Poisons

Poisons are a common weapon in the arsenal of many adventurers. Creating the most deadly toxins requires a lot of patience and skill. But anyone who finds a recipe can attempt to make a poison.

Types of Poison

There are four types of poisons: ingested, contact, injury and inhaled.

• Ingested poisons are the easiest to make and can be used to poison a cup of wine or a delicious meal.
• Contact poisons need to merely touch the skin of their victims to work.
• Injury poisons can be applied to weapons, or the like, that perform piercing or slashing damage.
• Inhaled poisons are the most difficult to make, but need only be inhaled by your target to do their damage.

Rarity of Poisons

The rarity of poison is determined by the rarest component required by its recipe. When you brew a poison, you can use rare components, but this does not increase the rarity of the poison or improve its effects in anyway.

Brewing Poisons

In order to brew a poison, an adventurer needs to know the recipe listing all the requirements. Similar to spells, some can be replaced by gold and others cannot. The requirements for a poison are split into components and ingredients.

Ingredients are everyday items, such as water, vinegar, etc. These can be replaced by a gold cost. It is assumed that an adventurer can acquire these items for the stated cost as part of the poison making process.

Components are not so easily come by and cannot be replaced by gold. This does not mean that these cannot be bought at the right places for the right price. Furthermore, the properties of these components will determine the strength and effects of the poison.

Brewing Difficulty

Rarity	Brewing	CR	DC
common	8 hours	any	10
uncommon	16 hours	1+	15
rare	24 hours	6+	20
very rare	32 hours	14+	25
legendary	40 hours	-	30

Mixing a poison takes a number of hours, sometimes even days or weeks. And the process is concluded with an ability check with a poisoner's kit. The required time and DC can be determined by the rarest component involved. The Brewing Difficulty table shows the standard DC and time needed. But these can be overruled by the poison recipe.

On a successful check, you create the poison which has the rarity of its rarest required component (not the rarest used). On a fail, the resulting brew is useless and all the involved components are destroyed.

Making Antidotes

The same techniques you use to create poisons can also be used to brew antidotes. Using a poisoner's kit, an adventurer can attempt to create an antidote for a specific poison.

In order to do this, you need one dose of the poison you wish to cure and one restorative component of the same rarity as the poison. The time required to brew the potion usually takes one eighth of the brewing time of the poison, but the tool check DC is the same.

Components

Components are both natural and synthetic ingredients which form the basis of any poison recipe. They can be acquired, refined and used in many different ways.

Types and Rarity

There are four types of components: befuddling (purple), corrupting (black), and venomous (green), restorative (white).

Components also differ in potency. Alchemists codify potency in five levels of rarity: common, uncommon, rare, very rare, and legendary. Legendary components cannot be found in the wild, but only refined from other components.

Generic Components

Generic components are interchangeable. When a poison recipe asks for two befuddling (purple) and one venomous (green) components, any component of those types can be used. However, thee components must be used. Any component with multiple types can only be used for one of the requirements.

Unique Components

Some poison recipes may ask for unique components. These components have special properties which can be used to make unique and often powerful poisons. They still have a type, and can be used as generic components as well.

Gathering Components

Many components can be found in nature. Most plants and fungi can be harvested easily by anyone with a glove and a knife. Other poisons require more skill to extract, for instance the venom from a giant spider, or the poisonous gas from a green dragon.

Gathering components typically takes two steps. As the first optional step, an adventurer can scavenge for resources which may yield useful components. After finding a resource—such as a slain monster—you can attempt to extract a component from it.

Scavenging

A scavenging character makes a Wisdom (Survival) check whenever you call for it, with a DC determined by the abundance of food and water in the region. If multiple characters scavenge, each character makes a separate check. A scavenging character finds nothing on a failed check. On a successful check, it finds a resource from which it can attempt to extract a component.

Note to DMs

As a guideline, you can consult the Scavenging Difficulty table, which associates a biome's resource availability with a scavenging DC.

Scavenging Difficulty

Resource Availability	DC
Abundant	10
Limited	15
Very Little	20

Extracting

Many of the resources adventurers find while foraging, are easily extracted and require no check. But some plants are dangerous, some stones need to be quarried, and extracting poison from a slain monster requires the right tools.

An adventurer can simply try to extract a component with their bare hands or the simple tools at their disposal. In that case, they simply make a Wisdom (Nature) check. An adventurer may also extract poisons, with a poisoner's kit. They make an ability check with the tool instead.

Note to DMs

To determine the DC for an extraction, the DM can use the Brewing Difficulty table. When extracting from a slain monster, you can use the CR of the monster to determine the DC. The table does not list a CR for legendary components because these can not be found in the wild.

It is encouraged to adapt the DC to the specific situation, such as whether the adventurer uses a poisoner's kit, or the volatility of the resource.

In either case, on a successful check, the extractor gains one component. On a fail, the resource becomes exhausted and cannot be used for at least 48 hours.

The Process of Refinement

Skilled poisoners can turn natural components into even more powerful version. Stones are turned into powder, herbs are distilled into extract, and from other components essences are made. Anyone with a poisoner's kit can try to refine a component. Refinement requires a long rest to perform per level of rarity of the base material. Taking a maximum of 4 long rests for a very rare component. These long rest need not be consecutive.

After the last long rest the refinement process, the refiner makes an ability check with their poisoner's kit. The Brewing Difficulty table can be used to determine the DC for refining a component. The DC depends on the rarity level of the base components. When successful, the resulting artificial component is exactly one level of rarity higher than their base component. On a fail, the component is destroyed and worthless.

A refined component is synthetic, and cannot be refined further.

Using Poisons

How you employ your poisons is determined primarily by the type of poison.

Contact. Contact poison can be smeared on an object and remains potent until it is touched or washed off. A creature that touches contact poison with exposed skin suffers its effects.

Ingested. A creature must swallow an entire dose of ingested poison to suffer its effects. The dose can be delivered in food or a liquid. You may decide that a partial dose has a reduced effect, such as allowing advantage on the saving throw or dealing only half damage on a failed save.

Inhaled. These poisons are powders or gases that take effect when inhaled. Blowing the powder or releasing the gas subjects creatures in a 5-foot cube to this effect. The resulting cloud dissipates immediately afterwards. Holding one's breath is ineffective against inhaled poisons, as they affect nasal membranes, tear ducts, and other parts of the body.

Injury. Injury poison can be applied to weapons, ammunition, trap components, and other objects that deal piercing or slashing damage and remains potent until delivered through a wound or washed off. A creature that takes piercing or slashing damage from an object coated with the poison is exposed to its effects. Applying a poison to a weapon takes an action.

Identifying Poisons

You can make an ability check with a poisoner's kit to identify a single dose of poison or antidote. Researching a potion in this way takes one hour. At the end, you learn all properties of the poison or antidote.

The Brewing Difficulty table can be used to determine the DC using the rarity of the poison.

Learning Recipes

To make a poison, you first need to learn its recipe. The easiest way is to find or buy a written down version. But an alchemist can attempt to learn the recipe of a poison by using a poisoner's kit on a dose of the poison. In order to learn the recipe of a poison, you must first know all properties of the potion.

This process takes one long rest, and a successful tool check. On a success, you learn the complete recipe of the poison. On a fail, the sample is destroyed and you learn nothing. Again, the Brewing Difficulty table can be used to determine the DC using the rarity of the poison.

Effectiveness

When a creature which is already under the effect of a poison, suffers an additional dose of same poison , its effect are not compounded. Instead, the duration of the effect is refreshed. The only exception is instant non-recurring damage, which is reapplied.

Other poisons still enjoy the same effectiveness, regardless of how many poisons already affects the poisoned creature.

Availability

The availability of poisons and their components is dependent on the setting of you game. Similar to magic items, the abundance or scarcity are the most important factors in balancing the power of poisons in your game. Typically, common poisons and components can be bought in shops. While everything rarer is harder to buy.

Artifacts

The most powerful potions a mortal can normally ever make are legendary potions using especially created legendary components. However, there are rumors of and legends of even more powerful components. Artifacts created by gods or other powerful forces. These can be used to create unique and singular potions of artifact level. More likely, your adventures find these potions in the ruins of an ancient civilization or the lair of a powerful lich.

These kinds of potions cannot be reproduced. No antiddotes can be created for artifacts poisons and artifact components cannot be refined.

Improving your Poisoner Skills

This is a variant rule.

The following rule is entirely optional, because it varies widely from the typical rules in 5e edition Dungeon and Dragons by granting permanent bonuses to stats with achievements.

Additionally, you can become better at making poisons. You gain a permanent +1 bonus to your poison making skill checks whenever you complete one of the following achievements:

• create 3 different synthetic components of level 4 potency or collect 15 different recipes

• create a synthatic component of level 4 potency

• survive being poisoned by 5 different toxins or cure three different people with the correct antidote

• make a single potion with 3 different level 4 components

• create 10 unique poisons

• fail making a poison 20 times

Feats

The following is a list of feats that reflect characters who have spent a significant amount of time studying the ways of potions, poisons and herbs.

Alchemy Savant

Prerequisite: Proficiency in alchemists supplies

You have studied the secrets of alchemy and are an expert in its practice, gaining the following benefits:

• Increase your Intelligence score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You add double your proficiency bonus to checks you make with alchemist's supplies.
• You can administer a potion, or another alchemical/herbal creation that you have crafted, to a creature as a bonus action.
• You gain proficiency in poisoner's kit and herbalism kit. You can use alchemist’s supplies as an herbalism kit and poisoner's kit.

Antitoxin Authority

Prerequisite: Proficiency in healer's kit

You are a trained physician, and in that capacity you have developed an expertise in countering poisons. You gain the following benefits:

• Your Wisdom or Intelligence score increases by 1 to a maximum 20.
• You have advantage when making an antitode. You can add double your proficiency bonus to checks you make with a healer's kit.
• You gain proficiency in poisoner's kit. You can use a healer's kit as a poisoner's kit.

Assassin

You are a master in the art of killing with poisons. You gain the following benefits:

• You can apply poisons to a weapon as a bonus action.
• Whenever you hit an enemy with a poison coated weapon, they have disadvantage on the saving throw.
• You gain proficiency with the poisoner's kit if you don't already have it.

Enduring

You gain advantage on all checks against being poisoned.

When you would again a level of exhaustion you can choose to ignore it. Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you have finished a long rest.

Herbal Expert

Prerequisite: Proficiency in herbalism kit

You have specialized in the art of healing through herbal means and have learned how to take your time in order to better mend the wounds of the injured. You gain the following benefits:

• Your Wisdom or Intelligence score increases by 1 to a maximum of 20.
• You can add double your proficiency bonus to checks you make with an herbalism kit.
• You gain proficiency in poisoner's kit. You can use a herbalism kit as a poisoner's kit.
• You have advantage when making a Wisdom (Survival) check to forage resources.

Poisoner (variant)

You can prepare and deliver deadly poisons, gaining the following benefits:

• When you make a damage roll, you ignore resistance to poison damage.
• You can coat a weapon in poison as a bonus action, instead of an action.
• You gain proficiency with the poisoner's kit if you don't already have it.
• The gold and time you spent to brew poisons and anitdotes is halved.

Prudent Poisoner

Your expertise in poison making, has taught you everything about handling volatile substances and reactions. You gain the following benefits:

• Your Dexterity or Wisdom score increases by 1 to a maximum 20.
• You can add double your proficiency bonus to checks you make with a poisoner's kit.
• When you fail to make a poison, you may choose to recover one component.
• You can cast detect poison and disease once for free. You regain this ability after you complete a long rest.

List of Components

The environment and biomes adventurers find themselves in, play a large roll in what kinds of components they can find. In cities, poisoners look for mosses and climbers, while they search for fungi in caverns and mines. Here, we present five broad types of biomes.

• arid (artic, deserts, mountains, stony hills)
• aquatic (sea, swamp, island, ocean, river, underwater)
• cavernous (caves, underdark, mines)
• sylvan (farms, feywild, forests, grasslands, hills, jungle, woodlands)
• urban (cities, dungeons, fortresses)

For each of these biomes we give a list of twenty generic components, as well as a handful of unique components.

Note to DMs

You can mix and match different types for a specific biome. For instance, in an artic environment you may pick from the arid and aquatic lists. The Shadowfell on the other hand, might be a combination of cavernous and arid.

Arid Biomes

Arid biomes are barren places with very few vegetation. The few animals that survive here often mimic the harshness of their habitat.

Bloodhoney cactus sap. Befuddling, rare component. The sap from this cactus is as red as blood and can cause powerful hallucinations.

Breath of a green dragon. Venomous, very rare component. Green dragons are poison become flash. Their breath is one of the most venomous substances found in nature.

Couatl toxin. Befuddling and Venomous, rare component. The toxin from a Couatl's bite can even put a full grown giant to sleep. It is often used in sleeping draughts and poisons with similar effects.

Jackalwere claws. Venomous and corrupting, rare component. Poisoners have recently discovered that the claws from Jackalwers can be used to create deadly concoctions.

Lamia Hair. Befuddling and restorative, very rare component. The hair from these sinister shapeshifting desert dwellers can contain traces of their magic long after they’ve been cut.

Peddlebloom Roots. Corrupting, uncommon component. The pebblebloom flower grows in loose gravel surfaces at the top of mountains. When ground down the powder can create very corrosive poisons.

Sandbat Venom. Venomous and corrupting, common component. The venom of this large desert rodent is a favorite ingredient of the many desert tribes for their injury poisons.

Troll Blood. Venomous and restorative, very rare component. Because of the regenerative properties of troll blood, it is extremely valuable. This green viscous liquid can be used in the manufacturing of many poisons and certain potions of healing.

Arid Biome: Generic Components

d20	Components	Refinement	Rarity	Type
01	Ashen pod	Powder	Uncommon	Corrupting
02	Amnisey sap	Purified	Very rare	Befuddling
03	Conundrum Rocks	Powder	Rare	Befuddling
04	Feverbalm leaves	Extract	Uncommon	Restorative
05	Creeping vineroot	Powder	Common	Corrupting
06	Desert marigold	Powder	Common	Venomous
07	Dragon dung	Essence	Very rare	Restorative
08	Glowing nightlily peddles	Essence	Rare	Corrupting
09	Imp stool	Powder	Common	Venomous
10	Murder cane fruit	Extract	Uncommon	Befuddling
11	Rock claw seeds	Powder	Common	Venomous
12	Purple Mountain flower	Powder	Common	Corrupting
13	Proboscis tree bark	Resin	Uncommon	Venomous
14	Quail feather	Dried	Common	Corrupting
15	Redtusk cactus flesh	Powder	Rare	Venomous
16	Rock warbler egg	Powder	Common	Corrupting
17	Ternsaad flower	Essence	Rare	Venomous
18	Turtleshell lotus	Extract	Common	Corrupting
19	Walking mushroom	Dried	Uncommon	Corrupting
20	Wind ball spores	Essence	Uncommon	Befuddling

40% corrupting, 30% venomous, 20% befuddling, 10% restorative

Aquatic Biomes

Rivers, swamps, oceans, and other aquatic biomes are abundant with natural resources. Many are used in poison making.

Dark Spice. Befuddling, very rare component. Dark spice is only found mixed with the sands at the bottom of very deep seas. It is believed they are used by sea elves to expand their minds and have clearer visions of their past lives. Whether true or not, what is known is that the sand-like substance can be used to create powerful befuddling poisons.

Dragon Eel Slime. Corrupting and venomous, rare component. The slime of the dragon eel is so corrosive it can dissolve armor. Dragon eels can grow up to an impressive 10 feet in length and are found in warm waters.

Entangle Weed. Corrupting and venomous, very rare component. When immersed in saltwater these long thin seaweeds are nigh-invisible. They entangle any creature which swims into their grasp and slowly dissolve them into nutrients.

Giant Stormcoy Barbel. Corrupting and restorative, rare component. The barbels of the giant stormcoy can measure a dozen feet and a small part can form a powerful component.

Glowing Inksquid Gills. Restorative and venomous, uncommon component. Glowing inksquids are deepsea dwelling squids that can grow over 30 feet in length. Their gills are quite sought-after alchemical components, which can harm or heal depending on their treatment.

Lakeleaf. Restorative, common component. Parsley like herb which grows on the shores of rivers. When rubbed into meat, it never spoils. It can also be used to create some common antidotes.

Ryefish eyes. Restorative and venomous, common component. The bright colorful eyes of the ryefish are used in many alchemical recipes, however, they can be hard to acquire since the eyes can only hold their shape immersed in water.

Seadance Algae. Befuddling and restorative, rare component. The rare seadance algae grows very intricate forms which seem to dance in the currents of the sea. It is said that triton can hear the algae sing while they dance from miles downstream.

Sea Serpent Fangs. Befuddling, corrupting and venomous, very rare component. The fangs from these sea swimming dragons can be used to create almost any poison, but few are brave enough to get one.

Webweeds. Befuddling and venomous, uncommon component. These weeds grow in thin gossamer-like strings covering smooth rocks in rivers or lakes.

Wreath Algae. Undetermined, rare component. These algae grow in circular patterns underwater in places where someone has died. When combined with another component of any rarity, it gains the same types. It can only gain properties in this way once.

Aquatic Biome: Generic Components

d20	Components	Refinement	Rarity	Type
01	Brain lotus fruit	Extract	Common	Befuddling
02	Brineweed roots	Resin	Uncommon	Restorative
03	Cardinal flower	Powder	Uncommon	Venomous
04	Cowbane	Dried	Common	Befuddling
05	Dragonwing floater	Extract	Very rare	Venomous
06	Knotgrass	Dried	Common	Restorative
07	Lacewing lentils	Dried	Uncommon	Venomous
08	Lily of the valley	Powder	Common	Venomous
09	Lochan watermoss	Essence	Uncommon	Restorative
10	Mergrass	Powder	Common	Restorative
11	Ponora fern	Essence	Uncommon	Venomous
12	Prayer plant	Resin	Common	Restorative
13	Seer urchin pearl	Powder	Rare	Venomous
14	Shrafin gills	Dried	Uncommon	Venomous
15	Silverweed	Paste	Rare	Corrupting
16	Stonegrowth dew	Extract	Rare	Befuddling
17	Swamp lily	Essence	Common	Venomous
18	Vampire squid blood	Essence	Common	Venomous
19	Water hellebore	Dried	Very rare	Corrupting
20	Weaver cane fiber	Resin	Rare	Restorative

40% venomous, 30% restorative, 20% befuddling, 10% corrupting

Cavernous Biomes

The caves and dungeons of a world are often littered with treasures, but adventurers who look past the baubles and trinkets will find many extraordinary resources. The otherworldly Underdark especially is home to some remarkable toxic substances. The following is a list of unique components found in these biomes.

Arachnite Poison. Corrupting and venomous, common component. The bloodred poison of the tiny arachnite spider, which is only found in the caverns of the Underdark.

Basilisk Venom. Corrupting and venomous, uncommon component. The venom from the fangs of the basilisk is legendary for its deadlines. It is also a favorite among poisoners. It is also a unique ingredient for the dangerous Basilisk’s Eye poison.

Basirond Spores. Befuddling, uncommon component. Basironds are walking insectile fungi. They have inverted cup-like caps with a sooty black interiors. These caps hold spores which can cause strong hallucinatory effects when released into the air.

Carrion Crawler Brain Juice. Befuddling and venomous, common component. The fluids from this giant centipede’s brain are a dangerous paralytic poison that can be extracted or simply beaten out of the organ. The simplicity of acquiring this poison made it the poison of choice for many orcs.

Drider Poison. Befuddling and corrupting, uncommon component. The poison extracted from a Drider’s stinger is a volatile substance and extremely dangerous to organic life.

Giant Spider Venom. Befuddling and corrupting, common component. The paralyzing venom from the giant spiders of the Underdark are a common ingredient for drow poisons.

Mummified Organ. Corrupting and venomous, uncommon component. The main ingredient in the powerful Dust of Mummy poison.

Soporificanus Dust. Befuddling, rare component. This beautiful flower only grows in dark damp places, especially around lakes in the Underdark. At the lightest touch it releases a powder in the air that puts anyone who breaths it to sleep. It is also an important ingredient of Abi-Dalzim’s Potion of Dreamless Slumber.

Cavernous Biome: Generic Components

d20	Components	Refinement	Rarity	Type
01	Ashwood vines	Powder	Common	Befuddling
02	Barnmoor roots	Purified	Uncommon	Befuddling
03	Blood weed	Purified	Rare	Corrupting
04	Chittan cap	Extract	Common	Befuddling
05	Crimson nirnroot	Powder	Uncommon	Restorative
06	Deepmark liverwort	Powder	Common	Corrupting
07	Gleamwold berries	Sap	Common	Befuddling
08	Goblin gold moss	Paste	Common	Befuddling
09	Limestone nettle	Essence	Uncommon	Corrupting
10	Muskwort	Essence	Common	Corrupting
11	Obliviax	Extract	Very rare	Befuddling
12	Orn-lily moss	Powder	Common	Befuddling
13	Paker wort	Resin	Uncommon	Restorative
14	Qozear mold	Dried	Uncommon	Corrupting
15	Ripplebark	Powder	Common	Restorative
16	Blackstool	Powder	Rare	Befuddling
17	Umbor spikes	Essence	Rare	Corrupting
18	Tub pumkin seeds	Extract	Uncommon	Venomous
19	Wiggantree bark	Dried	Rare	Restorative
20	Wisp lichen	Essence	Rare	Venomous

40% befuddling, 30% corrupting, 20% restorative, 10% venomous

Sylvan Biomes

The Feywild is full of strange and dangerous ingredients that can be used in many poisons. But even closer to home in the woodlands, jungles and hills of the Material Realm, adventurers can find many resources to brew and mix their poisons. The following is a list of unique components found in these biomes.

Blueleaf Roots. Corrupting and restorative, uncommon component. The tree resembled a large maple with strange, gleaming blue leafs and many points. They actually glowed with a faint, blue light. The roots of the tree are a common ingredient in many potions.

Daggerthorn Acorns. Restorative, rare component, rare component. The daggerthorn is a small rare tree with small spikey leaves which only grows in the shade of larger deciduous trees.

Flower of the Dawn. Restorative, rare component. This rare flower can only be found in the Feywild. It emits a fragrance that instantly awakens a sleeping creature, even one in an enchanted slumber.

Hag’s Milk. Befuddling and corrupting, rare component. A preciously guarded secret, outsiders call this potion derisively Hag's Milk. Nobody knows how hags create it or what for, but alchemists have learned how to use it to create powerful poisons.

Lovers’ Sleep. Befuddling and restorative, rare component. This flower is said to grow wherever lovers sleep in each others arms. True or not, the flower is a powerful ingredient for potions.

Mandrake Roots. Befuddling and restorative, very rare component. When the root is dug up, it screams and kills all who hear it.

Mule Pollen. Corrupting and venomous, common component. A daisy-type yellow flower, folklore has it that the pollen drives rodents into a frenzy.

Razorvine. Any type, uncommon component. Razorvine is a twinning climber which can grow at tremendous speeds, but wilts entirely the moment it is touched by moonlight.

Nararoot. Corrupting and venomous, common component. Woody black tuber, which is often used to brew a sweet tea that suppresses female fertility. Brewed wrongly, it can be very poisonous.

Roots of the Star-indigo Flower. Befuddling, corrupting and poisonous, uncommon component. This plant grows only in the wild fields of the Feywild. In daylight, its flowers are not much different from ordinary wildflowers, but they glow faintly at dusk, and at night as brightly as the stars. Its pedddles are used to make glowing dyes and inks, but its roots are highly versatile component for poisons.

Unicorn Blood. Restorative, rare component. The blood of a unicorn contains some of its amazing healing powers. Consuming an antidotes brewed with the blood, also immediately restores 2d4 hitpoints.

Wolfsbane. Befuddling and restorative, very rare component. When the root is dug up, it screams and kills all who hear it.

Sylvan Biome: Generic Components

d20	Components	Refinement	Rarity	Type
01	Bane Berry	Sap	Uncommon	Befuddling
02	Bella Donna	Extract	Common	Befuddling
03	Betony	Essence	Common	Restorative
04	Mugwort	Paste	Common	Restorative
05	Duskwood resin	Purified	Uncommon	Corrupting
06	Dittany	Essence	Rare	Restorative
07	Dwarven thistle	Powder	Common	Venomous
08	Foxglove	Essence	Common	Venomous
09	Gem of the pearl rattan	Powder	Very rare	Restorative
10	Hemlock	Extract	Common	Venomous
11	Horned slug	Powder	Common	Restorative
12	Mallowsweet	Powder	Uncommon	Befuddling
13	Moondew	Resin	Rare	Restorative
14	Nine-fingered white lily	Dried	Rare	Venomous
15	Poison ivy	Dried	Common	Venomous
16	Racineweed	Powder	Uncommon	Venomous
17	Runespoor peddles	Essence	Very rare	Befuddling
18	Sagefig berries	Extract	Uncommon	Restorative
19	Spiked screwgrass sapling	Dried	Rare	Corrupting
20	Star thistle	Essence	Uncommon	Restorative

40% restorative, 30% venomous, 20% befuddling, 10% corrupting

Urban Biomes

Even in among the stone and mortar of cities can discerning adventurers find the components necessary to brew deadly draughts. The following is a list of unique components found in these biomes.

Bones of an Undead. Befuddling, corrupting and venomous, common component. Bone fragments of an undead can cause create harm to the living.

Brain Tissue of Cranium Rats. Befuddling and venomous, common component. Cranium rats are psionically enhanced rats, transformed by mind flayers to act as spies in overground cities.

Clovelichen. Venomous, uncommon component. Clovelichen only grows on dead wood and has a white pearl-like appearance, like morning dew. When used with another venomous component during the brewing of a potion, the clovelichen sample counts as a rare component.

Dire Bat Wings. Corrupting, uncommon component. The large wings of the monstrous dire bat, are a well-known ingredient among poison brewers.

Doppelganger liver. Befuddling and corrupting, uncommon component. Doppelgangers are very adapt at hiding, but if you can find one, their livers are a very useful alchemical ingredient.

Galdermoss. Any type, common component. For centuries, this common inconspicuous moss used to be an overlooked nameless plant. Until, the famous wizard Galder discovered it could substitute a wide variety of alchemical ingredients. Ever since, it has been known as Galdermoss.

Goldencup. Befuddling and restorative, uncommon component. Oily yellow moss found where water collects. In cities, it can often be found under leaking rain pipes or slanted roofs.

Mimic Adhesive. Corrupting, uncommon component. The adhesive of mimics can be used by alchemist in a variety of ways. Poison brewers however utilize it as a strengthening agent for various poisons. Using its unrefined form to brew a poison, gives you advantage on the brewing DC.

Pistil of a Corpse Flower. Venomous, rare component. Sprouting from corrupted soils of undeath, the Corpse Flower uproots itself when it reaches its full size, in search of corpses to consume. It releases a constant stench, potent enough to incapacitate nearby creatures. Using a pistil from one of its flowers to create the Shallow Grave poison increases the damage die by one size, to deal 27 (5d10) damage.

Rakshasa Blood. Befuddling and corrupting, rare component. Rakshasas were a dignified race of duplicitous outsiders that mostly dwelt in crowded cities, where nobody will miss a few less people after the Rakshasas has finished his dinner. Their blood is almost as deadly.

Urban Biome: Generic Components

d20	Components	Refinement	Rarity	Type
01	Barrenbolg berries	Powder	Very rare	Restorative
02	Bindweed flower	Purified	Common	Befuddling
03	Cobblestone moss	Purified	Common	Restorative
04	Daisyroot	Extract	Uncommon	Corrupting
05	Earleaf	Powder	Common	Restorative
06	Fluxweed	Powder	Uncommon	Befuddling
07	Gurdyroot	Essence	Rare	Venomous
08	Ivy-leaved toadflax seeds	Essence	Common	Venomous
09	Morlox moss	Powder	Rare	Corrupting
10	Neemwort	Extract	Uncommon	Venomous
11	Nightshade	Powder	Common	Corrupting
12	Purslane	Powder	Uncommon	Corrupting
13	Ginyakweed	Resin	Common	Restorative
14	Sewer rot	Dried	Uncommon	Venomous
15	Shell moss	Powder	Rare	Restorative
16	Smuggler's root	Powder	Common	Befuddling
17	Silverwort	Essence	Very rare	Corrupting
18	Stringergrass	Extract	Rare	Befuddling
19	Warrig bracken	Dried	Uncommon	Befuddling
20	White cap	Essence	Common	Venomous

25% restorative, 25% venomous, 25% befuddling, 25% corrupting

List of Poisons

In Menzoberranzan, we are not weak seamstresses like the women of the world up above. Our art is that of poison and with venom we sting.

— Malice Do'Urden

This chapter describes a widely varying list of common poisons. Each recipe lists the required ingredients along with the gold cost they can be replaced with; the difficulty of the skill check DC; and finally the required number, type, and rarity of components to make the poison.

When mixing a poison you need to provide a component for each one listed. Components which have multiple types can only satisfy one requirement. When recipes list a component of a specific rarity, any component with that rarity or higher can satisfy this requirement.

Abi-Dalzim’s Potion of Dreamless Slumber.
Very rare (ingested), DC 22, 135 gp (or sand, ruby, milk), one sample of Soporificanus Dust.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature falls into a deep dreamless sleep from which they can’t be woken except by magical means. This condition last for 24 hours.

Arcane Mucus.
Very rare (contact), DC 27, 210gp (or a pinch of residuum, oil, saltstone), one very rare component of any type.

A creature which touches this mucus is poisoned for 8 hours. During this time the creature has disadvantage on saving throws and fails all Constitution saving throws for concentrating on spells.

Assassin’s Blood.
Uncommon (ingested), DC 15, 15 gp (or a vial of blood, salt), one uncommon venomous.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, it takes ldl2 poison damage and is poisoned for 24 hours. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and isn't poisoned.

Basic Poison.
Common (injury), DC 10, one common venomous.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a Constitution saving throw or take 1d4 poison damage.

Basilisk’s Eye.
Uncommon (injury), DC 15, one sample of Basilisk Venom.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a Constitution saving throw or take 2d6 necrotic damage.

Boiling Moon Draught.
Rare (ingested), DC 20, 60 gp (or moonflower, blood, sand, wine), one rare befuddling.

A signature poison of hags, a creature ingesting this poison must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 48 hours. During this time their appearance is transformed into a hideous visage with blotchy skin, warts and blackened teeth, much like a hag.

Brew of the Beloved.
Very rare (inhaled), DC 25, 95 gp (or sugar, flesh, prussic acid), one very rare befuddling and one rare corrupting.

Another poison created by hags, any creature who inhales this steaming, sickeningly sweet vapor must succeed on a Wisdom Saving throw or be charmed for one week. While charmed, the creature is under the effect of the Geas spell, except it only takes 3d8 psychic damage when resisting instructions.

Crying Mucus.
Rare (contact), DC 23, 75 gp (or ice, starch, slime), one rare component of any type.

A creature subject to this poison must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or gain one level of exhaustion. The creature becomes immune to the effects of this poison for 24 hours whether it succeeds on the save or not.

Dark Mucus.
Common (contact), DC 14, 2 gp (or oil, powdered obsidian), one common of any type.

A victim must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 8 hours.

Drow Poison.
Rare (injury), DC 20, 30 gp (or any spider, bone dust, gossamer), one sample of Drider Poison.

This poison is typically made only by the drow, and in a place far removed from sunlight. A victim must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for one hour. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is also unconscious while poisoned in this way. The creature wakes up if it takes damage or if another creature takes an action to shake it awake.

Dust of Mummy.
Uncommon (inhaled), DC 15, 50 gp (or animal fat, brine, ectoplasm), one Mummified Organ.

A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 24 hours. During this time they can't regain hit points and their hit point maximum is halved rounding up.

Elixir of Pain.
Rare (ingested), DC 18, 70 gp (or alcohol, citrus fruit, rye, zinc) one rare befuddling.

A creature that drinks this flavorless, colorless potion experiences excruciating pain. It must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or drops whatever it’s holding and be poisoned for 10 minutes. During this time, the victim has vulnerability to all damage except any immunities it may have.

Essence of Ether.
Legendary (inhaled), DC 27, 250 gp (or grounded gems), one legendary befuddling and one rare corrupting.

A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 8 hours. The poisoned creature is unconscious. The creature wakes up if it takes damage or if another creature takes an action to shake it awake. When it wakes the creatures takes one level of exhaustion.

Equilibrium Bane.
Uncommon (injury), DC 15, one uncommon befuddling.

A creature exposed to this poison makes a Constitution saving throw. If it fails, the creature perceives the ground as waving terrain for one minute. During this time, the creature’s movement speed is halved no matter the terrain.

Fear Acid.
Rare (ingested), DC 20, 65 gp (or stirge egg, brain fluid), one rare befuddling.

A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be become terrorized by frightening images for 1 hour. During this time, the creature is both blind and paralyzed by fear.

Hell Fist.
Very rare (injury), DC 25, 170 gp (or grounded lava stone, brandy, saltpeter, brine), one uncommon venomous.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a Constitution saving throw, taking 39 (6d12) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Limpid Mucus.
Uncommon (contact), DC 19, 32 gp (or jellyfish, rotten fruit, rose thorns) one uncommon component of any type.

A creature subjected to this transparent poison must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become stunned for 10 minutes.

Malice.
Uncommon (inhaled), DC 16, 20 gp (or acid, ash, quartz) one uncommon corrupting.

A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 hour. The poisoned creature is blinded.

Midnight Tears.
Rare (ingested), DC 20, 65 gp (or tea leaves, charcoal), one rare corrupting.

A creature that ingests this poison suffers no effect until the stroke of midnight. If the poison has not been neutralized before then, the creature must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking 31 (9d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Noxious Oil.
Uncommon (injury), DC 15, 40 gp (or finely ground beetle, oil, seeds), one uncommon and one common corrupting.

An exposed creature makes a Constitution saving throw at the start of each of its turns. If it succeeds, this poison ends. On a failure, it takes 2d8 poison damage.

Pale Blade.
Very rare (injury), DC 25, 150 gp (or silver flakes, vinegar, acid), one rare venomous.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, it gains vulnerability to poison damage for 1 minute and takes 6d6 poison damage. If it succeeds, it takes half as much damage and does not gain vulnerability.

Rending Spice.
Rare (inhaled), DC 19, 75 gp (or blackened bone, spice, turned wine), one rare corrupting.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 10 minutes. During this time, the creature’s movement speed is halved and it gains disadvantage on Dexterity checks and saving throws as its body is covered in tiny wounds.

Shallow Grave.
Rare (injury), DC 15, 95 gp (or water, feather from a bird of prey, dirt, heat), one rare venomous.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (5d8) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Silvered Wine.
Common (ingested), DC 12, 5 gp (or a bottle of wine), one common venomous.

This poison is a silvered liquor with a very fine taste. In a completely unexplained way, it does not affect halflings and gnomes. A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or fall into fits of laughter during 5 rounds.

Star Mucus.
Legendary (contact), DC 32, 600 gp (or powdered mixture of meteorite, silver and copper; egg yolk; liquid myrrh; bee wax; white wine), one legendary component of any type.

A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or have their astral body transported into the Astral Plane for 1 hour. During this time it is as if the victim in under the influence of the Astral Projection spell.

Strangler.
Rare (ingested), DC 18, 50 gp (or tears, drop of mercury), one rare venomous.

A creature subjected to this poison cannot breath. The creature is choking for 1 minute.

Trailing Bite.
Very rare (injury), DC 25, 112 gp (or bone broth, dragon tooth, dried grass, rye), one very rare venomous.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a fail, the target is poisoned for 1 minute and takes 9 (2d8) poison damage at the end of each round.

Truth Serum.
Uncommon (ingested), DC 15, 45 gp (or animal tongue, dwarvish fire whiskey) two uncommon befuddling.*

A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 hour. The poisoned creature can’t knowingly speak a lie, as if under the effect of a zone of truth spell.

Veiled Reaver.
Legendary (injury), DC 27, 310 gp (or 4 oz lampblack, adamantine dust, vial of citric acid), one legendary befuddling and one uncommon corrupting.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 49 (14d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Willowshade Oil.
Uncommon (injury), DC 15, gp (or willow bark, tar), one uncommon venomous and one common corrupting.

A creature exposed to this poison takes 3d12 poison damage whenever it uses a reaction. This effect lasts for 1 minute.

Witch Kiss.
Uncommon (contact), DC 12, gp (or ice, rose water, saltpeter), one uncommon befuddling.

A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned until it finishes a long rest. During this time, its Constitution score is reduced by 2. If its Constitution score would become 0, it dies.

Writhing Acid.
Uncommon (injury), DC 15, gp (or three rat tails, dried oak leaves, sap of elderberries), one uncommon venomous.

A creature subjected to this poison must make a Constitution saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.