Idea: Breeding animals that make potions

[Merkuri]

Inspired by this real-world article from Wired News I came up with the idea that some group in your campaign world (in Eberron, this would probably be House Vadalis) is trying to breed animals like goats and chickens whose eggs and milk have the properties of magic potions.

You could have a variety of adventure ideas spring off of this, one that comes to mind being that the potion-producing animals have developed other abilities and are too dangerous to let live. Adventurers are called in to eliminate the plague of magic farm animals. Another one might be that these animals have been stolen and the adventurers have to bring them back. Or maybe the adventurers are the ones who have to steal them. Perhaps wizards and/or alchemists think this would make potions too commonplace, which would drive down the prices and bankrupt them, so they want to eliminate the competition.

What do you think? An interesting idea? I thought it was, and wanted to share.

 

[takasi]

What would be an appropriate value for such an animal?

The simplest way to determine this IMO is to take the cost for a schema from Magic of Eberron (which allows you to cast a spell once a day) and double it.

1st - 800 gp
2nd - 4,800 gp
3rd - 12,000 gp
4th - 22,400 gp
5th - 36,000 gp
6th - 52,800 gp

What does everyone think?

 

[Crothian]

That seems about right. I guess it would depend on how often the creature could do this. Cool idea though.

 

[takasi]

That seems about right. I guess it would depend on how often the creature could do this. Cool idea though.

The costs above are for each use per day. If you can milk the creature twice per day then double the cost.

 

[Goblyn]

It sounds like an excellent adventure seed generator, too: a new macguffin.

Heh.

Macguffin the goat.

I might have to use that. I don't know if my players would get the reference or not.

 

[Rystil Arden]

What would be an appropriate value for such an animal?

The simplest way to determine this IMO is to take the cost for a schema from Magic of Eberron (which allows you to cast a spell once a day) and double it.

1st - 800 gp
2nd - 4,800 gp
3rd - 12,000 gp
4th - 22,400 gp
5th - 36,000 gp
6th - 52,800 gp

What does everyone think?

Those prices are way too low unless this thing requires incredibly expensive upkeep. It is always a silly idea not to buy the level 1 potion animal if you are in the business of selling potions. Let's say you're the local potion store owner--Sic a level 1 farmer on the job, and you are making a 50 GP item per day if you sell the potion, which pays for itself in 16 days.

 

[takasi]

Those prices are way too low unless this thing requires incredibly expensive upkeep. It is always a silly idea not to buy the level 1 potion animal if you are in the business of selling potions. Let's say you're the local potion store owner--Sic a level 1 farmer on the job, and you are making a 50 GP item per day if you sell the potion, which pays for itself in 16 days.

That makes sense. A potion is consumable and can last from one day to the next whereas a schema is a use it or lose it per day item.

The best fix is to limit the potion's shelf life to one day. This should match the prices above and still make the animal valuable.

 

[Merkuri]

But if the animals are incredibly cheap, this could be the reasoning why alchemists and wizards want the experiment to fail. It'll change the face of potion-making and magic as we know it. People who don't want it to change will take action to stop the creation of these beasts.

The group trying to make these animals doesn't have to suceed, remember.

 

[Rystil Arden]

That makes sense. A potion is consumable and can last from one day to the next whereas a schema is a use it or lose it per day item.

The best fix is to limit the potion's shelf life to one day. This should match the prices above and still make the animal valuable.

Good call!

 

[Rystil Arden]

But if the animals are incredibly cheap, this could be the reasoning why alchemists and wizards want the experiment to fail. It'll change the face of potion-making and magic as we know it. People who don't want it to change will take action to stop the creation of these beasts.

The group trying to make these animals doesn't have to suceed, remember.

If the experiment fails, then why list a price?