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A N A L Y S I S - A L C H E M Y |
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Aunty Elf’s Cookbook What follows is a discussion of actual mixing recipes. I am assuming that all of you are quite familiar with the Simple and Complex Potions, so I shall omit their recipes. In cases where specific recipes are given, Simple Potions will be designated as R, Y, & B and Complex Potions as G, O, & P. By studying the potion formulas we notice the following two rules: Never mix a Simple Potion with anything other than another Simple Potion, a Catalyst, or a Complex Potion! To create a potion of any given level you must start with at least one potion of the next lower level. If you ignore these rules you will waste a lot of reagents. If you’re lucky that’s all that will happen. If you’re not so lucky you may blow up the entire party and eradicate yourself. |
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Layered Potions Three-ingredient Layered Potions follow two forms: (2D + E) and (D + E + F). If all the formulas were combinations, we would have seven possibilities: six of the (2D + E) and one of the (D + E + F), since there are six ways to use two of one color and one of another, and only one way to have all three colors. Since there are in fact nine three-ingredient potions, we realize that (D + E + F) must be a permutation. We can have (R + B + Y), (R + Y + B), (B + R + Y), (B + Y + R), (Y + B + R), and (Y + R + B). But our two-handed (or two-clawed) Alchemist can only mix two potions at a time. He cannot mix (D + E + F) all at once, but must break it down into (D + E) + F. We can see that there are only three real possibilities: an orange potion to be mixed with blue, a purple potion to be mixed with yellow, and a green potion to be mixed with red. The rules for mixing any three-ingredient potions are: take any two different Simple Potions, mix them together, and then add a third Simple Potion. This is very wordy, so it can be abbreviated as [(D + E) + D] in the 2D + E formula, and as [(D + E) + F] in the other case. Since D, E, and F can represent any of the reagents, we don’t need to put down [(D + F) + E]. Just apply the formula three different times, using three different reagents for F. Four-ingredient Layered Potions follow the formula (2D + E + F). Since any of the three reagents may be the one that is doubled, there are three Layered Potions that follow this formula. They are mixed all mixed as (D + E) + (D + F). There is no way to mix a four-ingredient potion with the formula (2D + 2E). If we mix two different (D + E) potions, we will have two like potions, which cannot be mixed. If we create a potion of [(D + E) + D], we cannot add the remaining E to it, because of The Cardinal Rule prohibiting the addition of Simple Potions to Layered Potions. |
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White Potions The least complicated of the White Potions are the 5-ingredient Boost potions. They consist of three of one reagent and two of another, written as (3D + 2E). A little reflection will show that there are six combinations: D can represent R, B, or Y for three possibilities, while E can be either of the other reagents. These potions are all mixed as [(D + E) + D] + (D + E). These potions boost attributes, but there are six potions and seven attributes. The remaining Boost potion therefore must have a different formula. Two other formulas for 5-ingredient potions are (2D + 2E + F) and (3D + E + F). All six of these potions may be mixed in two different ways. In all cases a Complex Potion is added to a Layered Potion. The (2D + 2E + F) may be mixed either as [(D + E) + D] + (E + F) or as [(D + E) + E] + (D + F). The (3D + E + F)-type may be mixed as [(D + E) + D] + (D + F) or as [(D + F) + D] + (D + E). There are three basic formulas for six-ingredient White Potions: (3D + 3E), (2D + 2E + 2F), and (3D + 2E + F). The (3D + 3E) potions are the easiest to make. To mix, use [(D + E) + D] + [(D + E) + E]. The (2D + 2E + 2F) potion is a combination, not a permutation. It may be mixed in any of three ways: [(D + F) + D] + [(E + F) + E}, [(D + F) + F] + [(D + E) + E], or [(D + E) + D] + [(E + F) + F]. The (3D + 2E + F) Whites are all Resistance boosts. They are all mixed by combining two Layered Potions: [(D + E) + E] + [(D + F) + D]. |
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Black Potions The seven-ingredient Black Potions all increase Attributes by 50 points permanently. They all follow the formula (4D + 2E + F). They are all mixed by adding a Complex Potion to the Boost Potion of the same name. In algebraic notation: {[(D + E) + D] + (D + E)} + (D + F). Eight-ingredient Black Potions have the formula (3D + 3E + 2F). They cannot be made by this formula, since D and E are not interchangeable. Guess wrong and you’ll end up with a gray Catalyst instead of a Black Potion. Nevertheless, they can all be made in two different ways. The three eight-ingredient Blacks are the missing attribute boost (Pure Luck), Stone to Flesh Potion, and Slaying Potion. Pure Luck is the only permanent Attribute-increaser that has no apparent correlation to its temporary boost potion. Its scroll recipe is given as 2 red, 3 blue, 3 yellow. It may be mixed two ways: [(P + B) + G] + (O + Y) or as [(G + B) + P] + (O + Y). The scroll recipe for Stone to Flesh is given as 3 red, 2 blue, 3 yellow. It may be mixed [(O + Y) + G] + (P + R) or as [(G + Y) + O] + (P + R). Slaying Potion’s scroll recipe is given as 3 red, 3 blue, 2 yellow. It may be mixed [(O + R) + G] + (P + B) or [(O + Y) + P] + (P + B). The nine-ingredient Rejuvenation Potion may actually be made nine ways. Its scroll recipe, quoted earlier, calls for three each of the base reagents, or (3R + 3B + 3Y). Basically, you create a White (2D + 2E + 2F) Potion, using any of the three methods shown before. Then you create a Layered (D + E + F) Potion, using any of those three methods. Combine the White and the Layered Potion to create your Rejuvenation Potion. |
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End Note Since there are 50 different potions, there are 50 x 49 = 2450 ways to mix any two. I shall not tabulate the results of all the combinations. Obviously, some of them will result in explosions (or worse.) Generally, you will be safe and successful if you remember these guidelines: 1. Do not mix Simple Potions with any potion not solid in color; 2. A potion from any class of potion must be made with at least one potion from the next lower class; 3. You can't mix similar potions; 4. Save your game before experimenting. |