Thanks bowlofspinach, that's helpful input! I was definitely trying to think of ways to make it more realistic/explainable (science-y) to reduce the level of magic, but that would have obviously had the opposite effect for you (I'm a scientist, so the more science-y something is, the less magical for me). So I'll try to be more mysterious. Also, definitely NOT thinking of it as a manufactured drug. I think it's more like the salt/gem/gold industry in the middle ages, not like big pharma. And the experience I'm imagining is more like
Ayahuasca. Very druid/shaman like experience, except a bath instead of tea. Maybe we should refer to it as a concoction/potion instead of a drug to make it more medieval fantasy.
So here's some changes based on feedback (including saevikas's recent post back in the thread):
1) Not everyone is capable of using the etherite in this way. It is a very practiced skill.
2) It requires a master/guide, like a shaman/druid, who guides the ritual/ceremony/experience.
3) It takes a lot of time (multiple days of soaking in the concoction).
4) Effects are relatively contained to one element of the weather and local.
5) Call it a concoction/tincture/tonic instead of drug.
6) There will definitely be side effects that limit use, but those can be explored in game as interesting surprises as we play maybe?
Let me know what you think?
Last edited February 16, 2020 5:53 pm