Smokestick

Smokestick
Rare Item (10 gp)
Rank: 5
A tightly wrapped rod of alchemically treated wood and resin, designed to release a thick, clinging smoke when ignited.
Special Actions
Ignite
Standard Action [REC 3]
Requirement: You must have a source of fire within reach.
Duration: 1 moment
Effect: The Smokestick ignites and continually produces a 20ft diameter cloud of Thick Smoke. The cloud moves with the Smokestick, the trail of smoke it creates quickly settles leaving a fine ash on all surfaces. Dousing the stick in water or similar non-flammable liquid ends this effect and destroys the stick. The smoke remains thick, even in wind, however a strong wind can warp the shape of the cloud (GM's Discretion). The smokestick is consumed upon use.
Creation
Lay a thin, flexible sheet of bark across a preparation slab. Warm the resin in a Spiral Crucible until it reaches a viscous, tar-like state, then lace it with measured drops of Pristine Tincture. Into this mixture, sift a pinch of powdered Silver Sulfurous Salt, stirring carefully until faint smoke wisps rise from the crucible’s edge. At this point, scatter in dried Ashbloom Spores and quickly bind them before they disperse.
Once blended, spread the resinous mixture evenly across the inner face of the bark. Roll the sheet tightly upon itself, compressing the mixture within, and seal the outer seam with a thin glaze of resin. Place the sticks to dry in a sealed cabinet of still air for a full night. When complete, each rod should feel rigid yet slightly spongy to the touch, its core packed with volatile resin and trapped spores.
Ingredients: Flat sheet of softwood or bark, Resinous Gum (uncommon, 1gp), Pristine Tincture (Uncommon, 5gp), Pinch of Silver Sulfurous Salt (rare, 1gp), Dried Ashbloom Spores (rare, 3gp)
"In war, a moment of confusion is worth a dozen blades."
——Captain Verlaine, mercenary commander

Description

A Smokestick appears as a tightly rolled rod of bark, sealed with resin along its seam. Its surface is dark and faintly gritty, with a sharp, acrid tang that clings to the air. When ignited, the resinous core smolders, setting off the spores and salts within to produce a roiling cloud of dense, gray smoke. The stick burns unevenly, coughing out bursts of vapor that settle into a lingering haze, and its brittle roll collapses into ash once spent.

Lore

First devised by siege engineers as a way to blind archers on parapets, smokesticks soon spread to guilds, armies, and adventurers who valued concealment. In many cities, guards carry them for riot control, using their sudden clouds to scatter mobs and mask tactical advances. Some alchemists experiment with variants—colored smoke for signals, scented smoke for rituals—but the classic gray haze remains the standard. On battlefields, the sudden blossom of smoke is a sign of retreat, ambush, or treachery.