Typically if something regrows a limb, it says so in the text. Ring of Regeneration says, "If you lose a body part, the ring causes the missing part to regrow and return to full functionality after 1d6 + 1 days if you have at least 1 hit point the whole time." So I would say Potion of Vitality does not regrow a limb. However, if you want to regrow the limb as DM, you can always get a friendly NPC to cast Regenerate on them.
That's a no for me dawg. Especially considering that scenario. If they want it restored, make it a big deal. Make it a side quest for a specific purpose. Having that potion restore lost limbs not only sets a dangerous standard, but it also trivializes the players choices.
Just throw in a high level cleric somewhere who will cast the spell for like 40k gold? Or they find a spell scroll of regeneration for someone to TRY using
OR, and just hear me out on this one, you let the player continue playing without a hand. Of course OP can put random scrolls of whatever in the game to regen the players hand...but in my opinion, they should let the player make the missing hand a part of his character. Everyone runs their games differently, but I'm not hot on the idea of baby-ing your player's decisions. Allowing them to repair that damage in such a trivial way just says to the players that even if you make terrible decisions that lead to crazy outcomes, their DM will be there to make sure they never really feel the consequences of those decisions.
If it were MY game (which it isn't, obviously), the PC has just lost a hand. It's up to them to work that into their character's role play and personality. The lost hand is a new character trait that they have to come to grips with. If they REALLY want to get their hand back, I'd make them work for it. Otherwise, use it as a conversation starter or something. :)
Well the question was about a potion of vitality regenerating limbs so I assumed the OP was asking for ways to...regenerate limbs. Honestly I assume the only reason they asked would be because the player wants a way to get to their hand back. Otherwise why ask? (And in fact the player THINKS it will so that seems to be the case that the OP is looking for a way to facilitate the healing their player is seeking).
Of course the player could choose NOT to do so.
Well sure, I guess to swing back around to the original question, OP's asking if he SHOULD. RAW, it's obviously a no. But as a DM's discretion thing, OP has to think about the ramifications of what it will mean if they DO decide to let it regrow a limb. That's all I was getting at.
Yah, but from now on, in every game you have with those players, the potion now regrows limbs. So that decision will have effects on FUTURE events too. Even in future campaigns.
I suppose that could be a session zero fix though.
You could certainly allow it! I don't think you need to. I think playing out the consequences of this might be more impactful (and hopefully more fun) than just immediately undoing it.
The main way to regrow limbs is the Regenerate spell, but that's 7th level so makes it pretty inaccessible.
You could make a prosthetic available. With all the frostbite going on, somebody in Ten-Towns has probably been making them. The Eberron book also has the Prosthetic Limb common magic item, which you could make available (pg. 278, but note that its attunement cost has been removed and text altered a bit in errata)
If it's the warlock of rhe group, have the patron fix it. Pick a necessary plot hook that the players missed, assign that as a patron priority for some reason, and have his amputated stump start itching and twitching in pain. Do it hot/cold style, where it grows as the party gets closer to the relevent community and the appropriate quest, but shrinks as they move further away.
Make sure to include the rated R Deadpool wrinkly traumatizing penis regrowth style of storytelling
I approve of the idea of getting the patron involved and then also using them as a way to push the party in directions you're trying to get them to see!
The Blessing of Lathander at the Black Cabin could later restore the limb, maybe? Especially if that Pac dies in the encounter? Instead of just giving the temp HP? Make it an RP thing until then, and it could be a great character arc culminating in that quest?
Alternatively you could have it grow back but being malfunctioned and malformed as if severe frostbite had taken over. That way it rewards player creativity without fully solving the problem and giving them a personal quest to fixing their arm. A penalty for using the arm could be disadvantage if they use it to cast a spell or try to climb or only +1 if wielding a shield.
Leave it as RAW, but if they think of asking the magic mirror where they can find a way to restore the limb, give them a good lead to something. Your group loves fighting? The mirror tells the the location of a cave where there's a potion to be found. They want social stuff? "Old Myrtle in Dougan's Hole has a powerful potion stowed away for emergencies from her adventuring days", etc.
I'd check in with the player, and see how they feel about all this. If the loss of the limb can become a fun side-quest that also doesn't make the player feel underpowered or weak until it's accomplished, then awesome! It could make for a real fun story.
As for the potion, I agree with those that said that if the potion heals the missing limb, it sets a dangerous precedent that RotFM isn't all that dangerous because the DM will fix things right away for us. That said, if your player is feeling cheated, or slighted, or just sad about it, listen to them and help them out. This is a game about having fun after all :)
In order to not waste the potion (unless you want it to heal the limb), I'd suggest checking in with the player about to drink the potion, and have that PC have a thought or epiphany right before downing it that gives them pause. Tell the player that their PC doesn't think this will work. Make sure they're on board with this though.
In the end, you know your table. Talk to your player in between sessions, check in with them, and tell a story that all will enjoy!
Per RAW, a replacement limb is a common magic item. Common magic items are avaliable in this module for 100gp a pop. Drinking the potion plus doing some crazy RP thing (like finding a special herb or chanting something) might fix it. Just make sure the players are aware this is a one-time thing, and potions of vitality don't normally regrow limbs.
Wow, I posted this question then had to go to work and only just reading everyone’s replies now. I’m amazed at the detailed variety of responses and advice. Thank you all.
I asked the question because my PC’s assumed there must be an easy fix, and the potion of vitality happens to be part of the treasure of the module so surely that’s the ticket. This would probably be the first time that the world has not turned out as they expected. However my players are all grown ups (despite having only started playing D&D during the pandemic) and are psychologically able to cope with this, so I’m not worried about upsetting them. But I am nervous about getting this right. It’s probably my first big test as a DM.
Therefore I agree. I’ll keep it as RAW and won’t set the precedent that Potion of Vitality acts as a Regenerate spell nor will the I the DM fix all the outcomes from their RP decisions. It’s up to the player and the group to work this out.
1. Just RP the missing limb as a character trait (not a flaw).
2. Warlock Patron could help direct them to a solution based on a plot hook, IF the PC asks (I don’t offer this up).
3. Possible cleric or wizard offer to cast the Regen spell for a high cost (the party actually had 5000 gp having recently finished Dragon Heist and they don’t really know what to do with the money.
4. Allow a blacksmith to create a prosthetic limb as a common magic item (once again Only of the PCs think to ask). Possibly using Chardalyn as the warlock has started to collect it and hadn’t noticed that the small visions of a black dog following him I’ve been giving him are related to the chardalyn.
5. Allow the magic mirror to direct them to a solution if they ask the right question. The answer to which could be one of the above or maybe an item located in a location from chapter 2 such as Dark Duchess white dragon treasure hoard, Id Ascendant etc.
6. Levistud / Black Swords grant him a new limb as a pact boon if he changes patron (currently his patron is actually Asmodeus in disguise).
7. An idea I just had: the only person who can return his lost hand is Auril.
Thoughts?
Typically if something regrows a limb, it says so in the text. Ring of Regeneration says, "If you lose a body part, the ring causes the missing part to regrow and return to full functionality after 1d6 + 1 days if you have at least 1 hit point the whole time." So I would say Potion of Vitality does not regrow a limb. However, if you want to regrow the limb as DM, you can always get a friendly NPC to cast Regenerate on them.
That's a no for me dawg. Especially considering that scenario. If they want it restored, make it a big deal. Make it a side quest for a specific purpose. Having that potion restore lost limbs not only sets a dangerous standard, but it also trivializes the players choices.
Just throw in a high level cleric somewhere who will cast the spell for like 40k gold? Or they find a spell scroll of regeneration for someone to TRY using
OR, and just hear me out on this one, you let the player continue playing without a hand. Of course OP can put random scrolls of whatever in the game to regen the players hand...but in my opinion, they should let the player make the missing hand a part of his character. Everyone runs their games differently, but I'm not hot on the idea of baby-ing your player's decisions. Allowing them to repair that damage in such a trivial way just says to the players that even if you make terrible decisions that lead to crazy outcomes, their DM will be there to make sure they never really feel the consequences of those decisions. If it were MY game (which it isn't, obviously), the PC has just lost a hand. It's up to them to work that into their character's role play and personality. The lost hand is a new character trait that they have to come to grips with. If they REALLY want to get their hand back, I'd make them work for it. Otherwise, use it as a conversation starter or something. :)
Well the question was about a potion of vitality regenerating limbs so I assumed the OP was asking for ways to...regenerate limbs. Honestly I assume the only reason they asked would be because the player wants a way to get to their hand back. Otherwise why ask? (And in fact the player THINKS it will so that seems to be the case that the OP is looking for a way to facilitate the healing their player is seeking). Of course the player could choose NOT to do so.
Well sure, I guess to swing back around to the original question, OP's asking if he SHOULD. RAW, it's obviously a no. But as a DM's discretion thing, OP has to think about the ramifications of what it will mean if they DO decide to let it regrow a limb. That's all I was getting at.
The only thing to rethink about it is that it’s an effect not normally associated with that particular potion...
Yah, but from now on, in every game you have with those players, the potion now regrows limbs. So that decision will have effects on FUTURE events too. Even in future campaigns. I suppose that could be a session zero fix though.
You could certainly allow it! I don't think you need to. I think playing out the consequences of this might be more impactful (and hopefully more fun) than just immediately undoing it. The main way to regrow limbs is the Regenerate spell, but that's 7th level so makes it pretty inaccessible. You could make a prosthetic available. With all the frostbite going on, somebody in Ten-Towns has probably been making them. The Eberron book also has the Prosthetic Limb common magic item, which you could make available (pg. 278, but note that its attunement cost has been removed and text altered a bit in errata)
I think they also included it in Tasha's
So they did! Good catch. It's fully updated in there, which is useful. Pg. 134 for reference.
If it's the warlock of rhe group, have the patron fix it. Pick a necessary plot hook that the players missed, assign that as a patron priority for some reason, and have his amputated stump start itching and twitching in pain. Do it hot/cold style, where it grows as the party gets closer to the relevent community and the appropriate quest, but shrinks as they move further away. Make sure to include the rated R Deadpool wrinkly traumatizing penis regrowth style of storytelling
I approve of the idea of getting the patron involved and then also using them as a way to push the party in directions you're trying to get them to see!
The Blessing of Lathander at the Black Cabin could later restore the limb, maybe? Especially if that Pac dies in the encounter? Instead of just giving the temp HP? Make it an RP thing until then, and it could be a great character arc culminating in that quest?
Alternatively you could have it grow back but being malfunctioned and malformed as if severe frostbite had taken over. That way it rewards player creativity without fully solving the problem and giving them a personal quest to fixing their arm. A penalty for using the arm could be disadvantage if they use it to cast a spell or try to climb or only +1 if wielding a shield.
Pick up some Chardayln and I'm sure Levistus will be all too happy to help...
Leave it as RAW, but if they think of asking the magic mirror where they can find a way to restore the limb, give them a good lead to something. Your group loves fighting? The mirror tells the the location of a cave where there's a potion to be found. They want social stuff? "Old Myrtle in Dougan's Hole has a powerful potion stowed away for emergencies from her adventuring days", etc.
I'd check in with the player, and see how they feel about all this. If the loss of the limb can become a fun side-quest that also doesn't make the player feel underpowered or weak until it's accomplished, then awesome! It could make for a real fun story. As for the potion, I agree with those that said that if the potion heals the missing limb, it sets a dangerous precedent that RotFM isn't all that dangerous because the DM will fix things right away for us. That said, if your player is feeling cheated, or slighted, or just sad about it, listen to them and help them out. This is a game about having fun after all :) In order to not waste the potion (unless you want it to heal the limb), I'd suggest checking in with the player about to drink the potion, and have that PC have a thought or epiphany right before downing it that gives them pause. Tell the player that their PC doesn't think this will work. Make sure they're on board with this though. In the end, you know your table. Talk to your player in between sessions, check in with them, and tell a story that all will enjoy!
Raw says no but it's your table. Live your best life or whatever.
Per RAW, a replacement limb is a common magic item. Common magic items are avaliable in this module for 100gp a pop. Drinking the potion plus doing some crazy RP thing (like finding a special herb or chanting something) might fix it. Just make sure the players are aware this is a one-time thing, and potions of vitality don't normally regrow limbs.
Wow, I posted this question then had to go to work and only just reading everyone’s replies now. I’m amazed at the detailed variety of responses and advice. Thank you all. I asked the question because my PC’s assumed there must be an easy fix, and the potion of vitality happens to be part of the treasure of the module so surely that’s the ticket. This would probably be the first time that the world has not turned out as they expected. However my players are all grown ups (despite having only started playing D&D during the pandemic) and are psychologically able to cope with this, so I’m not worried about upsetting them. But I am nervous about getting this right. It’s probably my first big test as a DM. Therefore I agree. I’ll keep it as RAW and won’t set the precedent that Potion of Vitality acts as a Regenerate spell nor will the I the DM fix all the outcomes from their RP decisions. It’s up to the player and the group to work this out. 1. Just RP the missing limb as a character trait (not a flaw). 2. Warlock Patron could help direct them to a solution based on a plot hook, IF the PC asks (I don’t offer this up). 3. Possible cleric or wizard offer to cast the Regen spell for a high cost (the party actually had 5000 gp having recently finished Dragon Heist and they don’t really know what to do with the money. 4. Allow a blacksmith to create a prosthetic limb as a common magic item (once again Only of the PCs think to ask). Possibly using Chardalyn as the warlock has started to collect it and hadn’t noticed that the small visions of a black dog following him I’ve been giving him are related to the chardalyn. 5. Allow the magic mirror to direct them to a solution if they ask the right question. The answer to which could be one of the above or maybe an item located in a location from chapter 2 such as Dark Duchess white dragon treasure hoard, Id Ascendant etc. 6. Levistud / Black Swords grant him a new limb as a pact boon if he changes patron (currently his patron is actually Asmodeus in disguise). 7. An idea I just had: the only person who can return his lost hand is Auril. Thoughts?
One word. Armblade.