Adder's Stomach 5e

What is an Adder?

An adder is a venomous snake found in most parts of the world. They are not typically regarded as dangerous, as they don’t tend to be very aggressive. That said, it’s a safe bet that most of them go their entire lives without a wizard attempting to remove their stomach.

What is an adder’s stomach used for?

The conventional use, according to the painstaking research I’ve conducted, is digesting an adder’s food. To wizards in Dungeons & Dragons, however, an adder’s stomach is also one of the two material components required for the Acid Arrow spell.

Where can I get an adder stomach?

The most obvious place to look, of course, would be inside an adder. But as I’ve mentioned above, the adder is well within its rights to consider that a provocation.

But as dangerous as that might be, I’d also be wary of doing business with any shopkeeper who has a stockpile of animal stomachs readily available.

A fun joke to share with your nerd friends:

Q: Why couldn’t the wizard cast Acid Arrow?

A: He didn’t have the stomach for it.

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Powdered Rhubarb Leaf 5e

What is a Rhubarb?

Based on Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman movie, I’ve always known a rhubarb to be the part of another man one would be ill-advised to rub.

Further research, however, indicates that a rhubarb is actually a vegetable commonly used in pies and other desserts.

What are they for?

Every baker worth his salt knows the pie-filling uses of a rhubarb stalk, but what about the leaves? Do you just toss those away like worthless sacks of moldy potatoes? Not if you know what’s good for you!

As it turns out, there are a number of real world uses for rhubarb leaves. But the real world isn’t what we’re concerned with here. In D&D, powdered rhubarb leaf and an adder’s stomach (also not recommended for rubbing) are the two material spell components for the 2nd level evocation spell, Acid Arrow.

Where can I get powdered rhubarb leaf?

Only your DM knows (or likely makes up on the spot when you ask her) how common rhubarb is in your fantasy world. At their discretion, you might be able to forage for some growing in the wild with some successful skill checks.

Another good place to try is the local baker. He’s probably throwing away his rhubarb leaves like a fool. His trash is a wizard’s treasure.

Of course, drying and preparing your rhubarb leaves to be powdered takes time, so your best bet is to pick up some pre-powdered leaf at the local alchemist’s shop.

To be honest though, I’d be more concerned about how you’re going to get that adder’s stomach.

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Lodestones 5e

What is a Lodestone?

Contrary to my assumptions, lodestones are neither spelled “loadstones” nor are they a euphemism for testicles.

Instead, they are naturally occurring magnetic rocks. The name comes from the Middle English word “lode” which means “way” or “journey,” as they were used by sailors in the early days of navigation.

What are they for?

In D&D, two lodestones are required as material components for the Mending cantrip. The spell does not consume the lodestones, so a sturdy pair should last you a good long time.

Where can I get lodestones?

As mentioned above, lodestones are naturally occurring rocks. If your DM allows it, you might be able to track some down in the wild with a series of Knowledge or Survival checks.

Otherwise, you’ll have to pick some up next time you visit a town with a shop that sells component pouches.

Alternatively, you could always steal them or loot them off the bodies of your fallen foes. Mending is one of the most common spells in the game, found on the spell lists of bards, clerics, druids, sorcerers, and wizards. The next time you come across a party with one or more of these classes in them, the odds are pretty good that they’ll have a component pouch with a couple of lodestones in them.

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If you’d like to support this ongoing project, you can do so by buying my books, getting some sweet C&C merch, or joining my Patreon.