Why aren't potions labeled?

[MarkB]

I can only imagine seeing small vials of neatly labeled "Jorasco Sauce".

Actually, my last character - a kobold dragon shaman - carried an unlabelled bottle of tabasco sauce, which he'd occasionally swig from. He didn't quite get the fact that his acid breath weapon was a supernatural ability, and thought it needed to be kept fuelled.

 

[Agback]

Considering how expensive a potion is in regular people terms, I think most people would own or see few enough of them that they wouldn't need to be labeled. I mean, if you purchase a Versache dress, does it need a label?

Perhaps not, but I wasn't likely to mistake it for a Ferrari in the first place.

 

[taferial]

A dodgy thief of mine used to label his potions in brail so he could reliably use them in the dark. He would also Label certain ingested poisons as Heals or buffs just in case the worst happened while he was scouting, no point makeing an encounter harder if the meat-bags are comeing to rescue you. I did have to be overly explicit about which potions the party should use while im unconsious though, my in-game brother with a int of 4...

 

[Magesmiley]

While I don't typically label potions in my campaign, I do give each potion type a distinctive color and taste/odor (for example, a cure light wounds potion is pink and smells like roses). This has allowed the players to identify common potions they find while still providing some mystery to the oddball potions they don't find very often. This is a bit more work for me, but its worth it.

 

[werk]

Considering how expensive a potion is in regular people terms, I think most people would own or see few enough of them that they wouldn't need to be labeled. I mean, if you purchase a Versache dress, does it need a label?

They do though...

 

[Nail]

Nice werk!

 

[Dracorat]

Actually, I always assumed that if you found potions in a store or an alchemist's lab then they would be labelled.

If you got potions off a BBEG, those are usually labelled as well.

There is no rule that says potions HAVE to not be labelled.

On the other hand, if you are in the bottom of a duergar fortress, chances are that the potions will not be labelled in common. They will be labelled in duergar dwarven. And who speaks that language? Anyone? Well, tough luck to ye. =P

However, those potions you dig out of chests or off stupid monsters (like gnolls) are usually not labelled. In most cases this is supported by the fact they were given only one or two anyway.

This is a healing potion you big lout. I know you can't read good, so I wont confuse you with others

 

[Presto2112]

"PCs can sample from each container they find to attempt to determine the nature of the liquid inside. An experienced character learns to identify potions by memory—for example, the last time she tasted a liquid that reminded her of almonds, it turned out to be a potion of cure moderate wounds."

Either that or she subsequently died from the cyanide.

 

[KarinsDad]

However, those potions you dig out of chests or off stupid monsters (like gnolls) are usually not labelled. In most cases this is supported by the fact they were given only one or two anyway.

This is a healing potion you big lout. I know you can't read good, so I wont confuse you with others

This does not seem reasonable.


Personally, I think practically all potions would originally be labeled (in some way). A select few could be purposely mislabeled for a variety of reasons, but there should originally be a way to quickly identify a potion.

So, the stupid Gnoll would most likely have a labeled potion. There is no real reason to rip off the label before giving it to the Gnoll.


On the other hand, stuff happens. Some percentage of potions should lose their labels unless they are engraved (like on tin vials or some such).


Additionally, not all labels should be in the same language or even in a language at all. They could be color coded, or numeric, or in different shaped vials, or some other technique.


But, it just does not make much sense for anyone to craft potions and not distinguish them in some manner.

 

[Nail]

Agreed.

As for "the label", I'd guess we're not talking about some sticker. Considering the Sor/Wiz 0 spell, "Arcane Mark", I find it hard to believe such a label wouldn't be magical, and therefore would be resistant to wear.

Arcane Mark
Universal
Level: Sor/Wiz 0
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 0 ft.
Effect: One personal rune or mark, all of which must fit within 1 sq. ft.
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This spell allows you to inscribe your personal rune or mark, which can consist of no more than six characters. The writing can be visible or invisible. An arcane mark spell enables you to etch the rune upon any substance without harm to the material upon which it is placed........

Every arcane potion maker has access to this spell, and there's no reason it couldn't also be a divine spell.

Labeling potions ain't difficult, folks.