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    Deadly Nightshade

    Rare · Atropa belladonna

    Alchemical · Magical · Psychoactive · Poisonous

    Terrain Forest

    Description

    Belladonna is a perennial herb of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), featuring a thick, multi-headed rhizome. Its upright stem reaches 2 to 6.5 feet (60-200 cm) in height, is thick, fleshy, forked at the top, and covered in glandular hairs. The leaves have short petioles, are oval or egg-elliptical with pointed tips and smooth edges. The solitary, large, nodding flowers are brownish-purple or reddish-brown and grow in the leaf axils. The fruit is a juicy, glossy, purple-black berry containing numerous seeds.

    Location and Habitat

    Belladonna grows in forests and on mountainous slopes in the Carpathians, which is the only place where you can find it in the wild.

    Rarity and Availability

    Belladonna is considered an endangered plant in local flora. Most of the specimens encountered today are grown on plantations for medicinal purposes.

    Effects and Uses

    The plant contains the toxic compound atropine, which can cause severe poisoning and lead to extreme agitation, sometimes described as a form of madness. Most poisonings occur when people ingest the plant’s attractive berries. There are documented cases of severe poisoning from eating as few as three berries. Symptoms include intense psychomotor agitation, hallucinations, delirium, dryness of the mouth, reddening of the skin, and dilated pupils.

    Harvesting & Preparation

    • Finding Belladonna. Because belladonna is considered endangered and grows mainly in mountainous forests, locating it might require specialized knowledge. A character must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check or Intelligence (Nature) check to locate and safely harvest a few usable leaves or berries without damaging them.
    • Harvesting Safely. Even touching the plant can be dangerous. On a failed harvest check, the character must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned (PHB, p. 292) for 1 hour.

    Items & Effects

    • Belladonna Draught (Brew or Tincture).
      • Components. 1d4 fresh belladonna berries (or an equivalent portion of leaves/roots), plus herbal solvents.
      • Brewing. Requires 1 hour and a DC 15 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check to produce 1 dose; on a failure, the brew is ruined or too toxic to use.
      • Use. Ingesting the draught (one action) produces the following effects for 1 minute:
        • “Open the Third Eye”. The creature gains advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks as their perception of hidden truths sharpens.
        • Dilated Reality. The creature must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw at the start of each of their turns or see fleeting illusions (GM’s choice), imposing disadvantage on any attack roll they make that turn.
      • Aftereffect. When the duration ends, the creature gains one level of exhaustion (PHB, p. 291) unless they succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw.
    • Belladonna Berry Infusion (Divination Aid).
      • Components. 3-6 belladonna berries, plus wine or water.
      • Brewing. Takes 2 hours of careful heating and stirring. Requires a DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check or Intelligence (Religion) check to properly invoke the plant’s “spiritual” qualities.
      • Use. When the infusion is drunk, the creature falls into a trance for 10 minutes. During this time, they are incapacitated (PHB; p. 290) but can attempt to speak with or see visions of spirits (GM’s discretion on what is revealed).
        • Mechanically, they may cast Augury (no material components needed) or gain advantage on the next Wisdom (Insight) or Wisdom (Perception) check specifically related to supernatural entities.
      • Side Effects. Immediately afterward, the creature must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or experience delirium for 1 hour, causing disadvantage on all Intelligence checks and saving throws.

    Toxicity and Overdose

    • Belladonna is extremely dangerous. If a character doses themselves multiple times in a single day or consumes more than 3 fresh berries at once, the GM may rule it as an overdose:
    • Overdose Check. The creature must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or immediately drop to 0 hit points (poison-induced collapse).
    • Even on a success, the creature gains one level of Exhaustion and is poisoned (PHB, p. 291) for 1 hour.

    Lore

    The name “belladonna” comes from Italian words meaning “beautiful woman.” Historically, Italian ladies would apply its juice to their eyes, causing their pupils to dilate and giving their gaze a special sparkle. This plant can induce states resembling madness. In the Middle Ages, witches and warlocks frequently used it.

    Belladonna is considered one of the most mystical plants, frequently associated with the occult and magical practices. In the Middle Ages, many believed that belladonna helped those who used it enter trance states and connect with spirits or supernatural forces.

    Ancient manuscripts mention that Bellona, the Roman goddess of war, preferred that her priests drink a belladonna infusion before praying for her favor. This brew was said to put them in a receptive state to “receive” her advice and commands. People believed that belladonna could open the “third eye,” allowing them to see what normal sight does not perceive.

    From Witch’s Herbs 5E, p. 38 · Fern Flower Press