Decoctions of Hoarfrost

Oily, unpleasant, and bitter.

Mastery of these recipes allows an apothecary to brew preparations valuable to ritual magicians versed in the lore of Winter. With one of these potions a ritualist can wield the magic of the Winter realm more effectively, but they also become more susceptible to the ambiguous influences of that realm.

Imperial apothecaries who mastered the Decoctions of Hoarfrost were able to create the Hungry Moon and Barren Watchtower. There were always rumours about other potions with similar effects, but they were largely dismissed as simple recipe variants of these two. Following the liberation of the Highborn territory of Reikos in 379YE however, the situation changed slightly. Recipes belonging to the Druj apothecaries known as the Buruk Tepel were captured which detailed a third, expensive and difficult to brew potion referred to as Sorrow's Mask. The potion clearly built on principles familiar to apothecaries who had mastered the Decoctions, and knowledge of how to create the elixir quickly spread after the reconquest of High Chalcis. Some scholars who have studied some of the original notes point out that it appears the original Druj recipe was considerably more difficult to make - but that they were able to refine their own processes using information extracted from Imperial apothecaries captured in Reikos.

Decoction of the Hungry Moon

This black liquid has an unpleasantly oily texture, and often contains small amounts of Bladeroot or Marrowort matter as sediment that settles on the bottom of a flask. It must be shaken thoroughly before consuming. It tastes very unpleasant indeed, and while some apothecaries add sugar to the mixture, the general consensus agrees that doing so can damage the potion's effectiveness. When consumed, it cools the blood and chills the heart; by focusing a magician towards the dark emotional states it enhances the synergy between a mortal and the Winter realm.

Some Dawnish enchanters employ the decoction prior to having dealings with Winter eternals; the emotional side-effects apparently help the enchanter achieve in a mindset conducive to negotiations with these dangerous creatures. With the same reasoning, some Varushkan volhov have been known to "embrace the moon" before meeting with certain sovereigns. It is an expensive way to focus the mind, but one that has seen some success. While being possessive of allies and friends might make the magician prone to conflict with the eternal (or the sovereign), and make it hard to reach a compromise, it can be very helpful in ensuring the creature respects the negotiator even after the negotiations fail.

• Form: Liquid.
• Description: This black, oily elixir has a thick sediment at the bottom that seems to drink in any light that hits it. It tastes vile, like rotting meat. It would require quite an effort of will for most people to drink this liquid.
• Roleplaying Effects: This potion tastes unpleasantly of spoiled meat. You become emotionally cold but highly possessive and protective of your friends and allies.
• Mechanical Effects: If you possess the Winter lore skill then you gain one additional effective rank to the next Winter ritual that you perform within ten minutes, subject to the normal rules for effective skill. This is a tonic; the effect of any other tonic you have drunk immediately ends.
• Recipe: Two drams each of Bladeroot and True Vervain, one dram of Marrowort and one crystallised mana.

The Barren Watchtower

This gritty black elixir contains tiny pale particles in suspension, and has a dehydrating effect on the drinker. It permits a ritual magician to exert great power in the realm of Winter. It allows a ritualist to bind the powers of the realm by force of will, dominating the magic and turning it to the magician's ends.

This potent elixir was perfected by the magisters of the Circle of the Barren Watchtower, a necromantic cabal studying at the Necropolis. Following some early criticism of their use of the elixir, the noted theologian of the time, Saul, pointed out that while such a potion can create dangerous urges, it also allows mortals to demonstrate their ability to perform ritual magic using only their innate abilities - it frees them from reliance on crystallised mana. Further, he asserted that a magician who "knows" that the elixir is influencing their thoughts is in a much better position to resist that influence - and receives valuable experience dealing with other un-Virtuous urges.

• Form: Liquid.
• Description: This black, oily elixir seems to drink in any light that hits it. The thick sediment at the bottom hangs in the liquid for several minutes after it is shaken up. The salty, bitter taste gives you an urge to rinse your mouth out.
• Roleplaying Effects: Drinking this elixir makes you very thirsty and dry mouthed. You become cold and calculating, seeing everything in terms of cost and benefit. Individual lives or needs become meaningless in the face of your goals and what you consider to be best. You feel a powerful urge to ensure you and yours are safe, regardless of the cost to other people.
• Mechanical Effects: If you possess the Winter lore skill then you can use up to 3 personal mana as if it were crystal mana on the next Winter ritual that you perform within ten minutes.
• Recipe: Three drams of Bladeroot, two drams of Marrowort and one dram each of Imperial Roseweald, Cerulean Mazzarine and True Vervain.

Sorrow's Mask

This thick, oily salve uses animal fat as a base, and has a gritty, unpleasant texture full of unsettling lumps. It must be smoothed into the skin until it is completely absorbed - and where it is used it brings a deep numbness. Consequently, users often prefer to spread it on their face or chest rather than their hands of arms as performing ritual magic with no feeling in the fingers can be a daunting prospect.

As with the Decoction of Hoarfrost, the salve focuses a magician towards dark emotional states as it enhances the resonance between a mortal and the Winter realm. Unlike the weaker preparation, however, it is very easy for an inexperienced user to become so lost in feelings of sorrow and despair that they are unable to rouse themselves to contribute to the very magic they seek to enhance with this preparation. A novice user must be carefully watched to ensure they remain focused on the matter at hand rather than lost in grim remembrance of every past failure.

Interestingly, there are some references to a potion very similar to this having been in use in pre- and early-Imperial Marches and Wintermark. Allegedly, that vile preparation was made by agents of Agramant using the fat from murdered human bodies; the Druj appear to favour human and orc fat as a base as well. Civilised magicians obviously prefer to use fat gathered from animals slaughtered for their meat - even the most pragmatic apothecary is likely to balk at the idea of killing a person purely to provide materials for a potion.

• Form: Salve.
• Description: This lumpy white salve exudes an indefinable scent that brings to mind sad memories of past loss. It tastes unspeakably horrible, and takes an effort of will to consume any.
• Roleplaying Effects: Where this balm has been applied, your skin becomes numb. You are constantly reminded of your regrets; it is easy for you to succumb to feelings of grief, loss, despair, and sorrow if you do not keep focused on the task at hand.
• Mechanical Effects: If you possess the Winter lore skill then you gain three additional ranks to the next Winter ritual that you perform within ten minutes, subject to the normal rules for effective skill. This is a tonic; the effect of any other tonic you have drunk immediately ends.
• Recipe: Three drams each of Bladeroot and True Vervain, one dram of Marrowort, one crystallised mana, and one ring of ilium.

Potion	Roleplaying Effect	Mechanical Effect	Bladeroot	Cerulean Mazzarine	Imperial Roseweald	Marrowort	True Vervain	Mana Crystal	Liao	Ilium	Total
Decoction of the Hungry Moon	This potion tastes unpleasantly of spoiled meat. You become emotionally cold but highly possessive and protective of your friends and allies.	If you possess the Winter lore skill then you gain one additional effective rank to the next Winter ritual that you perform within ten minutes, subject to the normal rules for effective skill. This is a tonic; the effect of any other tonic you have drunk immediately ends.	2	0	0	1	2	1	0	0	6
The Barren Watchtower	Drinking this elixir makes you very thirsty and dry mouthed. You become cold and calculating, seeing everything in terms of cost and benefit. Individual lives or needs become meaningless in the face of your goals and what you consider to be best. You feel a powerful urge to ensure you and yours are safe, regardless of the cost to other people.	If you possess the Winter lore skill then you can use up to 3 personal mana as if it were crystal mana on the next Winter ritual that you perform within ten minutes.	3	1	1	2	1	0	0	0	8
Sorrow's Mask	Where this balm has been applied, your skin becomes numb. You are constantly reminded of your regrets; it is easy for you to succumb to feelings of grief, loss, despair, and sorrow if you do not keep focused on the task at hand.	If you possess the Winter lore skill then you gain three additional ranks to the next Winter ritual that you perform within ten minutes, subject to the normal rules for effective skill. This is a tonic; the effect of any other tonic you have drunk immediately ends.	3	0	0	1	3	1	0	1	9