Tonics of the Open Sky
The tinctures of the open sky are useful preparations that slow bleeding and help mitigate injury. They allow a severely injured warrior finds it easier to endure their wounds, granting valuable time for a healer or chirurgeon to reach them. More than one veteran is alive today because of one of these preparations, and they are often referred to as elixirs of lifekeeping as a consequence.
As tinctures, the herbs used to brew these potions are dissolved in a small amount of alcohol. Unlike the harsher Tinctures of the Deep Forest, the tinctures of the open sky require a much weaker solution and usually possess a more mellow flavour.
In Wintermark, these tinctures is collectively termed the Grimnir's Cloak. According to a popular legend, Grimnir Kaisa Bloodwing once served the tincture to all the warriors of her Hall before a vicious battle against a besieging orc force. Her foresight meant that the healers were able to save more warriors than the orcs were able to bring down, patch them up, and return them to the fray. In the end the defending forces were victorious. While some historians question the veracity of this story, few can dispute the deeper truth - that no matter how wounded someone may be, if a healer can reach them in time, they can be saved.
These preparations add ranks of the Fortitude skill. Additional ranks never stack with anything else that grants additional ranks in the same skill.
Tincture of Sunlit Glass
This yellow-gold preparation is most effective when drunk by someone who already possesses deep reserves of fortitude. Even more than it's protective properties, it is especially valued for it's ability to inspire a positive attitude in those about to take to battle. As the Highborn general Aaron of Redwater wrote in his journal "Believing you can win is not enough by itself, but it is the first step along the road to victory."
- Effect: You gain one rank of the fortitude skill. The effect lasts until the next sunrise or sunset. This will give you one rank of fortitude if you have no skill, or increase your number of ranks by one if you already possess the skill.
- Roleplaying Effects: The drinker feels a burst of optimism and positivity after consuming this tincture.
- Recipe: One dram of Marrowort and one dram of Imperial Roseweald.
Tincture of the Distant Shore
This dark red liquid has a sweet, dry fruity taste. It can dramatically extend the time it takes the average individual to bleed to death. It takes it's name from an old Freeborn story in which the heroic corsair Bolivar i Riqueza tricks Death during a thundestorm, engaging that dark spirit in a contest of riddles and enigmas. Constantly playing for time, Bolivar keeps the malign entity guessing until the storm passes and the ship reaches shore, saving not only himself and his vessel but all his crew in the process. It is not uncommon to see death mocked or presented as a bumbling idiot in Freeborn humour and a draught of this tincture is often accompanied by a toast that taunts the ever-present spectre of Death.
- Effect: You gain two ranks of the fortitude skill. The effect lasts until the next sunrise. This will give you two ranks of fortitude if you have no skill, or increase your number of ranks by two if you already possess the skill.
- Roleplaying Effects: This tincture causes the imbiber to feel positive and optimistic, driving away feelings of worry, doubt and uncertainty.
- Recipe: One dram of Marrowort and two drams of Imperial Roseweald.
Tincture of Surging Flame
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Effect: You gain three ranks of the fortitude skill. The effect lasts until the next sunrise. This will give you three ranks of fortitude if you have no skill, or increase your number of ranks by three if you already possess the skill. Roleplaying Effects: Recipe: One dram of Marrowort, one dram of Imperial Roseweald and two drams of True Vervain.