One interesting thing about the AD&D 1e equipment list is that three herbs are listed. But, what are they there for? Garlic, obviously, has uses in warding off vampires and as a spell component for the Slow Poison spell. Belladonna and Wolvesbane are useful in curing lycanthrope. But, as far as game mechanics go, that is about it.

Garlic is also a tasty addition to a meal. Both belladonna and wolvesbane are poisonous. So, if you are playing an Assassin or other class that can use poison, you no longer need to go seek poison out, it’s right there in the Player’s Handbook.

Wolvesbane

Belladonna

But, surely it’s not as simple as that. Well, no. And, yes. You will notice that the listed prices for belladonna and wolvesbane are cheap compared to the listed poisons in the Dungeon Masters Guide. Some preparation is required. Without going into the details of what preparation, here’s my take.

Belladonna may only be used for ingestive poisons. Wolvesbane may be used to make both ingestive and insinuative poisons.

The method, purchase sufficient herb up to the cost per dose, then double the price for the other needed ingredients and equipment. Time to prepare is one week for type A double for each successive level of poison (e.g. two weeks for type B, four weeks for type C, etc. ). Once the needed equipment is purchased for a certain number of doses, the poisons can be made for 3/4 the cost of the poisons.

What characters should be allowed to do this? I’d allow any assassin, monks of evil alignment, which has a secondary skill of farmer/gardener or forester. All other characters must hire an alchemist or go through the official Assassin poison training methods.