Potion Doc

Who are they?

If you know anything about Trolls, you know the Witchdoctor. An iconic depiction of Troll culture, when most people picture a witchdoctor they picture a hunched, skull-masked troll, leaning in to inspect his cauldron of volatile mixture.

Potion Docs are particularly powerful Witchdoctors, and are far from just simple alchemists- Masters of the alchemical and the spiritual, Potion Docs practice a frightening craft almost completely unknown to the bulk of Azeroth, weaving spells of the mysterious magics only known as Juju and Voodoo. Potion Docs display their supernatural powers on and off the battlefield, healing the sick one moment and then casting powerful curses or boons onto the field to control the tide of war. The Potion Doc employs a vast array of eldritch methods and teachings in their craft- This work is far from acceptable for the squeamish.

Who likes them?

Trolls hold Potion Docs in high regard. The rest of the Horde, while somewhat wary of their strange and fantastic powers, have a sense of respect for these experienced practitioners. Amongst the Alliance the visage of a Potion Doc is something to be feared, as they are known far and wide for their terrible curses and their mighty potions. Most know far too well than to mistake a Potion Doc for a crazy old troll.

Training

Requirements

Shaman, Priests and Magi can become Potion Docs.

Alliance » None

Horde » Orc Troll

Strengths

• Mysticism

Potion Docs have a strong knowledge of spells and how they are cast- they will rarely make a mistake when it comes to their spellcasting, and those who do likely have caught fire too many times to repeat the error.

• Folklore

If there is one thing a Potion Doc can converse about, it is troll heritage. Witchdoctors, even those not Potion Docs, are a strong part of the Troll culture, and along with their training they come to learn much about the loa and their powers. As a result all Potion Docs are deeply spiritual, and will do all they can to please the loa which pertains most to the task at hand before attempting a feat.

• Potion Doc

Though spellcasting is one major part of a Potion Doc's caste, they live up to their names. Their potions are famed for their extraordinary healing capabilities, or their amazing attributes given upon consumption.

Weaknesses

• Loony

Odds are if a Potion Doc is speaking to someone who isn't a troll, the other person will think they are simply mad. Praying to a wooden carving for rain? Dancing for a blessing? Shaking a rattle to invoke a curse? To outsiders, a Potion Doc's wisdom is rarely received with understanding.

• Religious

The Potion Doc pleases the loa first, and people later; rarely, if at all, will one stray from his devout path alongside his spiritual guides, and if he does he knows to quickly beg forgiveness. A Potion Doc always seeks a spirit's favor before embarking on anything of merit, and at times the trials and tribulations can be a harrowing experience.

• Lightweight

Potion Docs can cast amazing spells and brew fantastic potions- this has been thoroughly established. What you will never hear about is one beating down his foes with his wooden staff (unless the doctor has taken some fairly strong potion).They are not known for physical prowess- it simply isn't their forte, and you will rarely see a doctor fare well toe-to-toe with a melee opponent.

Skills and abilities

• Hex - Frog

An iconic ability of all witchdoctors, including Potion Docs; any foe who is becoming too much of an issue for the doctor to handle (or is being a particularly annoying pest) can expect a quick trip into the life of an amphibian. Victims to this hex do not remain in this state long, so it is often used for a chance for the doctor's escape or an opportune strike on a foe.

• Death Rattle

Using esoteric combinations of mystical reagents and macabre additions, the doctor can fashion out a gourd, skull, or set of enchanted chimes to create a terrifying weapon- the death rattle. The death rattle is a strange magical device, its reverberations inflicting pain upon those it is set onto. While most death rattles are used to simply inflict suffering on a foe, some enchant the rattle to impart a specific curse when used. The death rattle can be used similarly to a mage's wand.

• Bambe Brew

One of the staples of a doctor's craft, the Bambe Brew is an elixir imparted early onto those seeking further studies into the potion doc's path. The Bambe brew is little more than a potion of longevity, used alongside other brews in order to extend the life of their effects on the imbiber.

• Zuvembi Brew

The Zuvembi Brew is a potion concocted for the doctor seeking some personal payback upon a rival, or perhaps to impart a spiritual lesson on a student. The Zuvembi Brew is added to other concoctions and, when ingested, places the consumer under the doctor's manipulations mentally. It is quite literally mind control, giving suggestions into the slumbering victim's dreams which then affect them in their state of slumber.

• Mixmaster

While the above potions are good starts, the Potion Doc is dedicated to new concoctions and strange and esoteric spells. It is quite common for new potions to be discovered! [PM a gamemaster with your desired potion effect and, if accepted, the potion can be trained in your prestige thread and then be used in character!]

• Craftsman

Similar to the Mixmaster benefit, Potion Docs can create powerful artifacts imbibed with voodoo magic. [PM a Gamemaster with your desired relic and its effect, and if accepted the artifact can be created in your prestige thread and then used in character!]

Training Outline

Potion Docs typically begin training simply by seeking an elder to train under. They do not initially need to be a Witchdoctor, but can simply be an accomplished ritualist or brewer, who can then vouch for the aspirant's commitment to a true practitioner of the Potion Doc's art. If a trainee's faith is questionable, they are turned away- the doctor's teachings say that a Potion Doc is a medium used by the spirits to exercise their dominion over nature, and if a student is to be given such power they must know the importance of it. Initial training of a doctor may include a study of the spirits and the Loa, and a great undertaking of understanding the Loa and what pleases and displeases them.

After initial training has been completed, apprentices are passed on to be considered by a doctor for teachings; a master of the Loa and its power can be quite selective at times, and the slightest mistake on a potential student's part can end with him being sent away with little explanation. If the apprentice can make it through the master's scrutinizing eye, the case turns- the apprentice makes it through his training, rigorously pushed by the master to extreme lengths. Stopping is not a possibility, as the master will simply not allow his apprentice to fail, lest his failure place such a reputation on his own shoulders.

Training under a Potion Doc usually begins as yet more teachings of the Loa and how it works its power in Azeroth. Once the student has learned all the master can teach about the Loa, it is time to learn how to practice it- They are instructed in how to receive blessings and brew potions using the doctor's methods. While the doctor will usually merely have them assist in the beginning, fetching ingredients and organizing the ritual altars, eventually the apprentice will have the chance to take up the doctor's paraphernalia and prepare concoctions and curses alongside the master.

Once the master is confident of his apprentice's ability he will seek a trial for the aspirant to undertake. Common trials are spiritual journeys- pilgrimages to places of spiritual interest, a great hunt for a foe to appease Gonk, or a travel to heal the sick and injured for a blessing of Lukou. The trials undertaken test an apprentice's resolve and wisdom- some last days, others months. Upon their return a celebration is called to honor the student- the master grants him a mask, and with a final ceremony the apprentice is ordained a master.

Active Potion Docs

Currently there are no active Potion Docs, so any applicants would have to create an NPC for the training.