Herbal Magic
A character with the herbalist proficiency may use herbs as an adjunct to the healing skill, as explained in Chapter 5 of the PH
(p. 59). However, some druids possess exceptional herb lore, which enables them to produce magical herbal brews. Druids who devote at least three slots to the herbalism proficiency can create these brews.
An herbal brew is a concoction of several herbs (and sometimes fungi or tree bark) that produces exotic effects. The name of a brew does not refer to the herbs in it, but to its effects. Herbal brews require no magical plants; power comes from the combination of herbs and the secret techniques herbalist druids use in each stage of preparation.
Locating the Herbs
Finding an herbal brew's ingredients requires first locating the right place to look. The druid must search in the proper terrain for the time indicated in the brew's listing (starting on p. 105). Then, make an herbalism proficiency check, applying the brew's search modifier and a -4 penalty for snow-covered ground or darkness, if applicable.
Success means the druid locates enough herbs to produce one brew; failure means the character finds none. In either case, additional searches may be made, though a druid really should search only once per square mile of appropriate terrain. Repeated searches of an area carry a cumulative -2 penalty--there may be nothing there to find!
Some Common Herbs
Druids find these herbs especially useful in their magic. Others may be included, real or unique to your own campaign world.
Angelica root Mustard seed
Anise seed Myrrh gum
Cassia buds Peppermint leaf
Chamomile flowers Poppy seeds
Cloves Sage leaf
Damiana leaf Sarsaparilla root
Elder flowers Thyme leaf
Gentian root Valerian root
Marjoram leaf Yerba mate leaf
Preserving Herbal Ingredients
Most herbs work best while fresh, but druids may wish to store some for future use rather than immediately turning them into brews. Preserving ingredients by drying, powdering, and packing the herbs takes six hours per set of ingredients (enough for one brew) and requires a successful herbalism check.
The DM makes this roll, informing the player whether the ingredients have spoiled only when the druid tries to use them in a brew. A successful roll ensures the herbs stay fresh while in a waterproof container. Failure indicates they will spoil in 1d6 days.
Making an Herbal Brew
To create an herbal brew, the druid must have the appropriate ingredients, either fresh or preserved. The brewing process requires a quiet place that fosters deep concentration. It involves both physical work (chopping and cleaning herbs, mixing the ingredients in proper portions, steaming them, etc.) and ritual gestures and prayer. As with granted powers and spells, if the druid has not remained faithful to the Order, the herbs fail to take on their magical properties.
After preparing the concoction as long as the brew's description requires, the druid rolls another herbalism proficiency check, using the modifiers shown. In addition, a -2 modifier applies if the druid used preserved rather than fresh herbs. A successful check means the druid creates the brew. Failure means the druid ruins the ingredients; a roll of 19 or 20 always fails. |