Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 waltero May 13, 2004 14:40:45	How do you handle characters identifying potions? In the old days, you just took a sip and got an idea of what it did. The new 3.X rules suggest assigning a flavor or describing some of the effects. I could do this but it seems a bit tedious to keep track of. I'm also not a big fan of having everything being identified by a sage (a la Deckard Cain in Diablo) for the standard fee. Any suggestions? I'm posting this to Greyhawk board because that's the setting we have played for over 20 years, and always will, regardless of edition! Anything with a Greyhawk twist would be especially welcome. Thanks.
#2 Mortepierre May 13, 2004 14:56:23	Identify or the Spellcraft skill work fine. I usually allow the Craft (Alchemy) skill to work too, albeit with a high DC. I doubt there is a "GH way" to do it, other than rely on the local hedge wizard. After all, that's how players used to do it in the old days (1E) and GH is all about the old days...
#3 max_writer May 13, 2004 15:00:32	I'm old school Greyhawk and since I've had a regular campaign I've kept track of potions. I have a few lists photocopied out of the DMG (2nd and 3rd ed) and actually keep track of colors, flavors, and textures of potions. It's not always 100 percent accurate (sometimes the green potions aren't all potions of CLW) but it does allow them to guesstimate.
#4 zombiegleemax May 13, 2004 15:07:49	I do a couple of different things in my campaign which differs from "official" or "canon." I let characters sniff and/or sip potions in order to identify them. This is a DC check based on either Spellcraft or Profession: Herbalist (or just INT) depending on whether the potion is from a spell or from special ingredients. The DC is also lowered if the character has experienced that particular potion before. (In my campaign I allow non-spell casters to make potions and ointments when taking the proper skills and feats and using rare ingredients and materials. I also allow spellcasters to substitute rare ingredients and materials for XP costs when manufacturing any magical item.) I believe it was 1st ed DMG that has examples of herbs and minerals and what magical affect they might have. And also if I remember correctly it had examples of what potions might look and taste like. The easiest thing to do is just keep track of how you describe a potion and then keep using that description for all potions of that type.
#5 waltero May 13, 2004 15:22:18	Thanks for the replies. OK, truthfully, how many of us are supposed to be working right now? nm. I like the spellcraft idea. My players have already balked at spending 100gp for Idetintify components. Rightfully so since you can probably make a potion for that. I think I will incorporate the lower DC if they have tried/used that potion before. Plusses for alchemy or any other useful skill. Ironically, in a recent search of the attic I came across a bag with lots of my old AD&D stuff in it. For some reason the only books in it were DMG's (4 of them!) When I get home today I will look for that component list. It will help me come up with flavors/aromas for the potions.
#6 Mortepierre May 13, 2004 15:59:35	Originally posted by waltero Thanks for the replies. OK, truthfully, how many of us are supposed to be working right now? nm. Well, not all of us live in the US, you know.. ;) Originally posted by waltero I like the spellcraft idea. My players have already balked at spending 100gp for Idetintify components. Rightfully so since you can probably make a potion for that. I think I will incorporate the lower DC if they have tried/used that potion before. Plusses for alchemy or any other useful skill.[/b] Thanks but identifying potions via the Spellcraft skill is one of its official uses, straight out of the PHB
#7 Argon May 15, 2004 18:36:31	I always keep track of potions but change colors because sometimes players like to use game knowledge they aquired with other characters to avert using their skills and profiencies. I think if you visit bastardgreyhawkisonfire.com you can actually find a list of potion descriptions.
#8 zombiegleemax May 17, 2004 14:28:46	Sounds like an interesting web site, does it actually exist?
#9 Argon May 17, 2004 22:39:00	Sounds like an interesting web site, does it actually exist? No it doesn't exist I just like to make things up Lassiviren! Of course its a real site heck the site's owner visits the Greytalk chats every once in a while you should do the same you can find some interesting ideas floating around from time to time.
#10 theocratissak May 18, 2004 8:56:02	Hi all- In all my Greyhawk Campaigns spanning Keoland, the Wild Coast, Furyondy and the Pale, all Cure potions are Orange. When the characters find a potion I tell them they find a blue potion. At one point they had three blue potions but only two were the same, and a yellow one was the same as the other two. To identify them, if they have tasted / drank that type of potion previously (no matter the color), they can make a wis check DC 18 to recognize it. Other wise I allow a Craft Alchemy, Spellcraft, Brew Potion feat (Wis or Int) or similiar skill feat at a DC 15. Hope that helps.
#11 waltero May 18, 2004 14:47:58	Lassi, the website does exist but there is another "dot" in there. It should read : www.bastardgreyhawk.isonfire.com Thanks to all who replied. I've worked out a system using spellcraft checks based on the smell of the potion. Gnomes will get a plus of course. For poison ones I will randomly roll a smell. My players are in agreement with this (but they don't know about poisons.. hehe...) I used that table in the back of the old DMG for reference.