D&D 5E - New setting idea: What if potions were permanent...
Ok, so I was thinking about Alice in Wonderland and potions of diminution and what if there was a whole city of small people because they had become shrunken. I was thinking how would I get player characters into something like that. Potions have shorter durations typically. Then it occurred to me wow, if potions were a permanent duration that would significantly affect a setting. I suppose you would keep instantaneous potions as-is with no change but if you drank a potion of invisibility you would be permanently invisible, or a potion of gaseous form these could be almost a curse...This also reminds me of the various bioshock games. Drink an elixir and gain a new ability as they permanently alter your DNA and modify your mind or body. Manifest telekinesis, fire manipulation, and other powers. Perhaps a potion of water breathing permanently gives you gills allowing you to breathe water. They are physically noticeable. You have have fire breath? Perhaps you literally have fire in your mouth as you talk.
So, if a setting like this were to be devised. Perhaps make them extremely common, anyone with the arcana skill can make them. The ingredients may be hard to get and expensive. What would the potion economy look like if you now gave permanent abilities. What about dispel magic, should it suppress or permanently remove these effects?
How does this change potions as a magic item? Further how would this affect a typical D&D setting? Should any of the current Potions/Oils/Elixirs be altered/removed to make this type of transition. For instance, Potions of Strength should not be simply permanent stat increases. Perhaps some potions become instantaneous and affect the creature for a limited time (in essence keeping it the same). Which ones?
Anyway so how about it, a world where potions are common and powerful. Drink a potion at your peril because it could alter you in ways that are not wanted. Bring on the alchemists. Your thoughts?
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