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.

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 rank to the next winter ritual that you perform within ten minutes.
• Recipe: Two drams each of Bladeroot and True Vervain, one dram of Marrowort and one crystallized 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 Water. 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 her 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.