Magnum Opus
Mastery of these recipes allows an apothecary to brew preparations valuable to ritual magicians versed in the Lore of Night. With one of these potions a ritualist can wield the magic of the Night Realm more effectively, but they also become more susceptible to the influence of that Realm.
As with the Lambent Essences, brewing these potions involves a somewhat more alchemical than herbal approach. The recipes also tend to be a little abstruse, using metaphor and simile rather than direct instructions on measures or processes. More than one apothecary has wasted large amounts of herbs trying to decipher the precise proportions to use.
Chiaroscuran Balsam
This thin, scented salve is half white and half black. When applied to the skin, the two parts are mixed together and rapidly absorbed by the skin. Users who apply the salve too quickly risk becoming intoxicated by the narcotic rush that floods the system as the balsam is absorbed, which can lead to ritualsts acting in an agitated and excitable state for several minutes until their bodies achieve a natural (albeit shifting) balance with the preparation. Users find it easier to wield more powerful Night magic.
Some ritualists, especially naga, enjoy having a fellow ritualist apply the balsam to their skin rather than doing so themselves. This allows them to indulge in and focus on enjoying the pleasant sensations the balsam arouses. Obviously, there is some risk of beginning to crave the use of chiaroscuran balsam, and some ritual groups are cautious in how much and how often they employ the preparation as a result,
- Effect: If you possess the Night lore skill you gain +1 rank to the next Night ritual you perform within half an hour.
- Roleplaying Effect: You feel giddy and excitable for several minutes after applying this balsam. You feel every emotion very strongly. You feel a strong urge to be gregarious, to seek out opportunities to interact with other people wherever they present themselves, and want to be comfortable, well-fed and content.
- Recipe: One dram each of Imperial Roseweald and Bladeroot and one crystallised mana..
Philosopher's Gold
This two-part elixir is composed of two liquids, one heavier than the other. One part of the potion is red, the other yellow. When shaken, the two liquids mix together to create a swirling, almost hypnotic suffusion of both colours that slowly separates back into two distinct layers. The potion should be shaken and then quickly drunk to get the full effect. It has an indescribable flavour that is rarely the same twice.
Philosopher's gold was first formulated in the swamps of Bregasland. In some versions of the story, it was developed by a Marcher apothecary working from partially understood inscriptions on a sunken stone. In another version, the naga apothecary was guided in her researches by her lover, a Herald in service to the Eternal Sadogua. Both versions of the story agree that the apothecary - whose name appears to have never been written down anywhere - disappeared shortly afterward. Within a year, draughts of philosopher's gold were for sale in Mitwold#Meade and shortly after in Sarvos and Siroc. Descendants of the unnamed naga have often claimed that she was murdered by conspirators from the League and the Brass Coast with the collusion of mercantile interests in Mitwold after she refused to share the formula; it is unlikely the truth will ever be known.
- Effect: If you possess the Night lore you gain the ability to use up to 3 personal mana as if it were crystal mana on the next Night ritual you perform within half an hour.
- Roleplaying Effect: This elixir has a strong taste of something (practically any taste is possible). You feel a strong urge to be mysterious and enigmatic; to avoid direct answers, to conceal your intentions and to couch your speech in allusion and metaphor. Direct answers and direct solutions become highly unsatisfying.
- Recipe: Three drams of Imperial Roseweald, two drams each of Bladeroot and Cerulean Mazzarine and one dram of True Vervain,