Soulsteel Elixir of Haunting

From: Soulsteel

Lore: The Elixir of Haunting is a concoction deeply rooted in the realms of the supernatural and the ethereal plane. Its origins trace back to ancient rituals performed by seers, shamans, and spiritualists who sought to commune with lost souls and gain insights into the mysteries of the afterlife. The recipe for this elixir has been passed down through generations, guarded by those who have an affinity for the spirit world. It is believed that the elixir’s ingredients, including Soulsteel fragments and the essence of lost souls, provide a powerful connection to the ethereal realm, granting the drinker temporary glimpses into that mysterious domain.

Use: The Elixir of Haunting serves as a tool for spiritual exploration and communication. When consumed, it enhances the drinker’s ability to perceive and interact with the ethereal plane, enabling them to communicate with spirits, sense supernatural presences, or gain insights into hidden knowledge. Here are the details regarding their level one stats, skills, preparation, cost, process, and tags:

Tier One Stats and Skills:

• Stats:
  • Ethereal Perception: Temporarily enhances the character’s ability to perceive the ethereal plane and interact with spirits.
  • Spiritual Insight: Provides limited glimpses into hidden knowledge and the mysteries of the afterlife.
• Skills:
  • Spirit Communication: Basic proficiency in communicating with spirits and entities from the ethereal realm.
  • Occult Knowledge: Fundamental understanding of the supernatural and the spirit world.

Preparation, Cost, and Process:

• Preparation: Characters must gather the necessary ingredients, possess alchemical knowledge, and have access to ethereal herbs and Soulsteel fragments.
• Cost: The cost of creating the Elixir of Haunting can vary depending on the availability and rarity of Soulsteel fragments, ethereal herbs, and the ability to distill the essence of lost souls. Characters may need to venture into haunted locations, perform rituals, or engage with knowledgeable occultists to obtain these ingredients.
• Process:
  • Soulsteel Fragment Grinding: Grind the Soulsteel fragments into a fine powder using specialized tools or alchemical equipment.
  • Ethereal Herb Mixture: Mix the ground Soulsteel fragments with ethereal herbs renowned for their association with the spirit realm. These herbs enhance the elixir’s potency and facilitate a deeper connection with the ethereal plane.
  • Essence of Lost Souls: Distill the essence of lost souls using alchemical apparatus, capturing their ethereal energy and infusing it into the elixir. This process requires knowledge of the spirit realm and the ability to interact with lost souls or ethereal manifestations.
  • Black Glass Bottle: Store the elixir in a black glass bottle, which is believed to enhance its mystical properties and provide protection from outside influences.

Tags:

• Spirituality: The elixir is deeply intertwined with the spiritual and ethereal realms, allowing characters to tap into the supernatural and interact with spirits.
• Ethereal Connection: The elixir’s ingredients, particularly the Soulsteel fragments, establish a link between the physical and ethereal planes.
• Alchemical Potion: The elixir is classified as an alchemical potion, brewed using specialized techniques and rare ingredients.
• Additional: Necromantic Infusion, Spiritbinding, Ritualistic Use, Haunted Artefact, Soul Essence, Occult Brew, Ethereal Gateway, Afterlife Resonance, Mystic Alchemy, Phantasmal Conduit

The Elixir of Haunting is sought after by seers, occultists, and those seeking to explore the mysteries of the spirit world. It is used in environments where supernatural occurrences, haunted places, or spiritual entities are prevalent. Characters who consume the elixir may experience heightened senses, occasional glimpses into the ethereal plane, or enhanced abilities to communicate with spirits. However, the elixir’s usage also comes with risks, as it may attract the attention of malevolent entities or disrupt the delicate balance between the realms of the living and the dead.

The Elixir of Haunting is not commonly sold in regular marketplaces or conventional shops due to its specialized nature and connection to the ethereal realm. Instead, it is often obtained through more obscure channels and specialized vendors who cater to individuals with an interest in the occult, spiritualists, and those seeking to explore the supernatural.

Where to Find:

• Occultist’s Emporium: These esoteric shops are tucked away in hidden corners of mystical cities or towns. They cater to practitioners of the arcane arts, offering a variety of rare and exotic ingredients, spellbooks, and potions. Knowledgeable occultists who run these establishments may possess the recipe for the Elixir of Haunting and sell it to those who demonstrate a genuine interest and understanding of the spirit world.
• Haunted Bazaars: In eerie marketplaces found in the shadowed districts of haunted cities or regions plagued by spiritual activity, one can come across enigmatic peddlers who deal in forbidden knowledge and occult artifacts. These mysterious vendors, often adorned in dark robes, may possess the secret recipe for the elixir and offer it to individuals they deem worthy or sufficiently experienced in the mystical arts.
• Spiritist Retreats: Within secluded spiritual retreats or monastic orders dedicated to the study and exploration of the ethereal plane, the recipe for the Elixir of Haunting may be shared with trusted disciples or individuals who have undergone rigorous spiritual training. These secluded environments provide a safe haven for those seeking to delve deep into the mysteries of the spirit world.

Usage and Environments: The Elixir of Haunting is predominantly used in environments that have a strong connection to the ethereal realm or are haunted by restless spirits. Here are some examples:

• Haunted Mansions or Crypts: When exploring ancient and ghost-infested locations, adventurers may utilize the elixir to enhance their perception of the spirit world, uncover hidden secrets, and communicate with the lingering souls that dwell there.
• Séances and Spirit Circles: Occult gatherings, seances, and spiritualist rituals are ideal environments for using the elixir. It assists participants in connecting with the spirits, heightening their spiritual senses, and facilitating meaningful interactions with the otherworldly entities.
• Spirit Quests and Vision Journeys: Shamans, druids, or spiritual guides may administer the elixir to individuals embarking on vision quests or spirit journeys. It aids in traversing the realms of the supernatural, receiving spiritual guidance, and unraveling cryptic messages from the ethereal plane.

The end results of consuming the Elixir of Haunting vary from person to person. Some common effects include:

• Heightened Perception: The drinker’s senses become attuned to the ethereal plane, allowing them to perceive spiritual energies, invisible entities, or ethereal phenomena that are normally hidden from mortal sight.
• Enhanced Communication: The elixir facilitates communication with spirits, enabling the drinker to understand and interact with them more effectively. This can involve receiving messages, gaining insights, or engaging in conversations with the spiritual realm.
• Momentary Ethereal Glimpses: The elixir may grant brief glimpses into the ethereal plane, allowing the drinker to witness fleeting apparitions, echoes of past events, or ethereal landscapes.

It is important to note that the effects of the elixir are temporary and can vary in intensity depending on the individual’s spiritual sensitivity and their attunement to the supernatural. Additionally, consuming the elixir in environments saturated with negative or malevolent spiritual energies may carry risks, attracting the attention of malevolent entities or disturbing the balance between the living and the dead.

Crafting Recipe: Soulsteel Elixir of Haunting

• Materials Needed
  • Soulsteel Fragments (1 ounce) Ground remnants of Soulsteel, acquired from haunted ruins or supernatural environments.
  • Ethereal Herbs (3 sprigs) Rare herbs attuned to the spirit realm, often found in ghostly forests or near ethereal nexus points.
  • Distilled Essence of Lost Souls (1 vial) Obtained by performing a ritual at a location with lingering spiritual energy.
  • Lunar Dew (2 drops) Collected under the light of a full moon, infused with subtle magical properties.
  • Shadowbark Resin (1 teaspoon) Extracted from the Shadowbark tree, known for its supernatural affinity.
  • Blackened Glass Vial (1) A specially crafted container with protective runes to maintain the elixir’s potency.
• Tools Required
  • Mortar and Pestle: For grinding the Soulsteel fragments and mixing the ingredients.
  • Alchemical Distiller: Used to extract and infuse the essence of lost souls.
  • Silver Etched Funnel: Ensures proper infusion of ethereal materials into the vial.
  • Ritual Circle: A sanctified space with runes and candles for binding the essence.
  • Heat-resistant Cauldron: To brew the elixir at controlled temperatures.
• Skill Requirements
  • Alchemy: Proficiency in potion brewing and understanding of ethereal compounds.
  • Occult Knowledge: Knowledge of the spirit realm and its interactions with the physical world.
  • Ritual Magic: Ability to perform minor rituals to distill the essence of lost souls.
• Crafting Steps
  • Prepare the Soulsteel Powder: Grind the Soulsteel fragments into a fine powder using the mortar and pestle. Ensure no impurities remain.
  • Infuse the Lunar Dew: Place the Lunar Dew and Shadowbark Resin in the alchemical distiller. Heat gently until the mixture forms a luminescent concentrate.
  • Create the Ethereal Mixture: Add the powdered Soulsteel and ethereal herbs to the cauldron. Slowly pour in the distilled Lunar Dew and Shadowbark Resin. Stir with a silver rod in a counterclockwise direction.
  • Capture the Essence of Lost Souls: Perform a ritual at the ritual circle to distill the essence of lost souls. Channel the energy into a vial and seal it immediately.
  • Combine Ingredients: Transfer the ethereal mixture into the cauldron. Slowly add the essence of lost souls while chanting an incantation to bind the components.
  • Finalize the Elixir: Simmer the mixture over a low flame until it turns a glowing blue-silver hue. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
  • Bottle the Elixir: Using the silver-etched funnel, pour the cooled elixir into the blackened glass vial. Seal the vial tightly to preserve its potency.

Crafting Time: 4–6 hours

• Cost of Materials: 120–200 gold coins
• Market Value: 150–400 gold coins (depending on rarity and demand)

This recipe recreates the original Soulsteel Elixir of Haunting with the same potency and supernatural connection.

Tale of the Wailing Vessel

In the days before days, when shadows held no shape and the wind whispered only secrets to the void, there lived a seer named Kheret Anzu. She, of the hollow eyes and the bloodless palms, walked among the breathing and the unseen alike, her steps never stirring dust. The mortals feared her, for where she wandered, the spirits followed, trailing like mist through the cracks of the world.

It is told—though how or why is forever blurred—that Kheret Anzu sought the binding of what should not be bound. Her mind, sharp as obsidian, turned endlessly upon the veil that separates the breathing from the wailing. She gathered from the blackened bones of the earth what men would name Soulsteel, and from the weeping groves, she plucked herbs touched by moonlight. For three nights, under a sky veiled by no stars, she ground and brewed and whispered to that which hid in the mist.

The elixir she wrought was no mere draught. It glimmered with a light that was not light and a darkness that refused the shadow. And in her hunger for knowing, she drank it. The moment her lips touched the liquid, the air shivered, and the unseen became seen. Spirits coiled about her, their forms pale and flickering, their voices rising in a dirge of despair.

Yet the tale turns darker still. For what Kheret Anzu did not foresee—though she saw so much—was that not all spirits wished to be seen. Many were angered, their rest disturbed, their wails loud enough to crack the glass of the skies. They swirled around her, a storm of the dead, and she could not unsee them nor undo what had been done.

The wailing vessel—this is what the villagers called her after. For Kheret Anzu carried the echoes of the spirits within her, their whispers eternal, their cries endless. She wandered no longer; instead, she sat still as the earth, her hollow eyes staring at the horizon that none else could perceive. And in time, even she faded, her form growing thin and translucent, until she was but another spirit among the countless she had called.

Still, they say her elixir remains. It appears to those who seek the bridge between what breathes and what wails, a vessel of haunting power. Some drink to find the wisdom she sought; others drink out of desperation, to speak with the lost. But always, the spirits remain tethered, their cries faint and haunting.

Moral of the Story: In the longing to know what lies beyond, beware the price of what is brought near, for not all truths are meant to be held, and not all voices wish to be heard.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

• Description: A shimmering vial that grants temporary communion with the spirit world, but at a great mental cost.
• Item Type: Magical Artifact
• Effects:
  • Ethereal Perception: Grants the drinker the ability to perceive spirits and otherworldly entities for 1d6+2 minutes.
  • Mechanic: Roll Spot Hidden, Listen, or Occult at Advantage when interacting with ethereal presences.
  • Spirit Communication: Allows limited communication with spirits for up to 10 questions.
  • Requires a successful Occult or Persuade check.
  • Sanity Loss: Drinking the elixir causes 1d6+1 Sanity Loss due to exposure to the unknown.
  • Use Limitations:
    • Cannot be consumed more than once per day without risk of permanent mental trauma (roll 1d10; on a roll of 1, the character loses 1d6 Intelligence permanently).

Blades in the Dark

• Description: A rare alchemical concoction prized by whispers and occultists for its ability to reveal the ghost field.
• Item Type: Alchemical Tool
• Mechanics:
  • Ghost Field Connection: Grants the drinker enhanced awareness of the ghost field for the rest of the score.
  • Effect: Gain +1d to Attune rolls when interacting with ghosts, spirits, or ethereal objects.
  • Spirit Conduit: For one scene, the user can ask three questions to a nearby ghost.
  • Ghosts must be willing, or the user must succeed on a controlled Attune roll to compel them.
  • Drawbacks: Consuming the elixir increases the drinker’s stress by 2. Excessive use causes permanent ghostly whispers (GM discretion).
  • Usage: Mark 1 Load to carry a vial of the elixir.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Soulsteel Elixir of Haunting

• Wondrous Item, Rare (Consumable)
• Effects:
  • Ethereal Sight: For 10 minutes after drinking the elixir, you can see into the Ethereal Plane within 60 feet.
  • Speak with Spirits: You can cast Speak with Dead without expending a spell slot or material components, targeting incorporeal spirits rather than corpses.
  • Aftereffect: Make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, you are frightened for 1 minute as lingering spirits haunt your thoughts.
• Cost: Typically valued at 500 gp due to its rarity and potency.

Knave

Soulsteel Elixir of Haunting

• Type: Potion (1 slot)
• Effects:
  • Upon consumption, the drinker perceives spirits and other ethereal phenomena for 1d4 exploration turns.
  • Allows communication with a spirit for up to 3 questions. The GM may require a Wisdom check to successfully understand or compel the spirit to answer.
  • Causes the drinker to lose 1 point of Wisdom permanently due to the strain of encountering the supernatural.
• Use in Game: This item is rare and may only be discovered in haunted ruins or crafted using occult ingredients.

Fate Core

• Description: A mystical elixir allowing temporary communion with the spirit world, at the risk of mental and spiritual strain.
• Item Type: Consumable
• Mechanics:
  • Aspect: “Touched by the Spirit World”
  • Grants +2 to rolls involving the Overcome action with Lore, Notice, or Create an Advantage while interacting with spirits or ethereal phenomena.
  • This aspect remains active for one scene after consumption.
  • Compel: The GM may compel the drinker’s aspect to represent lingering whispers or haunting visions.
  • Drawbacks: After the effect ends, the character takes 2 stress or gains a mild mental consequence, “Haunted Visions.”
• Cost/Availability: Rare, only available through specialized NPCs or as part of significant story arcs.

Numenera & Cypher System

• Description: A rare and mysterious substance granting insight into the datasphere or spiritual echoes of the past.
• Item Type: Cypher (Single-Use)
• Level: 5
• Effect:
  • For 10 minutes, the user gains:
  • Perception Boost: +2 to Intellect Edge for tasks involving the supernatural, spirits, or the datasphere.
  • Ethereal Communication: Ability to ask three questions to spirits, ghosts, or echoes (requires an Intellect roll of difficulty 4 to ensure clarity).
  • Drawback: After use, roll a d20. On a 1–5, the user suffers Intellect damage equal to the Cypher level due to mental strain.
• Source: Found in ancient ruins, spirit-haunted regions, or created using a combination of mystical and technological artifacts.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Soulsteel Elixir of Haunting

• Item Type: Consumable, Rare
• Usage: Held in one hand, consumed as an interact action.
• Activate: [Single Action] Drink
• Effects:
  • Ethereal Awareness: For 10 minutes, you gain the effects of Ethereal Sense (as the spell).
  • Spirit Communication: Cast Speak with Spirits (as per Speak with Dead but targeting incorporeal creatures). Use your caster level or item level (7).
  • Aftereffect: Attempt a DC 20 Will save:
    • Critical Success: No effect.
    • Success: You are frightened 1.
    • Failure: You are frightened 2 and stupefied 1 for 1 minute.
    • Critical Failure: As failure, but also cursed, haunted by ethereal whispers (GM discretion).
• Price: 450 gp

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

• Description: A potent elixir that connects the drinker to the ghostly realm, revealing spirits and enabling communication.
• Item Type: Consumable
• Mechanics:
  • Duration: 5 minutes.
• Effects:
  • Gain the Arcane Sight power for the duration, allowing you to see and interact with spirits.
  • Gain a +2 bonus to Spirit rolls when communicating with supernatural entities.
  • Spend a Benny to ask up to three questions of a nearby spirit (requires a successful Spirit roll).
  • Drawback: After the elixir wears off, make a Spirit roll at -2. On a failure, the character gains a level of Fatigue due to mental strain.
• Cost/Availability: 200–300 gold, often found in black-market bazaars or spirit-haunted ruins.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Soulsteel Elixir of Haunting

• Item Type: Magical Consumable
• Effects:
  • Ethereal Perception: Grants Astral Perception for 10 minutes, allowing the drinker to see and interact with astral entities.
  • Gain +2 dice to Assensing and Astral Combat tests during this time.
  • Spirit Communication: The drinker can ask three questions to nearby spirits. Spirits must be willing, or the drinker must succeed on a Magic + Charisma (3) test to compel them.
  • Drawbacks: After the effect ends, the user suffers -1 Willpower for 1 hour as lingering spiritual whispers distract them.
• Availability: 10R
• Cost: 1,500¥

Starfinder

Soulsteel Elixir of Haunting

• Item Type: Consumable Magic Item, Level 7
• Activation: Standard action (drink)
• Effects:
  • Ethereal Sight: For 10 minutes, you can see into the Ethereal Plane and interact with ethereal creatures.
  • Supernatural Communication: You can cast Commune with Spirits once within the duration, allowing you to ask up to five questions to nearby spirits (Will DC 17 to resist).
  • Aftereffect: At the end of the effect, roll a Will saving throw (DC 15):
    • Success: No effect.
    • Failure: Gain the shaken condition for 1d6 rounds.
• Bulk: L
• Price: 6,000 credits

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Soulsteel Elixir of Haunting

• Item Type: Rare Consumable (Exotic Artifact)
• Effects:
  • Spirit Detection: For 1 hour, the user gains the ability to perceive residual energies of the recently deceased or alien presences.
  • Grants DM+2 to Recon and Investigate checks when dealing with ethereal phenomena or spirit-related investigations.
  • Ethereal Interaction: The user can attempt to communicate with a spirit or alien presence.
  • Requires an Education or Social Standing check (8+). Failure results in disorientation (DM-1 to all skill checks for 1d6 hours).
• Availability: Extremely Rare (requires a skilled broker or black-market connection).
• Price: 10,000 credits.

Warhammer (4th Edition)

Soulsteel Elixir of Haunting

• Type: Rare Magical Elixir
• Effects:
  • Ethereal Vision: For 10 minutes, the drinker can see and interact with ethereal entities, gaining +10 to Perception and Intuition tests when dealing with supernatural phenomena.
  • Spirit Communion: The drinker can attempt to communicate with spirits. This requires a Challenging (+0) Language (Magick) test.
  • Success allows for three questions to be asked. Failure draws unwanted attention from malevolent spirits.
  • Corruption Risk: Drinking the elixir inflicts 1 Corruption point due to exposure to the Warp’s unnatural energies.
• Rarity: Very Rare
• Cost: 50 gold crowns (if available).