Strengthening Solution

Chapter 4

Strengthening Solution Estimated Brewing Time: 100 minutes Ingredients: One and a quarter (1.25) liters of water Ninety (90) ml salamander blood¹ One (1) owl liver¹ Six (6) pumpkin seeds² Two (2) troll whiskers¹ Four (4) fairy wings² Thirty (30) grams powdered griffin claw² One (1) Chinese Chomping Cabbage² Three (3) dandelion leaves³ Thirty (30) ml Flobberworm mucus³ Instructions: Part One: 1.Add 750 ml of water to your cauldron and bring the heat to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F). 2. Add 30 ml salamander blood to the cauldron. 3. Leave the cauldron on the heat for two minutes and then remove it from the heat for five minutes. 4. While the potion is sitting, cut the owl liver into cubes about 0.5 centimeters diameter. 5. Re-add cauldron to the heat source. 6. Add owl liver to the cauldron. 7. Stir twice counter-clockwise with your wand. (Note: At this point, the cauldron may start to hiss and steam a bit. 8. This just means that the owl liver came from a particularly young owl. It will work just the same, but the brewer should be cautious not to get splashed by the contents of the cauldron.) 9. Add six pumpkin seeds to the cauldron. 10. Stir five times clockwise with your wand. 11. Allow the potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for 35 minutes (this would be 31 minutes in a brassCauldron and 28 minutes in a copper cauldron). Deep red; brown-tan; rotting meat Part Two: 12. Add two troll whiskers to the cauldron. 13. Simultaneously add 30 ml salamander blood and four fairy wings to the cauldron. (Note: If these ingredients aren’t added simultaneously, the potion may become weak or ineffective.) 14. Bring your heat up to 393 Kelvin (120°C/248°F) for seven minutes. Then reduce heat again to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F). 15. Stir thrice clockwise. 16. Add 15 grams powdered griffin claw. 17. Stir once clockwise with your wand. 18. Allow the potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for 35 minutes (this would be 31 minutes in a brass cauldron and 28 minutes in a copper cauldron). Canary yellow; orange; cooked bacon Part Three: 19. While the potion is brewing, carefully chop your Chinese Chomping Cabbage into segments about one cm in width. 20. Bring your heat up to 393 Kelvin (120°C/248°F) for thirty seconds. Then reduce heat again to 363 Kelvin (90°C/194°F). 21. Stir twice clockwise with your wand. 22. Add the pieces of Chinese Chomping Cabbage to your cauldron. 23. Stir once counterclockwise with your wand. 24. Remove the potion from the heat and allow it to sit for two minutes. 25. Put the cauldron back on the heat and allow thirty ml salamander blood to the cauldron. 26. Add 500 ml water to the cauldron, which will be greatly depleted of water at this point. 27. Allow the potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for 15 minutes (this would be 13 minutes in a brass cauldron and 12 minutes in a copper cauldron). Pale yellow-green; clear or white; fresh cut grass Part Four: 28. Add three dandelion leaves to your cauldron. 29.Stir twice clockwise. 30. Remove the cauldron from the heat source and wait thirty seconds. 31. Add 15 grams of powdered griffin claw. 32. Stir thrice counterclockwise. 33. Allow the potion to brew in your pewter cauldron for 15 minutes (this would be 13 minutes in a brass cauldron and 12 minutes in a copper cauldron). 34. Remove the potion from the heat and allow it to cool for ten minutes. 35. Add 30 ml of Flobberworm mucus and stir it with your wooden spoon until the potion is of an even consistency. 36. Then siphon it into a phial for labeling. Pale pink; yellow steam; moldy pine needles To Store: The potion should be stored in a clear phial in a slightly warm location out of direct sunlight. It can be stored for up to three weeks before it should be safely discarded. To Use: Only 15 ml of the Strengthening Solution should be taken orally within a twenty-four hour period. It can be taken on its own or mixed with a tea or other beverage if desired. It can be dangerous to over-consume the Strengthening Solution, and it should not be taken without approval of a healer or other magical medical professional. Effects: When the Strengthening Solution is taken as advised, it stimulates quicker growth of muscles. It does not grow muscles on its own, but rather speeds the development of muscular structure while one exercises. Overdose of the Strengthening Solution can have very troubling effects, including erosion of the stomach lining and dissolution of muscle mass. In some cases, healers have reported seeing muscles erode within a matter of days when too much Strengthening Solution has been taken. The potion should not be taken for more than six months at a time, or it can lead to permanent issues, including chronic muscle cramps, brittle or permanently disfigured muscles, and similar effects. Caution: Children should not take the Strengthening Solution, and women who are or may become pregnant should avoid the potion as well. Allergies to the potion are rare, but when they occur, can include swelling of the extremities, including fingers and toes, and deep purple rashes. If this occurs, discontinue use of the potion immediately and consult with a healer, as this can lead to future complications.