Alchemy: Psychic Poisons

Alchemy: Psychic Poisons

Book of Vile Darkness for D&D 3.0 introduces a new poison type that probably has barely seen use in D&D (just like normal poisons, to be honest) - psychic poisons. They are applied to creatures, objects, or areas, but affect creatures that use mental and information abilities on these creatures, objects, or areas. Thus, they are mostly defensive in nature and are very useful when fighting spellcasters and psis. I feel like they differ so much from normal poisons that they deserve a new skill specialty.

  

Poisons/TL (IQ/Hard)

            This skill gets a new specialty.

Psychic Poisons: This specialty covers the knowledge of psychic poisons – special substances that poison spellcasters casting spells on creatures carrying the poison on their skin or in their blood. Defaults: Poisons-4.

New form: Area Ointment Psychic Poison

-85%

A cream or jelly. It usually takes 1 minute to apply an ointment to an area of a 2-yard radius. Can be washed off with water. A flask with an ointment weighs 0.5 lb., has SM-6 and Bulk -3. This is a Mini item.

Statistics: Area Effect, 2 yards, +50%; Fixed Duration, +0%; Immediate Preparation Required, 1 minute, -30%; Melee Attack, Reach C, Cannot Parry, -35%; Terminal Condition, Water, -10%.

  

New form: Ointment Psychic Poison

-105%

A cream or jelly. It usually takes 8 seconds to apply an ointment to an object or person. Can be washed off with water. A flask with an ointment weighs 0.5 lb., has SM-6 and Bulk -3. This is a Mini item.

Statistics: Contact Agent, -30%; Fixed Duration, +0%; Melee Attack, Reach C, Cannot Parry, -35%; Takes Extra Time 3, -30%; Terminal Condition, Water, -10%.

POISONS

Darin-Tasith

This psychic poison must be applied to the subject’s skin. Applying the poison takes 8 seconds. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 1d-2 toxic damage. Every second for 5 more cycles he must win in another identical Quick Contest to resist or take the same amount of damage. After losing 1/3 HP to this poison, the victim gets a -2 penalty to IQ until he heals above this threshold. After losing 1/2 HP to this poison, the victim gets a -4 penalty to IQ until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $840 (singular); $305 (5-batched).

Recipe: $84; 4 days; defaults to Poisons-3.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Darin-Tasith, +200%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%; Ointment Psychic Poison, -105%) [28]. Note: “Darin-Tasith” is Toxic Attack 1d-2 (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Cyclic, 1 second, 5 cycles, Resistible, +250%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/3 HP, -2 IQ, +60%; Symptoms, 1/2 HP, -4 IQ, +80%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [20].

  

Karadrach

This psychic poison must be applied to the subject’s skin. Applying the poison takes 8 seconds. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 1d-1 toxic damage. Every second for 6 more cycles he must win in another identical Quick Contest to resist or take the same amount of damage. After losing 1/3 HP to this poison, the victim gets a -2 penalty to IQ until he heals above this threshold. After losing 1/2 HP to this poison, the victim gets a -4 penalty to IQ until he heals above this threshold. After losing 2/3 HP to this poison, the victim begins to hallucinate (p. B428) until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $1,230 (singular); $445 (5-batched).

Recipe: $123; 9 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-5.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Karadrach, +330%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%; Ointment Psychic Poison, -105%) [41]. Note: “Karadrach” is Toxic Attack 1d-1 (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Cyclic, 1 second, 6 cycles, Resistible, +300%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/3 HP, Moderate Pain, +60%; Symptoms, 1/2 HP, -4 IQ, +80%; Symptoms, 2/3 HP, Hallucinating, +50%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [33].

   

Estadrach

This psychic poison must be applied to the subject’s skin. Applying the poison takes 8 seconds. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 3d toxic damage. After losing 1/2 HP to this poison, the victim gets a -4 penalty to IQ until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $2,400 (singular); $865 (5-batched).

Recipe: $240; 32 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-8.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Estadrach, +720%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%; Ointment Psychic Poison, -105%) [80]. Note: “Estadrach” is Toxic Attack 3d (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/2 HP, -4 IQ, +80%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [72].

Stradda

This psychic poison must be applied to the subject’s skin. Applying the poison takes 8 seconds. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 2d toxic damage. After losing 1/3 HP to this poison, the victim becomes dazed (p. B428) until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $2,040 (singular); $735 (5-batched).

Recipe: $204; 25 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-7.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Stradda, +600%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%; Ointment Psychic Poison, -105%) [68]. Note: “Stradda” is Toxic Attack 2d (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/3 HP, Dazed, +150%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [60].

Nishita

This psychic poison must be applied to the subject’s skin. Applying the poison takes 8 seconds. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 1d-2 toxic damage. Every second for 5 more cycles he must win in another identical Quick Contest to resist or take the same amount of damage. After losing 1/3 HP to this poison, the victim gets a -2 penalty to IQ until he heals above this threshold. After losing 1/2 HP to this poison, the victim becomes paralyzed (p. B428) until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $900 (singular); $325 (5-batched).

Recipe: $900; 5 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-3.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Nishita, +220%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%; Ointment Psychic Poison, -105%) [30]. Note: “Nishita” is Toxic Attack 1d-2 (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Cyclic, 1 second, 5 cycles, Resistible, +250%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/3 HP, -2 IQ, +60%; Symptoms, 1/2 HP, Paralysis, +150%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [22].

  

Vashita

This psychic poison must be applied to the subject’s skin. Applying the poison takes 8 seconds. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 1 toxic damage. Every second for 9 more cycles he must win in another identical Quick Contest to resist or take the same amount of damage. After losing 1/3 HP to this poison, the victim becomes blinded until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $570 (singular); $205 (5-batched).

Recipe: $57; 2 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-2.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Vashita, +110%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%; Ointment Psychic Poison, -105%) [19]. Note: “Vashita” is Toxic Attack 1 (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Cyclic, 1 second, 9 cycles, Resistible, +450%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/3 HP, Blindness, +150%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [11].

Lanshita

This psychic poison must be applied to the subject’s skin. Applying the poison takes 8 seconds. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 1d toxic damage. Every second for 2 more cycles he must win in another identical Quick Contest to resist or take the same amount of damage. After losing 1/3 HP to this poison, the victim gets a -3 penalty to IQ until he heals above this threshold. After losing 1/2 HP to this poison, the victim becomes nauseated (p. B428) until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $1,260 (singular); $455 (5-batched).

Recipe: $126; 9 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-5.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Lanshita, +340%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%; Ointment Psychic Poison, -105%) [42]. Note: “Lanshita” is Toxic Attack 1d (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Cyclic, 1 second, 2 cycles, Resistible, +100%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/3 HP, -3 IQ, +90%; Symptoms, 1/2 HP, Nauseated, +60%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [34].

  

Blue Unlyn

This psychic poison must be applied to an area. Applying a dose of poison to an area of a 2-yard radius takes 1 minute. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject area or anything within the area with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 1d-2 toxic damage. Every second for 5 more cycles he must win in another identical Quick Contest to resist or take the same amount of damage. After losing 1/3 HP to this poison, the victim gets a -2 penalty to IQ until he heals above this threshold. After losing 1/2 HP to this poison, the victim gets a -4 penalty to IQ until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Area Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $900 (singular); $325 (5-batched).

Recipe: $90; 5 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-3.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Blue Unlyn, +200%; Area Ointment Psychic Poison, -85%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%) [30]. Note: “Blue Unlyn” is Toxic Attack 1d-2 (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Cyclic, 1 second, 5 cycles, Resistible, +250%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/3 HP, -2 IQ, +60%; Symptoms, 1/2 HP, -4 IQ, +80%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [20].

Red Unlyn

This psychic poison must be applied to an area. Applying a dose of poison to an area of a 2-yard radius takes 1 minute. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject area or anything within the area with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 1d-2 toxic damage. Every second for 5 more cycles he must win in another identical Quick Contest to resist or take the same amount of damage. After losing 1/3 HP to this poison, the victim begins to suffer from moderate pain (p. B428) until he heals above this threshold. After losing 1/2 HP to this poison, the victim begins to suffer from severe pain (p. B428) until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Area Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $900 (singular); $325 (5-batched).

Recipe: $90; 5 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-3.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Red Unlyn, +200%; Area Ointment Psychic Poison, -85%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%) [30]. Note: “Red Unlyn” is Toxic Attack 1d-2 (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Cyclic, 1 second, 5 cycles, Resistible, +250%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/3 HP, Moderate Pain, +60%; Symptoms, 1/2 HP, Severe Pain, +80%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [20].

  

Amber Unlyn

This psychic poison must be applied to an area. Applying a dose of poison to an area of a 2-yard radius takes 1 minute. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject area or anything within the area with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 1d-1 toxic damage. Every second for 3 more cycles he must win in another identical Quick Contest to resist or take the same amount of damage. After losing 1/3 HP to this poison, the victim begins to suffer from moderate pain (p. B428) until he heals above this threshold. After losing 1/2 HP to this poison, the victim begins to hallucinate (p. B428) until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Area Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $1,140 (singular); $410 (5-batched).

Recipe: $114; 8 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-4.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Amber Unlyn, +280%; Area Ointment Psychic Poison, -85%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%) [38]. Notes: “Amber Unlyn” is Toxic Attack 1d-1 (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Cyclic, 1 second, 3 cycles, Resistible, +150%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/3 HP, Moderate Pain, +60%; Symptoms, 1/2 HP, Hallucinating, +100%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [28].

  

Violet Unlyn

This psychic poison must be applied to an area. Applying a dose of poison to an area of a 2-yard radius takes 1 minute. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject area or anything within the area with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 2d toxic damage.

Form: Area Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $1,740 (singular); $625 (5-batched).

Recipe: $174; 18 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-6.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Violet Unlyn, +480%; Area Ointment Psychic Poison, -85%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%) [58]. Note: “Violet Unlyn” is Toxic Attack 2d (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [48].

  

Black Unlyn

This psychic poison must be applied to an area. Applying a dose of poison to an area of a 2-yard radius takes 1 minute. It lasts for 5 hours or until washed off with water. Whenever another character within 128 yards targets the subject area or anything within the area with a mind-affecting ability (such as a Mind Control spell or a Telepathy power) or an Information spell or a similar ability (for example, Detect Magic or Psi Sense), he must resist with a Quick Contest of HT against the poisoncrafter's Poisons skill, using the normal range penalties. If he fails, he takes 2d toxic damage. After losing 1/3 HP to this poison, the victim begins experiencing severe pain (p. B428) until he heals above this threshold.

Form: Area Ointment Psychic Poison.

Cost: $2,040 (singular); $735 (5-batched).

Recipe: $204; 25 days; defaults to Poisons (Psychic)-7.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (HT; Advantage, Black Unlyn, +580%; Area Ointment Psychic Poison, -85%; Extended Duration, 100x, +80%) [68]. Note: “Black Unlyn” is Toxic Attack 2d (Always On, -40%; Area Effect, 128 yards, +350%; Aura, +80%; Malediction 2, +150%; Melee Attack, Reach C, -30%; No Signature, +20%; Symptoms, 1/3 HP, Severe Pain, +120%; Trigger, Mental/Information Contact, -30%) [58].