The Obojima Podcast the Blog | Episode 25 – Potion Brewing in Obojima

This blog post was made using dictation summary software and posted for SEO purposes. If you really want to know what this episode is about, check out the full episode here: https://youtu.be/EaEj6ib3zaQ?si=YhYMWQH_z_7D_1h7

You know what they say in Obojima: it's not the size of the island but the motion of the potion. Or if this Lionfish King boat's a-rockin', don't come a-knockin.'

In other words: welcome to the Obojima Podcast! This podcast dives into the creative process of building Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass. First things first, let’s meet our intrepid crew of writers. 

• Jeremiah Crofton - The Creative Director of 1985 Games and the creator of Obojima

• Ari Levitch - Head Writer

• Adam Lee - Head Writer

In this episode, the team explores one of Obojima’s most intricate systems yet: potion brewing. They discuss mechanics, player options, and the design reasoning behind every ingredient.

Potion Brewing System Mechanics

The system draws inspiration from the cooking mechanics in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, combined with Jeremiah’s background as a self-described "failed robotics engineer." Ingredients each carry three numerical values—"whimsy," "utility," and "combat." The sum determines the resulting potion, allowing players to experiment and discover unique recipes.

Potion Rarity and Effects

Obojima’s potions use three rarity tiers instead of D&D’s five:

• Common: Easy to find and brew, offering simple effects like extra movement or hair color changes.

• Uncommon: Mechanically more complex, requiring rarer ingredients.

• Rare: Powerful effects, often requiring quests to gather ingredients, with potential campaign-altering impact.

Consumption Limits and Effects

Unlike anabolic steroids in the First Age, effects do not stack; the most recent potion overrides previous effects. Overconsumption can lead to "potion sickness" or random mishaps, such as temporary voice changes or other unexpected effects.

Ingredient Sourcing and Exploration

Ingredients are scattered across Obojima’s biomes, encouraging exploration. They range from organic materials to first-stage technology and magical essences. Rare ingredients, such as Crimson Octopus Ink, can become quests in themselves, including interactions with factions like pirates in the Lionfish King’s domain.

New Skills: Salvaging and Scavenging

Two new skills were introduced for ingredient gathering:

• Salvaging: For inorganic or technological components.

• Scavenging: For organic materials. These skills provide more focused, engaging mechanics for players seeking ingredients.

Examples of Rare Potions

• Potion of Dragon Frog Transmutation: Temporarily transforms the user into an ancient dragon frog.

• Withered Potion of Withered Will: Grants a breath weapon that slows and exhausts foes.

• Hero’s Blade: +3 attack bonus and bypasses resistances on hit.

• Bottled Bomb: Deals 20d6 force damage in a 30-foot area.

Lore and World-Building Through Ingredients

Each of Obojima’s 130+ ingredients comes with art and lore, providing players with details about the world’s history. These small touches inspire mini-adventures, NPC interactions, and deeper immersion.

Player Options for Potion Brewing

• Witch’s Background: A witch’s apprentice with proficiencies in Arcana, Survival, and Alchemist’s supplies. Starts with ingredients and can seek almanacs held by covens.

• Potion Brewer Feat: Allows manipulation of ingredient attributes for dual-potion creation and a chance to create two potions at once.

• Forager Feat: Boosts Wisdom, Survival proficiency, and doubles ingredient acquisition.

• Belly Brewer Barbarian Subclass: Consumes almost anything to brew magical effects internally, limited to ingestible potions.

Portability and Tone

The system can integrate into other campaigns, though whimsical potions—like temporary transformations or unusual effects—may not suit darker tones. A notable rare whimsical potion: Call of the Donkey King.

Key Takeaways

• Discoverable system encourages player experimentation.

• Three-tier rarity system balances simplicity and power.

• Safeguards like non-stacking effects, potion limits, and mishaps maintain balance.

• Ingredients drive exploration, quests, and immersion.

• Specialized skills enhance ingredient acquisition.

• Rare potions are powerful and impactful.

• Ingredients provide a strong vehicle for world-building.

• A breath weapon is no joke. We once worked with a mailroom supervisor in the time of prehistory who could make you faint just by yawning—but now we're dating ourselves. 

Obojima potion mechanics offer players both creative freedom and meaningful exploration.

Closing Thoughts

Episode 25 highlights the team’s focus on creativity, balance, and player choice. Potion brewing adds depth to Obojima, from ingredient discovery to rare, campaign-altering effects.

Check out the full episode here: https://youtu.be/EaEj6ib3zaQ?si=YhYMWQH_z_7D_1h7