Alchemical Substances

There are three types of alchemical substances.

Potions are beneficial or transformational when drunk. A sip of a potion is enough to produce the tiniest effect that might hint at the bottle’s contents. Drinking the entire bottle gives you the full effect.

Bombs are thrown in combat, exploding into a reactive spume of smoke and chemicals. This destroys the hermetic bottle. Bombs are almost always harmful or debilitating. Each bomb only affects a single target. During a Challenge, bomb effects are usually removed with the Recover action.

Oils have an effect on the environment. They can be poured out, slathered onto items, or have things dipped into them to create these effects.

During Challenges, the Use Item Cups action is required to use any alchemical substance, whether that’s drinking a potion, throwing a bomb, or applying an oil (p. 118).

Forcing a potion down someone’s throat

It is really hard to get someone to drink something they don’t want to. A potion is probably about the size of a glass of wine. Imagine holding one of your friend’s mouth open and trying to get them to swallow a glass of wine. Can it be done? In the right conditions. Can it be done easily? No.