Tired of your players just chugging a potion with a simple “You heal 2d4+2 hit points”? Let’s inject some chaos into your TTRPG! Sometimes, success or failure isn’t the most interesting outcome. This Consumable Item Mishap Table is designed to add a splash of unpredictable fun, creating hilarious moments and unexpected plot hooks when those magic items don’t work quite as intended.

The Consumable Item Mishap Table

The next time a player uses a potion, scroll, or other magical consumable, have them roll a d10! On a result you deem a mishap (maybe a natural 1 on an attack roll with a thrown flask, or just GM’s whim!), consult the table below.

Consumable Item Mishaps (1d10)

1. Visual Oddity: User’s skin, hair, or eyes change to a vibrant, random color for 1d4 hours.
2. Auditory Hallucinations: The user hears faint, annoying music that no one else can for 1d6 rounds.
3. Tastebud Confusion: For the next hour, everything tastes like… (roll on the Terrible Taste sub-table)
4. Temporary Paralysis: The user’s tongue is paralyzed for 1 round. They can’t speak or cast verbal spells.
5. Emotional Outburst: The user is overcome with uncontrollable laughter or sobbing for 1 round.
6. Inertia: The user must continue moving in a straight line for 1d4 rounds, only stopping if they hit an obstacle.
7. Size Alteration: The user temporarily shrinks or grows by 1d10% for 1d4 rounds (GM’s choice).
8. The Itch: An intense, maddening itch covers the user’s body. They must use their action to scratch for 1 round.
9. Minor Teleport: Whoops! The user instantly teleports 1d4 x 5 feet in a random direction.
10. Glowing Aura: The user is surrounded by a glowing, impossible-to-hide aura for 1d4 rounds.

Terrible Taste (1d6)

1. Feet
2. Sulfur
3. Rotten Eggs
4. Dirt
5. Hair
6. Blood

How to Use the Table

Deciding when to roll for a mishap is half the fun! Here are a few ideas:

• On a Critical Failure: A player rolls a natural 1 when trying to throw a flask of alchemist’s fire.
• Unstable Items: The party finds a crate of “Bargain Bin” potions from a less-than-reputable alchemist.
• GM Discretion: A character hastily chugs a potion in the middle of a frantic combat. Is it any surprise they spilled some?

Feel free to tailor the results! A Potion of Fire Breath might cause hiccups that are small puffs of smoke, while an Elixir of Strength could cause a distracting muscle twitch.

Examples in Play

Imagine the scenes! The party rogue drinks a healing potion right before a stealth mission, only for their hair to turn a brilliant, glowing pink. Or the stoic barbarian downs a potion of heroism during a tense negotiation with the king, only to burst into uncontrollable, booming laughter. These are the moments that make a campaign unforgettable.

Make Your Game Unpredictable

Using a mishap table for potions and other consumables is a fantastic GM tool for adding flavor and fun to your RPG sessions. It breaks the monotony and creates memorable, often hilarious, challenges for your players to overcome. Grab this table, adapt it for your own game, and watch the delightful chaos unfold!