Here are some ideas on how warpstone is used, by whom and in what purpose. Note that the Skaven part is not an invention of the webmaster. It is taken from the Realms of Sorcery supplement and put here for reference. Also note that these aren't rules, they are just thoughts and random ideas that have not been compiled into a system or really fleshened out.
Skaven | Refinement
Spells | Potions | Magic Items
Miscellaneous | Corruption
Warpstone contains immense magickal power and the skaven use warpstone as a normal mineral. They use it in their magickal researches, their engines, weapons, magic items, to increase and renew their magickal potency and even for sustenance. The black rock is worked and refined to be used for the different purposes. The skaven use of warpstone is detailed in Realms of Sorcery so I won't go into that here. But skaven are not the only ones that use warpstone and that's what this section is about. Note that there is really nothing stopping the skaven to use warpstone in a similar way.
Just like the skaven do, alchemists can refine warpstone for various magickal uses. This is not as advanced as the refinement the skaven can perform and there is only one level of refinement. So the two types of warpstone used by non-skaven magick users are called pure and refined. For purposes of warpstone corruption, the refined (non-skaven one) is treated as the skaven refined type. Following are some different uses a magick user can put warpstone to.
A spellcaster can enhance his spells by using a snuff made from warpstone. This is made from several alchemical components and then either pure or refined warpstone dust is mixed with it. Therefore, there are two different types of this snuff, referred to as pure and mixed. Note that many magick users don't know what the snuff is made of, this is an alchemical secret. So, this is often bought from alchemists in good faith that is in no way endangering the spellcaster (at least not more than the danger of normal spellcasting). Following is a description of each type of snuff:
Pure - This dust looks like white dust mixed with black dust, mixed 10:1. Each dose costs 10 GCs. If taken in, it enhances all spells cast by +1 to any die rolls, -20 to magic test to escape the effects, casting time is reduced by half and no ingredients are required. The effects last for 1 turn.
Mixed - This is a purple dust. Each dose costs 8 GCs. If taken in, it enhances all spells so that there is a -10 to magic test to escape the effects and casting time is reduce by half. The effects last for 10 turns.
Any magical potion can be created using warpstone by grinding it into the concotion. This is not necessary but it's creation is made easier and the effects are enhanced. It depends on the type of warpstone used what the effects will be:
Pure - There is a +20 bonus in creating the potion and it's effects are increased by 50%. Price is usually increased by 100%.
Mixed - There is a +10 bonus in creating the potion and it's effects are increased by 20%. Price is usually increased by 50%.
Just like the potions, any magical item can be created with the help of warpstone. The warpstone is mixed with the fabric of the item. The effects vary depending on which type of warpstone is used:
Pure - There is a +10 bonus in creating the item and there is a possibility (~10%) that any attributes the item is imbued with are somehow strengthened.
Mixed - There is no bonus in creating the item but there is a small possibility (~5%) that any attributes the item is imbued with are somehow strengthened.
Alchemists can create so called Energy spheres. These are described in the Magick Miscellanea link in the Magick section and will therefore not be covered here.
Rules for how warpstone used in all these ways can corrupt are not covered here. Rules that cover that can be found in the Warpstone Corruption link in the Magick section.
Back to the Chaos Library