Alchemy and Psionics [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alchemy and Psionics [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
HxHunter
05-16-07, 02:17 PM Are there any alchemical items related to psionics?

I came up with a character concept of a psiforged shaper that crafts oils to boost his manifested astral constructs.

Using some PP in the craft and then, when applied, the substance will start crawling the construct until it forms a membrane that would solidify, and change the aspect (not anything dramatical, just a change of color representing the susbtance applied) and giving it extra AC or Ecto Protection.

Do any substances like the previous one exist?
InkBlot
05-16-07, 04:33 PM No, no alchemical items like that exist. No, there isn't any special connection between psionics and alchemy. No, being psionic does not allow you to create alchemical items without being a spellcaster (without a houserule).

If you're a multiclassed psionicist/spellcaster then you can use psionic minor creation, and similiar powers, to create alchemical products, but that's about it.
Rageheart
05-16-07, 05:47 PM Is there even really a connection between Alchemy and Magic? I mean, are there any alchemical items that alter or boost spell effects? (and if not why should there be any that alter Psionic effects?)

I understand there is the "To make an item using Craft (alchemy), you must have alchemical equipment and be a spellcaster." ...but why? there is no spell needed to create the items.

Honestly, I see Alchemy as early Chemistry... seperate from Magic and Psionics both.

It makes all kinds of sense to me that you would be able to locate an alchemist shop run by a low level Expert.
InkBlot
05-16-07, 08:12 PM That's exactly how I see it as well. In my gaming group we usualy houserule that non-spellcasters can use craft (alchemy) to make alchemical items, but we've still never seen it used. Sure, we buy alchemists fire and antitoxins, but we've never felt the need to make them ourselves.
Centauri
05-16-07, 09:42 PM Is there even really a connection between Alchemy and Magic? I mean, are there any alchemical items that alter or boost spell effects? It's easy to draw a plausible connection, if you feel like it. Spellcasters generally need to know how to mix ingredients (i.e. material components) to achieve a desired effect. Many of them know how to brew potions. So, one could see the spellcaster/alchemist connection as having something to do with specialized knowledge that goes beyond the usual skills one can learn to the point that only someone with specialized training (or an amazing intuitive sense, in the case of sorcerers) can hope to become an alchemist.

It makes all kinds of sense to me that you would be able to locate an alchemist shop run by a low level Expert. Yeah, doesn't seem like it would break the game, does it? Might make a good feat, too. But, until then, your expert can always take a level in adept.
Vaalingrade Ashland
05-16-07, 10:06 PM I understand there is the "To make an item using Craft (alchemy), you must have alchemical equipment and be a spellcaster." ...but why? there is no spell needed to create the items.
The 3.5 design board we had years back had one designer claim that the flavor of alchemy has "always" been a means of making very cheap magical items.

I'll note that this designer was seemingly ignorant of the fact that alchemical items are not magical, even functioning in anti-magic fields. He was also ignorant of the then newly released Arms and Equipment Guide, which speficically noted that non-spellcasters were the ones that used them most often.

So basically, the answer is 'bad design'.
JLaurHughes
05-16-07, 10:06 PM Deleted
InkBlot
05-16-07, 10:16 PM What in the world are you talking about? How does any of that relate to using craft (alchemy) to make items which boost astral constructs?

Imprint Power Stone is functionaly equivilant to Scribe Scroll. Power stones function similar to scrolls, not potions.

There is no such thing as "Scribe Psionic Tattoo." The psionic item creation feat is just Scribe Tattoo. Tattoos function similar to potions. The only magical tattoos I know of are the result of a spell or a prestige class, not a feat.
CrimsonDeath
05-17-07, 03:01 AM Well, there's the Tattoo Focus feat (required to enter the Red Wizard prestiege class), but you can only gain that feat if an existing Red Wizard wants you to have it...
PhaedrusXY
05-17-07, 11:37 AM You could use Crawling Tattoos to do exactly what you're describing. Just call them "potions", or something, and change the flavor/fluff text around a bit.
Vorpal_Bunny
05-23-07, 09:24 AM What about if you are you are playing with transparency? Does this mean that spellcaster=manifester since spell resistance=power resistance and so on.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
HxHunter 05-16-07, 02:17 PM	Are there any alchemical items related to psionics? I came up with a character concept of a psiforged shaper that crafts oils to boost his manifested astral constructs. Using some PP in the craft and then, when applied, the substance will start crawling the construct until it forms a membrane that would solidify, and change the aspect (not anything dramatical, just a change of color representing the susbtance applied) and giving it extra AC or Ecto Protection. Do any substances like the previous one exist?
InkBlot 05-16-07, 04:33 PM	No, no alchemical items like that exist. No, there isn't any special connection between psionics and alchemy. No, being psionic does not allow you to create alchemical items without being a spellcaster (without a houserule). If you're a multiclassed psionicist/spellcaster then you can use psionic minor creation, and similiar powers, to create alchemical products, but that's about it.
Rageheart 05-16-07, 05:47 PM	Is there even really a connection between Alchemy and Magic? I mean, are there any alchemical items that alter or boost spell effects? (and if not why should there be any that alter Psionic effects?) I understand there is the "To make an item using Craft (alchemy), you must have alchemical equipment and be a spellcaster." ...but why? there is no spell needed to create the items. Honestly, I see Alchemy as early Chemistry... seperate from Magic and Psionics both. It makes all kinds of sense to me that you would be able to locate an alchemist shop run by a low level Expert.
InkBlot 05-16-07, 08:12 PM	That's exactly how I see it as well. In my gaming group we usualy houserule that non-spellcasters can use craft (alchemy) to make alchemical items, but we've still never seen it used. Sure, we buy alchemists fire and antitoxins, but we've never felt the need to make them ourselves.
Centauri 05-16-07, 09:42 PM	Is there even really a connection between Alchemy and Magic? I mean, are there any alchemical items that alter or boost spell effects? It's easy to draw a plausible connection, if you feel like it. Spellcasters generally need to know how to mix ingredients (i.e. material components) to achieve a desired effect. Many of them know how to brew potions. So, one could see the spellcaster/alchemist connection as having something to do with specialized knowledge that goes beyond the usual skills one can learn to the point that only someone with specialized training (or an amazing intuitive sense, in the case of sorcerers) can hope to become an alchemist. It makes all kinds of sense to me that you would be able to locate an alchemist shop run by a low level Expert. Yeah, doesn't seem like it would break the game, does it? Might make a good feat, too. But, until then, your expert can always take a level in adept.
Vaalingrade Ashland 05-16-07, 10:06 PM	I understand there is the "To make an item using Craft (alchemy), you must have alchemical equipment and be a spellcaster." ...but why? there is no spell needed to create the items. The 3.5 design board we had years back had one designer claim that the flavor of alchemy has "always" been a means of making very cheap magical items. I'll note that this designer was seemingly ignorant of the fact that alchemical items are not magical, even functioning in anti-magic fields. He was also ignorant of the then newly released Arms and Equipment Guide, which speficically noted that non-spellcasters were the ones that used them most often. So basically, the answer is 'bad design'.
JLaurHughes 05-16-07, 10:06 PM	Deleted
InkBlot 05-16-07, 10:16 PM	What in the world are you talking about? How does any of that relate to using craft (alchemy) to make items which boost astral constructs? Imprint Power Stone is functionaly equivilant to Scribe Scroll. Power stones function similar to scrolls, not potions. There is no such thing as "Scribe Psionic Tattoo." The psionic item creation feat is just Scribe Tattoo. Tattoos function similar to potions. The only magical tattoos I know of are the result of a spell or a prestige class, not a feat.
CrimsonDeath 05-17-07, 03:01 AM	Well, there's the Tattoo Focus feat (required to enter the Red Wizard prestiege class), but you can only gain that feat if an existing Red Wizard wants you to have it...
PhaedrusXY 05-17-07, 11:37 AM	You could use Crawling Tattoos to do exactly what you're describing. Just call them "potions", or something, and change the flavor/fluff text around a bit.
Vorpal_Bunny 05-23-07, 09:24 AM	What about if you are you are playing with transparency? Does this mean that spellcaster=manifester since spell resistance=power resistance and so on.