Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit – GearAscendancy.com

From: Aquavianthrope

This specialized scent kit contains a collection of herbs, extracts, and pheromones that help the Aquavianthrope track its prey by amplifying its natural instincts.

Common Tier 1

Attuned passive: (May be continuing or have charges)

Survival: (+2) The Aquavianthrope’s innate tracking abilities are further enhanced by the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit. It or any creature using the kit becomes highly skilled in reading tracks, identifying signs, and following trails left by creatures. The scent kit provides an advantage on Survival checks related to tracking.

Nature: (+2) The Aquavianthrope’s connection to the natural world and its deep understanding of its surroundings make it proficient in the study of flora, fauna, and the environment. It or any creature using the kit can identify plants, animals, and geographical features with accuracy, providing valuable information during tracking and exploration.

Perception: (+2) With its heightened senses, the Aquavianthrope is exceptionally perceptive, capable of noticing even the smallest details in its environment. It or any creature using the kit can spot hidden or camouflaged creatures, detect traps or hidden passages, and notice subtle changes in the surroundings, further enhancing its tracking abilities.

Attuned actionable: (May be continuing or have charges)

When the Aquavianthrope uses the Survival skill to track creatures, it gains advantage on the check. Additionally, it can determine the approximate size and health of the creature being tracked.

Cost: 60 gold

Tags: Tool, Adventuring Gear, Scent-based, Tracking, Wilderness, Detection, Enhancement

Lore: The Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit is a specialized kit designed to enhance the creature’s tracking abilities. It contains a carefully curated selection of herbs, extracts, and pheromones that tap into the creature’s natural instincts, enabling it to track prey more effectively.

Use: When the Aquavianthrope utilizes the Survival skill to track creatures while using the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit, it gains advantage on the check. The unique scents and pheromones released from the kit amplify the Aquavianthrope’s innate tracking abilities, making it more perceptive and attuned to the subtle signs and clues left behind by its quarry.

Additionally, the Aquavianthrope can determine the approximate size and health of the creature being tracked. This ability allows the creature to gain valuable insights into its target, such as estimating its strength, potential dangers, or vulnerabilities. The scent kit’s specialized components interact with the Aquavianthrope’s senses, providing it with valuable information to aid in its tracking efforts.

The Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit is a valuable tool for hunters, scouts, and adventurers who rely on their tracking abilities. It enhances the creature’s natural instincts, allowing it to navigate through various terrains, follow trails, and locate targets with precision.

Legends and stories often attribute the creation of the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit to ancient druidic circles, renowned hunters, or mystical alchemists who possess deep knowledge of the natural world and its creatures. These individuals spend years studying and harnessing the power of scents, herbs, and pheromones to create the perfect blend that aligns with the Aquavianthrope’s instincts.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit is a specialized and coveted tool for hunters, scouts, and those who navigate the wilderness with skill and precision. The shops and markets where this item can be found reflect its unique nature and the expertise required to create and use it.

Druidic Groves:
- Location: Hidden within dense forests or sacred natural sites, where druids and nature guardians gather.
- Description: In these secluded groves, druidic circles and herbalists who have dedicated their lives to understanding the natural world offer the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit. The shops are often simple, open-air stalls surrounded by lush greenery, with the scents of herbs and flowers permeating the air. Here, the kit is sold as a tool for those who seek to maintain balance in the wild, helping to track and understand the creatures of the forest.
- Cost: 60 gold pieces. Buyers might also be expected to offer a token of respect to nature, such as planting a tree or participating in a ritual to protect the local ecosystem.
Hunter’s Lodges:
- Location: Found on the outskirts of towns near vast wilderness areas, often frequented by seasoned hunters and rangers.
- Description: These lodges serve as gathering places for hunters and trackers, where they can share stories, restock supplies, and prepare for their next expedition. The Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit is displayed alongside other hunting tools, such as bows, traps, and camouflage gear. The lodgekeepers, who are often experienced hunters themselves, understand the value of the kit and offer it to those who have proven their skill in the wild.
- Cost: 65 gold pieces, with the price reflecting the kit’s utility and the expertise required to use it effectively.
Alchemist’s Shops:
- Location: In bustling cities or smaller towns with a focus on arcane studies and the blending of natural and magical elements.
- Description: These shops are filled with shelves lined with jars of herbs, potions, and mystical ingredients. The Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit is often found in a section dedicated to tools for adventurers and explorers. The alchemists who sell these kits are knowledgeable in the properties of the herbs and pheromones included, often offering advice on how to use the kit to its fullest potential. The shops are places of learning as much as commerce, with customers encouraged to ask questions and understand the nuances of the tools they purchase.
- Cost: 70 gold pieces, with the price reflecting the alchemist’s expertise and the magical enhancements that might be included in the kit.
Wilderness Outposts:
- Location: Remote outposts at the edge of civilization, where adventurers and explorers prepare for journeys into the unknown.
- Description: These rugged, utilitarian shops cater to those who venture deep into uncharted territories. The Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit is a prized item here, often bought by those embarking on dangerous hunts or long expeditions. The shopkeepers are usually former adventurers who understand the challenges of the wild and stock their shelves with only the most reliable gear. The atmosphere is one of practicality, with little time for haggling or embellishment.
- Cost: 60 gold pieces, though the price might vary depending on the scarcity of materials or the demand among local adventurers.
Black Market Traders:
- Location: In the shadowy corners of large cities, where rare and valuable items are traded discreetly.
- Description: For those who cannot or will not acquire the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit through conventional means, the black market offers an alternative. Here, the kit might be found among other rare and exotic goods, sold by traders who deal in the unusual and the illicit. The shops are hidden in alleyways or behind false storefronts, accessible only to those who know where to look. Transactions are quick and often risky, with little guarantee of quality or authenticity.
- Cost: 50 gold pieces, reflecting the potential for counterfeit goods and the risk involved in acquiring the kit through illegal channels.

The Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit is a valuable tool in Saṃsāra, particularly for those who rely on their tracking abilities in the wild. Whether purchased from a druidic grove, a hunter’s lodge, or a more clandestine source, this kit enhances the wearer’s natural instincts, making it an essential item for anyone who seeks to navigate and survive in the untamed wilderness.

The Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit is a versatile tool that enhances the Aquavianthrope’s natural abilities, making it an invaluable asset in various environments. Below are roleplaying scenarios that illustrate how this kit might be used for both defense and offense across different terrains.

Dense Forest or Jungle:
- Defense: In the dense underbrush of a forest or jungle, the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit allows the Aquavianthrope to detect potential threats long before they become dangerous. By using the kit to amplify its senses, the Aquavianthrope can identify the subtle signs of predators or hostile creatures in the area—broken twigs, disturbed foliage, or faint scents on the wind. This heightened awareness enables the Aquavianthrope to avoid confrontations or set up ambushes, positioning itself in the most advantageous locations.
- Offense: Offensively, the kit can be used to track prey through the thick foliage with unparalleled precision. The Aquavianthrope can follow the scent trails left by its quarry, identifying not only their location but also their physical condition and recent activities. This information allows the Aquavianthrope to plan its attack, choosing the optimal moment to strike when the prey is most vulnerable. The kit’s enhancement of natural instincts ensures that the Aquavianthrope remains unseen and unheard until it’s too late for the prey to escape.
Urban Environment:
- Defense: In an urban setting, the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit helps the Aquavianthrope navigate the labyrinth of alleys, buildings, and crowded streets by enhancing its ability to detect hidden dangers. Whether avoiding a tail, spotting potential traps, or identifying concealed enemies, the kit amplifies the Aquavianthrope’s perception, allowing it to move through the city undetected. The Aquavianthrope can use the kit to pick up on subtle cues—such as the scent of gunpowder or the musk of a hidden assassin—enabling it to take defensive actions before a threat materializes.
- Offense: When pursuing a target in an urban environment, the Aquavianthrope can use the kit to track its prey through the bustling cityscape. The kit’s ability to amplify scent and environmental awareness allows the Aquavianthrope to follow a target’s trail, even in a crowded market or busy street. It can determine the target’s recent movements, uncovering their hiding spots or predicting their next destination. This advantage allows the Aquavianthrope to corner its prey in a secluded area, where it can strike swiftly and decisively.
Mountainous or Rocky Terrain:
- Defense: In rugged, rocky environments, the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit aids the Aquavianthrope in navigating the treacherous terrain by sharpening its awareness of the surroundings. The kit enhances the Aquavianthrope’s ability to detect signs of movement or disturbance in the rocky landscape, such as dislodged stones or the scent of sweat from an approaching climber. This heightened perception allows the Aquavianthrope to choose the safest paths, avoid natural hazards, and remain hidden from potential threats.
- Offense: Offensively, the kit allows the Aquavianthrope to track prey across difficult terrain, following even the faintest signs left by creatures moving through the mountains. The enhanced scent detection helps the Aquavianthrope identify the specific scent markers that indicate the presence of prey, such as fur caught on rocks or blood from a recent injury. This information can be used to set up an ambush in the most strategic location, where the prey’s options for escape are limited, and the Aquavianthrope can take advantage of the terrain’s natural cover.
Desert or Open Plains:
- Defense: In the vast openness of deserts or plains, the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit becomes an essential tool for survival. The kit helps the Aquavianthrope detect distant threats by picking up on scents carried by the wind or subtle changes in the environment. The ability to sense the presence of predators or hostile forces from afar allows the Aquavianthrope to avoid detection and take cover in the sparse vegetation or behind dunes, preparing for a potential attack or planning a safe escape route.
- Offense: In open environments, the Aquavianthrope can use the kit to follow a prey’s trail over long distances, even when visual signs are scarce. The enhanced scent detection allows the Aquavianthrope to track a target’s movements across the plains, identifying the direction of travel and estimating the prey’s stamina and condition. This information is crucial in planning an attack, as the Aquavianthrope can choose the moment when the prey is most exhausted or exposed, striking quickly and with precision.
Underground or Cave Systems:
- Defense: In the darkness of caves or underground tunnels, the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit enhances the Aquavianthrope’s ability to sense danger in an environment where sight is limited. The kit amplifies the Aquavianthrope’s sense of smell, allowing it to detect the presence of other creatures, such as cave-dwelling predators or lurking enemies. This heightened awareness enables the Aquavianthrope to avoid traps or ambushes, using the echoes and scents to navigate the treacherous terrain safely.
- Offense: Offensively, the kit allows the Aquavianthrope to track prey through the labyrinth of tunnels and caverns, following the scent trail even in total darkness. The ability to determine the prey’s size, health, and direction of movement gives the Aquavianthrope a significant advantage in planning an attack. By using the kit to track the prey’s movements, the Aquavianthrope can set up an ambush in a narrow passage or a dead-end chamber, where the prey has no means of escape.

Roleplaying Dynamics: The Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit provides a wide range of roleplaying opportunities, emphasizing the Aquavianthrope’s deep connection with nature and its heightened predatory instincts. In various environments, the kit enhances the wearer’s ability to sense, track, and respond to threats, making it an invaluable tool for both defense and offense. Whether used to avoid danger, set up ambushes, or pursue prey, the kit amplifies the Aquavianthrope’s natural abilities, making it a formidable force in any terrain. The roleplay scenarios encourage creative thinking, allowing the Aquavianthrope to use its enhanced senses to navigate complex situations and turn the environment to its advantage.

Perception of Activation:

Sight:
- What’s Perceived: Upon activation, the vials within the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit emit a faint, earthy glow, illuminating the contents with a soft, greenish light. The herbs and extracts appear to pulse slightly, as if infused with life.
- Description: The glow is subtle and does not extend beyond the immediate vicinity of the kit, creating an aura of natural energy around the user. It enhances the visibility of the herbs and liquids within the vials, highlighting their vibrant colors.
- Positives: The glow helps the user easily identify and select the appropriate components, even in low-light conditions.
- Negatives: The light, while faint, could potentially give away the user’s position in total darkness, making it less ideal for stealth operations.
Sound:
- What’s Perceived: A soft rustling or whispering sound accompanies the activation, reminiscent of leaves moving in the wind or the distant murmur of a forest.
- Description: The sound is soothing and rhythmic, creating a calming effect on the user. It seems to originate from the kit itself, as if the herbs and pheromones are communicating their readiness to aid in the hunt.
- Positives: The sound helps to focus the user’s mind, enhancing concentration and reducing stress.
- Negatives: In a completely silent environment, the sound might be faintly audible to others nearby, potentially compromising the user’s position.
Touch:
- What’s Perceived: A gentle warmth spreads from the kit through the user’s hands, accompanied by a tingling sensation that heightens the sensitivity of their skin.
- Description: The warmth is comforting, while the tingling sensation sharpens the user’s tactile awareness, making them more sensitive to subtle changes in texture and temperature in their environment.
- Positives: The enhanced tactile sensitivity aids in handling the kit with precision and detecting fine details, such as the texture of a trail or the moisture in the air.
- Negatives: The heightened sensitivity might be overwhelming in extremely hot or cold environments, potentially distracting the user.
Smell:
- What’s Perceived: A complex, earthy aroma fills the air as the kit is activated, blending the scents of fresh herbs, damp earth, and wildflowers.
- Description: The scent is rich and natural, evoking the feeling of being deep within a forest or on a mountain trail. It sharpens the user’s sense of smell, making them more aware of scents in their surroundings.
- Positives: The enhanced sense of smell allows the user to detect faint or distant scents, improving their ability to track or identify creatures.
- Negatives: The strong aroma could be overpowering in enclosed spaces, and in environments with strong artificial smells, it might be difficult to filter out relevant scents.
Taste:
- What’s Perceived: A faint, herbal taste lingers on the tongue when the kit is activated, even without direct contact.
- Description: The taste is subtle and not unpleasant, reminiscent of mint or sage, and seems to align with the heightened sense of smell.
- Positives: The taste may sharpen the user’s awareness of the environment, adding an extra layer of sensory input.
- Negatives: The taste, while mild, might be distracting if the user is not accustomed to it.
Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
- Magical Aura:
  - What’s Perceived: Magic users or those sensitive to mystical energies might perceive a soft, pulsating aura around the kit, filled with the essence of nature and primal instincts.
  - Description: The aura is calming yet alerting, as if connecting the user to the primal energies of the natural world. It feels like a bridge between the physical senses and the deeper, instinctual knowledge of the wild.
  - Positives: The aura enhances the user’s connection to nature, improving their ability to interpret signs and understand the behaviors of animals and creatures.
  - Negatives: The aura might attract the attention of other magic-sensitive beings, who could sense the activation of a powerful tool in their vicinity.
- Mind’s Eye Awareness:
  - What’s Perceived: The user experiences a heightened sense of awareness, with their mind’s eye forming a detailed mental map of the area around them. They can “see” the paths and trails left by creatures, as well as potential dangers or hidden features.
  - Description: This awareness feels like a sixth sense, providing intuitive guidance on where to look, what to smell, and how to move. The user feels a deep connection to the earth beneath their feet and the air around them.
  - Positives: The user’s ability to track and navigate is significantly enhanced, with a clear sense of direction and purpose guiding their actions.
  - Negatives: The influx of information might be overwhelming in highly complex or chaotic environments, potentially leading to sensory overload or confusion.

Positives of Activation Overall:

Enhanced Tracking Abilities: The kit’s activation sharpens all relevant senses, making it easier to follow trails, detect hidden creatures, and interpret environmental signs.
Increased Awareness: The combination of sensory enhancements and magical aura provides the user with a deep connection to their surroundings, improving their overall effectiveness in natural environments.
Calming Influence: The soothing sounds and smells help to focus the mind, reducing stress and improving concentration during challenging tasks.

Negatives of Activation Overall:

Potential Detection: The glow, sound, and scent produced by the kit’s activation could potentially give away the user’s position in certain environments, particularly in complete darkness or silence.
Sensory Overload: The heightened senses and influx of information might be overwhelming in complex environments, requiring the user to manage the additional sensory input carefully.
Environmental Dependency: The kit is most effective in natural settings; its benefits may be reduced or altered in artificial or heavily polluted environments.

Crafting Recipe: Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit.
The Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit is a specialized tool designed to enhance the natural tracking abilities of the Aquavianthrope or any creature attuned to the wild. This crafting recipe outlines the steps to create this powerful kit, combining rare herbs, extracts, and magical components.

Materials Needed:
- Herbs of Keen Scent:
  - Quantity: 3 bundles
  - Source: Collected from plants known for their strong and distinct aromas, such as sage, mint, and wild rosemary. These herbs are critical for enhancing the wearer’s sense of smell.
- Pheromone Extracts:
  - Quantity: 2 vials
  - Source: Distilled from the glands of predatory animals or harvested from special pheromone-producing plants. These extracts help attune the user’s instincts to those of the creatures they track.
- Dew of the Dawn:
  - Quantity: 1 vial
  - Source: Collected at sunrise from the leaves of ancient trees in sacred groves. This dew is believed to carry the essence of new beginnings and clear perception.
- Earthroot Powder:
  - Quantity: 1 pouch (about 50 grams)
  - Source: Ground from the roots of a rare plant found deep in the earth, known for its grounding properties and connection to the land.
- Leather Pouch:
  - Quantity: 1 pouch
  - Source: Crafted from the hide of a large game animal, treated for durability and infused with protective magic to preserve the contents.
- Binding Resin:
  - Quantity: 1 jar
  - Source: Extracted from trees known for their adhesive properties, used to seal and preserve the scent kit’s contents.
- Enchantment Dust:
  - Quantity: A pinch
  - Source: A magical powder, often made from crushed gemstones or enchanted sand, used to infuse the kit with its tracking enhancement properties.
Tools Required:
- Mortar and Pestle:
  - For grinding herbs and powders to the appropriate consistency.
- Distillation Apparatus:
  - To extract the pheromones and essential oils from herbs and other organic materials.
- Needle and Thread:
  - For stitching and assembling the leather pouch.
- Alchemical Vials and Flasks:
  - For mixing and storing the extracts and oils.
- Herbalist’s Knife:
  - For precise cutting and preparation of the herbs.
- Enchanter’s Kit:
  - Includes glyph inscribers, ritual candles, and magical stabilizers for the enchanting process.
Skill Requirements:
- Herbalism (Advanced Level):
  - Required to identify, prepare, and combine the herbs and extracts properly.
- Alchemy (Intermediate Level):
  - Necessary for distilling pheromones and blending the various components into a cohesive mixture.
- Leatherworking (Basic Level):
  - Needed to craft and assemble the leather pouch that houses the scent kit.
- Enchanting (Skilled Level):
  - Essential for binding the magical properties to the kit, ensuring it functions as intended.
Crafting Steps:
- Prepare the Herbs:
  - Selection and Cleaning: Carefully select the freshest herbs of keen scent, cleaning them of any dirt or debris.
  - Grinding: Use the mortar and pestle to grind the herbs into a fine powder, ensuring that their aromas are fully released.
- Distill Pheromones:
  - Extraction: Using the distillation apparatus, extract the pheromones from the glands or plants. This process should be done slowly to preserve the potency of the extract.
  - Storage: Store the extracted pheromones in alchemical vials, sealing them tightly to prevent evaporation.
- Collect and Mix Ingredients:
  - Earthroot Powder: Measure out the Earthroot Powder and mix it with the ground herbs in a small bowl.
  - Dew of the Dawn: Slowly add the Dew of the Dawn to the mixture, stirring gently to combine the ingredients without losing their potency.
  - Pheromone Extracts: Carefully add a few drops of the pheromone extracts to the mixture, blending them in until fully absorbed.
- Craft the Leather Pouch:
  - Cut and Sew: Use the herbalist’s knife to cut the leather into the desired shape for the pouch, then stitch it together with needle and thread. Ensure the pouch has several small compartments for storing different components.
  - Treatment: Apply the Binding Resin to the seams and interior of the pouch to make it waterproof and durable.
- Assemble the Scent Kit:
  - Fill the Pouch: Carefully pour the herbal mixture, pheromone extracts, and Earthroot Powder into their respective compartments within the leather pouch.
  - Seal: Use the Binding Resin to seal each compartment, ensuring that the contents remain fresh and potent.
- Enchant the Kit:
  - Set Up the Ritual: Place the assembled pouch in the center of a ritual circle, surrounded by candles and symbols of nature.
  - Apply Enchantment Dust: Sprinkle the Enchantment Dust over the pouch, focusing on the intent to enhance the user’s tracking abilities.
  - Chant and Bind: Perform the enchanting ritual, chanting the words of binding and focusing the magical energy into the pouch. Continue until the pouch emits a faint glow, indicating the enchantment is complete.
- Final Inspection:
  - Check for Stability: Ensure that the pouch is securely sealed and that all components are properly stored. Test the pouch’s scent release by gently opening it and taking in the aroma.
  - Attunement: The creator or intended user must spend an hour meditating with the scent kit in a natural environment, allowing the magic to attune to their instincts.

Upon completion of these steps, the Instinctual Tracker Scent Kit will be ready for use. This powerful tool enhances the natural tracking abilities of the wearer, making it an invaluable asset in the wild. With its blend of herbs, pheromones, and enchantments, the scent kit allows the user to connect deeply with their environment, improving their chances of success in the hunt.

Tale of the Beast-Finder’s Pouch

Long ago, in a time before time, when the world was young and the skies full of mystery, there walked a hunter known as Garesh, the Seeker. Garesh was not like other men, for he had the heart of a beast and the eyes of the hawk. He roamed the wild lands, seeking out creatures great and small, not for sport but for knowledge, for Garesh was a seeker of truth.

One day, as the winds carried whispers from the distant mountains, Garesh came upon a wise old creature, neither man nor beast, but something of both. The creature was called the Old One, and it spoke with a voice like the rustling of leaves, soft and full of secrets. It told Garesh of a scent, one that could lead him to any creature, no matter how far, no matter how hidden.

The Old One gave Garesh a pouch, made from the skin of the earth and filled with the breath of the wind. Inside, there were leaves of green, oils of gold, and the whispers of the creatures that walked the earth before men knew their names. The Old One told Garesh, “With this, you shall find what you seek, but beware, for what you seek may not wish to be found.”

Garesh took the pouch and set off into the wild, his heart full of the thrill of the hunt. He walked through forests deep and mountains high, following the trails that only his nose could see. The pouch guided him, filling the air with scents of the old world, showing him the path where there was none.

Days turned into nights, and nights into days, and Garesh followed the trails, always seeking, never stopping. He found creatures long forgotten, and he learned their ways, their secrets, and their songs. But the more he found, the more he sought, for the pouch showed him paths that led to places men had never seen, and Garesh was a man who could not stop once he had begun.

At last, the pouch led Garesh to the edge of the world, where the sky meets the earth and the stars whisper their secrets. There, he found a beast, greater than any he had ever known, a beast of the night and the storm. The pouch had led him true, but the beast was not one to be found, for it was a creature of shadow and silence, and it did not wish to be seen.

Garesh, though brave and strong, was not prepared for what he had found. The beast, angered by his intrusion, rose up with the fury of the storm and the darkness of the night. Garesh fought, but the beast was as the wind, and it could not be touched. In the end, Garesh fell, his strength no match for the beast of shadow.

The pouch, now empty of its scents and secrets, was left by Garesh’s side, a reminder of his endless search. It is said that the pouch still holds the last breath of the wind, the last scent of the earth, but it will show the path only to those who seek with a true heart and a steady hand.

Moral of the Story: To seek is to find, but to find is not always to gain; some paths are meant to be walked, not reached, and those who seek without end may find more than they wish. The wisdom of the wild is in knowing when to follow the trail and when to let it go.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)