Herbalism is a powerful skill that enables the herbalist to create magical powders. Different herbs of varying strengths are combined to form mixtures using the MIX command and a mortar and pestle. Mixing herbs together will create powders that are either throwable or edible, depending on the effect the herbalist wishes to achieve. The herbs by themselves have some power, but it is the concentration and visualization of the herbalist during the mixing process that gives them the ability to create magical effects.
Positive herbalism mixtures are generally eaten and those of destructive nature are thrown at a victim. Your skill in herbalism is dependent upon your knowledge of the skill and the enhancer that the mortar and pestle can give. The formula for figuring out how high you can MIX herbal powers, of up to seven different herbs,
is (herbalism skill) * 2 + (mortar and pestle enhancement).
For example, Player "A" has a skill of 75% in herbalism and using a granite
mortar and pestle (0 enhancement). Player "A" can mix herb powers that
combine for up to 150 (75 * 2 + 0 = 150). Player "B", on the other hand,
has a rare bone grinder (50 enhancement), with the same skill in
herbalism, 75%. Though they have the same skill, Player "B" can mix high
powered herbal mixtures of 200 (75 * 2 + 5 0 = 200).
To MIX herbs into a workable combination, you must have a mortar
and pestle in your hand and the herbs you wish to combine in your
inventory. Herbs can be found at many shoppes throughout the various townes of Alyria.
Only one herb of a type can be used. So, if one is using
celidonia, only one can be used, but up to six other herbs can be mixed
with it. With mortar and pestle in hand, one wishes to create a
glimmering white herbal mixture ("cure light"). Buy a provinca sprig and a
celidonia sprig, then type MIX CELIDONIA PROVINCA. If all goes well, a
glimmering white herbal mixture will be in the inventory waiting to be eaten. If the mixture is too powerful to contain in the mortar and pestle, there can be dire - often explosive - consequences.
Mortar and Pestles
For the most common of mortar and pestles: a granite mortar and pestle;
the following shops are known to carry the item for any novice to use:
- In Sigil - Abominus in Abominus's Scrolls and Magical Supplies on
Marefurium Way
- In Rune - The old wizard in Yew Court Pharmaceuticals west of the
Crossroads at Yew on Yew Court
- In Xaventry - Rases in Rases's Herbs on the west side of Market Street
A more advanced mortar and pestle for the mid-level adventurer is
the onyx mortar and pestle, though it is very rare and extremely
difficult to attain. The location of this item has been rumored to have been
seen in Hotel Hello located in the Great Alyrian Underground, where only the strongest of the worlds' adventurers
dare venture.
A bone grinder is a coveted mortar and pestle for those starting to
reach their Hero status. It is a favored item used by the powerful Ogre Witch,
Baba Yaga, who has made her home deep underground with two other rogue witches in the towne of Decara. Gaining this prized mortar and pestle is not for the faint of heart.
The prize of all mortar and pestles, a cracked mortar and pestle, has
long been a mystery as to where it is kept. Legend and lore have led to
the fact that somewhere in Vesuvius, northwest of Vospire, it can be
found, though very few have been able to attain it and even fewer will
tell how.
Common Herbs
Most herbs can be found and bought in any herbalist shop. There are shops are in
Xaventry, Rune, New Rigel, Sigil and Lowangen, and a few other locations it
is up to you to find. The rarest herb known is called
sedum rosea.
It is said that when mixed in when creating an herbal mixture, the
sedum
rosea prevents the mixture from decaying before being used.
Vandemaar had at one time created an item that produced lower quality herbs, but including the rare sedum rosea. Lady Undya currently offers a replica of this item available to questers, commonly known as Vandemaar's Apothecary Jar, to those that wish to have one to assist them in their journeys.
The most common types of herbs, and their associated powers, are:
| celidonia |
Agares |
1 |
| centaures |
Barbatos |
4 |
| eliotropia |
Samigina |
8 |
| jusquianus |
Marbas |
10 |
| lillium |
Valefor |
14 |
| lingua canis |
Amon |
18 |
| queri |
Sitri |
23 |
| mepeta |
Paimon |
25 |
| milisopholos |
Buer |
32 |
| verbena |
Sallos |
33 |
| provinca |
Gusion |
41 |
| rosa |
Beleth |
50 |
| salvia |
Leraje |
64 |
| serpentia |
Eligos |
88 |
| urtica |
Zepar |
92 |
| usicur |
Botis |
99 |
| virga pastoris |
Marax |
72 |
| sedum rosea |
Andromalius |
-1 |
Common Mixtures
As multiple mixtures exist that produce the same effects, a listing of the most common mixtures follow. Additional mixtures can be discovered and crafted if the herbalist possesses a magically-enhanced mortar and pestle.
| Awaken |
Thrown |
celidonia and eliotropia |
a silvery herbal mixture |
| Blindness |
Thrown |
jusquianus, queri, and urtica |
a shimmering copper herbal mixture |
| Calm |
Eaten |
eliotropia, mepeta, and queri |
a pale yellow herbal mixture |
| Cause Light |
Thrown |
celidona and jusquianus |
a reddish herbal mixture |
| Cure Light |
Eaten |
milisopholos and lingua canis |
a glimmering white herbal mixture |
| Cure Poison |
Eaten |
jusquianus, queri, and urtica |
a bright green herbal mixture |
| Death Grip |
Eaten |
jusquianus, mepeta, milisopholos, and provinca |
a sticky magenta herbal mixture |
| Detect Invisibility |
Eaten |
celidona, eliotropia, and lillium |
a light blue herbal mixture |
| Fatigue |
Thrown |
usicur, rosa |
a sparkling gold herbal mixture |
| Levitation |
Eaten |
milisopholos, verbena |
a pale blue herbal mixture |
| Reveal |
Thrown |
centaures and verbena |
a dark purple herbal mixture |
| Refresh |
Eaten |
salvia and verbena |
a warm brown herbal mixture |
| Sense Life |
Eaten |
celidona, eliotropia, lillium, mepeta, and queri |
a dark red herbal mixture |