Potions on contact

[Krico]

Would potions HAVE to be ingested, or can they be set up to work on skin contact, or possibly activate an effect if the container breaks (ie, potion grenade)?

[citadel97501]

I personally have no issues as an ST, with contact potions and it does seem like it could be very thematic for an Alchemist style character. . .

[Tsunami]

Would potions HAVE to be ingested, or can they be set up to work on skin contact, or possibly activate an effect if the container breaks (ie, potion grenade)?

I'd say no, they don't have to be.
If you look at the "Sunlight in a Handkerchief" example in YS that seems to be in line with what the Devs had in mind as well.

[Drachasor]

"Potions" seem to clearly be intended for one-use items of all types, given the hanky example.

[BobForPresident]

This seems to me like it would be mostly a cinematic (not game numbers affecting) choice.

[crusher_bob]

I'm pretty sure that 'potions' are supposed to be used to represent any type of single use magical item.  Examples from the books probably include: the rope Harry uses to tie up Susan in Death Masks, the possibly the ward crystal in Turn Coat, possibly the electric chain he uses in Small Favor, one way of implementing the holy water balloons he 'just happens to have' in Blood Rites, and possibly some stuff he does with his sword can in, erm, I forget, one of the earlier books.

If it looks like an enchanted item, but it never shows up again, one way of implementing that mechanically is to assume it was a 'potion' and leave it at that.

[Morgan]

A Wizard could also whip up some Faerie Ointment 'Potion' that gets smeared on the eyes to help see through Faerie Glamours. So yeah the idea of a potion is pretty malleable, don't just limit yourself ingested liquid potions.

[Archmage_Cowl]

Would potions HAVE to be ingested, or can they be set up to work on skin contact, or possibly activate an effect if the container breaks (ie, potion grenade)?

I totally would allow potions to break and cause the effects. In fact i actually have an alchemist character in my game currently who uses potions that explodes when she throws them.

[wyvern]

This reminds me - I really need to stat up a "technowizard" with an old six-shooter converted into what I'll call a scroll gun - each chamber contains a carefully crafted one-shot spell instead of an ordinary bullet.  That's six "potion" slots right there - and imagine the surprise when you shoot someone with a healing spell!  Just don't get which chamber is which mixed up...

[Rel Fexive]

I had the idea that my Witch (he calls himself that) who only has Thaumaturgy uses "potions" to make up for his lack of Evocation.  Except it's not just potions, it's stones carved with sigils, crystals imbued with power, and so on, all empowered with one-use magic.  A stone that when thrown at a foe traps them in a web of force (a grapple), a gem that unleashes a lightning bolt (attack), a bracelet that creates a short-duration shield (defensive block), that kind of thing.  They would probably activate at a word or with the proper usage, aimed by Discipline or whatever seems appropriate (Athletics for a thrown sigil stone).

I'm still not sure what to call such a thing, though; 'charm' doesn't seem right and nor does 'talisman'.  A periapt? I don't know.

[GruffAndTumble]

I'm pretty sure that 'potions' are supposed to be used to represent any type of single use magical item.  Examples from the books probably include: the rope Harry uses to tie up Susan in Death Masks, the possibly the ward crystal in Turn Coat, possibly the electric chain he uses in Small Favor, one way of implementing the holy water balloons he 'just happens to have' in Blood Rites, and possibly some stuff he does with his sword can in, erm, I forget, one of the earlier books.

Actually, I would argue the electric chain is not magical at all, simply a clever use of physics and a quick telekinesis-style spell. Interestingly, however, the best way to represent that is through potions! So one could say a "gadget" could also fit under a potion slot.

[ryanroyce]

Actually, I would argue the electric chain is not magical at all, simply a clever use of physics and a quick telekinesis-style spell. Interestingly, however, the best way to represent that is through potions! So one could say a "gadget" could also fit under a potion slot.

 Except that potions may only be created by wizards/casters/folks-with-potion-slots.  If a given "gadget" could be created by a pure mortal, such as a balloon filled with holy water, then calling it a potion would be incorrect, IMO.

[GruffAndTumble]

Sorry, wasn't clear. I meant "magic gadget." The copper doohickey had no inherent magical enchantment, as far as I could tell, but required magic to be effective (the spell plugging it in super fast).

[CMEast]

I'm still not sure what to call such a thing, though; 'charm' doesn't seem right and nor does 'talisman'.  A periapt? I don't know.

A fetish perhaps? It really depends on the form that the potion takes though. Are they powders/liquids/ointments etc that get used up? Are they throw-away objects that get used up? Are they charged objects that can be recharged?

Also does your caster have a theme beside 'thaumaturgy/potion use'? When you say a 'Witch' do you mean they dance naked at the full moon? Are they a shaman? An ancient alchemist? Gypsy? Are they inspired by Morgana Le Fey? Hecate? Baba Yaga? Charmed?

You could create a modern variant that use dice, cards and poker chips as talismans to hold hexes to curse the targets fate.  Imagine the fun narrating the various effects that hit your opponent varying from Final Destination to pure slapstick; slipping on banana peels, falling objects, hit by cars etc. Or perhaps a witch that uses an old polaroid camera to create impromptu voodoo dolls?

[Rel Fexive]

A fetish perhaps? It really depends on the form that the potion takes though. Are they powders/liquids/ointments etc that get used up? Are they throw-away objects that get used up? Are they charged objects that can be recharged?

Also does your caster have a theme beside 'thaumaturgy/potion use'? When you say a 'Witch' do you mean they dance naked at the full moon? Are they a shaman? An ancient alchemist? Gypsy? Are they inspired by Morgana Le Fey? Hecate? Baba Yaga? Charmed?

You could create a modern variant that use dice, cards and poker chips as talismans to hold hexes to curse the targets fate.  Imagine the fun narrating the various effects that hit your opponent varying from Final Destination to pure slapstick; slipping on banana peels, falling objects, hit by cars etc. Or perhaps a witch that uses an old polaroid camera to create impromptu voodoo dolls?

The "potion" idea is "an object enchanted to produce a particular effect just the once, for a short time or immediately, that can be throw away or retained for re-enchantment".  So a coin soaked in oils, a stone (or brick!) carved with sigils, a metal ring twisted into a particular 'rune', a piece of quartz charged with electricity, and so on.

As for the definition of 'Witch', well, one of his aspects would be Faux Wiccan - in that he isn't one, but people often think he is and he can pretend to be one if necessary (as described in his first novel, name TBC).  While he may have been taught by more spiritual individuals (another aspect relates to them) he is much less spiritual about it, but they use the name 'Witch' so he does too.  He's all about thaumaturgy, with the use of rituals and incantations in a Working designed to guide the mind down the proper path to release the gathered magical energy in the proper way. These rituals usually include the use of herbs, runic symbols, black or white candles, incense, crystals, and of course the symbolic link to the target.


I like the Polaroid voodoo doll idea