A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Gregorius21778: Works and Misfortunes of ye Alchemist

Gregorius21778: Works and Misfortunes of ye Alchemist is a role playing game supplement published by Kai Pütz a.k.a Gregorius21778. The supplement is written for Lamentations of the Flame Princess and, as such, is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result.

This is an eleven-page PDF that is available from DriveThruRPG for $1 but was received for free as a special offer. One page is the front cover, around half a page is the front matter, one page is an ad for other supplements and one page is the Open Game License. The PDF comes in two versions, one full colour and one more printer friendly version with black and white page backgrounds.

How to use this supplement explains that this allows characters to gain access to a source of healing potions, but ones from something a little more interesting than a bland alchemist’s shop. The first visit to the alchemist is fairly typical; after that it can get random and potentially dangerous.

Introductory paragraphs describe the alchemist, Howell, and Turlough, his rather thuggish dwarven landlord above whose forge Howell lives. The first time the characters visit Howell, he will have a number of healing potions available. Following this, Howell may or may not have healing potions, but there may be other matters.

A d100 is rolled on every subsequent visit. Every time a result is used, it is crossed out, and the next unused one below it is taken. Sooner or later, things will come to an end. There are 30 results in total, and these include such as experimental potions Howell wishes trying out, things that do not work as advertised, unusual items Howell has picked up and specific ingredients he wants them to find. More than a few of these are directly or indirectly dangerous.

Following this are some optional rules, with a new skill, Alchemy, rules on brewing potions and building an alchemical laboratory and other uses of the Alchemy skill.

Gregorius21778: Works and Misfortunes of ye Alchemist in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and, although much of it is the d100 table, they would have been appreciated. Navigation could be better. The text maintains a two-column format, either colour or black and white depending on the PDF version, and a few minor errors were noticed. There’s a single, generally appropriate, illustration. Presentation is okay.

Although aimed at Lamentations of the Flame Princess, much of the supplement can be adapted to other systems, and not only OSR systems. More complex systems, such as D&D 3.x/Pathfinder, can also use the main table, with a bit of tweaking to allow for the added complexity.

The supplement has a whole range of different types of encounters with the alchemist, from potential adventure hooks (cheat Howell on certain types and they will no longer be offered), to potentially useful – and sometimes potentially dangerous – alchemical items to acquire. A really nice collection of interesting encounters that could land the characters in trouble as well. This supplement will make a visit to the local alchemist to pick up some healing potions far more… entertaining, and is definitely recommended. Gregorius21778: Works and Misfortunes of ye Alchemist can be found by clicking here.