Backfire effects for potions are divided into two types: creation backfires and potion backfires. By default you should roll a d4 on the appropriate table to determine the effect. You will typically be called to add the level of the backfiring effect to this result. The exact amount will be specified in the relevant section.
Creation Backfire Effects
Result
Effect
1–2
Nothing! The potion seems to be fizzling with no sign of stopping but is otherwise fine and can be used normally.
3
Nothing! The potion is created, and apart from being thick, brown, and smelly, it appears fine. The potion counts as backfired.
4
Poof! The potion suddenly erupts into a semi-solid pillar of foam, making a huge mess. The potion is lost.
5
Whoops! The potion has congealed into a solid, rubbery mass and has potentially ruined the tools used to make it. The potion is lost, and the character must make a Luck test or the toolset used to make it is completely destroyed.
6
Yuck! The potion smells awful and seems to be slightly chunky. The potion counts as backfired.
7
Fizz The potions begins boiling uncontrollably, filling the air with terrible smelling fumes. The potion is lost, and everyone in the area must pass a Willpower test or begin vomiting.
8
Poison! The potion begins giving off toxic fumes and is now obviously poison. Everyone who breathes the fumes takes 1d8 poison damage to the body (ignores armor). Anyone who drinks the potion takes 3d8 poison damage to the body (ignores armor).
9
It Burns! The potion has turned to a boiling acid and burned through its container onto whatever lies below. The character must pass an Agility test or take 1d6 damage to a random hit location. The potion and the tools used to create it are lost.
10
Wh-What? The potion has turned black, is bubbling uncontrollably, and is giving off steam in a way that sounds like inhuman screaming. The potion counts as backfired.
11+
Boom! The potion explodes, dealing 2d8 fire damage to anyone within 5 meters. The potion, tools, and a fair amount of hair are all lost.
Potion Backfire Effects
Potion Backfire Effects
Some results on the above table indicate that the potion itself has backfired. This means that the potion has gained some additional (typically negative) effect beyond what the alchemist intended. Mark the potion as “backfired” on the character’s sheet and roll 1d10 on the potion backfire table below when it is consumed:
Result
Effect
1–3
Could be Worse! Roll 2d8 on the minor effects table below and apply the result along with the normal ones.
4
Nothing! Nothing happens.
5
Yuck! The potion applies its effects as usual, but it tastes terrible! The character must pass a Willpower test with a -20 penalty or vomit uncontrollably, rendering them helpless for 1 round.
6
Poison! When a character consumes the potion they take 2d10 poison damage to the body (ignores armor) in addition to the usual effects.
7
I can’t See! When a character consumes the potion, they gain the blinded condition for 1d5 hours in addition to the usual effects as their vision goes dark.
8
It Burns! When a character consumes the potion they burst into flames, gaining the burning (1) condition on the body in addition to the usual effects.
9
Paralysis! When a character consumes the potion, they are also instantly paralyzed for 1d5 rounds.
10+
Lethal Poison! When a character consumes the potion, they take 3d8 poison damage to the body (ignoring armor) in addition to the usual effects.
Minor Effects
Result
Effect
2
Character’s eyes turn blue for 1d5 hours.
3
Character’s breath is minty fresh for 1d5 hours.
4
Character gains a strange scar at random.
5
Character is invisible to themself.
6
Character’s hair turns green for 1d5 hours.
7
Character’s skin turns transparent for 1d5 minutes.
8
Character’s breath stinks for 1d5 hours.
9
Character smells smoke for the next 1d5 hours.
10
Character sweats profusely for 1d5 minutes.
11
Character becomes extremely thirsty.
12
Character begins to itch all over for 1d5 minutes.