Potions

Potions are drinkable concoctions which produce magical effects in those who imbibe them, producing instantaneous results similar to a number of magical spells. Frequently available at apothecaries, potions appear in Ultima V, Ultima VI, Ultima VII, Ultima VII Part Two, and Ultima IX, as well as in the Ultima Underworld and Ultima Underworld II.

Potion Effects by Color

Ultima V, Ultima VI, Ultima VII and Ultima VII Part Two

Note that usually potions with complementary colors have opposite effects (blue vs. orange (that is red plus yellow), red vs. green (that is blue plus yellow), white vs. black).

Color/description	Appearance/effect
	Ultima V	Ultima VI	Ultima VII	Ultima VII Part Two
Blue
	Awakens an ally who was magically put to sleep.		Makes the target fall asleep.
Orange
	The user falls asleep.		Awakens an ally who was magically put to sleep.
Red
	Cures all poisons.
Green
	Poisons the user.	Poisons an opponent.
Yellow
	Lesser Heal
Purple
	Turns the user into a rat. (See note.)	Creates a temporary protection halo.
White
	Casts X-Ray.		Casts Light.
Black
	Turns the user invisible.
Red-yellow, shimmering	--
			Mandrake root potion. Quest item, no other use.	Partial mana-boost.
Black-blue	--
				Warmth.
Blue-white	--
				Curse.

Note: The purple potion in Ultima V does not behave quite like the similar Rel Xen Bet spell. In the case of the potion, the rat will remain under the control of the player, and if it gets attacked, the corresponding party member will take damage. Oddly, the rat will continue to use whatever weapons the player had equipped.

Ultima VII (SNES)

Color/description	Appearance	Effect
Red		Heals Avatar.
Yellow		Gives Avatar a mana Boost.
Blue		Turns Avatar invisible.
Purple		Invincibility.
Light Blue		Invincibility and invisibility.
Green		Awakening.

Ultima Underworld II

Color/description	Appearance	Effect
Yellow		Healing of various sorts: Lesser Heal, Heal, Greater Heal or Restoration.
Red		Cure Poison or Restoration.
Green		Poison or hallucination.
Colorless		Either increases mana or is basilisk oil.
Black		Turns Avatar invisible.
Purple		Protection of various sorts: Resist Blows, Thick Skin, Iron Flesh, Flameproof, or Missile Protection.
Brown		Speed or Freeze Time.

Ultima VIII

Color/description	Appearance	Effect
Yellow		Its lesser healing will restore 10-12 hit points.
Red		This will fully restore Avatar’s health. If healthy, causes damage.
Green		Avatar will only lose 10-12 hit points once through its poison.
Blue		This will make Avatar fall asleep, but will not restore health or mana.
Orange		Increases Avatar’s mana for 10-12 points.
Black		Turns Avatar invisible for 60-90 seconds.
Purple		Temporary invulnerability for 60-90 seconds.

Ultima IX

In this game, the Avatar may also synthesize potions using appropriate alchemical equipment and a potion's corresponding reagent:

Color/description	Appearance	Effect	Reagent
Red		Cure poison	Garlic
Yellow		Heal	Ginseng
Blue		Water breathing	Blood moss
Orange		Mana recovery	Spider silk
Green		Poison	Nightshade
Purple		Invulnerability	Mandrake root
White		Infernal Armour	Sulfurous ash
Black		Invisibility	Black Pearl

For information where to buy which potion, see Potions in Ultima IX.

Lore

“

A potion works its magic on its imbiber instantly and potently. Potions can normally be easily identified by their distinctive colors. Unfortunately, the art of potion manufacture is a new one and appears to be subject to some degree of uncertainty. Sir Adam the Torch, a renowned East Britanny alchemist, estimates that one out of every fifteen potions of a given color is in reality a useless, possibly poisonous, nostrum. Perhaps even more distressingly, he maintains that still another of that same fifteen is likely to generate the effects of an entirely different-colored potion altogether. – from Paths of Destiny (Ultima V)

“

An historical point of interest from the last several hundred years. Circa 0207 there was a rather infamous case of a resourceful peeping-tom. One may ask what this has to do with potions, but the publicity generated from this trail about the use and misuse of magical potions of X-ray vision encouraged all honorable mages and alchemists to cease making the amazing potions. And, as these potions fell into disuse, the affectation of calling them white potions also slowly ceased, and a lesser known concoction (which, ironically, is appreciably more white than the original X-ray potion I was able to view (see Alagners Index of Treasures, entry 15, for more information), that of common illumination, became its replacement. – from Alagner's Book of Marvelous and Astonishing Things (Ultima VII)

“

It is the author's expectation that thou art reading this to familiarize thyself with the effects of various potions based on their color. The first part of this work will discuss such aspects, with the remaining pages covering the materials and steps required to make such alchemical creations. Definitions: Black potion: Drinking this will render the individual invisible for several minutes. Blue potion: This mixture will put the imbiber into a deep sleep. Orange potion: This potion will awaken an individual who was magically put to sleep. Purple potion: This concoction will provide magical protection for several minutes of hard fighting. White potion: This potion will provide a small bit of illumination, much like a candle, for a few minutes. Yellow potion: This powerful mixture will give healing aid to the imbiber's wounds. WARNING: Green potion: This potion is a dangerous toxin, and will poison the imbiber, possibly killing the individual. Red potion: This fabulous drink will cure most poisons, including those acquired from the slugs in the swamps and that gained from drinking a GREEN potion. This next section details how one can best recreate these uncanny concoctions... – from The Apothecary's Desk Reference (Ultima VII)

“

Not long after the cities were established, several members of the population set out to collect and transform herbs and plants into elixirs of magic. Some of these potions make one invisible, some induce sleep and some do nothing but fizzle. Regardless, potions are excellent tools for those without the ability to enchant, providing one can afford them. – from Beyond the Serpent Pillars (Ultima VII Part Two)

“

From my experiments I have found that potions act in the following manner: Yellow: Heals, but only in small measures. Red: Also heals, but beware! Its strength will do damage to those not in need of its power. Orange: restores Mana in times of need. Green: Its taste is quite revolting! Blue: Provides restful slumber. Purple: Provides protection in combat. Very useful against undead. Black: Causes drinker to be invisible. – from Potions (Ultima VIII)

“

Magic can be turned to liquid form, as can wool dye and grooming powders. Several greedy mages have been sanctioned for their dyed mixtures. Though all of the chicanery cannot be averted, standards have improved. You may find potions of reputable quality on your travel or in the apothecaries throughout Britannia. Drink with caution and in moderation. In your travels throughout Britannia, you may discover alchemy sets with which you can render potions. Combine the requisite reagents with a flask of water, and add a gem of appropriate nature. The name and measurement of the needed reagents and gem can only be acquired with experience, inquiry, and travel. – from Spellbook (Ultima IX)

Trivia

• Despite the note of uncertainty in Paths of Destiny, potions do not tend to deviate from the expected abilities by color in Ultima V. Perhaps this says more about the capabilities of Sir Adam, who seems to cause much destruction with his experimentation, than about other potion manufacturers at the time.
• According to The Apothecary's Desk Reference, white potions previously allowed for X-Ray vision, but were outlawed after an infamous peeping-tom case.
• Pouring a potion to the floor in Ultima VII causes the companions to scold the Avatar for wasting it. Also, using a potion that does not belong to the Avatar will antagonize other characters (including companions).