Assassins Elixir

From: Grimroot

Lore: The Assassin’s Elixir is a closely guarded secret passed down through generations of shadowy assassins and elusive infiltrators. The recipe is believed to have originated from an ancient order of master assassins who sought to enhance their natural abilities using the unique properties of Grimroot. Legends tell of an alchemist within the order who discovered the perfect combination of Grimroot extract and other carefully selected ingredients, resulting in the creation of the Assassin’s Elixir. Consuming this elixir grants temporary enhancements to stealth and agility, allowing assassins to move with unparalleled grace and precision in the shadows.

Use: The Assassin’s Elixir is a coveted tool in the arsenal of assassins, spies, and characters who excel in covert operations. When ingested, the elixir enhances the imbiber’s abilities, providing temporary boosts to stealth and agility. It heightens their senses, sharpens their reflexes, and grants them a heightened awareness of their surroundings. This allows them to move with unparalleled stealth, evade detection, and execute their missions with remarkable precision.

Values (Tier One):

Stats:

• Stealth Enhancement: The Assassin’s Elixir enhances the imbiber’s stealth, reducing the chances of detection by enemies or heightened senses of targets.
• Agility Boost: The elixir provides a temporary increase in agility, allowing the imbiber to move swiftly and gracefully, avoiding obstacles, and performing acrobatic maneuvers with ease.
• Perception Enhancement: The elixir sharpens the imbiber’s senses, enhancing their ability to detect hidden dangers or spot minute details in their environment.

Skills gained:

• Stealth: Characters with proficiency in stealth gain additional benefits from the Assassin’s Elixir, maximizing their ability to remain hidden and move silently.
• Acrobatics: Characters skilled in acrobatics can fully utilize the enhanced agility provided by the elixir, performing impressive feats of dexterity and maneuverability.

Preparation: Crafting the Assassin’s Elixir involves extracting the essence of Grimroot and combining it with other secret ingredients known only to those initiated into the recipe. The process requires precision, alchemical expertise, and a keen understanding of the properties and interactions of the ingredients involved. The exact steps and rituals involved in its preparation are closely guarded secrets, passed down within secretive assassin guilds or covert organizations.

Cost: Due to the rarity of Grimroot and the specialized knowledge required to prepare the Assassin’s Elixir, it is a highly valuable and sought-after concoction. For a level one character, the price of a single dose of Assassin’s Elixir could range from 50 to 100 gold pieces, reflecting its rarity, potency, and the expertise involved in its creation.

Process:

• Obtain Grimroot: Characters must acquire Grimroot, which is typically found in secluded or dangerous locations such as shadowy forests, hidden alchemical sanctuaries, or through well-connected sources within the underworld.
• Extraction: The Grimroot is carefully processed to extract its essence and vital properties. This can involve distillation, infusion, or other alchemical techniques to ensure the potency of the extract.
• Blending: The Grimroot extract is combined with other secret ingredients, which could include rare herbs, alchemical catalysts, or mystical components. The blending process requires precise measurements and careful calibration to achieve the desired effects.

Tags:

• Stealth Enhancement: The Assassin’s Elixir provides temporary enhancements to stealth-related abilities, granting an edge in remaining undetected and moving silently.
• Agility Boost: Imbibing the elixir enhances the imbiber’s agility, allowing for increased mobility, quick reflexes, and graceful movements.
• Restricted Knowledge: The recipe and preparation of the Assassin’s Elixir are closely guarded secrets, known only to a select few within secretive organizations or assassin guilds.
• Additional: Precision Enhancement, Dexterity Amplifier, Shadowed Movements, Acute Awareness, Subterfuge Aid, Clandestine Origins, Espionage Utility, Elusive Craft, Nightshade Catalyst, Covert Alchemy

The sale of the Assassin’s Elixir is shrouded in secrecy and takes place in discrete, clandestine markets that cater to individuals involved in covert operations, assassination, and espionage. These markets are often hidden within the shadows of bustling cities, concealed within the labyrinthine alleyways, or even in hidden compartments within legitimate apothecaries. The sellers are typically individuals with ties to secretive organizations, trusted members of assassin guilds, or skilled alchemists who specialize in crafting elixirs for covert operatives.

The availability of the Assassin’s Elixir is limited due to the rare and elusive nature of Grimroot and the exclusive knowledge required to prepare the elixir. It may only be sold to individuals who have proven their trustworthiness, expertise, or connection to the secretive world of assassins and infiltrators. Buyers must navigate through covert networks of informants, establish contacts within the underworld, or prove themselves valuable assets to gain access to the market for such potent elixirs.

The environments in which the Assassin’s Elixir is used can vary depending on the character’s objectives and the nature of their missions:

• Urban Espionage: In bustling cities, the elixir proves invaluable to assassins and spies operating within crowded streets, noble gatherings, or high-security compounds. The enhanced stealth and agility provided by the elixir enable characters to move silently among the masses, infiltrate secure locations, and eliminate targets without raising suspicion.
• Nighttime Assassinations: Under the cover of darkness, the Assassin’s Elixir becomes a lethal tool for characters operating in dimly lit streets, secluded alleyways, or enemy territories. The heightened senses and increased agility allow for swift and precise strikes, eliminating targets swiftly and disappearing without a trace.
• Infiltration of Strongholds: Whether it’s infiltrating fortified castles, hidden temples, or heavily guarded compounds, the elixir provides characters with a distinct advantage. Enhanced stealth allows them to slip past guards, navigate complex security systems, and access restricted areas undetected.

The end results of consuming the Assassin’s Elixir are tailored to the needs of assassins and infiltrators:

• Enhanced Stealth: The elixir grants characters the ability to move with unparalleled stealth. They can blend seamlessly with shadows, remain undetectable by mundane senses, and reduce their chances of being heard or noticed by enemies.
• Superior Agility: The elixir boosts the character’s agility, enabling them to perform acrobatic maneuvers, scale walls, and overcome obstacles with remarkable ease. This heightened agility allows for quick and efficient movement, enabling assassins to strike swiftly and escape before their presence is realized.
• Heightened Perception: The elixir sharpens the imbiber’s senses, augmenting their ability to detect hidden dangers, spot minute details, and anticipate the movements of enemies. This heightened perception allows characters to navigate treacherous environments, identify vulnerabilities in their targets, and plan their actions with precision.

However, characters must be cautious when using the Assassin’s Elixir. The enhanced abilities it provides are temporary and come with limitations. Overreliance on the elixir can lead to complacency, and its effects can wear off at critical moments, leaving characters vulnerable. Additionally, the secretive nature of the elixir and its association with assassinations and covert operations may attract unwanted attention from law enforcement, rival factions, or other entities seeking to maintain order or control.

Shadows and the Serpent’s Brew

In days shrouded by mist and whispered truths, before the sun dared to rise above the mountains, there existed a flower that grew only in the darkest of glades. This plant, called Grimroot, was said to be the echo of a serpent’s fang, fallen to earth when the first shadows were born. Legends claim its roots reached into the underworld, drinking deep the secrets of silence and death.

From this root came the elixir of assassins, though its creation was no act of peace. A nameless figure, cloaked in a shroud darker than night, sought mastery over both life and its absence. They wandered to the places where no bird dared to sing and gathered the Grimroot by the light of a moon veiled in crimson mist.

The tale speaks of the alchemist’s toil, mixing the essence of Grimroot with dew stolen from poisoned blossoms and the breath of a serpent held captive between life and death. When the brew was complete, it did not glow as other magics might. Instead, it absorbed the light around it, drinking the world’s clarity and leaving only shadows.

The first to taste the elixir was a hunter who sought vengeance against the warlord who had stolen his kin. He moved as the wind does, unseen and unheard, slipping past guards and traps alike. When his blade struck its mark, he faded into nothingness, his name whispered only in fear. Thus, the Assassin’s Elixir gained its fame, becoming the coveted tool of those who lived in darkness and silence.

Yet, as the tale tells, the Grimroot carried a curse. Each drinker felt the shadows within them grow, and the serpents of their mind whispered doubts and fears. Those who consumed the elixir too often found themselves bound to the same silence they wielded, their voices lost to the world, their very souls claimed by the shadows they once commanded.

Moral: To master the art of silence and shadow is to walk a path where even the faintest light becomes your enemy, for power born of darkness will always hunger for the soul that wields it.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Assassin’s Elixir

• Type: Alchemical Potion (Consumable).
• Skill Required: Chemistry (60%) or Art/Craft (Alchemy) (50%).
• Effect:
  • Grants a bonus die to Stealth and Dodge rolls for 1d6 hours.
  • Increases DEX by +10 during the effect.
• Side Effect: Overuse (2 doses in 24 hours) triggers mild hallucinations or paranoia. Sanity roll required; failure results in 1/1d4 SAN loss.
• Cost: $150 or 15 Mythos Points to craft.

Blades in the Dark

Assassin’s Elixir

• Type: Exotic Consumable.
• Tier Requirement: 2.
• Effect: When consumed, the elixir grants:
  • +1d to rolls involving Stealth and Prowess for the duration of one score.
  • The ability to traverse difficult terrain silently.
• Special Ability: If brewed during a Flashback, it costs 2 Stress and requires a successful Tinker roll.
• Crafting Clock: 8-segment clock. Requires Grimroot and rare alchemical components.

Dungeons & Dragons (5e)

Assassin’s Elixir

• Wondrous Item, Rare (Consumable)
• Effect: When consumed, grants the following benefits for 1 hour:
  • Advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
  • +10 to movement speed.
  • The ability to climb vertical surfaces without a climb speed.
• Drawback: Drinking a second dose within 24 hours requires a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or the drinker gains 1 level of exhaustion.
• Crafting Requirements: Proficiency in Alchemist’s Supplies, access to Grimroot, and 250 gp worth of rare materials.

Knave

Assassin’s Elixir

• Type: Consumable Alchemical Brew.
• Effect: When consumed, grants:
  • A +2 bonus to Stealth checks for 1 hour.
  • Allows silent movement, even over noisy terrain, for the same duration.
• Weight: 1 Slot.
• Crafting: Requires Herbalism Tools and Grimroot. Costs 50 coins and 1 downtime action to craft.

Fate Core

Assassin’s Elixir

• Type: Consumable Boost.
• Aspects:
  • The Shadows’ Ally
  • Elixir of Precision and Grace
• Effect: The drinker gains a temporary aspect, Unmatched Stealth and Agility, with 2 free invocations.
  • Allows re-rolling or adding +2 to Stealth and Dexterity-related rolls for one scene.
• Compel: Using the elixir in a scene may attract complications, such as the drinker experiencing sensory overload or lingering paranoia after its effects fade.

Numenera & Cypher System

Assassin’s Elixir

• Level: 5.
• Effect: Grants the user enhanced stealth and dexterity for 1 hour.
  • Stealth-related tasks are treated as 2 levels lower in difficulty.
  • Gain an asset on rolls requiring speed or precision, such as evading detection or acrobatics.
• Side Effect: Overuse (more than 1 dose in 24 hours) causes sensory overstimulation, imposing a level of Intellect Effort cost to all actions for 10 minutes.
• Crafting Requirements: Requires Grimroot and a successful Alchemy roll against difficulty 5.

Pathfinder (2e)

Assassin’s Elixir

• Type: Consumable (Alchemical).
• Level: 5.
• Price: 60 gp per dose.
• Effect:
  • Gain a +2 item bonus to Stealth and Acrobatics checks for 1 hour.
  • Movement is silent, even over difficult terrain.
• Drawback: Consuming more than 1 dose in a 24-hour period causes the drinker to become Flat-Footed for 1 hour due to sensory overload (no save).
• Crafting Requirements: Proficiency in Crafting (Alchemy); requires Grimroot and rare alchemical components.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition – SWADE)

Assassin’s Elixir

• Type: Consumable Alchemical Item.
• Effect: Grants the following benefits for 1 hour:
  • +2 bonus to Stealth rolls.
  • The ability to move silently over difficult terrain without penalties.
  • +2 to Agility rolls for tasks requiring precision.
• Drawback: If consumed more than once in 6 hours, the drinker must pass a Vigor roll at -2 or suffer one level of Fatigue.
• Cost: 150 coins.
• Crafting: Requires a successful Alchemy or Healing roll at -2, along with Grimroot and additional rare materials.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Assassin’s Elixir

• Type: Alchemical Stimulant (Consumable).
• Availability: 12F (Forbidden).
• Cost: 1,000¥ per dose.
• Effect:
  • Grants +2 dice to Stealth and Athletics rolls for 1 hour.
  • Increases Initiative by +1d6 for 10 Combat Turns.
  • Provides Thermographic Vision for 1 hour.
• Drawback: After the effect ends, the drinker suffers a -2 penalty to Perception and Reaction rolls for 1 hour.
• Side Effect: Using more than 1 dose in 24 hours requires a Body + Willpower (3) test or suffer 1 box of Stun damage from overstimulation.

Starfinder

• Assassin’s Elixir
• Item Level: 6.
• Price: 750 credits.
• Effect:
  • Grants a +2 insight bonus to Acrobatics and Stealth checks for 1 hour.
  • Allows movement through difficult terrain without penalty for the same duration.
• Drawback: If consumed more than once in 24 hours, the drinker becomes Fatigued until they take a 10-minute rest.
• Crafting Requirements: Requires a successful Life Science or Medicine check (DC 22) and Grimroot components.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Assassin’s Elixir

• Tech Level: 10.
• Cost: Cr1,500 per dose.
• Effect:
  • Grants a +2 DM to Stealth and Dexterity-based skill checks for 6 hours.
  • Increases movement by 50% for the duration.
• Side Effect: Overuse (2 doses in 24 hours) imposes a -1 DM to all Awareness and Dexterity checks for 12 hours due to overstimulation.
• Encumbrance: 0.5 kg per vial.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Assassin’s Elixir

• Type: Alchemical Potion (Consumable).
• Encumbrance: Negligible.
• Price: 20 Silver Shillings per dose.
• Effect:
  • Grants a +10 bonus to Stealth and Athletics Tests for 1 hour.
  • Allows the drinker to automatically succeed at an Agility Test to avoid tripping or falling once during the effect.
• Drawback: Drinking more than 1 dose in 24 hours imposes the Fatigued condition for 1d10 hours.
• Crafting Requirements: Requires Trade (Alchemy) Test at a -10 penalty. Grimroot and rare alchemical components are needed.