Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

From: Elixir of Transmutation

Lore: The Transfiguring Smoke Bomb is a creation born out of the ingenuity and experimentation of alchemists who sought to manipulate the battlefield through the power of transmutation. The recipe for this smoke bomb was originally devised by a secretive alchemical order known as the Order of the Veiled Mist. This enigmatic order specialized in the art of illusions and smoke-based alchemy, using their knowledge to deceive and confuse their adversaries.

The lore surrounding the Transfiguring Smoke Bomb suggests that the alchemical order developed this weapon as a means of gaining a tactical advantage in battles. By transmuting the air within the smoke cloud, they could obscure vision, disorient enemies, and create a chaotic battlefield where their own movements remained hidden and unpredictable.

Use: The Transfiguring Smoke Bomb is a tactical tool primarily used for disruption and evasion. Upon detonation, the smoke bomb releases a dense cloud of smoke infused with the transmutative properties of the Elixir of Transmutation. This transmuted air transforms into a thick mist that obscures vision, making it difficult for enemies to accurately target or identify targets within the cloud. The disorienting effect of the mist can create confusion and chaos, allowing the user or their allies to maneuver, escape, or initiate surprise attacks.

Tier One Stats:

• Obscuring Effect: The smoke bomb creates a dense mist that reduces visibility within the affected area.
• Duration: The mist lasts for a moderate duration, typically several minutes, providing a window of opportunity for strategic maneuvers.
• Usage: Single-use item. One smoke bomb can create a cloud large enough to envelop a medium-sized area.

Temporary Skills Gained:

• Alchemy: Proficiency in alchemy allows characters to understand and follow the recipe accurately, ensuring the correct preparation and deployment of the Transfiguring Smoke Bomb.
• Stealth: Proficiency in stealth can enhance the effectiveness of using the smoke bomb by utilizing the obscured vision to move undetected or initiate surprise attacks.

Preparation: To create the Transfiguring Smoke Bomb, the following ingredients and steps are required:

• Elixir of Transmutation: A measured amount is needed as a catalyst for the transmutative effects.
• Alchemical Powders: A mixture of finely ground powders, including substances such as powdered phosphorus, saltpeter, and other combustible materials.
• Encasing Material: A sturdy, nonflammable casing, typically made of clay or metal, to contain the mixture and withstand the explosive force.

Cost: The Transfiguring Smoke Bomb is considered a specialized alchemical tool, requiring rare ingredients and intricate craftsmanship. As such, it would have a moderate to high cost, reflecting the value of the Elixir of Transmutation, the alchemical powders, and the expertise involved in its creation.

Process:

• Mix the alchemical powders thoroughly, ensuring a homogeneous mixture.
• Infuse the mixture with a specific amount of the Elixir of Transmutation, carefully measuring to achieve the desired transmutative effect.
• Pack the infused powder tightly into the encasing material, ensuring it is secure and stable.
• Seal the smoke bomb, making it airtight to prevent accidental detonation.
• The Transfiguring Smoke Bomb is now ready for use.

Tags:

• Disruption: The smoke bomb creates a chaotic environment by obscuring vision and disorienting enemies.
• Alchemy: The creation of the smoke bomb involves the use of alchemical knowledge and techniques.
• Consumable: The smoke bomb is a single-use item, requiring strategic deployment and consideration of timing and positioning.
• Additional: Elixir, Transmutation, Tactical, Disruption, Evasion, Obscuring, Disorienting, Chaos, Surprise, Veiled Mist

Perception of Activation:

• User’s Perspective:
  • Sight: A puff of smoke erupts from the bomb, quickly expanding into a swirling, iridescent cloud. The smoke shimmers with an otherworldly light, refracting and distorting the surrounding environment.
  • Smell: The smoke has a strange, metallic scent, like burning iron and ozone. It’s pungent and acrid, filling the air and making it difficult to breathe.
  • Sound: A soft hissing sound accompanies the release of the smoke, followed by a low, rumbling hum as the transmuted air begins to swirl and distort.
  • Touch: The air within the cloud feels thick and heavy, almost viscous. It clings to the skin, leaving a strange, tingling sensation.
  • Taste: (Not applicable)
  • Extra-sensory Perceptions:
    • Empathy: A sense of disorientation and confusion washes over the user, as if their senses are being scrambled. The world seems to shift and distort, making it difficult to focus or maintain a sense of balance.
    • Sixth Sense: A premonition of danger arises, a feeling of being watched or hunted in the swirling mist. It’s as if the smoke itself is alive, aware of the user’s presence.
• Observer’s Perspective:
  • Sight: A puff of smoke erupts from the bomb, quickly expanding into a dense, swirling cloud. The smoke obscures the immediate area, making it difficult to see anything within.
  • Smell: The smoke has a pungent, metallic odor, filling the air and making it difficult to breathe.
  • Sound: A soft hissing sound accompanies the release of the smoke, followed by a brief silence.
  • Touch: The air within the cloud feels thick and heavy, making it difficult to move or breathe.
  • Taste: (Not applicable)
  • Extra-sensory Perceptions:
    • Empathy: A sense of unease and apprehension fills the air, as if something unnatural and dangerous is lurking within the smoke. There’s a feeling of being watched, of being hunted by unseen forces.
    • Sixth Sense: A premonition of danger arises, a sense that something sinister is about to happen. The smoke seems to hum with a malevolent energy, drawing those within its grasp towards an unknown fate.
• Positives:
  • The swirling, iridescent smoke creates a visually striking and dramatic effect.
  • The pungent metallic scent adds to the sense of danger and disorientation.
  • The hissing sound and low rumbling hum create a sense of unease and foreboding.
  • The thick, heavy air creates a tactile sensation that enhances the sense of being trapped and disoriented.
  • The empathic feelings of disorientation and unease create a sense of tension and anticipation.
• Negatives:
  • The pungent metallic scent could be overwhelming or even harmful to breathe.
  • The thick, heavy air could make it difficult to breathe, especially for those with respiratory conditions.
  • The sense of disorientation and unease could be unsettling and even frightening for some individuals.
  • The premonition of danger could create a sense of paranoia and fear, making it difficult to think clearly or act effectively.
  • The smoke could obscure vision and make it difficult to navigate, potentially leading to accidents or injuries.

The Transfiguring Smoke Bomb, with its unique ability to obscure vision and disorient enemies, is a highly coveted tool among those who specialize in stealth, deception, and tactical combat. However, due to its potential for misuse and the disruptive nature of its effects, the recipe and the smoke bombs themselves are not openly sold in regular marketplaces or conventional magic item shops.

The recipe for the Transfiguring Smoke Bomb is often kept within secretive organizations, such as clandestine guilds of alchemists, shadowy assassins’ networks, or specialized military units. These organizations guard the recipe closely, ensuring it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands or become a widespread tool of chaos.

To acquire the recipe, adventurers may need to navigate a clandestine network of contacts, seek out skilled alchemists who possess knowledge of smoke-based alchemy, or gain the favor of a secretive faction known for their expertise in illusion and deception. This could involve performing secretive missions, proving loyalty, or providing rare and valuable components necessary for the production of the smoke bombs.

The environment in which the Transfiguring Smoke Bombs are typically used is one of stealth and subterfuge. They find great utility in situations where obscuring vision and creating chaos is advantageous. These smoke bombs are particularly effective in urban environments, dense forests, or any area with limited visibility. They can be employed by spies, assassins, or rogue characters to facilitate escapes, initiate surprise attacks, or create diversions.

In battles, the Transfiguring Smoke Bombs are often utilized to disrupt enemy formations, disorient opponents, or provide cover for strategic retreats. Skilled tacticians might coordinate the deployment of these smoke bombs with other maneuvers to gain a tactical advantage or confuse adversaries. They can also be used to create opportunities for snipers or archers to strike from concealed positions.

Furthermore, certain factions or organizations may have specific uses for Transfiguring Smoke Bombs. For example, a rebellion fighting against an oppressive regime might use them to sow confusion among their oppressors, allowing for hit-and-run tactics or the escape of key figures. Alternatively, a group of thieves could employ these smoke bombs to infiltrate heavily guarded locations, using the ensuing chaos to their advantage.

Due to their specialized nature and limited availability, the Transfiguring Smoke Bombs are not commonly seen in the hands of everyday adventurers or sold openly. Instead, they are typically acquired through clandestine channels, secret contacts, or by completing missions for organizations that possess the knowledge and resources to create them.

Whisper of the Mist Weaver

In the age of whispers, before the sun and moon held sway, there existed a being of immense power, known as the Mist Weaver. This being, born from the swirling chaos of creation, possessed the ability to bend the very fabric of reality, weaving illusions and shaping the world as it saw fit.

The Mist Weaver, however, was not content with its power. It craved more, desiring to control all that existed. To achieve this, it sought to bind its power into a tangible form, a tool to shape the world according to its will. After eons of experimentation, the Mist Weaver finally succeeded, creating a substance that could twist the very air, turning it into a swirling, disorienting mist.

The Mist Weaver, eager to share its power, created a vessel to hold this potent substance, a small, ceramic container that hummed with the energy of creation. It then sent its creations out into the world, creatures of mist and shadow, to spread this power far and wide.

However, the Mist Weaver’s plan was ultimately foiled. A group of brave heroes, guided by the light of the sun and moon, discovered the Mist Weaver’s secret.

The heroes, realizing the danger the Mist Weaver posed, confronted the being in its lair. A fierce battle ensued, the heroes’ light magic clashing against the Mist Weaver’s dark powers. In the end, the heroes emerged victorious, banishing the Mist Weaver to the depths of the underworld.

The Mist Weaver’s creation, however, remained. The heroes, recognizing its potential for both good and evil, decided to seal the substance away in a hidden vault, where it would remain undisturbed for eternity.

Moral of the story: Even the most powerful magic can be contained, and the whispers of chaos can be silenced by the light of courage and unity.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Type: Magical Device
• Lore: A strange alchemical concoction that creates a disorienting cloud of smoke with reality-bending properties.
• Effect: Upon detonation, the smoke bomb fills a 10-foot radius area with thick smoke for 2d4 rounds. Anyone within the cloud must succeed on a CON roll (difficulty 60) or suffer 1d4 rounds of disorientation, unable to take actions or perceive their surroundings accurately. Investigators may also suffer 0/1D4 Sanity loss from witnessing the unnatural smoke.
• Notes: Extremely rare and likely to attract unwanted attention from those who study forbidden knowledge.

Blades in the Dark

Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Type: Alchemical Device
• Effect: When used during a score, the smoke bomb creates a large cloud of obscuring smoke, granting the crew increased effect on any actions that rely on stealth or misdirection. The GM may also use the smoke to introduce unexpected Complications or dangers, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the transmutation effect.
• Acquisition: Requires a Crew action like “Attune” or “Study” to understand its properties and use it effectively. May be acquired through rare contacts or by stealing it from a rival faction.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

    Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Wondrous item, rare
• Description: This small, clay sphere is filled with a volatile alchemical mixture. When thrown, it explodes in a 15-foot radius sphere of thick, swirling smoke that lasts for 1 minute. Creatures within the smoke have disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
• Notes: The smoke’s transmutation effect might cause unexpected side effects, such as temporary blindness, hallucinations, or even minor physical transformations (GM discretion).

Knave

    Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Item Type: Bomb
• Tags: Consumable, Alchemical
• Effect: Creates a large cloud of smoke in a 20-foot radius that lasts for 1d4+1 rounds. Anyone within the smoke is considered to be in cover and has disadvantage on attack rolls.
• Notes: The GM might introduce a random encounter table specifically for when the smoke bomb is used, with events focused on strange creatures or environmental hazards appearing within the cloud.

Fate Core/Condensed

    Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Type: Device
• Effect: Create an Advantage with the Aspects “Dense Smoke” and “Disorienting Mist” that can be used to hinder opponents or escape. The GM may compel these Aspects to introduce unexpected consequences or dangers.

Numenera & Cypher System

    Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Level: 2
• Form: Throwable device
• Effect: Creates a cloud of smoke in a 20-foot radius that lasts for 1d6 rounds. Creatures caught in the smoke are considered to be in difficult terrain and have their movement speed halved. Additionally, they must make an Intellect defense roll each round or be disoriented and unable to act.
• Depletion: 1 in 1d6

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

    Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Item: Alchemical Bomb
• Rarity: Rare
• Level: 2
• Price: 40 gp
• Damage: —
• Bulk: L
• Usage: held in 1 hand;
• Activate: Strike (thrown);
• Effect: The bomb explodes in a 15-foot-radius burst. Creatures in the area are affected as if by the fog cloud spell for 1 round.

Savage Worlds

    Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Type: Bomb
• Trappings: Small ceramic sphere
• Range: 12/24/48
• Effect: The bomb explodes in a Medium Burst Template. Those within the smoke are Shaken and Blinded for 2d4 rounds.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

    Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Type: Grenade (Gear)
• Availability: 14R
• Concealability: P
• Damage: Special (See Effect)
• Blast: Medium Burst Template (6 meters)
• Effect: Those caught in the blast must make an INT Test (Difficulty 4). On a failure, they are Disoriented and Blinded for 2d6 Combat Turns. Additionally, the smoke obscures vision within the blast radius, imposing a -3 dice pool modifier to Perception Tests that rely on sight.
• Notes: The strange alchemical properties of the smoke may cause unpredictable side effects (GM discretion).

Starfinder

    Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Item: Technological Item
• Level: 2
• Price: 500 credits
• Usage: single use
• Bulk: L
• Activation: Standard Action (thrown)
• Effect: The smoke bomb explodes in a 10-foot-burst. Creatures within the burst must succeed at a Fortitude saving throw (DC 14) or be Blinded and Disoriented for 1d4 rounds.
• Notes: May function erratically in environments with unusual gravity or atmospheric conditions.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

    Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Type: Grenade
• TL: 9
• Law Level: 4
• Damage: 2D
• Blast: 3 meters
• Effect: Those caught in the blast must make an END check. On a failure, they are Disoriented and take a -2 DM to all actions for 1D rounds.
• Notes: Illegal in most jurisdictions due to its unpredictable and potentially dangerous effects.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

    Transfiguring Smoke Bomb

• Type: Explosive
• Rarity: Very Rare
• Ingredients: Alchemical Fire, Warpstone Dust, Rare Herbs
• Damage: As an Alchemical Fire bomb
• Blast: 5 yards
• Effect: Those caught in the blast must make a Toughness test. On a failure, they are Blinded and Disoriented for 1d10 rounds. The smoke also creates a dense fog that obscures vision within the blast radius, imposing a -20 penalty to WS and BS.
• Side Effects: The strange energies within the smoke may cause unpredictable mutations or warp effects (GM discretion).