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The preparation of potions, ointments and mixtures is one of the major activities of Zebras, and quite often the sale of these alchemical preparations constitutes their principal source of income. Zebras taking a talent in alchemy may choose a number of beginning formulas as described in the character creation section.
To prepare a formula, the Zebra must know it (i.e. have learned how to), she must have the time and ingredients available, and make a successful roll of her mental attribute and alchemy talent against the difficulty of the formula. If this roll is missed, the preparation is spoiled and the components used are lost. In the event of a brilliant deed or catastrophe, it may be fun to wait until some pony uses the formula before they find out what effect it has.
Like spells, additional levels of talent learned with each formula reduce the difficulty by one level, and may provide additional benefits as described in the formula’s description.
Brilliant deeds in Alchemy
If a player rolls a double "1" with his roll of Alchemy, her preparation is obviously successful but also profits from additional effects. The story teller may invent a result appropriate to the situation, or have the player roll 1d6 on the table below.
Brilliant deeds in Alchemy 1d6 Effect 1-2 Duration X 2 3-4 Quantity X 2 5-6 Duration X 2 and Quantity x2
Catastrophes in Alchemy
If a player rolls a double "6" with her roll of Alchemy, an unforeseen effect occurs. The story teller may invent a result appropriate to the situation, or have the player roll 1d6 on the table below.
Catastrophes in Alchemy 1d6 Effect 1-2 Preparation spoiled, that is all... 3-4 Minor Side effect 5-6 Major Side effect
The side effects of a preparation are left to the discretion of the Storyteller. They can be tedious and/or funny. Some examples of minor side effects: the target releases soap bubbles whenever she opens her mouth, the target's coat or main changes color, the target can only speak in rhyme or finishes all her sentences with an odd sound or an animal like call.
Some examples of major side effects: the target becomes as light as a balloon and is likely to float away, her mouth is sewn shut and she cannot speak any more.
Zebras will without doubt wish to learn and create new formulas. The rule is simple: a zebra can work on a formula between two scenarios; she just has to inform the Storyteller and spend the appropriate number of pp. If the Storyteller approves of her research the zebra can add the formula to her list.
Alchemical Formulas
For game purposes, alchemical formulas follow a template similar to the one used for spells that helps describe the effects of the potion and how difficult or complicated the recipe may be to prepare.
Alchemical Formula Template
Name of the formula (difficulty level) Description of what he formula looks like and ingredients needed. Quantity: How much can be made at one time Description of what the formula’s effects are.
Anti-fever Compress (sort of hard +1) A cloth compress made with medicinal herbs and fabric. Quantity: enough for 1 pony A simple remedy effective against headaches, fevers, and colds.
Bandage (sort of hard +1) Similar to a traditional bandage, coated with an ointment of flower petals. Quantity: a bandage for 1 pony Formula Effect: This magic bandage is used to care for wounds by reducing the level of a wound by one step. It also releases a delicate perfume that calms upset ponies.
Itching Powder (sort of hard +1) Gray powder made of ashes and powdered nut shells. Quantity: enough for 1 pony One of the great classic pranks, very much appreciated by colts and fillies, but seldom by their parents. However this makes it makes it more fun for the prankster.
Disappearing Powder (improbable +4) Silver metallic powder made with fine sand and flower pollen. Quantity: enough for 1 pony This powder, very difficult to prepare, is quite simply marvelous because it allows the pony who dust themselves with it to become invisible to everypony for 2d6 minutes.
Black Smoke (hard +2) Black powder with silver specks, made from coal dust Quantity: Covers an area of 6 meters When this powder is tossed, it produces a cloud of thick black smoke that obstructs all visibility in the affected area. The smoke is dissipated at the end of 2d6 minutes.
Fireworks (hard +2) Tube packed with blasting powder, Saltpeter and sulfur. Quantity: One firework for every level of the formula learned. This formula allows the pony to make fireworks, which can be useful for festivals.
Charm Powder (very hard +3) Metallic blue powder, applied with a make-up powder puff. Quantity: enough for 1 pony The pony who uses this powder appears beautiful, and worthy of praise and attention, giving a -1 bonus to all social rolls until the following sunset. Each additional level of the formula gives an additional -1 bonus to the user’s social rolls.
Delicious Drink (elementary -4) Colored liquid (color depends on the fruits used) made with fruits of the season. Quantity: 2 liters A delicious beverage with a sweetened taste. Ideal for parties!
Super Sticky Glue (very hard +3) A thick, blue-gray paste. Quantity: a small jar, enough for 1-6 repairs Very much appreciated by work horses, this preparation is a glue of maximum strength that bonds all materials very quickly.
Philter of Love (improbable +4) Pink liquid made of liquid dew drops, chocolate and petals from pink roses Quantity: enough for 1 pony The pony that drinks this philter falls in love with the first pony from the opposite sex he or she meets. The effects last until the next sunset.
Philter of truth (very hard +3) A thick white liquid made of vegetable paste and soap. Quantity: enough for 1 pony Anypony drinking this potion will experience an exceptionally foul and bitter taste any time they tell a lie. The bad taste only goes away by telling the truth. The effects of the philter last until the next sunset.
Philter of Sleep (very hard +3) A white liquid made of milk and feather down. Quantity: enough for 1 pony The drinker falls asleep peacefully for 1d6 hours.
Philter of courage (very hard +3) A red liquid made of sawdust from an oak tree and royal jelly from a bee hive. Quantity: enough for 1 pony The drinker is feels an unshakable courage, he is able to face any adversity until the next sunset.
Potion of Underwater Breathing (improbable +4) clear blue liquid Quantity: enough for 1 pony The drinker can breathe under water, without feeling the effects due to the depth (pressure, temperature). The effects of the philter last approximately an hour.
Potion of vegetable growth (sort of hard +1) Green liquid made of chlorophyll and a pinch of manure. Quantity: Enough for a large plant or a small bed of flowers. Causes the plant that is sprinkled by the potion to immediately grow to full maturity.
Potion of levitation (very hard +3) Light blue liquid made of dandelion seeds and pollen. Quantity: Enough for a pony The drinker becomes lighter than the air and floats away. The effects persist for 2d6 minutes.
Potion of Phosphorescence Paint (sort of hard +1) Luminescent liquid of various colors made of powdered phosphorus and natural dyes Quantity: Enough paint to cover an average size door. This potion is not drunk (It would have no effect) but it irradiates a soft light of the color of the dye chosen for approximately 24 hours.
Potion of Reduction (improbable +4) Mauve colored liquid made of water and natural sea sponge. Quantity: Enough for 1 pony The drinker is reduced to a very small size (about fifteen centimeters in height!). The effects last for 1d6 hours. Balsam of Fire Resistance (very hard +3) Ochre colored cream made from powdered pumice. Quantity: Enough for 1 pony By applying this balsam to the skin, the user becomes resistant to heat and fire. She can hold embers or take a dish from the oven without mitts. The effect last 1d6 hours.
Balsam of Cold Resistance (very hard +3) An icy blue cream made with virgin wool and cotton fibers. Quantity: Enough for 1 pony This balsam makes the user numb to low temperatures, it must be applied to all the parts of the body that one wishes to protect. The effect last until the next sunset.
Balsam of Healing (hard +2) Cream colored balm made from honey and aloe. Quantity: enough for one wound This balsam cures wounds, small ones as well as big ones.
Laughing Gas (very hard +3) An apparently empty jar containing a colorless gas, made from the petals of the laughing flower. Quantity: Enough to cover an area of 6 meters. All the ponies in the area of effect will suffer a bout of insane nervous laughter. The effects last for 1d6 minutes.
Soporific Gas (very hard +3) A jar full of gas with a very light blue tint, made with goose down Quantity: Enough to cover an area of 6 meters Formula Effect: All ponies in the area of effect must make a successful physique roll, very hard difficulty, or fall into a deep sleep for 1d6 hours. |
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