1 dr. fox blood 2 dr. whitesnake scales 1 dr. dragon's heart 2 dr. gossip's vine 1 harpy tongue 2 dr. silver shavings Dragonslaying 2 dr. powdered dragonbane 1 oz. powdered gold 1 dr. steel shavings 1 oz. knight's blood 1 dr. ash from burnt virgin's hair 2 dr. clover stems 1/2 dr. nettles Horse Taming 3 dr. shavings from horse's hoof 2 dr. ash from burnt horse's mane 2 dr. horse blood 1 dr. powdered moonstone 4 dr. sugar 3 dr. crushed limestone 2 dr. vervain *** Combat Abilities: Strength 2 dr. powdered iron 1 dr. giant's blood 2 dr. dried betony leaves 1 dr. bitter herb 3 dr. cloverleaf 1 dr. powdered acorn 1 dr. starflower petals 1 ct. powdered peridot Invulnerability 2 dr. crushed coral, preferably white 1 dr. dandelion leaves 2 dr. powdered tortoise shell 2 dr. crushed bay leaves 1 dr. bloodroot 1/4 oz. adamantine, powdered Endurance 2 dr. horse blood 4 dr. powdered iron 1 ct. powdered garnet 2 dr. conqueror root 1 dr. betony 1/2 ct. powdered peridot Speed 2 dr. cheetah or lynx blood 1 ct. powdered turquoise 2 dr. ashes from horse's mane or tail 2 dr. powdered copper 3 dr. shavings from deer hoof 3 dr. saffron Stealth 4 cat's whiskers 3 mistletoe berries 1 dr. sage 3 dr. powdered copper 2 dr. powdered onyx 1 dr. vampire blood Huntsman 3 dr. comfrey root 2 dr. asparagus oil 1 dr. powdered iron 4 dr. crushed pumice stone 1 centaur heart 3 dr. mule blood Leadership 2 dr. powdered diamond 4 dr. laurel leaves 2 dr. cypress root 1 dr. vervain 1 dr. crushed lodestone 3 pixie wings 1 dr. ashes of burnt lion's mane *** Hostile Elixirs: Odiousness 2 dr. crushed lodestone 1 dr. crushed agate 4 dr. quicksilver 2 oz. orc blood 1/2 oz. dragon saliva 2 dr. crushed garlic 2 dr. crushed onion 1/2 oz. skunk oil Madness 2 black mushroom caps 3 dr. hazel 1 dr. sulphur 1 ct. powdered aquamarine 2 dr. quicksilver 1 dr. peony petals 1/2 oz. gnome brains 1 oz gnome blood 2 dr. crushed moonstone Jealousy 3 dr. white fern 1 eye from a green-eyed cat 2 dr. viper scales 1/2 ct. crushed black opal 1 dr. powdered iron 2 dr. powdered tin Self-Love 1/2 dr. crushed mistletoe berries 2 dr. orange blossom 1 dr. ash of burnt contrary vine 1 dr. narcissus oil 1/2 dr. juniper berries, crushed 3 shards of broken mirror 2 crushed pearls Fear 2 dr. powdered dragon bone 3 cloves 1 dr. black mustard seed 1 oz. blueberry juice 2 dr. wormwood 2 dr. graveyard dirt 1 oz. garlic oil Weakness 1/2 dr. powdered lead 1/2 dr. powdered copper 1 dr. dried liverwort petals 1 dr. fresh cyclamen 1 dr. wolfsbane 2 oz. pomegranate seeds 1/2 inch rosewood splinter Lecherousness 1 dr. absinthe 3 crushed fennel seeds 1/2 dr. satyrion root 1/2 dr. mandrake root, powdered 2 dr. passion flower, crushed 2 dr. stallion's semen Testicles of a male wolf Frustration 1 ct. powdered topaz 6 sunflower seeds 2 cyclamen leaves 4 dr. quicksilver 1 dr. sage 1 dr. saffron 3 dr. stinging nettle Foolishness 2 dr. balm of gilead 2 caraway seeds 1 dr. ash of burnt cypress leaf 2 dr. cinnamon 1 dr. absinthe 1/2 ct. powdered topaz 1/2 ct. powdered emerald 1/2 ct. powdered aquamarine 4 dr. quicksilver Death 1 dr. black widow venom 1 dr. scorpion venom 1/2 oz. demon blood 2 skullcap mushrooms 1 dr. mandrake root 2 dr. aconite flowers 1 fang of a viper 2 dr. salt 2 dr. crushed seashells 2 ct. black jade Aging 6 dr. elf blood 6 dr. quicksilver 2 dr. bloodroot 1 dr. rowan leaves 2 dr. sulphur 3 hairs from an old woman 1 ct. sapphire 1 dr. contrary vine Unluckiness 4 dr. quicksilver 2 dr. contrary vine 2 dr. clover stems 2 dr. fennel 1 dr. nettle root 2 dr. shavings of corpse's fingernails 3 dr. crushed lodestone *** Magical Abilities Fire Resistance 1 dr. sulphur 1 ct. powdered ruby 2 dr. ash of burnt salamander scales 1/2 oz. juice of fireblossom 1 oz. pepper oil 2 dr. wild woodbine 1 dr. rosehips 2 dr. willow sap Transformation 3 dr. shapeshifter blood 2 dr. ash from burnt lycanthrope hair 4 elderberries, crushed 2 dr. angelica root 3 ct. powdered amber 1 ct. powdered green jade 1/2 dr. silver shavings 1/2 dr. quicksilver Flight 2 dr. belladonna 2 dr. hemlock 1 dr. eagle's blood 2 fairy wings 1 gryphon feather 1 ct. powdered star sapphire 2 dr. shavings of gryphon claw 1 hair of a sylph True Sight 1 dr. powdered sapphire 2 eagle eyes 3 dr. purslane 1 dr. crushed carrot eyelash of a jilted lover 3 dr. maiden's tears 1 oz. crushed obsidian 1/2 ct. powdered diamond Water-Walking 2 dr. ash from burnt seagull feather 1 kelp pod, crushed 2 ct. crushed pearl 3 dr. mermaid scales 1 dr. otter's blood 2 dr. starfish 2 ct. powdered malachite Invisibility 2 dr. fairy blood 2 sylph hairs 1 ct. powdered onyx 2 dr. eyebright herb 4 dr. fern 1 dr. red clover 1 dr. succubus fingernail Water-Breathing 2 dr. mermaid scales 1 dr. mermaid blood 4 dr. salt 2 dr. shark blood 4 dr. crushed seashell 1 ct. powdered malachite 5 dr. crushed coral Luck 1 dr. basil 1 dr. chamomile 1 oz. fluid from peony stems 7 whole four-leaf clovers 2 dr. powdered agate 2 dr. rabbit blood 1 dr. gold shavings 1 ct. crushed moonstone Attractiveness 1 ct. powdered diamond 4 dr. rose petals 1 dr. rose oil 1 dr. lavender 2 dr. cream 2 dr. honey Magic Resistance 1 dr. iron shavings 2 dr. ash of burnt rowanwood 3 dr. elderberry bark 2 crushed elderberries 2 dr. blood of a holy man 1 ct. crushed opal 3 dr. powdered lead Pain Resistance 2 dr. bindweed 1 dr. aloe 3 dr. chamomile 1 dr. all-heal herb 2 dr. sandalwood oil 1 ct. powdered ruby 1/2 dr. powdered adamantine 1 ct. crushed jasper Gambling Luck 4 dr. powdered sandalwood 2 dr. carnation petals 1 dr. cinnamon 2 dr. saffron 1/2 dr. frankincense oil 2 dr. powdered gold 1 dr. ivory shavings 1/2 ct. powdered agate *** Medical Elixirs: Health 1 dr. sassafrass leaves 1 dr. crushed eucalyptus 2 dr. all-heal herb 2 pumpkin seeds 1/2 dr. powdered jade 1 dr. white wax 2 dr. tin shavings 4 dr. elderberry root Fertility 1 dr. cinnamon 1 dr. crushed mandrake root 3 dr. hazel 2 dr. ash from burnt rabbit fur 3 dr. fish eggs 1 yolk of robin's egg 2 dr. bull semen 1 ct. powdered blue topaz Healing 3 dr. all-heal herb 1 dr. crushed peppermint leaves 1 dr. thyme 1 dr. ash from wild cherry bark 1 ct. powdered amber 1 dr. troll saliva 2 dr. aloe 1 dr. bryony 2 dr. bark of ash tree Long Slumber 2 dr. chamomile 1 dr. barberry 2 dr. powdered copper 2 oz. fruit brandy 1/2 oz blood of hibernating bear 1 dr. spider venom 3 dr. brown sugar 1 dr. lemon peel 2 ct. powdered sapphire Youth 6 dr. elf blood 2 dr. mother's milk 1 dr. infant's saliva 4 dr. clover leaf 2 ct. crushed white jade 1 dr. powdered platinum Regeneration 5 dr. troll blood 1 tail of a lizard 2 ct. powdered peridot 2 dr. lead shavings 2 dr. vervain root 1 dr. ash of burnt elderberry leaves 1 dr. agrimony 2 dr. bone marrow Antidote 1 dr. crushed elderberries 1 dr. hellbore 2 dr. dried contrary vine 4 dr. quicksilver 1 dr. crushed coral 2 oz. powdered bone 3 dr. ash of burnt rowanwood 1 dr. iron shavings 2 ct. powdered emerald 1 ct. powdered opal Sleep 2 dr. powdered copper 2 dr. sage 1 dr. thyme 1 dr. dried asparagus root 1 dr. wild woodbine 1/4 cup warmed milk 1/2 oz. fruit brandy 3 dr. chamomile Resurrection 2 dr. dust from a destroyed vampire 1 dr. graveyard dirt 4 dr. embryonic sac, any species 1 dr. eggshell 2 oz. human birthing waters 1 heart of stillborn infant, any species 2 dr. powdered gold 1 dr. sulphur Reanimation 2 dr. powdered lapis lazuli 1 dr. graveyard dirt 2 dr. fingernails of dead man 1 ct. powdered black opal 2 dr. ash leaves 3 dr. mugwort 2 dr. thyme Calming 3 oz. warm milk 1/2 oz. brandy 2 dr. cinnamon 1 dr. chamomile 1 dr. lamb's blood 1/2 ct. powdered amber Awakening 3 dr. crushed kofa bean 2 dr. celandine 1 dr. rooster's blood 3 dr. morning glory 2 dr. ash from burnt feathers 2 ct. powdered beryl *** Mental Abilities: Foreknowledge 1 dr. marjoram 6 anise seeds 1/2 dr. parsley 1 dr. lemon balm 1 dr. sandalwood 1/2 ct. powdered emerald 1/2 oz gypsy blood 2 dr. hazel 1 dr. silver shavings Memory 1 dr. mugwort 1/2 dr. each of 3 kinds of mint 2 dr. thyme 1/2 ct. powdered aquamarine 1/2 ct. powdered emerald 2 dr. absinthe 2 dr. contrary vine 3 caraway seeds, crushed Charisma 1/2 dr. powdered diamond 1/2 dr powdered jasper 1 oz. gardenia oil 1 dr. powdered lodestone 1/2 oz. blood of a bard Wisdom 3 dr. sage 1/2 dr. red clover 1 oz. lavender oil 2 dr. owl's blood 1 dr. ash of burnt owl feather 1/2 ct. aquamarine 1 pearl, crushed Immunity to Love 2 dr. contrary vine 3 dr. love-lies-bleeding root 4 dr. crushed stone (any type) 1 dr. white rose oil 2 dr. lemon juice 1 ct. powdered opal 2 dr. virgin's blood 3 dr. hellbore flowers *** Mental Control: Love 1/2 dr. crushed violet flowers 1/2 dr. rose petals 3 dr. sugar 1 dr. honey 1 dr. passion flower 1 dr. orange blossom 1 dr. powdered beryl 2 dr. virgin's blood 1/2 oz. wine 2 dr. love's first kiss herb Drunkenness 2 dr. crushed amethyst 2 dr. quicksilver 1/2 dr. contrary vine 1/2 oz. fruit brandy 1 dr. ash of burnt dwarf beard Friendship 2 ct. powdered bloodstone 1/2 oz. cinnamon oil 1/2 dr. crushed gardenia petals 3 dr. dog's blood 2 dr. coriander 3 dr. oak bark 1 ct. crushed agate Truthfulness 5 crushed sunflower seeds 2 sunflower petals 2 ct. powdered agate 1 dr. silver shavings 3 dr. truthvine 2 dr. crushed obsidian 1 dr. holy water Forgetfulness 5 dr. absinthe 2 crushed cloves 1 dr. contrary vine 2 dr. thyme 1 ct. powdered diamond 2 dr. blood of a wayward lover Gullibility 2 dr. ash of burnt wool 3 dr. powdered fool's gold 1 dr. lamb's blood 2 dr. sage 2 dr. contrary vine 1 dr. peony root 1/2 dr. nightshade *** Skills and Physical Abilities: Vision 1 dr. anenome root 1 dr. hawk's blood 2 dr. powdered eyebright herb 2 oz. carrot juice 1 dr. powdered angelica 1 dr. ash of ginseng 1 dr. strawberry leaves 1/2 ct. powdered diamond Music 2 grasshopper legs tongue of a songbird 2 ct. powdered topaz 3 dr. siren's blood 4 dr. whistling vine 1/2 oz. blood of a musician Hearing 3 dr. bat's blood 4 dr. ash from burnt rabbit's ear 2 scales from the ear of a dragon 4 dr. powdered silver 1 dr. wax shavings 1 straight pin Craftsmanship 1 dr. silver weed 3 goldberries 5 dr. ash of burnt cypress 1 dr. red clover 2 dr. elm bark 1/2 oz. dwarf blood 4 dr. beeswax 2 dr. crushed beaver's tooth
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