Copyright 2003, 2004 by Geoff Habiger and Tangent Games.

Second Edition

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Table of Contents
THE ALCHEMIST.............................................................................................................................2
ACIDS ...................................................................................................................................................2
Strong Acids: .............................................................................................. 3
Average Acids:............................................................................................ 4
Weak Acids:................................................................................................ 4
BASES ...................................................................................................................................................5
Strong Bases: .............................................................................................. 6
Average Bases:............................................................................................ 6
Weak Bases:................................................................................................ 7
NATURAL ELEMENTS AND OTHER ALCHEMICAL ITEMS..........................................7
Antimony (Sb): ........................................................................................... 8
Arsenic (As):............................................................................................... 8
Bromine (Br):.............................................................................................. 8
Chlorine (Cl): .............................................................................................. 9
Magnesium (Mg): ..................................................................................... 10
Mercury (Hg): ........................................................................................... 11
Phosphorus (P):......................................................................................... 11
Aqua Regia: .............................................................................................. 12
Herbicide:.................................................................................................. 13
Pesticide: ................................................................................................... 13
TABLE 1: ACIDS AND BASES....................................................................................................14
TABLE 2: NATURAL ELEMENTS AND OTHER ITEMS ..................................................15
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a ............................................................................ 16
Geoff Habiger Better Damage Through Alchemistry

The bell above the door jingled as I entered the alchemists shop. The shop was poorly lit by dozens of candles
and smelled of dust and numerous pungent odors I couldnt begin to describe. A wizened man with long and
unkempt white hair looked up from the small table covered in parchment at the back of the room, his fingers
black from ink. May I help you? His voice was raspy and held an edge that seemed to say it was obvious
that I was in need of help.

Yes, I stammered. I adjusted my sword and tried to stand straighter. I heard I could find some acids
here.

Ah, the voice rang with recognition. Going after the trolls in the Grey Caverns.

It was a statement of fact. I hadnt thought it would be so obvious, but I guess this old man had seen enough
people like me to put two and two together.

Yes, I replied, walking toward the old man. Do you have any acids or not. I put an edge to my voice to
show I wasnt scared about the trolls
.
Heh, it sounded like a cough but I think he was laughing at me. Mighty brave arent you, with your
sword and armor? Very nasty, those trolls can be, and your fancy armor wont help when those trolls just
keep coming and coming. Well if you want to live youll listen to ol Glennon and keep your temper in
check! He pointed a gnarled finger at me and I took an involuntary step back. Glennon laughed again,
Heh, heh. Youll be in need of some good acid to keep those nasty trolls from coming back. Im sure I have
something that will suit your need.

He rose with a series of popping joints and walked over to a cluttered cabinet filled with all sizes and shapes
of colored bottles. Definitely dont want something weak, like formic acid. Just makes em mad is all thatll
do, heh, heh. He coughed as he laughed. Maybe something stronger, like hydrochloric. He reached for a
brown colored bottle.

Hi dro chloric. The alchemical name tasted foreign in my mouth. And that is the strongest acid you
have? I didnt want to take any chances with the trolls.

The lad wants something stronger? He gave me a wise glace from behind locks of his hair that had fallen
over his eyes. Smart lad you are, but how smart. Itll cost you, you know. It takes considerable time and
resources to make the strongest acids. They arent cheap

Im willing to pay, I pulled out my money pouch from the inside folds of my cloak and tossed it on the
table. It landed with a deep thud and the chink of coins.

Well then, the alchemist put the brown bottle back and reached for a key around his neck. Lets see if the
sulfuric will do the trick. Nasty stuff, sulfuric is, nice and thick. Makes real horrible burns. He unlocked a
high cabinet and I could see a ragged burn scar on his right forearm, obviously the result of an acid burn, as
he pulled out a large bottle with a greenish hue. He set the bottle on the table and reached for some smaller
clay flasks. Now, how much is it worth to you to survive your foray into the Grey Caverns?

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Geoff Habiger Better Damage Through Alchemistry

The Alchemist
Alchemists spend their lives in pursuit of chemical knowledge. Their days are mostly spent
cloistered away in dark and musty rooms where they divine the secrets of the universe, and
in the process find new and useful ways to apply chemistry to our everyday lives. Sometimes
the alchemist comes across unexpected items while searching for a solution to another
problem. One alchemist, attempting to find a way to make gold out of the mud near his
kings castle discovered porcelain instead!

Alchemists are known for their wondrous creations to aid the stalwart adventurer. Often the
alchemist is sought after for their skill in crafting alternative weapons, such as acids and
alchemist fire. In their pursuit of chemical knowledge many alchemists have discovered
different corrosive and caustic substances that are hazardous to all manner or creatures.
Acids, and their counterpart bases, are hazardous substances that make excellent splash
weapons and traps.

Along with acids and bases, alchemists have also discovered natural elements, like chlorine,
that have dangerous effects. Using their finely honed skills alchemists learn to extract these
elements and jealously guard the secrets in crafting them.

What follows are descriptions for different types of acids, bases, and natural elements. Each
description covers in brief the type of chemical substance, followed by a description of
different types of these alchemical items and how they can be incorporated into your
campaign world. Descriptions are given not only for basic splash damage, but also for
damage caused by inhalation, ingestion, and the result of getting the acid, base, or element
splashed in your eyes. Using these rules can add many new dimensions to your game and
help to liven up the often-mundane world of the alchemist.

Acids
An acid is any corrosive liquid that reacts with metals or alkaline substances (bases) to form
salts. This chemical reaction gives off energy in the form of heat and gases. It is the heat and
fumes from acids that are dangerous. There are many types of acids and while they all have
slightly different properties most acids can be categorized as being strong, average, or weak.
Strong acids are liquids like sulfuric acid. They can cause severe burns and blistering to the
skin and are often lead to death if inhaled or ingested. Average acids are liquids like
hydrochloric acid that can cause burns and blisters on the skin and are dangerous if inhaled
or ingested. Weak acids are liquids like boric acid and are often more irritating than harmful,
though in large quantities can still be dangerous.

2
Geoff Habiger Better Damage Through Alchemistry

Acids may seem like an all-powerful weapon, but the strength of an acid can be neutralized
with a base or other alkali substance. In most cases water is the best substance for
neutralizing an acid. Adding water directly to acids results in heat and the violent expansion
of the acid, which erupts out of the container it was in dealing damage to the unfortunate
individual doing the mixing. It takes five times the volume of the acid to neutralize it to a
non-hazardous point with water. (For example: 1 flask of acid requires 5 flasks of water to
make it non-hazardous.)

Below are optional game rules for incorporating strong, average, and weak acids into your
campaign. Along with making excellent splash weapons, acids can be used as traps, as tools
for assassinations, or as new natural or magical attacks for monsters. In all cases a flask is
considered to be a glass or clay vessel that holds approximately 100 mL of liquid and weighs
1 pound.

Splash damage assumes contact of the acid with unprotected skin. In the case of eye contact,
splash damage is also applied along with any damage done to the eyes. Inhalation effects
occur if the listed amount of acid is exposed to the person, such as having a flask of acid
burst on your person, or in the square where you are standing. Inhalation effects also occur
with large amounts of acid in closed rooms. Usually an open barrel (about 25 gallons) in a 10
x 10 foot room is enough to cause the listed damage within 1d4 rounds of exposure.
Ingestion can occur from drinking the acid, or being dunked under a large vat or falling into
a lake or pool of acid. To calculate damage from being immersed in acid (such as a vat or
lake) multiply the damage result by 10 for each round of exposure. Acids can affect creatures
with immunity to bases.

Strong Acids: this odor often precludes strong acids from

These are the most
Vitriol
dangerous types of
acids. They cause the
most severe burns and
damage to exposed skin
and have been known to
Aqua Fortis
cause death when drunk.
They often have very
strong and overpower-
ing odors. Types of
Nitric Acid strong acids include: sul-
furic acid, nitric acid,
and hydrofluoric acid.
Alchemists sometimes
call strong acids by their
alchemical names, vitriol or aqua fortis.
Strong acids make the best splash weapons,
dealing the most splash damage. Their
pungent odor and strong fumes also make
them excellent acids to use in traps though
being accidentally drunk in the hopes of
poisoning a victim.
Strong Acid Effects:
Splash Damage: A flask of strong acid
thrown as a splash weapon will deal 2d4
points of splash damage per round of
exposure.
Eye Contact: If a lucky throw (generally a
critical hit) with a flask of strong acid
should strike the eyes of the victim they
must make a Fortitude save (DC 18) or
suffer permanent blindness in addition to
the listed splash damage. A remove blindness
spell can cure permanent blindness caused
by the acid. A successful save still results in
the damage and the victim is blinded for
1d10 minutes.
Ingestion: Occasionally a strong acid
might be used as a poison. When ingested
the victim must make a Fortitude save (DC

3
 Geoff Habiger
10) or take 3d6 points of Constitution
damage. A successful save deals 2d8 points
of internal damage, and 1 point of
permanent Constitution damage.
Inhalation: If a victim should inhale the
fumes of a strong acid they must make a
Fortitude save (DC 14) or take 1d8 points
of damage and 1 point of permanent
Constitution damage (save for half dam-
age).
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 20.
Cost to create: 100 sp in supplies.
Market Price: 20 gp per flask.
Average Acids:
These are the acids that
Acetic Acid
most people think of
then they do think of
acids at all. They include
Hydrochloric Acid hydrochloric acid, acetic
acid, and perchloric acid.
The alchemical name for
average acids is muriatic
acid. Average acids cause
severe burns to exposed skin and can be
harmful if drunk or inhaled. They typically
have a strong odor that can be over-
powering in large amounts. Average acids
make decent splash weapons. Average acids
often lack a strong odor making them ideal
tools for the assassin wanting to poison a
victim.
Average Acid Effects:
Splash Damage: A flask of average acid
thrown as a splash weapon will deal 1d6
points of splash damage per round of
exposure.
Eye Contact: If a lucky throw (generally a
critical hit) with a flask of average acid
should strike the eyes of the victim they
must make a Fortitude save (DC 14) or
suffer permanent blindness in addition to
the listed splash damage. A remove blindness
spell can cure permanent blindness caused
Better Damage Through Alchemistry
by the acid. A successful save still results in
the victim being blinded for 1d4 minutes.
Ingestion: When ingested the victim must
make a Fortitude save (DC 8) or take 2d6
points of Constitution damage. A successful
save deals 1d8 points of internal damage,
and 1 point of permanent Constitution
damage.
Inhalation: If a victim should inhale the
fumes of an average acid they must make a
Fortitude save (DC 12) or suffer 1d4 points
of damage and 1 point temporary Con-
stitution damage.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 15.
Cost to create: 50 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 10 gp per flask.
Weak Acids: Boric Acid
These are the most common, and
the less potent, of the acids.
These include phosphoric acid,
formic acid, hydrobromic acid,
and boric acid. These acids tend
to be more irritating than dam-
Phosphoric Acid
aging, but they are effective when
used in large amounts, and can be
used in situations where severe
damage is not the desired results.
Weak acids typically give off no odor
(formic acid does have a sharp, irritating
odor) and are not very damaging if inhaled.
Weak acids are best used when you merely
want to incapacitate an opponent and not
kill them.
Weak Acid Effects:
Splash Damage: A flask of weak acid
thrown as a splash weapon will deal 1d4
points of splash damage per round of
exposure.
Eye Contact: If a lucky throw (generally a
critical hit) with a flask of weak acid should
strike the eyes of the victim they must make
a Fortitude save (DC 10) or suffer blindness
for 1d4 hours in addition to the listed
splash damage. A successful save still results
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Geoff Habiger Better Damage Through Alchemistry

in the victim being blinded for 1d4 rounds.
Ingestion: When ingested the victim must
make a Fortitude save (DC 14) or suffer
1d6 points of damage, and 1 point of
temporary Constitution damage.
Inhalation: If a victim should inhale the
fumes of a weak acid they must make a
Fortitude save (DC 10) or suffer 1 point
temporary Constitution damage.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 10.
Cost to create: 25 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 5 gp per flask.

Bases
Bases are caustic and alkali substances that react with acids to form salts. The chemical
reaction between bases and other substances produces heat and fumes similar in many
respects to acids. Bases are similar in many respects to acids and can be just as dangerous.
Like acids bases can be divided by strength, though some relatively weak bases are very
poisonous and can be fatal.

Bases can be neutralized with an acid or other corrosive substance. In most cases water is
the best substance for neutralizing a base. Adding strong bases directly to water results in
heat and the violent expansion of the base, which usually erupts out of the container it was
in dealing damage to the unfortunate individual doing the mixing. It takes five times the
volume of the base to neutralize it to a non-hazardous point with water. (For example: 1
flask of base requires 5 flasks of water to make it non-hazardous.)

Below are optional game rules for incorporating strong, average, and weak bases into your
campaign. Along with making excellent splash weapons, bases can be used as traps, as tools
for assassinations, or as new natural or magical attacks for monsters. In all cases a flask is
considered to be a glass or clay vessel that holds approximately 100 mL of liquid and weighs
1 pound.

Splash damage assumes contact of the base with unprotected skin. In the case of eye contact,
splash damage is also applied along with any damage done to the eyes. Inhalation effects can
occur if the listed amount of base is exposed to the person, such as having a flask of base
burst on your person, or in the square where you are standing. Inhalation effects can also
occur with large amounts of base in closed rooms. Usually an open barrel (about 25 gallons)
in a 10 x 10 foot room is enough to cause the listed damage within 1d4 rounds of exposure.
Ingestion only occurs by drinking the substance, or being dunked under a large vat or falling
into a lake or pool of base. To calculate damage from being immersed in base (such as a vat
or lake) multiply the damage result by 10 for each round of exposure. Bases can affect
creatures that have immunity to acid.

5
 Geoff Habiger
Strong Bases:
These are the strongest,
Lye
and also the most
common of the bases.
The strong bases include
sodium hydroxide and
Sal Ammoniac ammonium hydroxide.
Sodium hydroxide is also
called lye and is used by
tanners in the tanning
process. Ammonium hydroxide (or sal
ammoniac to the alchemist) gives off the
pungent odor of ammonia. These bases can
produce severe burns to exposed skin and
can be deadly if ingested. They have strong,
overpowering odors that are easily detected
in small quantities (usually less than one
flask). Strong bases make excellent splash
weapons. Their pungent odor makes them
excellent tools for inhalation traps and
makes it difficult to accidentally ingest.
Strong Base Effects:
Splash Damage: A flask of strong base
thrown as a splash weapon will deal 2d4
points of splash damage per round of
exposure.
Eye Contact: If a lucky throw (generally a
critical hit) should strike the eyes of the
victim they must make a Fortitude save
(DC 16) or be permanently blinded in
addition to the listed splash damage. A
remove blindness spell can cure permanent
blindness caused by the base. A successful
save still results in the victim being blinded
for 1d8 days.
Ingestion: When ingested the victim must
make a Fortitude save (DC 10) or take 3d6
points of Constitution damage. A success-
ful save deals 1d8 points of damage and 1
point of permanent Constitution damage.
Inhalation: If a victim should inhale the
fumes of a strong base they must make a
Fortitude save (DC 16) or suffer 1 point
temporary Constitution damage.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 20.
Better Damage Through Alchemistry
Cost to create: 100 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 20 gp per flask.
Average Bases:
Though not as common as Average Base
lye, average bases are caustic
substances that can be dan-
gerous, but are usually not
deadly. These bases include
potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide,
and sodium cyanide. They can cause burns
to exposed skin, and while some are
poisonous, they must be taken in large
amounts to be deadly. Average bases make
decent splash weapons. Their effects from
being inhaled make them good tools for
traps where the intent is to incapacitate and
capture an opponent and not kill them.
Average Base Effects:
Splash Damage: A flask of an average
base thrown as a splash weapon will deal
1d6 points of splash damage per round of
exposure.
Eye Contact: If a lucky throw (generally a
critical hit) should strike the eyes of the
victim they must make a Fortitude save
(DC 12) or be blinded for 1d10 days in
addition to the listed splash damage. A
successful save still results in the victim
being blinded for 1d8 rounds.
Ingestion: If ingested the victim must
make a Fortitude save (DC 16) or take 1
point of permanent Constitution damage. A
successful save still deals 1d6 points of
damage and 1 point of temporary Con-
stitution damage.
Inhalation: If a victim should inhale the
fumes of an average base they must make a
Fortitude save (DC 14) or be disorientated
and nauseous for 1d6 rounds.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 15.
Cost to create: 50 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 10 gp per flask.
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 Geoff Habiger Better Damage Through Alchemistry

Weak Bases: points of subdual splash damage per round

Weak Base These are the weakest of the
bases and are often more
irritating than damaging. They
include calcium hydroxide and
sodium phosphate. They cause
burns that are irritating and not
damaging, and are useful when
the desired result is to incapacitate your foe
and not damage them. Weak bases do not
give off an odor and are typically not
dangerous when ingested.
Weak Base Effects:
Splash Damage: A flask of weak base
thrown as a splash weapon will deal 1d4
of exposure.
Eye Contact: If a lucky throw (generally a
critical hit) should strike the eyes of the
victim they must make a Fortitude save
(DC 10) or be blinded for 1d4 rounds in
addition to the listed splash damage.
Ingestion: Ingestion is irritating and deals
no damage.
Inhalation: If a victim should inhale the
fumes of a weak base they must make a
Fortitude save (DC 12) or be disorientated
and nauseous for 1d4 rounds.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 10.
Cost to create: 25 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 5 gp per flask.

Natural Elements and

Other Alchemical Items
Acids and bases are dangerous substances in the right hands, and any alchemist with even
the least amount of skill can create them. But there are other substances that occur in nature
or are created by the alchemist that are just as dangerous as acids and bases, and which take
considerable skill to liberate or create. Only the best alchemist has the knowledge and skill to
create weapons from these natural elements. These alchemists work long hours in their labs
to release these hazardous substances from the rocks in which they are found or combining
different chemical compounds to form new creations. Once released these substances are
treated with the greatest care lest the alchemist succumb to their own genius. Alchemists
closely guard the processes of liberating these hazardous materials from their non-hazardous
source material. Only the most skilled can teach the technique and they are careful whom
they teach lest the knowledge fall into the wrong hands.

Liberating the natural elements or creating other unique alchemical compounds requires
more time and skill than making simpler chemical substances like acids and bases, so the
costs to purchase these natural elements are naturally higher. Three of the most hazardous
natural elements are bromine, mercury, and chlorine. The first two exist as liquids when
liberate from the rocks in which they are found, while the third is a gas. Other useful natural
elements are antimony, arsenic, magnesium, and phosphorous. Each element varies in its
level of hazard and the route of exposure. Other alchemical creations are not generally
harmful to humanoid creatures (at least no one has yet determined if they are harmful in the

7
Geoff Habiger
short term), however they are dangerous to vermin and plants and are useful weapons to use
against these creatures.
Natural Elements:
Antimony (Sb):
Antimony is a rare metal that
comes from the mineral stibnite.
Antimony is mostly used as a
pigment in paints and glazes,
how-ever the metal is highly
toxic and this has led many
rogues and assassins to use
antimony as a poison. The metal is usually
ground up and mixed with food or drink.
Antimony Effects:
Splash Damage: Antimony deals no
damage if thrown as a weapon.
Eye Contact: Should antimony make
contact with the eyes the eye may feel
irritated but no permanent damage will
result.
Ingestion: Ingesting as little as 100 mg of
antimony can prove fatal. The victim must
make a Fortitude save (DC 12) or suffer
3d6 points of Constitution damage. On a
successful save the victim still takes 1 point
of permanent Constitution damage and is
sickened for 1d8 days.
Inhalation: Breathing in antimony dust
may cause sneezing, but no serious damage
will occur.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 18
Cost to create: 75 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 15 gp per gram (good for
10 doses).
Weight: 1 pound for each 10 doses
(includes individual dose containers).
Arsenic (As):
Arsenic is an element that is
found in the mineral realgar.
Arsenic has long been used as
a fast acting poison and is
often the poison of choice
Better Damage Through Alchemistry
for rogues and assassins because of its fast
acting effects. Alchemists sometimes refer
to arsenic as aqua tofani. The growth of
warts and lesions on the hands and feet of
the victims can identify long-term exposure
to arsenic, such as drinking from a contam-
inated well.
Arsenic Effects:
Splash Damage: Arsenic may irritate the
skin if it comes into contact but it deals no
real damage if thrown as a weapon.
Eye Contact: Should arsenic make contact
with the eyes the eye may feel irritated but
no permanent damage will result.
Ingestion: Ingesting as little as 50 mg of
arsenic can prove fatal. The victim must
make a Fortitude save (DC 14) or suffer
5d4 points of Constitution damage. On a
successful save the victim still takes 2 points
of permanent Constitution damage and is
nauseated for 1d6 days.
Inhalation: Breathing in arsenic dust will
irritate the lungs. The victim must make a
Fortitude save (DC 12) or be fatigued for
1d6 hours. A successful save results in no
damage.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 18.
Cost to create: 100 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 20 gp per half gram (good
for 10 doses).
Weight: 1 pound for each 10 doses
(includes individual dose containers).
Bromine (Br):
Bromine is a brownish-red liquid with a
pungent odor. The liquid fumes when
exposed to air, and it quickly turns from a
liquid to a gas if not well sealed. Bromine is
a very corrosive liquid, having effects
similar to the strongest of acids and bases.
8
Geoff Habiger
It is often stored in clay vials sealed with
wax to keep the liquid from turning to gas
and escaping. Bromine makes an excellent
splash weapon, especially against creatures
with natural immunities to acids or bases.
Its effects when ingested make it a choice
tool for assassins, but they must be careful
when using bromine lest they are effected
by their own weapon.
Bromine Effects:
Splash Damage: If bromine is thrown as a
splash weapon it deals 2d6 points of splash
damage.
Eye Contact: If a lucky throw (generally a
critical hit) should strike the eyes of the
victim they must make a Fortitude save
(DC 20) or be permanently blinded in
addition to the listed splash damage. A
remove blindness spell can cure permanent
blindness caused by bromine. A successful
save results in blindness for 1d10 days.
Ingestion: Should bromine be ingested the
victim must make a Fortitude save (DC 10)
or take 3d6 points of Constitution damage.
A successful save still deals 2d6 points of
damage and 1 point of permanent Con-
stitution damage.
Inhalation: Inhaling the fumes of bromine
requires a Fortitude save (DC 8) or the
victim takes 1d10 points of damage and 1
point of temporary Constitution damage.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 25.
Cost to create: 200 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 40 gp per flask.
Weight: 1 pound.
Chlorine (Cl):
Chlorine is normally found associated with
other elements and is usually quite safe.
When chlorine is liberated from the rocks it
appears as a greenish-yellow gas that is
quite deadly. Chlorine gas is very irritating
and burns the nose, throat, and lungs.
Inhalation of moderate amounts of the gas
(about to two flasks) is usually fatal and
Better Damage Through Alchemistry
even small amounts (less than of a flask)
can be detected even in a large area (a 30 x
30 foot room, for example). Chlorine is
best used as a splash weapon or as a trap.
Since most of its damage comes from
inhalation of the fumes hitting the target is
not as important as with other acids or
bases.
Chlorine Effects (Gas):
Splash Damage: Chlorine gas does not
deal splash damage.
Eye Contact: Chlorine gas has no effect on
the eyes.
Ingestion: Chlorine gas has no effect if
ingested.
Inhalation: A victim that is within 10 feet
of a chlorine gas release must make a For-
titude save (DC 10) or suffer 3d6 points of
Constitution damage. A successful save
results in 2d6 points of damage and 1 point
of permanent Constitution damage. In
either case the victim is racked by severe
coughing and nausea and is considered
nauseated for 1d4 rounds.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check (gas): DC 25
Cost to create (gas): 500 sp in supplies.
Market Value (gas): 100 gp for a double
flask.
Chlorine Effects (Liquid):
Splash Damage: Chlorine gas can also be
mixed with water to produce a concentrated
solution of chlorine. If thrown as a splash
weapon chlorine liquid deals 1d4 points of
damager per round of exposure plus the
victim must make a Fortitude save (DC 15)
or be nauseated for 1d6 rounds.
Eye Contact: If a lucky throw (generally a
critical hit) should strike the eyes of the
victim they must make a Fortitude save
(DC 15) or be blinded for 1d10 minutes in
addition to the listed splash damage.
Ingestion: Should a person ingest chlorine
liquid they must make a Fortitude save (DC
12) or suffer 1 point of temporary Consti-
tution damage and be nauseated for 1d6
9
Geoff Habiger
rounds. A successful save results in the
victim being sickened for 1d6 rounds.
Inhalation: Though not as deadly as
inhaling chlorine gas, the inhalation of the
fumes from concentrated chlorine liquid is
still dangerous. A victim must make a Fort-
itude save (DC 12) or be sickened for 1d6
rounds. A successful save negates this
effect.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check (liquid): DC
15.
Cost to create (liquid): 100 sp.
Market Value (liquid): 20 gp per flask.
Magnesium (Mg):
Magnesium is a silvery-
white metal once it has
been collected from its
source. Sources of mag-
nesium include many
types of minerals as well
as seawater. Magensium
metal is flammable and it will ignite when it
comes into contact with certain liquids,
giving off a brilliant white light. So far
alchemists have come up with two special
tools that use magnesium, though it is
possible that other alchemists have come
up with other uses for this metal.
Flash Liquid: This is a specially crafted
glass flask with two parts, an outer flask
that contains a special alchemical liquid to
ignite the magnesium, and an inner flask
that contains the magnesium metal. The
flash liquid can be thrown as a weapon with
a range increment of 10 feet. When the
flask is thrown the two substances are
mixed creating a blinding flask of light that
lasts for one round. All creatures within 10
feet, even if they are looking away from the
source (and are not immune to blinding
effects) are automatically blinded for 1d4
rounds. (Closing your eyes will prevent the
blindness.)
Better Damage Through Alchemistry
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 20.
Cost to create: 50 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 10 gp per flask.
Weight: 1 pound.
Flash Bang Box (FBB): This alchemical
creation combines the effects of the flash
liquid with those of the thunderstone. The
combined effect is enough to cause dis-
orientation in its victims long enough for
the attacker to either make a get away or to
take down an opponent or group of
opponents quickly.
The FBB is a small clay box about three
inches square. It contains three separate
chambers, a central chamber that holds the
thunderstone, a middle chamber that
contains the magnesium metal, and an outer
chamber that contains the special alchem-
ical liquid.
The FBB can be thrown as a weapon with a
range increment of 10 feet. When thrown
onto a hard surface the three elements
combine with the following effects. All
creatures within 10 feet, even if they are
looking away from the source (and are not
immune to blinding effects) are auto-
matically blinded for 1d4 rounds. (Closing
your eyes will prevent the blindness.) In
addition, all creatures within 10 feet must
make a Fortitude save (DC 15) or be
deafened for 1 hour.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 20 (For
the flash liquid only. A separate craft skill
check must be made for the thunderstone.)
Cost to create: 50 sp in supplies. (For the
flash liquid only. A separate cost for
creating the thunderstone is not included.)
Market Value: 40 gp per FBB (this price
includes the cost of the thunderstone).
Weight: 2 pounds.
10
Geoff Habiger
Mercury (Hg):
Alchemists have long known
about quicksilver, the silver-
colored liquid that is liberated
from the mineral cinnabar.
The liquid does not flow like
water but beads up and forms
small puddles of silver liquid.
Many alchemists have experi-
mented with mercury and
have learned that it can be used determine
temperature among other uses. While
exposure to small amounts of mercury in
the short term usually has no harmful
effects, long-term and repeated exposure
can lead to hazardous effects or even death.
The ability to cause severe and permanent
damage, even death, to its victims from
very small amounts has made mercury a
choice weapon for assassins. The assassin
must be patient for mercurys maximum
effects to be noticed, but the beauty of
mercury is that many times the true source
of the poisoning is never known.
Mercury Effects:
Splash Damage: Mercury does not deal
damage when thrown as a weapon.
Eye Contact: Should mercury make
contact with the eyes the person struck may
feel a stinging but no immediate damage
will occur.
Ingestion: See below.
Inhalation: Inhaling the fumes of a large
quantity of mercury (greater than 10
gallons) results in nausea and abdominal
pains. The victim must make a successful
Fortitude save (DC 14) or be incapacitated
for 1d6 rounds.
Mercury as a Poison:
Mercury is best used as a slow acting
poison; it can be absorbed through the skin
or ingested in food or drink. Over time
mercurys toxicity results in damage to the
nervous system, heart, lungs, kidneys, and
the brain. Long-term and repeated exposure
Better Damage Through Alchemistry
to even small amounts (one drop) of
mercury can result in permanent damage or
death.
A victim that is exposed to at least 1 drop
of mercury for 6 weeks will begin to show
signs of mercury poisoning. For every
additional week of exposure to mercury the
GM should roll d6 for one of the following
effects of the poison (all damage is
temporary):
1-2 1 point of Dexterity damage
3-4 1 point of Constitution damage
5-6 1 point of Intelligence damage
When damage to one ability score occurs
three times, despite any previous healing
that has occurred to that ability score, the
victim then takes 1 point of permanent
damage in that ability. If permanent damage
occurs to the same ability score five times,
despite any healing, the ability score drops
to zero. (See Chapter 8 of the Core Rulebook
II for rules on ability score loss.)
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 20.
Cost to create: 150 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 30 gp per flask.
Weight: 1 pound.
Phosphorus (P):
Phosphorus is a soft waxy
substance that is white in color. It
is a very dangerous element that is
difficult to control. Phosphorus
spontaneously combusts and
burns at a very high heat in air.
This unique property also makes
phosphorus a deadly alchemical weapon.
Phosphorus can also be changed slowly
from its normal white form to a less
combustible red form, however this red
form of phosphorus is still dangerous as a
poison.
11
Geoff Habiger
White Phosphorus Effects:
White phosphorus is placed into flasks
containing a special neutralizing liquid. This
liquid allows the phosphorus to be stable,
but once the liquid comes into contact with
air it immediately evaporates, allowing the
phosphorus to erupt into flames. White
phosphorus is a little more dangerous than
alchemists fire, however it doesnt last as
long.
White phosphorus can be thrown as a
splash weapon with a range increment of 10
feet. A direct hit on an opponent deals
2d4+2 points of fire damage. All creatures
within 5 feet of the point of impact take 2
points of fire damage.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 20.
Cost to create: 150 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 30 gp per flask.
Weight: 1 pound.
Red Phosphorus Effects:
Exposure to sun light or a low heat will
change white phosphorus to red
phosphorus. The red phosphorus form is
not combustible, however it is a deadly
poison and ingestion of as little as 50 mg
can be fatal. This makes it a choice poison
for rogues and assassins.
Splash Damage: Red phosphorus may
irritate the skin if it comes into contact but
it deals no real damage if thrown as a
weapon.
Eye Contact: Should red phosphorus
make contact with the eyes the eye may feel
irritated but no permanent damage will
result.
Ingestion: A victim that ingests a dose of
red phosphorus must make a Fortitude save
(DC 14) or suffer 2d10 points of Con-
stitution damage. On a successful save the
victim still takes 1 point of permanent
Constitution damage and 1d10 points of
damage. In addition, the victim that makes
their save is also nauseated for 1d4 days.
Better Damage Through Alchemistry
Inhalation: Breathing in red phosphorus
dust will irritate the lungs. The victim must
make a Fortitude save (DC 12) or be
fatigued for 1 hour. A successful save
results in no damage.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 20.
Cost to create: 100 sp in supplies.
Market Value: 20 gp per half gram (good
for 10 doses).
Weight: 1 pound for each 10 doses
(includes individual dose containers).
Other Alchemical Items:
Aqua Regia:
This is a special acid that is
made by combining different
types of strong and average
acids. Aqua regia is a dang-
erous weapon, but its real use comes from
its ability to dissolve kingly metals like gold
and platinum.
Aqua Regia Effects:
Splash Damage: A flask of aqua regia
thrown as a splash weapon will deal 3d4
points of splash damage per round of
exposure.
Eye Contact: If a lucky throw (generally a
critical hit) with a flask of aqua regia should
strike the eyes of the victim they must make
a Fortitude save (DC 18) or suffer
permanent blindness in addition to the
listed splash damage. A remove blindness spell
can cure permanent blindness caused by the
aqua regia. A successful save still results in
the damage and the victim is blinded for
1d10 minutes.
Ingestion: Aqua regia might be used as a
poison. When ingested the victim must
make a Fortitude save (DC 10) or take 3d6
points of Constitution damage. A successful
save deals 2d8 points of internal damage,
and 1 point of permanent Constitution
damage.
12
Geoff Habiger
Inhalation: If a victim should inhale the
fumes of aqua regia they must make a
Fortitude save (DC 14) or take 1d8 points
of damage and 1 point of permanent
Constitution damage (save for half
damage).
Special: Aqua regia readily dissolves gold
and platinum. A single flask of aqua regia
can dissolve up to 10 gold and or platinum
coins or other gold or platinum objects of
similar weight. Typically the metal is placed
within the flask of aqua regia. It takes two
full rounds to dissolve the metal in the
flask. The metal is not destroyed, merely in
suspension within the aqua regia. Once the
aqua regia is evaporated the metal precip-
itates back out of solution. This makes aqua
regia a valuable tool for rogues who like to
steal but dont like to get caught. (Note that
a flask of aqua regia thrown onto a pile of
gold or platinum will dissolve the equivalent
amount of metal and since there is no
container to hold the dissolved metal it is
lost.) The aqua regia still retains its other
properties even if there is dissolved metal
within the solution (though using the aqua
regia as a weapon at this point could prove
to be a costly affair).
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 25.
Cost to create: 150 sp in supplies.
Market Price: 30 gp per flask.
Weight: 1 pound.
Herbicide:
An herbicide is a specially
created alchemical weapon
that is designed specifically to
deal damage to plants and
plant creatures. The herbicide
is a special mixture of chem-
icals in a concentrated liquid that is harmful
to plants but not to other creatures.
Better Damage Through Alchemistry
Herbicide Effects:
An herbicide thrown as a splash weapon
will deal 2d6 points of damage to creatures
with the plant designator in its description.
The herbicide is harmless to other creature
types. In addition, the herbicide bypasses
the plant special ability to ignore critical
hits. A critical hit made by an herbicide will
deal twice the damage.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 18.
Cost to create: 50 sp in supplies.
Market Price: 10 gp per flask.
Weight: 1 pound.
Pesticide:
Like the herbicide, a pesticide is a specially
crafted alchemical weapon
designed specifically to
deal damage to vermin.
The pesticide is a special
mixture of chemicals in a
concentrated liquid that is
harmful to vermin but not to other
creatures. This makes it useful when you
only want to harm or kill the vermin and
not risk damaging nearby allies with splash
damage or errant throws.
Pesticide Effects:
Pesticide thrown as a splash weapon will
deal 2d6 points of damage to creatures with
the vermin designator in its description.
The pesticide is harmless to other creature
types.
Craft (Alchemy) skill check: DC 18.
Cost to create: 50 sp in supplies.
Market Price: 10 gp per flask.
Weight: 1 pound.
13
 Geoff Habiger Better Damage Through Alchemistry

Table 1: Acids and Bases

Chemical Splash
Eye Contact Inhalation Ingestion
Name Damage
3d6 pts of Con dmg
Permanent 1d8 pts of damage and 1 pt. (DC 10) or 2d8 pts of
Strong Acid
2d4 blindness Permanent Con (DC 14). Save damage and 1
20 gp
(DC 18) for half damage. permanent Con damage
on successful save.
2d6 pts of Con dmg
Permanent (DC 8) or 1d8 pts of
Average Acid 1d4 pts of damage and 1 pt.
1d6 blindness damage and 1
10 gp Temporary Con (DC 12)
(DC 14) permanent Con damage
on successful save.
1d6 pts of damage plus
Weak Acid Blinded for 1d4
1d4 1 pt. Temporary Con (DC 10) 1 pt of temporary Con
5 gp hours (DC 10)
damage (DC 14)
3d6 pts of Con dmg
Permanent (DC 10) or 1d8 pts of
Strong Base
2d4 blindness 1 pt. Temporary Con (DC 16) damage and 1
20 gp
(DC 16) permanent Con damage
on successful save.
Average
Blinded for 1d10 Coughing/disorientation for 1 pt permanent Con
Base 1d6
days (DC 12) 1d6 rounds (DC 14) damage (DC 16)
10 gp
Weak Base 1d4 Blinded for 1d4 Coughing and disorientation
None
5 gp (subdual) rounds (DC 10) for 1d4 rounds (DC 12)

14
 Geoff Habiger Better Damage Through Alchemistry

Table 2: Natural Elements and Other Items

Chemical Splash Eye
Inhalation Ingestion
Name Damage Contact
3d6 pts of Con dmg (DC 12) or 1
Antimony pt of permanent Con dmg and
None None None
15 gp sickened 1d8 days on successful
save.
5d4 pts of Con dmg (DC 14) or 2
Arsenic Fatigued 1d6 hours (DC pts of permanent Con dmg and
None None
20 gp 12) nauseated for 1d6 days on
successful save.
Permanent Death (DC 8) or 1d10 pts 3d6 pts of Con dmg (DC 10) or
Bromine
2d6 blindness of damage and 1 pt of 2d8 pts of damage and 1 pt of
40 gp
(DC 20) temporary Con damage. permanent Con damage.
3d6 pts of Con dmg (DC
Chlorine (gas) 10) or 2d6 pts of damage
100 gp None None and 1 pt permanent Con None
damage. Nausea for 1d4
rounds.
1d4 +
Blinded 1 pt of permanent Con dmg and
Chlorine nausea
for 1d10 Sickened for 1d6 rounds nauseated 1d6 rounds (DC 12).
(liquid) 1d6
minutes (DC 12) Sickened 1d6 rounds on successful
20 gp rounds
(DC 15) save.
(DC 15)
Magnesium
Flash Liquid Special: Blinds all creatures within 10 feet for 1d4 rounds.
10 gp
Magnesium
Special: Blinds all creatures within 10 feet for 1d4 rounds and all creatures must make
Flash Bang Box
Fortitude save (DC 15) or be deafened for 1 hour.
40 gp
See text
Mercury for long- Incapacitated for 1d6
None See text for long-term exposure.
30 gp term rounds (DC 15)
exposure.
White
Phosphorus 2d4+2 None None None
30 gp
2d10 pts of Con dmg (DC 14) or
Red
Fatigued for 1 hour 1d10 pts of dmg and 1 pt of
Phosphorus None None
(DC 12) permanent Con dmg and
20 gp
nauseated for 1d4 days.
3d6 pts of Con dmg (DC 10) or
Permanent 1d8 pts of damage and 1
2d8 pts of damage and 1
Aqua Regia 3d4 blindness pt. Permanent Con (DC
permanent Con damage on
30 gp (DC 18) 14). Save for half damage.
successful save.
Special: can dissolve gold and platinum coins and objects.
Herbicide Deals 2d6 points of damage to creatures with the plant designator. Can also deal critical
10 gp hits to plant creatures.
Pesticide
Deals 2d6 points of damage to creatures with the vermin designator.
10 gp

15
Geoff Habiger Better Damage Through Alchemistry

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16