Difference between revisions of "Harvest Poisonous Herb (sage ability)"

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[[File:Gathering poisonous herbs.jpg|right|440px|]]
 
[[File:Gathering poisonous herbs.jpg|right|440px|]]
'''Harvest poisonous herb'''  
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'''Harvest poisonous herb''' is an [[Knowledge Points|amateur]]-level [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] within the [[Sage Study|study]] of [[Poisoning (sage study)|Poisoning]], indicating that the character possesses practical competence in locating, identifying and collecting toxic plant matter in the wild. This includes herbs, roots, fungi, seeds and other vegetable substances known to possess [[Poison (substance)|poisonous]] qualities. The character’s familiarity extends beyond simple recognition; it encompasses an understanding of subtle distinctions within plant families, enabling the selection of specimens that are more potent, less degraded or otherwise suited to a desired effect.
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The ability further implies awareness of environmental influence. Soil quality, moisture, exposure and elevation all affect the strength of a plant’s toxicity, and the character is able to judge these conditions in the field. As such, the gathered material is not merely poisonous, but chosen with intent toward its eventual use in preparation.
  
Indicates that the character is competent to effectively gather all sorts of poison herbs, plants, fungus and other vegetable matter from a wilderness environment, with greater alacrity and scrutiny than might an ordinary person.  The ability includes the character's awareness of more or less toxic varieties of the same approximate family of plants; even which specific plants are bound to produce more or less toxicity based upon the placement and soil where the plant grows.
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== Harvesting ==
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Successful harvesting depends strongly upon season and climate. [[Flowers & Sprigs (sage study)|Flowering plants]] are most effectively gathered from late spring through mid-summer, when their active compounds are strongest. Seeds and fruits require maturity and are therefore not available until late summer, with some remaining viable into the early winter months depending on the species.
  
== Harvesting ==
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In tropical and sub-tropical regions, the dry season sharply reduces available yield, limiting harvests to 25% of normal. In temperate climates, availability declines steadily after the 1st of August, decreasing by 20% per week until reaching a minimum of 10% of normal yield as the growing season ends.
This is best done at certain times of the year; flowering plants must be harvested from late spring until the middle of summer; seeds and fruits cannot be harvested until the last weeks of summer; some of these may be harvested even into the winter months.  During the dry season of tropical and sub-tropical climates, gathering is reduced to 25% of normal. In temperate climates, gathering will fall by 20% cumulatively per week, following the 1st of August, to a minimum of 10% of normal.
 
  
The amount of poisonous herbs that can be gathered per day, during good seasons, equals one to four [[Measurements|pounds]] of good materials — enough to make quite a lot of poison. The nature and species gathered is dictated by the player, so that all of it might be, say, belladonna, or it might be equally divided between belladonna and some other material. The limit in amount is not due to the lack of poisonous matter, but to the time needed to carefully collect and locate what's available.
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Under favourable conditions, a character may gather between one and four [[Measurements|pounds]] of usable poisonous material per day. This quantity reflects not scarcity, but the care required in locating, identifying and safely collecting suitable specimens. The character may choose the species sought, provided it exists in the region, allowing for focused gathering of a single plant or a mixture of types as desired.
  
The ability grants the character the ability to do this safely, using gloves, tools and containers that ensure the character will not self-poison while harvesting. This material is then assumed to be stored safely and managed carefully, so that cross-contamination with other substances and materials can't happen.
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The ability includes the proper handling of dangerous material. The character is assumed to employ gloves, cutting tools and appropriate containers, preventing accidental exposure during harvest. Collected substances are stored in a manner that preserves their integrity and prevents cross-contamination, ensuring they remain suitable for later use in preparation.
  
 
== Species ==
 
== Species ==
It falls upon the DM to determine which specific herbs are available for harvesting in the character's locale. Many poisonous plants will be available throughout a given continent. Many poisonous plants will not exist in certain areas of vegetation — [[Alpine (range)|alpine highlands]], deserts, steppelands and tundras are notable places where it may be difficult to find the amount of matter specified above, particularly if there is no vegetation at all. Decidious and broadleaf forests, on the other hand, will be a virtual Mecca with regards to exhaustive varieties of poisonous species. Some information about available poison plants may be found under [[Equipment Notes|equipment notes]].
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The specific plants available for harvest are determined by the environment and therefore fall under the direction of the DM. Many poisonous species are widespread across continents, but their presence is not universal. Regions with sparse or harsh vegetation — such as [[Alpine (range)|alpine highlands]], deserts, steppelands and tundras — offer limited opportunity for gathering, and in some cases none at all.
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By contrast, temperate deciduous and broadleaf forests provide abundant and varied sources of toxic plant life, supporting a wide range of species suitable for harvest. Wetlands, riverbanks and shaded undergrowth often yield particularly potent varieties. Additional reference for specific plants and their uses may be found under [[Equipment Notes|equipment notes]].
See Also,<br>
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[[Poison (substance)]]<br>
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[[Category: Sage Abilities]][[Category: Reviewed]]
[[Poisoning (sage study)]]<br>
 

Revision as of 19:38, 14 April 2026

Harvest poisonous herb is an amateur-level sage ability within the study of Poisoning, indicating that the character possesses practical competence in locating, identifying and collecting toxic plant matter in the wild. This includes herbs, roots, fungi, seeds and other vegetable substances known to possess poisonous qualities. The character’s familiarity extends beyond simple recognition; it encompasses an understanding of subtle distinctions within plant families, enabling the selection of specimens that are more potent, less degraded or otherwise suited to a desired effect.

The ability further implies awareness of environmental influence. Soil quality, moisture, exposure and elevation all affect the strength of a plant’s toxicity, and the character is able to judge these conditions in the field. As such, the gathered material is not merely poisonous, but chosen with intent toward its eventual use in preparation.

Harvesting

Successful harvesting depends strongly upon season and climate. Flowering plants are most effectively gathered from late spring through mid-summer, when their active compounds are strongest. Seeds and fruits require maturity and are therefore not available until late summer, with some remaining viable into the early winter months depending on the species.

In tropical and sub-tropical regions, the dry season sharply reduces available yield, limiting harvests to 25% of normal. In temperate climates, availability declines steadily after the 1st of August, decreasing by 20% per week until reaching a minimum of 10% of normal yield as the growing season ends.

Under favourable conditions, a character may gather between one and four pounds of usable poisonous material per day. This quantity reflects not scarcity, but the care required in locating, identifying and safely collecting suitable specimens. The character may choose the species sought, provided it exists in the region, allowing for focused gathering of a single plant or a mixture of types as desired.

The ability includes the proper handling of dangerous material. The character is assumed to employ gloves, cutting tools and appropriate containers, preventing accidental exposure during harvest. Collected substances are stored in a manner that preserves their integrity and prevents cross-contamination, ensuring they remain suitable for later use in preparation.

Species

The specific plants available for harvest are determined by the environment and therefore fall under the direction of the DM. Many poisonous species are widespread across continents, but their presence is not universal. Regions with sparse or harsh vegetation — such as alpine highlands, deserts, steppelands and tundras — offer limited opportunity for gathering, and in some cases none at all.

By contrast, temperate deciduous and broadleaf forests provide abundant and varied sources of toxic plant life, supporting a wide range of species suitable for harvest. Wetlands, riverbanks and shaded undergrowth often yield particularly potent varieties. Additional reference for specific plants and their uses may be found under equipment notes.