100 different side effects for potions, scrolls, and wands. [Archive] - Wizards Community

100 different side effects for potions, scrolls, and wands. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Thunderclap
06-21-07, 04:28 PM Back story:

I had created an off kilter slightly insane Alchemist/Wizard a long time ago who made potions and minor magic items with side effects.

For example: A normal potion of Bull's Strength would confer +4 to strength

"Uncle's" Potion of Bull Strength gave a bonus of 1d6+1, but it gives a side effect. A common one was that the imbiber's skin would turn green, or that he would get hair like a bull or even a set of horns would start to grow.

The group enjoyed it so much that they wanted to keep buying from "Uncle" instead of the regular potion peddlers. My dilema has been coming up with strange, interesting, but mostly harmless side effects. It all started with potions of bull strength, now they want more items, and honestly it's been fun playing this NPC.

So I'm asking for 100 different side effects for potions, scrolls, and wands of the Insane Alchemist Uncle.

Thank you in advance
Magocrat
06-21-07, 05:42 PM Well, it depends on which potions the user imbibes. If you want to get nasty with them, though, you might want to give some bull's strength potions (and other potions that improve abilities) the taste of their material components. For potions that improve mental abilities, you could have a slight mental tingle, or something. Maybe the imbiber senses things more vibrantly when under the effects of an owl's wisdom potion, like colors being brighter and such. But like I said, effects appropriate to the potion being imbibed can spice up the potion, and I commend your effort. This link (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20060401b) gives you even more options to play with, it's about potion miscibility.
shout27
06-21-07, 06:29 PM Ah, yes, a Potion of Identify that gets you high. interesting.
Thunderclap
06-22-07, 12:19 PM Well, it depends on which potions the user imbibes. If you want to get nasty with them, though, you might want to give some bull's strength potions (and other potions that improve abilities) the taste of their material components. For potions that improve mental abilities, you could have a slight mental tingle, or something. Maybe the imbiber senses things more vibrantly when under the effects of an owl's wisdom potion, like colors being brighter and such. But like I said, effects appropriate to the potion being imbibed can spice up the potion, and I commend your effort. This link (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20060401b) gives you even more options to play with, it's about potion miscibility.

Great ideas and the link helps. Thanks. I was hoping to put together with help a 1-100 table I could roll on for some generic side effects. I'll admit I'm getting kinda stale with what I've been running with.

skin discoloration
hair
horns (cumulative)
wierd feelings
etc...
Heros_Backpack
06-22-07, 02:58 PM Generic effects.

Let's see:

Hiccups
Sneezes
Grow 1/2 inch taller
Shrink 1/2 inch
The world takes on a coloured tint as if the character is looking though stained glass
Fingernails grow
Toenails grow
Joints click whenever you move
Eyes change colour
Teeth change colour
Tongue changes colour
Voice becomes an octave lower
Voice becomes an octave higher

That's all I can think of at the moment.
Thunderclap
06-22-07, 03:10 PM Thanks Heroes,

I like those. I'll add them to my list.

Anyone else?
Dragoon
06-22-07, 03:22 PM The shine of shiny things is a certain color.
If used on an item, the item makes a strange sound when used/touched/sheathed/dropped.
Minor halucinations of friends growing an extra nose. Something obviously not real.
Heros_Backpack
06-22-07, 04:39 PM A few more effects that have come to mind:

Acne
Wart on the nose
Giggles/ Corpsing
Bad breath
Breath steams in different colours
Itching
Leaves you hungry
Leaves you thirsty
Leaves you tired
shout27
06-23-07, 01:06 AM Protection from Good - Character sprouts devil horns or receives a pitchfork.

Protection from Evil - Character gains a Halo or Harp.

Protection from Law - Character gains a book titled "101 Laws and their associated Loopholes"

Protection from Chaos - Character receives the game guide for "Final Fantasy 1", or the "Zombie Survival Guide"

Shocking Grasp - Electricity surrounds the character.

Feather Fall - A Feather appears and falls to the ground.

Knock - the sound of a door being knocked reverberates from the affected area. Listen DC 0, +1 per 5 feet.
Xavon
06-23-07, 08:27 PM Drinker grows a beak for the duration (or 5 minutes if instant).
Drinker changes to another race, but only in appearance.
Drinker becomes translucent (+5 on Hide checks).
Metal items in a 50' radius glow.
Drinker moves 1 HP closer to 1/2 HP (if more than half, take one damage, if less heal one damage).
Thunderclap
06-25-07, 11:47 AM Thank you all for more ideas. These are great.

HB I just read the saga of Joe Wood and I gotta say that is some awesome bit of DMing. First and only thread I've ever subscribed to.
TheShortestDM
06-26-07, 10:46 AM -A bouquet of flowers shoots out from the end of the wand (after calculating spell effects).

-A bouquet of flowers grows out of the players' heads when they drink a certain potion.
Bobson
06-26-07, 09:43 PM No ideas of my own, but you can grab the Net Libram of Magical Effects (text copy here (http://www.braggingrightsproductions.com/Downloads/340.aspx)). 10,000 random magical effects. It's designed for wild magic surges, so a lot of them are far too powerful or deadly for simply drinking a potion, but you can look at it for ideas.

I used it quite humorously when I ran the World's Largest Dungeon. One room had lots of fake keys, which did random things when picked up, so I made players roll 1d10000 every time they got a key. Amusing things to come of it: #9514: Nearest nymph teleports into the nearest well (they never met the nymph, but she'd be annoyed at them if they did). #1109: Caster is as buoyant as a block of iron (luckily they had a necklace of adaptation for him before they reached the lake).

Other examples from the page I happen to be on:
Caster is confident that his magic is better than anyone else's (eagle's splendor?)
Caster is convinced that he'll be dead by tomorrow morning (Death ward?)
Caster is covered in sugary glaze like a doughnut (I'm not even going to guess)
Caster is Healed the next time he suffers 10hp of fire damage (fire protection)
Caster is holding an enormous basket of turnips (create food and drink)

You get the idea.
eamon
06-27-07, 04:32 AM - Imbiber is tarred & feathered
- Imbiber is drooling constantly
- Imbiber suddenly finds a particular smell almost irresistable/horrendous (think of various food/animal smells, etc)
- Imbiber is really skittish, and gains +4 to initiative (but get's burnt out in the surprise round and suffers -4 after her first action)
- Imbiber feels an emotional connection with barnacles and sea urchins
- Imbiber hears the world as if through a bandpass filter, but what he does hear, is oh so precise...
- Imbiber grows hair out of her nose... long, red hair.
- Imbiber gains cat-eyes
- Imbiber instinctively howls as the next time they see the moon
- The imbiber grows a few fluffy feathers and gains +20 to their land speed. However, next time they encounter a hostile situation they get the irresistable urge to stick their head in the ground. If they retract it, the effect ends.
- Imbiber's hair stands on end.
- Imbiber can't help but end all sentences in expletives.
- Imbiber can't help but repeat whatever anybody says to them before answering.
- Imbiber's can't walk without bobbing her head like a bird
- Imbiber loses all sense of humor
- Imbiber becomes strongly attracted by trinkets of all sorts, the shinier the better.
- Imbiber loses the capacity for grammatically correct speach, and can only use disjointed words and coined phrases
- Imbiber wants to demonstrate violently all of their intentions. Say, if they'r a fighter type asked what to do about the next threat they take their greatsword and cut down grass growling bloodthirstily. If their a sneaky type, maybe they'll stab a piece of paper or nearby tree uncontrollably. A wizard might use a spell (hopefully a cantrip) to char a slug to dust etc...
Thunderclap
06-27-07, 01:01 PM Thanks for the replies, Good ideas all. I think with what I have I can put together a compiled list. I'll post as soo as I'm done. Thanks again.
Tomkin
06-28-07, 11:33 AM - Imbiber is tarred & feathered
I believe he was looking for harmless effects? Tarring and feathering is dangerous and often deadly. Making the imbiber look like a chicken, on the other hand...

-After the scroll is used, it turns into a swarm of insects and flies away.
-Each time the wand is used, it twists around and ties a knot in itself (or grows a lump, or sprouts a flower). Handy for tracking charges. Eventually it ties too many knots and breaks in half.
-Every time the imbiber of the potion opens his mouth, a loud "MOO" (or belch, or expletive) is heard.
-User's skin changes to match texture of item.
-User begins to smell like item.
-User's eyes and nose run continuously for the next minute (perhaps the potion was incredibly spicy).
-User gains 20 pounds for the next minute.
-User loses 20 pounds for the next minute.
-Heat mirage appears around the user's head.
-User's breath begins to smell of ozone.

All I can think of for now.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Thunderclap 06-21-07, 04:28 PM	Back story: I had created an off kilter slightly insane Alchemist/Wizard a long time ago who made potions and minor magic items with side effects. For example: A normal potion of Bull's Strength would confer +4 to strength "Uncle's" Potion of Bull Strength gave a bonus of 1d6+1, but it gives a side effect. A common one was that the imbiber's skin would turn green, or that he would get hair like a bull or even a set of horns would start to grow. The group enjoyed it so much that they wanted to keep buying from "Uncle" instead of the regular potion peddlers. My dilema has been coming up with strange, interesting, but mostly harmless side effects. It all started with potions of bull strength, now they want more items, and honestly it's been fun playing this NPC. So I'm asking for 100 different side effects for potions, scrolls, and wands of the Insane Alchemist Uncle. Thank you in advance
Magocrat 06-21-07, 05:42 PM	Well, it depends on which potions the user imbibes. If you want to get nasty with them, though, you might want to give some bull's strength potions (and other potions that improve abilities) the taste of their material components. For potions that improve mental abilities, you could have a slight mental tingle, or something. Maybe the imbiber senses things more vibrantly when under the effects of an owl's wisdom potion, like colors being brighter and such. But like I said, effects appropriate to the potion being imbibed can spice up the potion, and I commend your effort. This link (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20060401b) gives you even more options to play with, it's about potion miscibility.
shout27 06-21-07, 06:29 PM	Ah, yes, a Potion of Identify that gets you high. interesting.
Thunderclap 06-22-07, 12:19 PM	Well, it depends on which potions the user imbibes. If you want to get nasty with them, though, you might want to give some bull's strength potions (and other potions that improve abilities) the taste of their material components. For potions that improve mental abilities, you could have a slight mental tingle, or something. Maybe the imbiber senses things more vibrantly when under the effects of an owl's wisdom potion, like colors being brighter and such. But like I said, effects appropriate to the potion being imbibed can spice up the potion, and I commend your effort. This link (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20060401b) gives you even more options to play with, it's about potion miscibility. Great ideas and the link helps. Thanks. I was hoping to put together with help a 1-100 table I could roll on for some generic side effects. I'll admit I'm getting kinda stale with what I've been running with. skin discoloration hair horns (cumulative) wierd feelings etc...
Heros_Backpack 06-22-07, 02:58 PM	Generic effects. Let's see: Hiccups Sneezes Grow 1/2 inch taller Shrink 1/2 inch The world takes on a coloured tint as if the character is looking though stained glass Fingernails grow Toenails grow Joints click whenever you move Eyes change colour Teeth change colour Tongue changes colour Voice becomes an octave lower Voice becomes an octave higher That's all I can think of at the moment.
Thunderclap 06-22-07, 03:10 PM	Thanks Heroes, I like those. I'll add them to my list. Anyone else?
Dragoon 06-22-07, 03:22 PM	The shine of shiny things is a certain color. If used on an item, the item makes a strange sound when used/touched/sheathed/dropped. Minor halucinations of friends growing an extra nose. Something obviously not real.
Heros_Backpack 06-22-07, 04:39 PM	A few more effects that have come to mind: Acne Wart on the nose Giggles/ Corpsing Bad breath Breath steams in different colours Itching Leaves you hungry Leaves you thirsty Leaves you tired
shout27 06-23-07, 01:06 AM	Protection from Good - Character sprouts devil horns or receives a pitchfork. Protection from Evil - Character gains a Halo or Harp. Protection from Law - Character gains a book titled "101 Laws and their associated Loopholes" Protection from Chaos - Character receives the game guide for "Final Fantasy 1", or the "Zombie Survival Guide" Shocking Grasp - Electricity surrounds the character. Feather Fall - A Feather appears and falls to the ground. Knock - the sound of a door being knocked reverberates from the affected area. Listen DC 0, +1 per 5 feet.
Xavon 06-23-07, 08:27 PM	Drinker grows a beak for the duration (or 5 minutes if instant). Drinker changes to another race, but only in appearance. Drinker becomes translucent (+5 on Hide checks). Metal items in a 50' radius glow. Drinker moves 1 HP closer to 1/2 HP (if more than half, take one damage, if less heal one damage).
Thunderclap 06-25-07, 11:47 AM	Thank you all for more ideas. These are great. HB I just read the saga of Joe Wood and I gotta say that is some awesome bit of DMing. First and only thread I've ever subscribed to.
TheShortestDM 06-26-07, 10:46 AM	-A bouquet of flowers shoots out from the end of the wand (after calculating spell effects). -A bouquet of flowers grows out of the players' heads when they drink a certain potion.
Bobson 06-26-07, 09:43 PM	No ideas of my own, but you can grab the Net Libram of Magical Effects (text copy here (http://www.braggingrightsproductions.com/Downloads/340.aspx)). 10,000 random magical effects. It's designed for wild magic surges, so a lot of them are far too powerful or deadly for simply drinking a potion, but you can look at it for ideas. I used it quite humorously when I ran the World's Largest Dungeon. One room had lots of fake keys, which did random things when picked up, so I made players roll 1d10000 every time they got a key. Amusing things to come of it: #9514: Nearest nymph teleports into the nearest well (they never met the nymph, but she'd be annoyed at them if they did). #1109: Caster is as buoyant as a block of iron (luckily they had a necklace of adaptation for him before they reached the lake). Other examples from the page I happen to be on: Caster is confident that his magic is better than anyone else's (eagle's splendor?) Caster is convinced that he'll be dead by tomorrow morning (Death ward?) Caster is covered in sugary glaze like a doughnut (I'm not even going to guess) Caster is Healed the next time he suffers 10hp of fire damage (fire protection) Caster is holding an enormous basket of turnips (create food and drink) You get the idea.
eamon 06-27-07, 04:32 AM	- Imbiber is tarred & feathered - Imbiber is drooling constantly - Imbiber suddenly finds a particular smell almost irresistable/horrendous (think of various food/animal smells, etc) - Imbiber is really skittish, and gains +4 to initiative (but get's burnt out in the surprise round and suffers -4 after her first action) - Imbiber feels an emotional connection with barnacles and sea urchins - Imbiber hears the world as if through a bandpass filter, but what he does hear, is oh so precise... - Imbiber grows hair out of her nose... long, red hair. - Imbiber gains cat-eyes - Imbiber instinctively howls as the next time they see the moon - The imbiber grows a few fluffy feathers and gains +20 to their land speed. However, next time they encounter a hostile situation they get the irresistable urge to stick their head in the ground. If they retract it, the effect ends. - Imbiber's hair stands on end. - Imbiber can't help but end all sentences in expletives. - Imbiber can't help but repeat whatever anybody says to them before answering. - Imbiber's can't walk without bobbing her head like a bird - Imbiber loses all sense of humor - Imbiber becomes strongly attracted by trinkets of all sorts, the shinier the better. - Imbiber loses the capacity for grammatically correct speach, and can only use disjointed words and coined phrases - Imbiber wants to demonstrate violently all of their intentions. Say, if they'r a fighter type asked what to do about the next threat they take their greatsword and cut down grass growling bloodthirstily. If their a sneaky type, maybe they'll stab a piece of paper or nearby tree uncontrollably. A wizard might use a spell (hopefully a cantrip) to char a slug to dust etc...
Thunderclap 06-27-07, 01:01 PM	Thanks for the replies, Good ideas all. I think with what I have I can put together a compiled list. I'll post as soo as I'm done. Thanks again.
Tomkin 06-28-07, 11:33 AM	- Imbiber is tarred & feathered I believe he was looking for harmless effects? Tarring and feathering is dangerous and often deadly. Making the imbiber look like a chicken, on the other hand... -After the scroll is used, it turns into a swarm of insects and flies away. -Each time the wand is used, it twists around and ties a knot in itself (or grows a lump, or sprouts a flower). Handy for tracking charges. Eventually it ties too many knots and breaks in half. -Every time the imbiber of the potion opens his mouth, a loud "MOO" (or belch, or expletive) is heard. -User's skin changes to match texture of item. -User begins to smell like item. -User's eyes and nose run continuously for the next minute (perhaps the potion was incredibly spicy). -User gains 20 pounds for the next minute. -User loses 20 pounds for the next minute. -Heat mirage appears around the user's head. -User's breath begins to smell of ozone. All I can think of for now.