The potions have all sorts of exciting descriptions, some of which take a bit of thought to physrep.
So here are a few thoughts and an invitation to add your own.
profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Potion
[quote] Anodyne Embrocation
Form: Salve.
Description: This dark blue cream has a gritty, slightly sandy texture. It smells strongly of freshly cut grass. Put a tiny drop on your finger or your tongue, and the tip quickly becomes numb. [/quote]
I think for most salves it makes sense to start with some simple skin cream.
For this one, maybe add some blue food-colouring and maybe a bit of sawdust? Or put it in a blender with some grass?
[quote] Bloodharrow Philtre
Form: Liquid.
Form: This translucent red liquid has tiny white particles suspended in it. It has a spicy scent, and a tiny amount on your tongue or your finger tingles unpleasantly for a moment. [/quote]
For the translucency, perhaps cloudy ginger-beer. That also has a bit of spiciness. Add some red colouring. Maybe a bit of powdered chalk?
[quote]
Elixir Vitae
Form: Liquid.
Description: This translucent liquid is tinted a pale blue-green. It has a clean, fresh scent. A tiny drop of the sticky fluid on your tongue or your finger tingles pleasantly for a moment. [/quote]
Any ideas?
[quote]Feverfail Elixir
Form: Liquid.
Description: This translucent grey liquid smells faintly of spring flowers. A tiny drop of the thick, syrupy fluid on your tongue causes a grimace - it tastes a little like spoiled milk. [/quote]
Getting that combination of smell and taste is quite a challenge. I think smell is more important if it has to be one or the other.
For the translucency, perhaps a little pectin or arrowroot or cornflour? Any of those will also thicken it.
[quote] Vernal Balm
Form: Salve.
Description: This blood-red ointment smells delicious. It has an oily, greasy texture if you rub it between finger and thumb, and it is quickly absorbed into your skin causing your entire hand to tingle. [/quote]
So, a light skin cream/lotion with some red colouring. Might be nice if it didn’t stain though. How to achieve that?
As for the smell, perhaps a drop of essential-oil of orange mixed in.
[quote] Suffusion of Blood
Form: Liquid.
Description: When this blood-red elixir catches the light, it glows with a faintly translucent aura. The scent smells of freshly cut grass, and causes your nostrils to tingle. The sweet, fruity taste causes a moment of dizziness. [/quote]
Another one that calls for a cut-grass scent. I don’t know how to give something a fruity taste without a fruity smell. Any ideas?
Redness and translucency: see above.
[quote] Decoction of the Hungry Moon
This black liquid has an unpleasantly oily texture, and often contains small amounts of bladeroot or marrowort matter as sediment that settles on the bottom of a flask. It must be shaken thoroughly before consuming. It tastes very unpleasant indeed, and while some apothecaries add sugar to the mixture the general consensus agrees that doing so can damage the potion’s effectiveness.
Form: Liquid.
Description: This black, oily elixir has a thick sediment at the bottom that seems to drink in any light that hits it. It tastes vile, like rotting meat. It would require quite an effort of will for most people to drink this liquid. [/quote]
Perhaps a little finely ground charcoal for the sediment.
I remember Isca posting something about rotting-meat smell in another thread…
[quote] The Barren Watchtower
This gritty black elixir contains tiny pale particles in suspension, and has a dehydrating effect on the drinker.
Form: Liquid.
Description: This black, oily elixir seems to drink in any light that hits it. The thick sediment at the bottom hangs in the liquid for several minutes after it is shaken up. The salty, bitter taste gives you an urge to rinse your mouth out. [/quote]
Something with salmiaki in it? And Angostura bitters if you’re willing to include alcohol? Maybe chalk for the pale bits.
[quote] Magpie Infusion
This volatile oil dissolves quickly in warm water, or can be thrown directly onto hot coals or open flame to create a small cloud of strongly scented steam.
Form: Infusion.
Description: This oily blue substance smells of summer flowers. When exposed to the air, it begins to evaporate. A tiny amount on your fingertip immediately begins to bubble and soon evaporates into a thin blue-tinted cloud. [/quote]
Lavender essential oil, with a little blue colouring in it.
[quote] Ravenwing Infusion
This pale red concoction produces a thick, lingering steam that hangs in the air for several moments unless actively inhaled.
Form: Infusion.
Description: This crumbly red substance smells strongly of exotic spices. When rubbed between finger and thumb the spicy scent intensifies dramatically.[/quote]
Powdered cinnamon and allspice, bound together with a tiny bit of sandalwood oil or maybe just by being wetted with water, compressed and allowed to dry.
[quote] Goosewhisper Infusion
This midnight blue liquid hisses and bubbles when exposed to heat, and releases a cloud of shimmering barely visible steam. If it is inhaled deeply, a chill sensation emanates from the chest through the whole body.
Form: Infusion.
Description: This midnight blue solution is a thick, resinous liquid. It has a sweet, sharp scent that causes your nostrils to tingle and chills your lungs. The unpleasant, acrid flavour makes drinking it unappealing. [/quote]
I’ll leave it there for the time being, but Goosewhisper Infusion still wants addressing, along with the recipes from
Lambent Essences
Legacy of Thorns
Magnum Opus
Master Medicinal
Philtres of the High Peaks
Philtres of War
The Assassin’s Gate
The Winter Moon
Tisanes of the Labyrinth
Tonics of the Deep Forest
Tonics of the Open Sky
Tonics of True Eminence
See list at profounddecisions.co.uk/empi … g_a_Potion