Two-Faced Tonics
We continue Potion Week with a trip to the alchemist’s lab in order to uncover a trio of new magical elixirs for adventurers looking for a huge edge at a small price, but a steep risk. Curious to see what I mean? Check out these double-edged swords of the potion world, but be careful: disingenuous alchemists tend to leave the warning label off of these elixirs.
ELIXIR OF INSIGHT PRICE 5,000 gp
Slot none; CL 17th; Weight —
Aura strong divination
This pure white elixir is contained in a ornate golden bottle, stopped with a crystal. The substance smells like fresh mint and is cool and refreshing when consumed.
When imbibed, this magical elixir fills the imbiber’s mind with a glimpse of all possible futures for the next hour. The flash of insight is difficult to retain and the user soon forgets the details of what he see, but retains a sense of what’s going to happen, allowing him to be better prepared for the upcoming challenges. This grants him a +2 bonus on initiative checks, ability checks, attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks for 1 hour. Additionally, the user retains absolute clarity about one action that is to occur, allowing him to gain a +10 insight bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check during this time.
Consuming these elixirs can have a dangerous side effect, possibly driving the user insane. Whenever one of these elixirs is consumed, the imbiber must succeed on a Will save (DC 20) or become horribly panicked and confused, suffering 1 point of Wisdom drain.
Craft Wondrous Item, foresight
ELIXIR OF THE BEAST PRICE 1,500 gp
Slot none; CL 3rd; Weight —
Aura faint transmutation
When consumed, this elixir transforms the consumer into a mighty dire wolf, as with the spell beast shape II, except that the effect lasts until the next sunrise after the elixir was consumed, and the imbiber retains the ability to speak. Additionally, if the elixir was consumed while the imbiber was in direct moonlight, the size bonus to Strength and Dexterity increases by a further +4.
Finally, when the imbiber consumes this elixir, he must succeed on a Will save (DC 20) or have his mind corrupted by the transformation which effects the body. If he fails, he suffers 10 points of Intelligence and Charisma damage, which cannot be healed magically, but which does recover naturally at the normal rate. If this would reduce the imbiber’s Intelligence or Charisma below 1, it is instead reduced to 1, but the imbiber loses control of his faculties and acts as though a real dire wolf for the duration of the transformation.
Craft Wondrous Item, beast shape II
ELIXIR OF POWER PRICE 5,000 gp
Slot none; CL 13th; Weight —
Aura strong transmutation
A deep black elixir contained in a bone jar inscribed with eldritch runes, these magical liquids grant the consumer terrible power, but at great risk. The substance contained within is flavorless and odorless and has the consistency of water.
When consumed, this black potion grants the user great power, increasing each of his ability scores by 6, granting him an additional attack per round at his highest base attack bonus and rendering him immune to critical hits for 1 minute.
Each round after consuming the elixir, the user suffers 10 points of damage and must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 20) or gain a permanent negative level.
Craft Wondrous Item, transformation