From: Lineage 5298 of Khet Amra Sunveil
Slot: Held tool (auto-attuned when gripped; counts as one apparatus)
Tier: 1
Description: A portable, hourglass-shaped alchemical retort of heat-resistant desert glass with twin steam valves and a scale-grip handle. Once per long rest, siphon ambient sand or silt to distill 1 mana boost point (stored in internal crystal vial) or purify 1 pint of water. Accelerates Alchemical Forging by 10 minutes per use. Weighs 1.2 lbs; valves hiss softly in rhythm with solar veins.
Lore: Distilled in the alchemical maelstrom of Itchme Sate’s “Siltfire Crucible” during the 9176th minute of the Great Khet River’s “Mana Drought Eclipse”—a cataclysmic alignment where Serene Dunes’ silica aquifers boiled dry, forcing River Folk barges to siphon ambient silt for survival—Sandsiphon Alembic 9176 arose as Syrak Sunveil’s lifeline for prolonged zeppelin voyages and ruin delves, fusing Sandwhisperer glassblowing with Riverbend Sate’s retort mastery. Shaped from heat-resistant desert glass blown in Sandhaven’s Sub-Level 4 geothermal vents, the hourglass form—twin bulbs linked by steam valves—was etched with 91 micro-Khet-Line runes by Lirra Khetflow, channeling solar-vein rhythm to hiss in heartbeat sync. Nyra Sunveil embedded the internal crystal vial (Sun-Tear quartz, capacity 1 mana boost), while Talia Oasisborn performed the Oasis Fort infusion rite, binding it to distill sand/silt into pure mana or 1 pint water once per long rest. Accelerating Alchemical Forging by 10 minutes per use, it powered Syrak’s patent #117-KV during the “Lost Convoy Crisis,” siphoning dune silica mid-flight to refill mana for Leyglass Astrolabe 3492. Weighing 1.2 lbs with scale-grip handle, it tucks into belts for Raiderspool runs. Sand Folk call it “Dune Distiller,” River Folk “Silt Savior.” Serial 9176 marks the eclipse minute and rune count. Lirra holds twin 9177; myth claims the hiss “mourns” Kharveth’s wasted waters near despoilers.
Tier 1 Stats
- Weight: 1.2 lbs
- Attunement Time: Auto (held tool/apparatus)
- Durability: 10 HP (valves clog, vial cracks; functional until 5 lost)
- Capacity: 1 mana boost vial (internal crystal)
Skills Gained
- Siphon Distill (trained): Accelerates Alchemical Forging by 10 minutes per use.
- Ambient Harvest (expert): Advantage on rolls to gather sand/silt resources.
Passive Magics
- Valve Rhythm – Hisses in sync with solar veins; +1 to detect alchemical reagents nearby.
- Scale Grip – Handle molds to scales; no slip penalties.
- Heat Resistance – Glass withstands forge temps; purifies water passively (1 pint/hour).
Activatable Magics
- Mana Siphon (1/long rest, no cost): Distill 1 mana boost from sand/silt (stored in vial).
- Purity Vent (1/long rest, no cost): Purify 1 pint water or 1 alchemical sample.
- Forge Accelerant (3/day, 1 mana boost): Next Alchemical Forging -20 minutes (stacks to min 1 min).
Specific Slot
- Held tool (auto-attuned when gripped; counts as one apparatus; portable).
Tags: Tier-1 Tool, Desert-Glass Retort, Mana Distiller, Water Purifier, Forge Accelerator, Hourglass Siphon, Steam-Valve Hiss, Renaissance Eclipse, Solar-Vein Rhythm, Resource Harvester, Silt Savior, Dune Distiller, Kharveth Mourner
Sandsiphon Alembic 9176 – Acquisition Venues & Pricing in Saṃsāra All transactions use Amratian coinage (10 Copper = 1 Silver; 10 Silver = 1 Gold; etc.). Prices fluctuate ±25% by drought cycle, silica purity, and alchemical demand. Haggling via Khet-Zaf hiss-chant or Mind’s Eye vial appraisal grants 1d6 × 3% discount. Alembics require solar-vein compatibility test (free at forges).
1. Itchme Sate Siltfire Crucible (Vent 91 Forge-Hall) Shop Type: Sandwhisperer Alchemical Retort – “Silt & Steam Distillery” How Sold: Drought-eclipse auction in vent-roaring hall; alembic displayed on steam-piston stand, siphon demo distills mana. Bidders offer silica or water vials. Cost:
- Base Bid: 91 Gold (honors 91 runes)
- Final Sale Range: 110–145 Gold (includes 15% crucible tithe)
- Bundle Option: 180 Gold with matching Leyglass Astrolabe 3492
2. Riverbend Sate Reed-Retort Market (Dock 91 Stall) Shop Type: River Folk Silt-Purifier Exchange – “Water & Mana Coil” How Sold: Bi-weekly barter under reed canvas at River Siphon Fair. Alembic on silt-cooled pedestal; River Folk trade reeds, Sand Folk offer glass. Demo: 1 pint water in mist. Cost:
- Cash: 75 Gold
- Barter Equivalents:
- 9176 reed strands OR
- 9 mana-boost silica OR
- 1 barge cargo manifest (silt run)
3. Khet-Vara Royal Zeppelin Forge-Dock (Berth 91 Apex) Shop Type: Queen’s Alchemical Outfitter – “Sky-Siphon Prism” How Sold: Appointment in pressurized cabin; alembic arrives via pneumatic tube in reed case. Buyer tests siphon in zero-gravity; vial fill demo. Warranty: free valve re-tune if clogged. Cost:
- Fixed Price: 105 Gold (includes drought certification)
- Trade-In: Any Tier 1 tool for 25 Gold credit
4. Raiderspool Tide-Dock Contraband Hold (Deck 91 Locker) Shop Type: Privateer Siphon-Smuggler – “Drought & Distill” How Sold: Invite-only in swaying hold; access via siphon tattoo. Alembic in steam-sealed locker; buyer distills mana in mud-sim. Quick vial test or no deal. Cost:
- Cash: 130 Gold (drought-risk premium)
- Favor Trade: 105 Gold + 1 uncharted silt vein OR safe zeppelin passage
5. Oasis Fort Steam-Caravan Stop (Mobile Siphon-Tent – “Vial of the Veil”) Shop Type: Nomadic Drought-Peddler – “Silt on the Wing” How Sold: Pop-up during Oasis Siphon Conclave (monthly). Alembic on steam-rotating stand; trader demos mana distill in oasis drought. Includes vial-polishing kit. Cost:
- Cash: 85 Gold
- Desert Barter: 65 Gold + 2 days caravan escort OR 1 Sun-Tear vial
Sandsiphon Alembic 9176 – Roleplay in Defense & Offense Across Environments
1. Serene Dunes (Unsafe Area – AC halved) Defense Roleplay: Syrak grips alembic; Valve Rhythm hisses—sandworm tremor. Mana Siphon (no cost) distills 1 mana from dune—refills Crestcrown 8139 for Daylight Flare. Purity Vent purifies 1 pint water—revives dehydrated ally. Offense Roleplay: Raider camp. Forge Accelerant (1 mana) -10 min forging—creates silica bomb. Mana Siphon fuels Solwhip 1947 lash.
2. Great Khet River Valley (Somewhat Safe – AC doubled) Defense Roleplay: Barge siege. Purity Vent purifies poisoned water—crew fights on. Mana Siphon refills Leyglass Astrolabe 3492—maps escape. Offense Roleplay: Boarding. Forge Accelerant -10 min—transmutes silt arrowheads. Mana Siphon powers Steamvent Glaive 7601 vent.
3. Khet-Vara Sky-Dock (Designated Safe – AC tripled) Defense Roleplay: Zeppelin sabotage. Mana Siphon distills cabin dust—refills Lumivest 4271 for Dawnflare Burst. Purity Vent cleans tainted air. Offense Roleplay: Duel. Forge Accelerant -10 min—creates flash powder. Mana Siphon fuels Prismfang Dagger 5823 throw.
4. Subterranean Sandhome (Designated Safe – AC tripled) Defense Roleplay: Cave-in. Purity Vent filters dust—breathes. Mana Siphon refills Siltstep Greaves 6722 for Quagmire Burst. Offense Roleplay: Rival ambush. Forge Accelerant -10 min—transmutes rubble traps. Mana Siphon powers Scaleweave Bracers 3054.
5. Raiderspool Black-Market Sky-Alley (Unsafe – AC halved) Defense Roleplay: Zero-gravity raid. Mana Siphon distills floating silt—refills Crestcrown 8139. Purity Vent cleans blood—staunch wounds. Offense Roleplay: Shard theft. Forge Accelerant -10 min—creates smoke vial. Mana Siphon fuels Solwhip 1947.
Universal Combo (Any Environment)
- Defense: Pair with Leyglass Astrolabe 3492—Mana Siphon + map = refill + route.
- Offense: Sync with Steamvent Glaive 7601—Forge Accelerant + vent = instant fire cone.
Roleplay Note: Syrak narrates alembic’s hiss as Zephara’s breath; vial glows on distill, prompting Khet-Zaf chants for +1 to next alchemical roll.
Perception of Activation:
User’s Perspective (Syrak Sunveil): The instant grip tightens, a hiss-hiss syncs to heartbeat—valves warm like sun-baked glass, scale-grip molds to palm. Mana Siphon or Purity Vent erupts—sand/silt swirls into lower bulb, 1 mana boost or 1 pint water distills in vial, felt as cool river rush. Accelerant pulses—Alchemical Forging time -10 min, sensed as forge speed. Scent: hot silica and steam. Extra-sensory: ambient reagents glow violet; Valve Rhythm +1 detection felt as alchemical whispers.
Positives:
- Instant distill; Siphon Distill -10 min forging sensed as time bend.
- Scale Grip no slip—perfect control.
- Vial glows on fill—mana ready.
Negatives:
- Overuse (2+ siphons/day) risks valve clog—roll 2d4 pain interval/HP loss.
- In waterless void, siphon fails—no distill.
Observer’s Perspective (Ally or Foe): A rhythmic hiss as Syrak twists valve. Glass shimmers; sand/silt swirls into bulb, mana/water gleams in vial. Air steams with heat; forging nearby speeds. To allies: warmth radiates 5 ft. To foes: hiss marks position. Scent: desert heat and crystal. Extra-sensory (Mind’s Eye users): observer feels resource pull—nearby sand/silt tugs toward alembic.
Positives:
- Allies within 5 ft gain +1 to detect reagents (shared rhythm).
- Forge Accelerant visible as golden thread linking alembic to synced tool.
Negatives:
- Foes gain +1 to target holder (hiss glow).
- In deathly areas, siphon sputters—yield halves.
Recipe: Sandsiphon Alembic 9176 – Siltfire Distiller
Materials Needed
- Heat-Resistant Desert Glass: 1 hourglass form – Itchme Sate vent-blown (91 Gold).
- Twin Steam Valves: 2 – micro-bronze, rune-etched (50 Gold).
- Scale-Grip Reed Handle: 8 in – Riverwhisper eclipse-harvested (30 Gold).
- Internal Crystal Vial: 1 – Sun-Tear quartz, mana-capacity (45 Gold).
- Zaf-Amra Vein Resin: 1 vial – solar-infused (35 Gold).
Tools Required
- Siltfire Crucible – geothermal steam-heated (Itchme rental: 12 Gold/day).
- Valve Micro-Drill – diamond vibro (Riverbend: 8 Gold/day).
- Rune Etch Stylus – steam-powered (6 Gold).
- Grip Mold Press – scale-patterned (5 Gold).
Skill Requirements
- Alchemical Forging: Expert (DC 19) – for glass shaping and vial sync.
- Steamcraft Calibration: Trained (DC 17) – for valve hiss rhythm.
- Zaf-Khet Rune Mastery: Trained (DC 16) – for siphon rune etching.
- Mind’s Eye (Passive): +1 bonus from solar lineage (Syrak auto-passes).
Crafting Steps (Total Time: 91 minutes – sacred to drought eclipse)
- Minute 1–30: Glass Shaping
- Blow hourglass form in siltfire crucible at 917 °F (steam-heated).
- Cool in oasis silt for 30 minutes—glass rings with heat resonance.
- Minute 31–55: Valve & Vial
- Drill twin valve ports with micro-drill; embed crystal vial.
- Steam-cure at 280 °F for 20 minutes—vial glows with mana capacity.
- Minute 56–75: Rune & Grip
- Etch 91 micro-Khet-Line runes with stylus on glass/valves.
- Mold reed handle on grip press; seal with vein resin—handle warms to scale.
- Minute 76–91: Final Bind
- Wearer grips alembic under noon sun.
- Chant Khet-Zaf “Zephara Silt-Vent” (6-second ritual) – valves hiss in sync.
- Test siphon on sand—1 mana/water distills. Final glow seals attunement.
Success: Alembic gains all Sandsiphon 9176 properties. Failure (DC fail by 5+): Valves misalign—roll 1d4 lost; retry after 1 long rest. Cost Summary: 251 Gold (materials) + 31 Gold (tool rental) = 282 Gold total (or 91 Gold with drought salvage + guild labor).
Hourglass That Drank Sand and Spat Water
In the time when the sand was a throat and the water was a tongue, when the glass had no shape and the steam had no name, there came a distiller whose name is lost, though some say Khet-Silt, others Sul-Vent, and still others whisper Vial-That-Was-Not-Yet.
He walked the places where the dune swallowed the river, where the glass grew hot as blood and the reed grew soft as breath. His hand was young, his grip dull, for the First Shedding had not come, and his heart was heavy with the quarrel of two peoples. The River Folk cursed the sand that drank their water. The Sand Folk cursed the water that drowned their fire. And the distiller walked between, carrying nothing but a bulb of glass from the dune’s heart and a valve of bronze from the river’s breath.
The bulb was round as a tear, clear as the moment before thirst. When the distiller held it to the sun, the sand did not fall—it stayed. It curled inside the glass like smoke, waiting. The distiller saw this and did not understand, but he kept the bulb in a pouch of reed, and he walked.
He walked until the river vanished and the dune swallowed the horizon. There, at the place where the two thirsts fought, he set his crucible. Not of iron, not of stone. He set his will. He shaped the glass into an hourglass, each bulb a word in a tongue older than the quarrel, older than the siphon, older than the thirst that had not yet learned to drink. He sang as he shaped, and the song had no words, only hisses—ninety-one hisses, rising, falling, siphoning, distilling, level—like the breath of the world before it learned to choke.
When the alembic was done, it was small as the silence between heartbeats, bright as the sun’s own tear. The distiller took the reed and wrapped the handle. He pressed it with his palm, and the reed melted—not with heat, but with path. It became a grip, soft as scale, strong as thirst. He etched the glass with valves that were not valves, but questions.
He gripped the alembic.
And the sand drank.
The sand did not fall upon the glass—it entered it. It did not touch the water—it became it. One mana boost or one pint of water, distilled as the dune’s blood, purified as the river’s scream. The alembic touched the River Folk, and their thirst ended. It touched the Sand Folk, and their fire lived. The people looked up from their quarrel. They saw the water. And for the first time, the thirst slept.
The distiller walked between the sleeping places. He did not speak. He did not need to. The alembic spoke. The valves spoke. It showed the River Folk the mana beneath the river’s flow. It showed the Sand Folk the water beneath the dune’s silence. And the quarrel ended—not with peace, not with silence, but with drinking.
But the alembic was not done.
In the night, when the sand slept and the water dreamed, the distiller dreamed. In the dream, the alembic drank the sand and spat the water. The valves turned gold, and the siphon became a breath that walked beside him. He woke, and the alembic was heavy. Not with weight, but with time. It remembered the river. It remembered the sand. It remembered the quarrel. And it remembered the price.
The distiller grew old. His grip withered. His siphon slowed. But the alembic did not. It drank stronger with each shedding, as if it fed on the thirst he could no longer hold. On the day of his final shedding, he walked to the place where the sand met the water. He twisted the valves. He laid the alembic upon the ground. And he died.
The alembic did not fade. It lay there, hissing, waiting.
Centuries passed. The River Folk forgot. The Sand Folk forgot. But the alembic remembered. It remembered the distiller. It remembered the thirst. It remembered the silence. And it remembered the question etched in its valves:
What is the price of drinking the sand and spitting the water?
Then came the Renaissance. The zeppelins rose. The privateers sailed. And a hatchling named Syrak Sunveil found the alembic in the ruins of the Siltfire. He did not know its name. He did not know its thirst. But when he gripped it, the valves hissed—and the sand drank.
And the quarrel began again.
The Moral of the Story: The siphon that ends the thirst is the same siphon that begins it. To wield the alembic is to carry the drink, not the silence.
Suggested conversions to other systems:
Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)
Sandsiphon Alembic of Siltfire
Artifact Description: A portable, hourglass-shaped alchemical retort of heat-resistant desert glass with twin steam valves and a scale-grip handle. Attunement requires a successful POW roll (normal difficulty).
Powers:
- Grants +10% to Occult, Alchemy, and Craft rolls; accelerates crafting by 10 minutes per use.
- Passive: Valves hiss in rhythm with solar veins (+10% to detect alchemical reagents).
- Activate (1 MP, once per long rest): Siphon sand/silt for 1 magic point (stored in vial) or purify 1 pint water.
- Activate (2 MP, 3/day): Forge accelerant for +20% to next alchemy roll.
Sanity Loss: 0/1D3 (valve hiss); prolonged wear risks 1D4 Sanity loss per week (dune thirst). Study Time: 1 week (Alchemy roll to comprehend; failure inflicts 1D4 Sanity loss). Value: Priceless (drought relic); black market 700-1400 USD (1920s equivalent).
Blades in the Dark
Siltfire Alembic
[Special Item, 1 Load]
Effect: Fine (+1 Quality) alchemical retort with steam valves.
- Improves effect level when crafting or purifying (e.g., Tinker or Study).
- Activate (Flashback or Devil’s Bargain): Siphon 1 mana or purify water (+1 effect alchemy); accelerates crafting time.
- Drawback: Volatile—overuse risks stress (1d) from valve clog; hiss conspicuous.
Dungeons & Dragons (2024 PHB / 5e)
Sandsiphon Alembic
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement)
A portable, hourglass-shaped alchemical retort of heat-resistant desert glass. While attuned:
- Crafting time for alchemical items is reduced by 10 minutes.
Mana Siphon (1/Long Rest). As an action, siphon sand or silt to gain 1 temporary mana point (stored in vial) or purify 1 pint of water.
Weight 1.2 lbs.
Knave (2e)
sandsiphon alembic
(1 slot, tool) Hourglass glass retort with steam valves (1 slot). Passive: -10 min alchemy; +1 detect reagents. Siphon (1/long rest): 1 mana or purify 1 pint water. Quality 2: +1 crafting rolls; hiss rhythm.
Fate Condensed
Siltfire Alembic
Extra
Description: A portable, hourglass-shaped alchemical retort of heat-resistant desert glass with twin steam valves and a scale-grip handle for distilling mana or water from sand/silt. Skills: None. Aspects:
- Siphon of Dune and River
- Valves That Hiss the Thirst Stunts:
- Mana Siphon: Once per long rest, create the aspect Mana Boost (with 2 free invokes) or purify water.
- Forge Accelerant: +2 to Crafts when accelerating alchemical forging.
- Valve Rhythm: Gain a +2 to Notice or Lore when detecting alchemical reagents nearby.
Numenera & Cypher System (Discovery and Destiny)
Siltfire Alembic
Level: 2d6+1 Form: Tool (held) Effect: Accelerates alchemical crafting by 10 minutes. Once per long rest, siphon sand/silt to gain 1 mana point (stored in vial) or purify 1 pint water. Activation: 1 action (Intellect task for siphon) Depletion: 1 in 1d20 (forge accelerant: +2 to crafting tasks)
Pathfinder (2nd Edition)
siltfire alembic
Item 5 WONDROUS, RARE Price 140 gp Usage held; Bulk L
This hourglass-shaped retort of desert glass has twin steam valves. While held: Reduce the time to Craft alchemical items by 10 minutes.
Activate [one-action] Interact (magical); Frequency once per day; Effect Siphon ambient sand or silt to gain 1 temporary spell point (stored in vial) or purify 1 pint of water.
Craft Requirements Supply one casting of create water.
Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)
Siltfire Alembic
Arcane Item
Hourglass retort (0 Load). Powers (Trappings: Steam Valves, Silt Siphon):
- Boost/Lower Trait: +1 to crafting/alchemy rolls; -10 minutes time.
- Healing: Purify 1 pint water or restore 1 PPE (mana).
- Detect/Concealment: +2 Notice for alchemical reagents. Cost: 2 PPE to activate powers (recharges as Arcane Background). Note: 1/long rest free siphon; hiss rhythm.
Shadowrun (6th Edition)
Siltfire Alembic
Device Rating 4 | Avail 12(R) | Cost 18,000¥
Hourglass-shaped desert-glass retort with steam valves.
- Custom Fit: +2 dice to Alchemy or Artisan tests; accelerates crafting by 10 minutes.
- Active Program (Simple Action): Siphon sand/silt for 1 Edge or purify 1 liter water.
- Passive: Valves hiss in rhythm (+1 Perception for reagents).
- Overload Risk: After 2 activations, roll Device Rating (4); glitch causes 2S feedback.
Starfinder (Core Rulebook)
Siltfire Alembic
Level 6 | Price 4,100 | Bulk L
Held (tool) Hourglass desert-glass retort with steam valves.
- Capacity: 20 (10/hour recharge in heat)
- Passive: Crafting time -10 minutes; +1 insight to Engineering or Life Science for alchemy.
- Activate (Standard Action, 1 charge): Siphon sand/silt for 1 RP or purify 1 pint water.
Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)
Siltfire Alembic
TL 12 | Mass 0.6 kg | Cost Cr 20,000
Tool +1 (alchemy).
- Power Cell: 5 siphons continuous (recharges 1 hour in heat).
- Effect: Crafting time -10 minutes; +1 DM to Science (Chemistry).
- Siphon (1 cell): 1 mana point or purify 1 pint water.
- Skill Bonus: +1 to Survival in arid environments.
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)
Siltfire Alembic
Qualities: Light, Tool | Price 35 GC (rare)
Hourglass desert-glass retort with steam valves.
- Passive: +10 to Trade (Alchemy) tests; -10 minutes crafting time.
- Activate (1 Round, Channelling Test CN 9): Siphon sand/silt for 1 Aetheric point or purify 1 pint water.
- Drawback: In cold, valves clog; –10 to Trade tests (frozen steam).