Wednesday, July 18, 2018

[LotFP] Extended laboratories for research


This post is a collection of things a high-level wealthy Magic-User can use to stock her laboratory and library. This is mostly for flavor, extending and fleshing out the abstract approach of the Lamentations of the Flame Princess rulebook (p. 80-83). With a distinct early modern science feel.

Cabinet of curiosities

No laboratory can be complete without a nice collection of curiosities! 

Strange creatures
Creatures preserved as skeletons or taxidermic mounts can be added to the cabinet of curiosities. The preparation of such objects requires special knowledge and skill. For taxidermy, the corpse must be relatively fresh (1d6 days after death). For skeletal mounts, most of the bones must be present.
Where to find: Collected personally or purchased from adventurers.
Price & value: Depends on the type and hit dice of the creature.

Type
Price & value / hit dice
Common
50sp
Exotic
100sp
Supernatural
250sp

Samples
Minerals, gems, jewels, crystals, stones, metals and ores, various substances (resins, oils, liquids, etc.); and also seashells, corals; butterflies, insects.
Where to find: Collected personally or purchased.
Price & value: If the value is not evident, set it as 1d10 x 10sp.

Medical oddities
Specimen displaying signs of illnesses, pathologies, malformations. Usually preserved in fluids, displayed in glass jars.
Where to find: Purchased from medical facilities, collectors, unfortunate parents...
Price & value: Depends on the rarity and state of preservation: 2d10 x 25sp.

Exotica
Curios and various objects from faraway lands. Masks, costumes, jewelry, paintings, drawings, dolls, puppets, idols, art pieces, musical instruments, anything.
Where to find: Collected personally or purchased from merchants, travelers, agents. Good connections with trading companies can give the opportunity of first picks from any haul…
Price & value: Calculated based on the distance the object had to travel to get to the collector. Add 1d10 x 10% on top of that for agents’ fees (only added to the buying price, not the value).

Distance & complications
Price & value
For every 100 miles over 500
50sp
Transportation included both land & sea
+100sp
The original owners of the object would kill to get it back
+100sp

Laboratory equipment

A well-equipped laboratory must include a wide range of vessels, both simple and complex, which can be used for sublimation, distillation and other processes. Including, but not limited to:
  • alembic – two vessels connected by a tube, used for distilling chemicals
  • aludel – clay subliming pot, made up of two parts
  • athanor – a special furnace that provides uniform and constant heat
  • crucible – a small vessel or container that can withstand high temperatures
  • “Moor’s head” still – distillation apparatus, with an extra vessel for cooling water
  • mortar – for grinding up various substances     
  • retort – spherical vessel with a long neck, protruding downwards
Where to find: Most of the equipment is available for purchase only in major cities. Some pieces are produced on special orders.
Price & value: Any amount of money can be invested into this sinkhole…

Extended and specialized laboratory spaces

These rooms are counted towards the value of the laboratory as usual, but might give situational advantages (a bonus on the Magic save, etc. – Referee’s discretion).
Additional space is a one-time extra, counted over the base space requirement of a 10 feet square / 1000sp value.


Additional space required
Price & value
Anatomical theatre
50 feet square
>3000sp
Animal kennels
none
100-500sp
Botanical garden
20 feet square
500-1000sp
Ä Hothouse, greenhouse, orangery, conservatory
20 feet square
>1000sp
Observatory
50 feet square (tower or top floor)
>5000sp

Special implements

Additional space required
Price & value
Calculating devices
none
>2000sp
Printing press
10 feet square
>1000sp



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