Alchemical ingredients
Alchemical ingredients are used by alchemists and sages across Ermarian to create potions for various purposes. Alchemical ingredients should be distinguished from magical reagents such as sapphires and smoky crystals.
Generally speaking, there is more than one way to concoct the same potion. Which ingredients will work, and what proportion of each is necessary, depends in some part on the condition of the ingredients, as well as local climate, and so on. For this reason, some alchemists classify herbs and other potion ingredients into several categories based on their general alchemical use.
Healing Herbs
Comfrey Root
Comfrey root has properties that accelerate healing. The plant is ground up and mixed with cold water or plant resin. The result is a salve which is applied topically, as it is toxic when ingested. Even though this plant is not rare, it can only be harvested in small quantities which makes the product pricey. Alchemists generally guard their sources as closely kept secrets, as overharvesting the root will destroy it.
Glowing Nettle
It is not known what makes some nettle plants absorb magical energy from the earth, but we are lucky they do. The strange, bright sheen on the leaves marks such plants. They can grow anywhere, even underground. However, the very same plant growing underground doesn't look like the same as it does on surface, but is more pale and grows weaker, instead.
Ember Flowers
Ember flowers are beautiful, sweet-smelling orange or yellow flowers. They have powerful healing properties that make them the essential component in the strongest healing potions and in resurrection balm. They are extremely rare.
Spiritual Herbs
Holly
This thorny green plant with the red berries is renowned for its usefulness in naturalistic rituals and alchemy. It is highly poisonous, and yet, in small quantities and properly treated, can make curing potions as well.
Crypt Shrooms
A rare variety of mushroom used in some poison and energy potions. Studied by Cochran of the Tower of Magi.
Asptongue Mold
A rare, dangerous mold, used in the creation of the most powerful poisons.
Energetic Herbs
Wormgrass
Wormgrass is twisted, wicked-looking, and defends itself with razor sharp edges. The youngest, freshest, sharpest blades are valuable in alchemy.
Unique Herbs
Toadstools
One of many poisonous varieties of mushroom. Toadstools are scattered throughout the land, which contributes to their diversity.
One extremely rare species of toadstool is the Borgia toadstool. It is native to the lower caves.
Graymold
Graymold is a sweet smelling, slimy, dark gray mold. Because of its scarcity and ability to cure almost any illness or injury, it is constantly in demand by healers and alchemists. It is best known for its use in graymold salve, though it is also used in other powerful potions. It is usually only found underground, but has been known to appear in isolated crags on the surface.
Mandrake
Since the earliest dawning of magical power, mandrake root has been the key ingredient of the most powerful rituals. In addition to containing much energy waiting to be unleashed, proper treatment can turn mandrake into a vicious poison.
Animal Part Ingredients
Fangs
Fangs and glands from asps, spiders, and even drakes are sometimes used in the creation of poisons. Intact sets are hard to come by, as most venom sacs rupture soon after a creature dies. Fangs from especially strong, magical creatures, such as spider queens and drake lords, are particularly valuable.
Otiose Reagents
Black-spotted Sponge Moss
One of the rarer naturally occuring ingredients, the sponge moss hasn't found any use in modern alchemy.