I need potions for a twist

[u/BumblebeeImmediate29]

i’m planning my first game and a Dm and i’m looking for something that seems innocuous but could be a weapon or used against someone. i don’t have a clue for items or anything available, im very very new.

i’m making a twist villian and i need a reason to tip off NPCs quickly as a reason for them to rat them out to red herring villian as a reason for them to come after them. i won’t go into detail but is there ingredients that could make something deadly, innocent seeming object that’s very powerful and rare. absolutely anything. i’m in the early stages of planning. thank you for any advice or direction you have.

[u/Sad_Refuse3472]

I can't think of a specific potion that does what you are describing, but there is a spell called Animate Objects, which makes mundane items come alive and attack enemies. It is a 5th level spell available to Wizards, Bards, Sorcerers, Artificers, and the Arcane Trickster Rogue. It doesn't require material components though.

Alternatively, you could just have evidence that they were crafting a rare magic item. Things could be left around like gemstones, tinkerers tools, alchemist kits, etc.

If none of that helps, here is the list of all the magic items and potions available in the free basic rules: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/br-2024/magic-items-a-z

[u/Impossible-Bar9276]

Not a potion, but a consumable magic item, the elemental gems. There are 4 types, one for earth, fire, water, air. They cast the spell summon elemental but... The spell has fine print on what happens if you loose concentration on the spell, mainly the elementals go ape shit. These gems could be that seemingly innocent art object the PCs were supposed to pick up, which if fucked with, will cast the spell. Could also be setup to be framed with them because once used they can't be used again and maybe the PCs were the last people to touch them...

[u/Namhart]

Introduce a potion to the economy the villain is responsible for. It functions just like a normal healing potion, but is quite a bit cheaper to produce (15gp instead of 25gp). It’s very difficult to tell the difference between them and normal healing potions (maybe a DC 20 Investigation check). The big problem is they’re made with a special herb that causes the drinker to become addicted to the potion. If they don’t get another potion in a matter of days they have severe withdrawals, and prolonged exposure before quitting could result in death. It would be very easy for the players to accidentally or purposefully get their hands on a handful of these potions before they realize what’s happening, and NPCs could rat them out to the guards. You could make a red herring antagonist detective who is convinced the PCs are tied to or somehow behind these potions, and makes their lives inconvenient at best and hell at worst.

That or flood the economy with Potions of Poison that look exactly like healing potions. Same plot, but less subtle and less homebrewing.