Extracting the Magic
It can be easy to overlook the spell lists of those classes that don’t get “full” nine-level casting, and it’s even easier still to overlook alchemists when handing out new and exciting spells, because their spells don’t work quite the way that other spells do. Yes, most of the difference is cosmetic, calling things “extracts” and “formulas” instead of spells, but there are some minor mechanical differences involving what is and isn’t a legal target, and, what’s more, it’s easy to fall into the mental trap that alchemist’s extracts can’t be quite as “magical” as spellcasting, because it’s “just alchemy” (this is patently false, as a quick perusal of the alchemist’s spell lists will tell you. Just how swallowing a liquid will create a shield effect I won’t pretend to know, but the fact that it can means that the door is pretty open for wacky stuff).
As you’ve probably guessed by now, the point that I’m building up to is that today we’re going to try to lavish some attention on the underappreciated concocter of tonics, the alchemist, with a number of alchemist-themed spel—er, extracts. Enjoy.
ALCHEMIST’S EYE
School divination; Level alchemist 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range personal
Target you
Duration 24 hours
This extract was created by alchemists who needed to be able to view and discern magical auras in order to find certain ingredients, and envied the ability of more traditional mages to simply detect magic at will. While under the effects of alchemist’s eye, you can concentrate as a standard action at any time in order to begin perceiving magical auras. This functions identically to the spell detect magic. Once you cease concentrating, you cease being able to see magical auras, but you can begin the process by concentrating again as often as you like for the extract’s duration.
ELIXIR OF HEALTH
School transmutation; Level alchemist 6
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range personal
Target you
Duration 24 hours
This potent extract is beloved by alchemists who deal regularly with dangerous substances, as well as those who are simply hypochondriacs. For the spell’s duration, you are immune to poison and disease. Additionally, you gain a +2 enhancement bonus to your Constitution score. Hit points gained by a temporary increase in Constitution score are not temporary hit points. They go away when your Constitution drops back to normal. They are not lost first, as temporary hit points are.
SILVERTONGUE ELIXIR
School transmutation; Level alchemist 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 min./level
This extract increases the charm of those who consume it, making them much more persuasive and personable. You gain a +5 enhancement bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate checks for the spell’s duration. This enhancement bonus increases to +10 at caster level 5th, and again to +15 (the maximum) at caster level 9th.
TRANSMUTE POTION
School transmutation; Level alchemist 4, bard 6, sorcerer/wizard 5, witch 5
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range touch
Target potion touched
Duration instantaneous
With a touch, you transform the contents of a single potion, altering the magic infusing the liquid and changing its effects on those who drink it. You can change the spell associated with the potion to a different spell. Both the spell that is currently associated with the potion and the spell you intend to replace it with must be on your spell list, and must be of the same spell level on your spell list, but you need not personally know either spell. If the new spell has costly material components, they must cost less than the costly material components associated with the old spell, or transmute potion has no effect.
Unlike most alchemist extracts, when transmute potion is used as an alchemist extract, it is “cast” by pouring it into the potion to be transmuted, and the potion is the target, not the alchemist. The alchemist does not need the infusion discovery in order to use this extract.
UBERMENSCH ELIXIR
School transmutation; Level alchemist 6
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 hour/3 levels
Originally developed by alchemists seeking to unlock the entirety of human potential, this potent extract enhances every aspect of those who consume it. You gain a +4 enhancement bonus to each of your physical ability scores for the spell’s duration.