I love the idea of giving the merspecies the same natural phenomenon of the fish they’re repping. Like yeah, give her the bioluminescence, but also the male versions should be 1/10 her size and only reproduce by biting her and fusing to her side AND (sometimes) being stuck there forever.
I've been to all 3, although it's been a long while since I've been to a play or opera. The last ballet I went to was a local performance of the Nutcracker with my oldest kid on a school field trip. It was fun and the performers were great!
I'd love to go to more, but it's unfortunately not in the budget these days.
btw if youre young and scared of doing adult things without your parents ive learned that like 90% of the time you can just tell the doctors office or the dmv "haha sorry ive never done this without help before... can you show me how to do this?" the employee will not care. if that means anything to you
So legit, I work for my state government (not at the DMV) and I have people all the time telling me they're sorry to bother me when they're asking me for help with what I do process. And I'm always like, you're not bothering me at all. This is literally my job.
Do I have other things I could be doing? Yes. Does that mean helping you is a bother? Not at all. It is 100%, part of my job to help people understand how this works and how they're supposed to fill out the paperwork. And honestly, me explaining it to you, means I won't have to fix it later, so it makes my job easier when you understand it. So please, ask the questions!!
If you see the quote "I refuse to share my body with a man who wouldn't defend it politically" or any variation of it floating around the internet — it was Kat Blaque who originally said it and she would really appreciate it if people gave her proper credit for it but it's gone viral on a lot of different platforms and most of the people sharing it don't know it's from her or choose not to credit her on purpose.
I've been working on a lot of resources, and while this is still in progress as of Sept. 2025, thought I'd share it since I've slowed down in my work on it.
If there are things missing or aspects you think should be noted, do let me know!
I have the time and the energy (as in I've had this info sitting in one of my various spreadsheets) so let's get into the poisons of Thedas. I've also split this apart from a much shorter version so if you want a TLDR, please see this post.
For the purpose of this list I'm including any weapon coatings as they can be multiuse. Additionally, Inquisition has "tonics" which include poisons, potions, and actual tonics; so things described as poison are listed there. As well as anything mentioned in Tevinter Nights short story "Eight Little Talons" that is connected to Viago as he is a poison master, he makes and keeps poisons and various toxins, or other caustic substances. I've also included bombs, grenades, and traps as they use the same poisonous ingredients and sometimes share similar effects.
The definition of a poison that I am using is:
"A substance that causes injury, illness, or death, especially by chemical means. Or a substance that inhibits another substance or a reaction."
Known Coatings and Poisons
Brief note, there are some general mentioned poisons not listed here, such as "contact poison" which is far too general for me to feel like I could add it here. Things like this, and other notations of poisons I will list at the bottom under additional info/trivia.
Acidic coating
Adder's kiss
Aquae Lucidius
Arcane poison
Choke powder/Choking powder
Crow Poison (regular and concentrated)
Crow venom
Deathroot Extract (regular and concentrated)
Deathroot Toxin
Debilitating poison
Deepstalker spit and aqua regia mixture
Demonic poison (regular and concentrated)
Dispel coating
Elemental coating
Exotic dwarven poison
Fell poison
Flame coating
Fleshrot
Freezing coating
Hale's Dust
Havard's Grief
Knockout Powder
Maferath's Embrace
Magebane (regular and concentrated)
Marrow lock
Odorless Crow Poison
Pillow Talk
Qamek
Quiet Death
Saar-Qamek
Shock coating
Soldier's bane (regular and concentrated)
Soulrot coating
Spider venom (regular and concentrated)
Tears if the Dead
Venom (regular and concentrated)
Vitaar
Wyvern venom
Known Bombs, Grenades, and Traps
Acid Flask
Acidic Trap
Acidic Grease Trap
Antivan Fire
Choking Powder Trap (Mild)
Choking Powder Trap
Choking Powder Cloud Trap
Combustion Grenade
Confusion Grenade
Fell Grenade
Fire Bomb
Fire Trap
Freeze Bomb
Freeze Trap
Jar of Bees
Misdirection Cloud Trap
Pitch Grenade
Poisoned Caltrop Trap
Shock Bomb
Shock Trap
Sleeping Gas Trap (Mild)
Sleeping Gas Trap
Sleeping Gas Cloud Trap
Soulrot Trap
Tar Bomb
Ingredients That are Poisonous or Used to Create Bombs, Grenades, and Poisons
Adder Venom
Aqua regia
Black Lichen
Blight
Blood Lotus
Bulbs of the Frostback Mountains
Concentrator Agent
Corpse Heart Ichor
Corruptor Agent
Deathroot
Deep Mushroom varieties
Deepstalker Spit
Demonic Ichor
Distillation Agent
Dragon Venom
Felandaris
Fire Crystal
Firedust
Foxite
Frostrock
Frozen Lightning
Gaatlock
Ghoul's Beard
Glitterdust
Heatherum
Lifestone
Lyrium
Lyrium Dust
Madcap Bulb
Rashvine
Rashvine Nettle
Redmoss
Snake Venom
Spider Venom
Toxin Extract
Vasanthum tree
Varghest Blood
Wyvern Venom
Descriptions of Crafting Ingredients
The only discriptions included are those provided in game or text.
Adder Venom
A snake native to Antiva, known for its quick acting and deadly poison. It has a paralyzing component and works to shut down the heart and lungs of the victim. There is an antidote, created by Viago known as "Up and Adder".
Aqua regia
Not defined, but presumably another highly caustic alcohol made of wyvern venom like aquae lucidius or lyrium like aqua magus.
Black Lichen
Mentioned in the Official Dragon Age Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, this is a lichen used to make bread and can be toxic if not cooked before consumed.
Blood Lotus
Awakening
Description:
This flower is famous for surviving in almost any climate.
DAI
Codex:
Do not try to get out of this. We were told you were the best. That is why you were contracted. Was it not you who obtained the two hundred white blooming rose bushes for the Empress's winter ball last year? The comtesse has been infinitely patient 'til now, but she doesn't understand why it is so hard to fill the garden pool.
She wants no more excuses. And no, she will not compromise with the dawn lotuses. They're white! The flowers have to match the silk canopies. It is crucial! Dark purple. Dark red. Do not try to frame this as a safety issue. The guests will be perfectly safe. Why, if they experience any hallucinations from the concentration of lotus essence in the air, I'm certain it will only make the evening more thrilling.
I don't care if you have to send someone to some Fereldan peat bog to get it all. Just do it!
—A note from Chamberlain Laurent to Grand Gardener Umbert Vauclain, over the decorations for Comtesse d'Arnee's summer garden party
According to gossip in Val Royeaux, the chamberlain did succeed in convincing Grand Gardener Vauclain to provide four hundred and twenty lotus plants. The party was considered by most to be a roaring success, even though the evening concluded with at least twelve guests asleep on the lawn, three in the pool, and one lady losing several teeth trying to take a bite out of a marble statue of the comtesse's father, which she was convinced was made of cake.
Concentrator Agent
DAO
Description:
Heatherum and Foxite are both common herbs in Ferelden. When distilled to be sufficient purity, they may be used as herbal agents to concentrate the effects of many potions, salves, and poisons.
Corpse Heart Ichor
Used in concentrated demonic poison, this thick, black ichor comes from the heart of corpses that have been possessed by demons. Seperated from demonic ichor as that ingredient can come from other sources aside from a corpse heart.
Corrupter Agent
DAO
Description:
Said to have been made from lifestone that has been corrupted by the darkspawn taint in the Deep Roads, this powdery agent is required to create some of the most powerful poisons and traps known.
Deathroot
DAO
Description:
A harmless enough plant on its own, deathroot's thick leaves contain an extract that the Chasind have used to induce hallucinations for centuries. Sufficiently concentrated, it can be made into a deadly poison.
DA2 / DAI
Codex:
Deathroot has been used in magic and potion making for centuries. It's a fragile-looking plant with a thin stalk and purple flowers, which fruits once a year developing bright red fleshy pods that cause disorientation and dizziness if ingested.
There are two varieties. The more common Arcanist Deathroot was first found by Archon Hadrianus when he discovered it growing on several dead slaves. The other, Lunatic's Deathroot, is most closely associated with the story of the courtesan Melusine, who sought revenge on a powerful magister and his family. She harvested the plant, baked it into small pies for the magister's banquet, and presented them to the magister at a banquet. All the guests were seized by terrifying hallucinations after eating the pies and tore each other to pieces.
—An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium, by Ines Arancia, botanist
Deep Mushroom
DAO
Description:
Fungi found underground in close proximity to lyrium veins. In addition to their restorative properties, they can also be made into poisons.
DA2 / DAI
Codex:
"Deep mushroom" refers to the entire group of fungi that grows underground in caves and many parts of the dwarven Deep Roads. Collection can be a dangerous task, as the Deep Roads are often infested with darkspawn. Because of this, dwarven merchants often recruit "casteless" hirelings for the job, and pay them a meager percentage of what they earn selling the mushrooms to surfacers.
The most common varieties used in the herbalist's trade are the Blightcap, Ghoul's Mushroom, and Brimstone Mushroom, almost all of which tend to carry the darkspawn's corruption. While they cannot transmit the disease, this trait often makes them quite poisonous. Deep mushrooms should only be handled by experienced herbalists and should never be consumed without first being adequately cleaned and prepared. Careless consumption has been known to cause insanity, severe abdominal cramping, and even death.
—An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium, by Ines Arancia, botanist
Demonic Ichor
DAO
Description:
Understandably difficult to find, this ichor can sometimes be found in the hearts of corpses that have been possessed by demons and is naturally both thick and black. In the right hands in can be made into a very potent poison.
Note: Can only be looted from darkspawn, usually alphas and emissaries.
Distillation Agent
DAO
Description:
One of the three rare bulbs found in the Frostback Mountains, when dried and powdered they become an excellent distillation agent required to evoke magical properties in crafting.
Dragon Venom
Mentioned to be an ingredient in gaatlok.
Felandaris
Used to craft poisons.
DA2 / DAI
Codex:
The name felandaris is elven, meaning "demon weed," which is fitting for this rare plant because it grows only in places where the Veil is thin.
Felandaris is easily identified. It's a twisted, wicked-looking shrub with long, thorny shoots, and no leaves: a skeletal hand, reaching out from an unmarked grave. Many swear the plant radiates a palpable aura of malevolence, so it comes as no surprise that it unnerves many a junior herbalist.
—An excerpt from The Botanical Compendium by Ines Arancia, botanist
Fire Crystal
DAO
Description:
These shards of lifestone are infused with magic, either naturally or by one of the Tranquil. They're white-hot and useful in many fire-related potions and traps.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Fire crystals are lifestones that have been infused with agitated thermal energy, either naturally or by one of the Tranquil.
Frostrock
DAO
Description:
These shards of lifestone are infused with magic, either naturally or by one of the Tranquil. Frostrocks radiate cold and can be used in many cold-related potions and traps.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Frostrock is lifestone that has absorbed some of the cold of the Frostbacks, either naturally or through the efforts of the Tranquil.
Frozen Lightning
DAO
Description:
Frozen lightning is a common name for a crystal that can naturally store electricity, which has made it a sought-after ingredient in the composition of several items and salves.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
These are crystals that store natural chemical energy, effectively making them electrical batteries.
Glitterdust
A mineral used to craft poisons and bombs
DA2
Codex:
Glitterdust is the powdered form of a rock found along the Wounded Coast. When explorers brought the sparkling rock to the markets of the Free Marches, it became immediately popular among wealthy ladies who crushed it and applied the powder to their faces. The added brightness and lustre to the skin, however, soon paled in comparison to the developing rash and coughing fits.
As it turned out, glitterdust is dangerous if ingested or inhaled. It's also extremely flammable, as several ladies discovered after powdering their hair while standing next to a candle. Unfortunately, this resulted in a dozen deaths by conflagration.
These days, glitterdust is used sparingly, and only by experienced alchemists. The most common form of the substance is Volatile Glitterdust. If gathered from caves where darkspawn dwell, the rock produces a powder known as Tainted Glitterdust.
—An excerpt from The Alchemist's Encyclopedia, by Lord Cerastes of Marnas Pell
Lifestone
DAO
Description:
These rare rocks have existed in close proximity to lyrium ore, and as such, they have absorbed some of its traits. Lifestones enhance the natural properties of other materials used in item creation.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Lifestones are chunks of rock that have lain in long proximity to lyrium ore and gained unusual properties from the exposure. They are invaluable for enchanting a wide variety of objects.
Lyrium Dust
DAO
Description:
This is lyrium found in a natural powdered state, ready to be incorporated into potions.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Lyrium found in a naturally powdered state, far easier to employ than lyrium ore.
Madcap Bulb
Awakening
Description:
Fereldan youths sometimes try eating madcap bulbs. They rarely repeat the experience.
Rashvine Nettle
Awakening
Description:
This plant burns the skin, but surprisingly not the tongue. It has no flavor whatsoever.
Spirit Shard
DAO
Description:
Spirit shards are enchanted lifestones that are used in several potions and poisons that affect the mind.
Toxin Extract
DAO
Description:
As one would expect, extracted venom from various creatures often makes potent poisons.
Dropped by Giant Spiders
Note: It is deemed a "venom" in the item id of the game
Descriptions of Poisons and Their Effects
I focused mainly on their descriptors provided in games and novels. I only include the gamified elements and effects for completeness of the entry as well as to elaborate on additional effects.
Acidic Coating
DAO
Description:
A small vial that contains a warm, lime-colored liquid.
Adder's Kiss
DAO, Awakening
Description:
An Antivan noble killed his adulterous wife by coating his lips with this poison and kissing her. He died as well.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Adder's kiss was the principal agent in the great Antivan tragedy Rosetta & Javier, supposedly a historical account of a nobleman who believes his wife has been having an affair. After a series of apparently innocent misunderstandings, Javier at last kisses his wife with lips coated with this poison, and neither survives.
Arcane Poison
DA2
Description:
Weapons coated in this potent poison weaken the ability to resist magical effects on any enemy they touch.
Ingredients:
Deathroot, Deep Mushroom, Glitterdust
Aquae Lucidius
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Its venom makes the wyvern widely sought by potion-makers, alchemists, and crafters of potent liquor called aquae lucidius. A miniscule quantity of wyvern venom remaining in the aquae after distillation results in a unique hallucinatory effect. Just how effective wyvern venom is at enhancing potions and alchemical recipes is either a closely guarded secret or a continuing mystery; opinions differ.
Making a batch of aquae lucidius requires 1 dose of wyvern venom per 10 servings, plus additional brewing supplies such as water, sugars, herbs, and yeast (costing about 10 silvers for a 10-serving batch). Crafting any sized batch of aquae lucidius requires an advanced TN 15 Cunning (Brewing) test; each roll represents about an hour’s work. Those who drink a serving of the stuff must make a TN 13 Constitution (Drinking) test, the result of which determines the drinker’s general reaction to the brew. Increase the TN by 1 for each additional serving consumed after the first. Any character who fails the test passes out after 1d6 minutes of dizzying, ugly hallucinations that leave him rattled and uneasy (–1 to Cunning and Perception) for 1d6 hours. Characters who succeed react to the drink based on their Dragon Die result, compared to the table below. (No actual magic effects take place but drinkers may be difficult to convince of that.)
Choke Powder / Choking Powder
Both a type of poison and a class of poison. Fleshrot is an examole of a choke powder, other descriptors used for the traps are powdered rock, metal, or spices.
Crow Poison
DAO
Description:
This poison is a favorite of the Antivan Crows, whose efficient administration of death has built a nation's reputation.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
The poison is mainly derived from the venom of a particularly deadly Antivan serpent
Concentrated Crow Poison
DAO
Description:
An enhanced version of the Crow original, this poison turns its victim into a veritable sitting duck for an efficient killer.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
This wicked brew results from a long, complex distillation process. A character suffering its effects immediately moves to the end of the initiative order. Additionally, the victim must make a TN 15 Constitution (Stamina) test or cannot use any stunt costing more than 2sp from the remainder of the encounter.
Crow Venom
DA2
Description:
Weapons coated in this potent poison slow the movements of all whom they touch.
Ingredient:
Deathroot, Deep Mushroom
Deathroot Extract
DAO
Description:
Even a quick sniff of this sludge is enough to cause hallucinations.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Deathroot is a common and relatively harmless plant. The Chasind Wilders use a distillation made from its root bulbs to induce vivid hallucinations in which they seek mystic knowledge. When concentrated the substance can be used as a weapon.
Those exposed to deathroot extract must make a TN 15 Constitution (Stamina or Drinking) test. Those who fail suffer hallucinations according to the Deathroot Hallucination table.
Concentrated Deathroot Extract
DAO
Description:
Although the deep blue-black color is attractive, clothing dyed with this liquid has proven unpopularly fatal to wear.
Deathroot Toxin
DA2
Description:
Weapons coated in this potent poison deal additional nature damage with each hit.
Ingredients:
Deathroot
Debilitating Poison
DA2
Description:
Weapons coated in this potent poison undermine the combat effectiveness of every enemy they hit, reducing the damage the foes inflict.
Ingredient:
Deep Mushroom
Deepstalker spit and aqua regia mixture
A caustic substance used by Viago to eat away at metal. It is highly potent.
Demonic Poison
DAO
Description:
The appearance and smell of this liquid are entirely unnatural, to say nothing of its effect.
Concentrated Demonic Poison
DAO
Description:
An extremely powerful poison derived from the thick, black ichor found in the hearts of corpses that have been possessed by demons.
Dispel coating
Awakening
Description:
This liquid in this flask reflects no light whatsoever.
Elemental coating
Awakening
Description:
A vial that contains a dark, viscous liquid.
Exotic Dwarven Poison
DAO
Mentioned in Dwarven Regicide Antidote.
Fell poison
DA2
Description:
Weapons coated in this potent poison leech life from every enemy they hit, transferring it to the poisoner instead.
Ingredients:
Deathroot, Deep Mushroom, Felandaris
Flame coating
DAO
Description:
A flask containing a white-hot liquid.
Fleshrot
DAO
Description:
The nasty concoction somehow rots flesh while the victim is still alive, accompanied by the usual stench.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Nasty stuff, fleshrot causes a victim's skin to immediately begin to slough off, which is horribly painful and grossly noxious. Each round for 2d6 rounds, a victim must make a TN 15 Constitution (Stamina ) test at the beginning of their turn to overcome the pain. If they fail they can only take a minor action that turn. A –2 penalty to social tests where a disgusting appearance would be relevant persists for a number of days equal to the number of rounds the immediate effects persisted.
Freezing coating
DAO
Description:
A small vial with a thick, frosty liquid.
Hale's Dust
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Originally used by the eponymous healer to help subdue and quiet wounded or troubled soldiers who were too much for him to handle, others have since come up with more sinister uses. Its effects last for the duration of the encounter.
Havard's Grief
A poison derived from wyvern venom, an unsubtle but a reliable one that is very popular in the Grand Game.
Knockout Powder
Mentioned in Dragon Age: Inquisition, it is mentioned in the ability "Knockout Powder" that this will put enemies to sleep for a short amount of time. There is another version of this powder that will additionally make it so the enemies are slow to wake up.
Maferath's Embrace
A toxin that increases the blood pressure of the victim, causing the veins and organts to rupture. It is a particularly rare and expensive poison. It was used once in a famous assassination done by the Antivan Crows during the Towers Age; they were hired to eliminate the highest members of the Templar Order in retribution for covering up the slaughter of mages during the Right of Annulment, where the crows spiked the lemon cake. This earned the job the moniker "Just Desserts".
Magebane
DAO
Description:
The Chantry's templars keep whole vats of this substance in Val Royeaux.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Developed by the Templar Order, this violet liquid is anathema to apostates, draining their arcane energy. Circle mages aren’t exactly fond of it either.
Concentrated Magebane
DAO
Description:
Most experienced spellcasters feel their stomachs drop whenever they see something whose color reminds them of this fierce substance.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
A more potent version of magebane, templars supposedly keep huge vats of the stuff in Val Royeaux.
Marrow lock
DA: TTRPG
This insidious poison runs ice through its victim’s limbs, all but locking them into place. Marrow lock’s victims can only take minor actions without consequence for the remainder of the encounter. To take a major action they must make a TN 15 Constitution (Stamina) test. On a success they suffer 1d6 penetrating damage and can carry out their action. On a failure they suffer 2d6 penetrating damage and can do nothing but howl in agony.
Odorless Crow Poison
This poison is a gas, heavier than air that will steal the breath of those sleeping but it leaves those seated or standing unharmed.
Pillow Talk
A creation of Viago's, it is a rose-coloured ointment with a greenish tint in the candlelight. This ointment is comprised of varghest blood and something from a gurgut. Viago implies it might not be effective on vashoth (qunari). It is administered anywhere on the skin.
The poison is an influencer substance that makes a person believe they can say or do anything, that the individual is safe.
Poison
DAO: Awakening
Description:
A deadly toxin smuggled from Antiva. Ingestion is inadvisable.
Qamek
It is not exactly known what makes qamek, though it glows similar to lyrium. This poison is used by the Tamassrans to help reeducate, neutralize captured mages, or on those who refuse to convert to the Qun to mindless laborers. Its effects will allow the mind to be easily shaped in small doses, in larger doses it renders victims mindless and causes irreversible damage.
Quiet Death
DAO
Description:
A foul mixture of poisons that are each deadly even on their own. Quiet Death is so potent it unnerves even the most experienced assassins.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
A foul mixture of poisons infamous even in assassins’ circles, quiet death kills instantaneously—or doesn’t, if (say the legends) its intended victim is destined for greater things. Victims must make a TN 19 Constitution (Stamina) test, but also add their level to their roll. Those who succeed shrug off the effects. Those who fail fall immediately to 0 Health and soon expire according to the normal rules for dying. Attempts to stabilize victims of quiet death suffer a –3 penalty.
Saar-Qamek
A lethal poison that can be a gas or a substance converted into one. It is lethal to all races except the vashoth (the horned race / qunari). It drives its victims mad before they die; it can set the enemies of the Qunari into a blind rage and cause them to turn against themselves.
Shock coating
DAO
Description:
A small vial with a strangely glowing substance.
Soldier's Bane
DAO
Description:
Whenever nations find themselves at war, envoys of the opposing generals inevitably discuss a ban on this effective toxin, but the talks never result in a lasting pact.
Concentrated Soldier's Bane
DAO
Description:
This effective anti-infantry poison is too thick to pour from the flask. Smashing the glass is the only way to get it out.
Soulrot Coating
DAO
Description:
A small vial that contains a dark viscous liquid.
Spider Venom
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Extracted from the massive arachnids the dwarves call deep crawlers, this poison can take the edge off a warrior's skill. Its effects last for the duration of the encounter.
Concentrated Spider Venom
DA: TTRPG
Description:
A concentrated distillate of an already-deadly natural poison. Its effects last for a day.
Tears of the Dead
DAI
Effects:
The next 3 hits inflict poison on the target, causing 44 damage per second for 15 seconds. The poison remains on the weapon for 10 seconds before expiring.
Noted in the item id as "Crow Poison"
Venom
DAO
Description:
A potent poison extracted from deadly plants and the venom of several reptiles.
Concentrated Venom
DAO
Description:
A complicated distillation process has made this poison much thicker than any of its individual ingredients.
Vitaar
Known as "poison armor" in Qunlat, it is a mixture that is magical in nature and hardens the skin of vashoth to an iron-like quality without hindering flexibility. The mixture contains poison and an unknown neutralizer (thought to be their own blood). But it is only for use on their physiology, all other races would perish instantly.
The process of making vitaar activates the protective effecst in the poison in a similar manner to lyrium ruins.
It is notable that currently all vitaar names stem from either a poisonous plant or animal, or in a few cases like the dragon hunter and cretahl vitaar, dangerous predators.
Notable descriptions:
DAI
Description:
This strange Qunari face paint is created from deadly poison—fatal when applied to anyone other than a Qunari, whose unique physiology somehow not only neutralizes its effect but also allows the paint's magic to harden the flesh and provide other protections.
Arishok's Vitaar
According to stories out of Kirkwall, the military leader of the Qunari spent a number of years marooned in the Free Marches city of Kirkwall – without once receiving supplies from his people or calling for help. Why he did so, and how the Qunari got along without an arishok, is unknown. The Qunari in Kirkwall did, however, have to trade considerable supplies from their sunken ship… including the Arishok's personal face paint, created from a rare and venomous snake in Par Vollen known to kill a person in seconds.
Wyvern venom
Both a poison in itself and an ingredient to many. It is potent and has given rise to a family of poisons developed in Antiva. It can be recognized by the crimson speckling of the skin on its victims.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Wyvern venom slows prey and kills gradually. Once afflicted, a target is in mortal danger. After a few moments, however, venom exposed to air becomes far less dangerous. Thus it is essential to harvest wyvern venom quickly and carefully if it is to be stored for future use by, say, poisoners. A TN 17 Cunning (Poison lore) test, requiring the remains of a freshly slain wyvern, harvests 1d6 doses of viable venom, leaving none behind for a second attempt. When using the Poison-Making Mishap rule, wyvern venom adds only a +1 to the mishap result with a maximum result of 6—it never slays
outright.
A character poisoned with wyvern’s venom must make a TN 15 Constitution (Stamina) test or be subject to its effects. A poisoned character drops to 0 Health after a number of hours equal to 1d6 + Constitution (minimum one hour), dying unless they receive a dose of antidote before their time runs out. During this time, victims are subject to fever, visions, and a -4 penalty to Dexterity.
The antidote to wyvern venom is a potion (crafted with a TN 15 Cunning (Poison lore) test) made from a mixture of three particular herbs: Andraste’s mantle, drakevein, and winterberry. Andraste’s mantle, drakevein, and winterberry are not particularly rare, in general, but may be out of season or found mostly in distant lands if you want to increase the difficulty of such a quest.
Descriptions of Bombs, Grenades, and Traps
Acid Flask
DAO
Description:
A flask of corrosive acid.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Corrosive fog that burns skin and corrodes everything else emerges from these flasks. Armor worn by those in an acid flask’s attack radius permanently loses 1 point of Armor Rating (before the acid damage is applied) until it is repaired. Increasingly severe damage to armor can accumulate from the effects of multiple acid flasks.
Acidic Trap
DAO
Description:
The surface of this device has been terribly etched by small leaks of its corrosive contents.
Acidic Grease Trap
DAO
Description:
The acid burns nicely through leather, cloth, and skin. The grease clings to anything. It's a perfect combination for a sadist.
Antivan Fire
DAI
Effects:
Spreads sticky fire at the target location, causing 46 burning damage every second to enemies inside the fire. The fire remains for 30 seconds.
Choking Powder Trap
DAO
Mild Choking Powder Trap
Description:
The packet of dust contained within is surprisingly heavy, as if it were powdered rock or metal.
Choking Powder Trap
Description:
A debilitating kitchen accident with expensive imported spices led to the development of this trap.
Choking Powder Cloud Trap
Description:
The inventor who devised this trap can no longer speak, so powerfully did his throat object to the mishaps along the way.
Combustion Grenade
DA2
Description:
When thrown, this grenade explodes with flame, dealing fire damage to all it hits.
Ingredients:
Deep Mushrooms
Confusion Grenade
DAI
Effects:
Enemies within the area of effect will attack other enemies for 20 seconds.
Dispel Grenade
Awakening
Description:
This flask is meant to shatter when thrown, and not before.
Elemental Grenade
Awakening
Description:
A flask of corrosive acid.
Fell Grenade
DA2
Description:
When thrown, this grenade explodes with flame, dealing fire damage to all it hits.
Ingredients:
Deathroot, Felandaris, Glitterdust
Fire Bomb
DAO
Description:
A glass flask filled with a flammable liquid.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
Often made using dwarven firedust or gaatlock (Qunari black powder), this combustible liquid sets flammables in its attack radius ablaze, which is generally a minor (1d6) or moderate (2d6) hazard, but varies depending on the exact circumstances.
Fire Trap
DAO
Description:
In its current state, this trap is cool to the touch, but the substances contained inside are certain to react violently when mixed.
Freeze Bomb
DAO
Description:
A glass flask filled with an ice-cold liquid.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
An ice-cold liquid distilled by using powdered frostrock, these grenades blast cold through the limbs of their victims, slowing their movements until the end of the encounter.
Freeze Trap
DAO
Description:
When packed next to each other, this trap can keep a cut of meat fresh for days longer than otherwise. But its primary use is still as a deadly weapon.
Jar of Bees
DAI
Effects:
Summons a swarm of bees at the target location for 30 seconds. The swarm attacks the first enemy that comes near it, for 163 damage per second for 15 seconds.
A target affected by the swarm has a 10% chance every second to become panicked.
Knockout Bomb
DAI
Description:
You hurl a grenade containing a powerful concoction that put nearby enemies to sleep. Sleeping enemies awaken after taking damage.
Misdirection Cloud Trap
Awakening
Description:
Forming a coherent thought about this trap is nigh impossible.
Pitch Grenade
DAI
Effects:
Coats the target location with pitch, which remains for 60 seconds, slowing any enemies that enter it.
Poisoned Caltrop Trap
DAO
Description:
Poison on the surface of the skin is one thing. Poison deep within the veins, courtesy myriad deep punctures, is quite another.
Shock Bomb
DAO
Description:
A glass flask filled with a strangely glowing substance.
DA: TTRPG
Description:
A brilliant fluid that scintillates with raw energy, these flasks contain powdered frozen lightning and explode with a burst of light and the stink of ozone. They cause penetrating damage to anyone clad in any kind of metal armor.
Shock Trap
DAO
Description:
Even packed safely, this trap causes hair to stand on end.
Sleeping Gas Traps
DAO
Mild Trap
Description:
Even the tiny amount of gas leaking out of this trap causes a tingling sensation.
Standard Trap
Description:
The original formulation of this trap induced snoring too often. The new design makes it a more a dignified weapon.
Cloud Trap
Description:
This trap is swaddled thickly in cloth, lest the owner bump it too hard during transportation and lose half the day to an unwanted nap.
Soulrot Bomb
DAO
Description:
A flask filled with a murky green potion.
Soulrot Trap
DAO
Description:
To know this trap is to know despair.
Tar Bomb
DA2
Description:
This bomb explodes in a thick tar that immobilizes nearby enemies for a short time.
Ingredients:
Deathroot, Deep Mushrooms
Antidotes and Antivenoms
Up and Adder
An antidote created by Viago.
Wyvern Venom Antidote
One well known antidote is comprised of three herbs: Andraste’s mantle, drakevein (a deep mushroom variety), and winterberry. It is not the most accessible cure as you can find yourself in need while either out of season or not in the range of the ingredients.
Wyvern Antivenom
One way to treat wyvern poisoning is to craft an antivenom using fresh venom from a wyvern and various herb. It will create a bone white paste that will help save the victom.
Tables and Text Provided by the TTRPG
Aquae Licidius Effects
1 - "I can see through time!”
2 - “You’re all just made up of firelight and shadows, you know, flavored like blue and yellow. If I douse you, you might go out. Wouldn’t want that.”
3 - “I had a brief vision of my great-grandmother, though she was eating turnips with a modest dragon and Andraste was there putting salt on everything.”
4 - “It was as though my soul took wing and floated about my head.”
5 - “I feel strange but also good!”
6 - “That stuff works well enough. ‘Nother round, anyone?”
Possible Deathroot Hallucinations
Roll 1 - "Even the birds are Mocking Me!"
The character spends the next turn raving at and attacking
something innocuous like a tree, barrel, wagon, shrub, or bird.
Roll 2 - "Get it Off! Get it Off! Get it Off!"
The character is convinced they are covered by bugs, leeches, snakes, or the like. They spend the next turn swatting at non-existent creepy-crawlies.
Roll 3 - "You did this to Me!"
The character believes one of their comrades has backstabbed them or is otherwise plotting their demise. On the next turn the character can only take the defend action and yell in outrage at their “betrayer.”
Roll 4 - "The Sky, the hideous Sky!"
The character believes that some malign creature from the sky is about to carry them off (or, for dwarves, that they are going to fall into the sky). The character spends their next turn dropping their weapons and grabbing something solid.
Roll 5 - "The shadows are alive!"
The character is overcome with fear of the surrounding shadows, including their own. They spend the next turn running at top speed away from the closest concentration of shadows.
Roll 6 - "Foul darkspawn!"
The character is suddenly convinced that a random nearby ally
(determined by the GM) is a darkspawn or other natural enemy. The character spends the next turn attacking that “enemy,” with a +1 bonus on attack rolls for their fervency.
Poison Texts
Heart of Fire
This substantial tome was written by an anonymous priest of the Imperial Chantry. In it, he discusses the most and least proper methods for raining the wrath of the Maker on His enemies. It contains recipes for shock bombs, magebane, and
concentrated magebane.
On Combustibles and Corrosives
This book by a dwarven miner named Grundrak discusses the use of combustibles and corrosives for best effect. It contains
the formulae for both acid flasks and fire bombs. Grundrak wrote it in the Trade Tongue, certain that humans needed its
advice most of all.
Riaan's Hammer
A noted work by the templar Riaan, this book mostly concerns subjects other than poison making, most notably the effective
torture of maleficarum to save their souls. Even so, the chapter on magebane contains its recipe. The Chantry supposedly has copies that also contain the formula for concentrated magebane, but none are known to exist outside its cathedrals and it would be heresy to possess one.
Thoughts on Fragrance
Supposedly written by the Antivan poetess Evelina, this book is a masterwork of cunning prose. Those who know the correct
Crow ciphers are aware that, along with its fancy turns of phrase, it contains recipes for crow poison, concentrated crow
poison, and adder’s kiss.
Unusual Diseases
This large physician’s reference tome was written by the Tevinter physician-mage Telregard. Not only an invaluable study of the many strange ailments that afflict Thedans, it also contains detailed notes on substances that can cause the semblance of such diseases. These notes include the recipes for fleshrot and marrow lock. The book also gives a +2 bonus to Cunning (healing) tests for those treating the more outré diseases of the world.
The Web of Decieving
This folio by the Shaper and naturalist Orgaard contains extensive notes—in the Dwarven tongue—on deep crawlers,
which he studied extensively. It contains the recipes for both regular and concentrated spider venom.
Additional Notes/Trivia:
While aquae licidius is a liquor it is mentioned and shared in the poison section and so it is included here. As alcohol is technically poison, but if you want a complete list of alcoholic beverages please reference the drink post I have.
According to the Dragon Age Tabletop, some creatures may be immune to the effects of certain poisons, or of all poisons. The guide says the ruling should be based on logic over biology. Using the example of the incorporeal nature of shades and ash wraiths would logically render them immune to the effects of toxins. Where in contrast nothing in the nature of blight-tainted beings would suggest they're immune to the effects of poisons.
According to the Dragon Age Tabletop, most noble houses of Orzammar employ one or several poisoners at all times. As well as herbalists who develop complex antidotes to counteract the poisons.
Poison Text mentioned in Dragon Age Tabletop Core Rulebook; "Heart of Fire", "On Combustibles and Corrosives", "Riaan's Hammer", "Thoughts on Fragrance", "Unusual Diseases", "The Web Decieving".
"Poisoned weapons" in Dragon Age: Inquisition uses a "deadly toxin".
"Toxic Cloud" is an ability in Dragon Age: Inquisition that states you "unleash a cloud of toxic dust" that damages all enemies
"Explosive Toxin" is an ability in Dragon Age: Inquisition that states your "poisons curdle the blood of your targets."
Cullen Rutherford Is Not “Just” Steady - He Is Brilliant
People speak of Cullen’s discipline, his loyalty, his restraint - (If they even touch on those layers. It seems the vast majority of people are too concerned with shallow aspects and projections.)
as if those traits float in a vacuum, detached from the mind that shaped them.
But Cullen is not merely dependable.
He is intelligent - in the old, unfashionable way that does not ask to be admired.
His intellect is applied, not performed.
It shows in the way he reads a battlefield like a mathematician reads a proof.
In the precision of his logistics.
In the quiet scholarship behind every strategic decision.
In the moral clarity that refuses to hide behind convenient abstractions.
He is not an ivory-tower philosopher enamored with his own metaphors.
He does not posture.
He does not wrap simple truths in ornamented riddles to sound profound.
He simply thinks.
He studies.
He observes.
He adjusts.
He learns faster than most men heal.
He is well-read without flaunting it.
Spiritual without theatrics.
Ethical without preaching.
Strategic without cruelty.
His intelligence is the kind that built civilizations long before cleverness became a substitute for wisdom.
The kind that does not seek applause -
because it is too busy getting the world to hold together.
Cullen’s mind is quiet, yes.
But it is not simple, and he likes to challenge it.
It is disciplined, structured, clear, grounded in reality,
and capable of a depth most characters never earn.
And perhaps that is why so many overlook it.
His intellect is not a performance.
It is a life lived with thought.
And that, in a world full of noise,
is its own rare brilliance.
People who claim he is "not deep", mistake their own incoherence and addiction to problematic relationships for sophistication.
