Use this series of tables to come up with random potions! You can use this as a DM to describe an unidentified magic potion that you give your players. As a player, you can use this when you create potions as a spellcaster or someone proficient in Alchemist’s Tools. Use this with the Alchemy Profession Guide!



image credit: Vera Velichko

Potion Vessel

Every potion has to be held in something! Roll on the following tables to generate a container for your potion including its material, shape, and its seal or stopper.



Potion Vessel Shape

Potion Vessel Material

Potion Seal/Stopper

image credit: Zoltan Boros and Gabor Szikszai

Potion Description

Roll on the following tables to create a random liquid! If you want your potion to be identifiable, try adding a telling ingredient to float in the potion. For instance, a Giant’s Strength potion can have a giant’s toe inside, while a Potion of Fly might have an angel’s feather within. A healing potion might have some medicinal herbs floating inside.

Potion Color

Potion Smell

Potion Taste

How it’s Made

Randomly describe how to create the potion. Roll twice or more on the Ingredients table. Then roll once for each ingredient beyond the first on the Alchemical Processes table to determine how each ingredient is added to the first ingredient. It might be mixed in a special way or treated in a unique way before it’s added.

I should note this is for D&D fluff and narration and is not based in science. Dissolving Aqua Fortis and Mercury in alcohol will not make a healing potion so do not drink it!



Ingredients

Alchemical Process

Potion Effects

There are many existing potions, but I feel like a lot of existing spells could be made into potions. So, I added some. I based them loosely on spell scrolls but tried to move the better ones to higher rarities because potions are objectively better than scrolls (anyone can drink a potion, only casters can use scrolls).

If you roll for a potion randomly as part of a treasure hoard, be sure it’s of an appropriate rarity for the players.