LordFalco
Minstrel
Not necessarily potable, a potion can be thought of as the end result of a formula. Whether it merely adds flavor to world building, or has a major impact on the climax, the question is whether to invest in a data base or just wing it. A character having this as a super power pretty much requires a ready reference; but for minor characters, overuse can slow the pace and devote to him too much word count. The basic equation here is ingredients, a formula, and the activating spell. The latter is innate and needn't complicate things.
The list of ingredients is inexhaustible: plants and their products, bugs and animals, minerals, potion combos etc. Each one has a name, geographic source, description, and effect. Each formula has a name, delivery method, target, and special handling.
A short example illustrates one that briefly turns the user into a gorgon. Ingredients are a type of squid (the tentacle angle), a hallucinogen (the evil eye thing), and a mineral for the stone reference. The resulting gray paste is buried under a Greek statue for two days as part of activation. Note that ingredients don't have to be this intuitive.
Should a major character specialize in this one ability, or have it as one of several talents?
The list of ingredients is inexhaustible: plants and their products, bugs and animals, minerals, potion combos etc. Each one has a name, geographic source, description, and effect. Each formula has a name, delivery method, target, and special handling.
A short example illustrates one that briefly turns the user into a gorgon. Ingredients are a type of squid (the tentacle angle), a hallucinogen (the evil eye thing), and a mineral for the stone reference. The resulting gray paste is buried under a Greek statue for two days as part of activation. Note that ingredients don't have to be this intuitive.
Should a major character specialize in this one ability, or have it as one of several talents?