Atlantean Trilogy Archive
An alchemist shapes a clay golem beside copper furnaces and a homunculus in a jar, with whales drifting past a sunken city beyond.

Detect Lies

Alchemy, Potion

Lets the drinker tell when nearby speakers lie.

From the book

A potion of detection made with 2 cts. of powdered agate; it lets the drinker tell when someone within a 20 ft. radius is lying.

Potions grant temporary magical or spell-like powers, normally for 40 + 1-20 minutes. The base is a pint of clear water with a dram each of powdered gold, silver and copper and a carat each of any seven powdered gems (an alchemist may use 2 drs. of Rare Earths instead of the gems). It takes a week in a small cauldron or alembic over a furnace, with a 90% chance of success plus 1% per level (99% at most), and a 1% chance of mishap while it ferments between the 2nd and 7th days. Potions sell for at least 400 G.P.

At a glance

Category
Potions of detection
Ingredients
2 cts. powdered agate
Range
20 ft. radius
Duration
40 + 1-20 minutes (unless stated)
Base
1 pint clear water; 1 dr. each powdered gold, silver, copper; 1 ct. each of any seven powdered gemstones (alchemists may use 2 drs. Rare Earths instead of the gems)
Equipment
Mortar and pestle, small cauldron or alembic, furnace
Time to complete
1 week per potion
Chance of success
90% +1% per level (max 99%)
Mishap
1% chance between days 2 and 7 (Alchemical Mishap Table)
Substitution
Herbal substitutes for animal ingredients: double the base, -25% success
Cost
Minimum 400 G.P. (more for costly ingredients)
Requires
Potions skill (prerequisites: Read Magic, Philtres and Magical Mixtures or Herbal Elixirs)