Crafting with Essence

Throughout the ages, people have experimented with the combination of various materials in an effort to create mystical effects. These bombs, inks, potions, poisons and substances have been used to heal the sick, weaken foes or give combatants an alchemical advantage.

What is Essence?
The first step to essence crafting is collecting the necessary ingredients. They can be any natural resource with a connection to a primal element such as plants, herbs, stones or even parts of creatures. Each ingredient contains a number of essence(s) which can be extracted and used in creations. They include:


 * Basic: Ingredients contain 1 essence
 * Uncommon: Ingredients contain 2 essences
 * Rare: Ingredients contain 3 essences
 * Very Rare: Ingredients contain 4 essences
 * Legendary: Ingredients contain 5+ essences

Extracting Essence
Characters can only extract essence from harvested monster parts or foraged plants. It will be necessary to use an Essence Extraction Device.

If the party does not have an Essence Extraction Device they may be able to: (1) locate one to purchase for their own purposes, (2) construct one after obtaining blueprints, resources and a tinkerer capable of completing the work, (3) pay someone for essence extraction services.

Crafting With Essence
Now you have all of your ingredients and your tools it's time to start crafting. Characters must be proficient with the specific tools in order to craft with this system.

The Basics

 * The creation DC for all proficiencies using this system equals 8 + (# of ingredients + # of essences used).
 * Any creation uses a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 ingredients.
 * When crafting 4 or more essences, you can decide what essences are used for which effect or if they are used at all.
 * If an effect with a numerical value is used multiple times, the numerical value is multiplied by the number of times the effect is repeated.
 * If an effect with a duration is used multiple times, the duration is multiplied by the number of times the effect is repeated.
 * The crafting cost is 10 gp plus 10 gp for each effect.
 * Upon a failed attempt all ingredients are lost.

The Experimentation Process

 * Using an ingredient successfully reveals one essence in that ingredient.
 * Creating an item reveals the essence combination to that character.
 * Creating an item reveals the effects of the item to that character.
 * When using ingredients with more than one essence the system will try to make a successful combination out of all variations.
 * You cannot create multiple effects in one item without knowing all recipies involved.
 * You can choose to either include or exclude a known essence when experimenting.
 * The creation of an item requires at least 2 ingredients.