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Harvesting & Loot

Elder Brain

The creature appears to be a large, pink brain. It has dozens of tentacles protruding from underneath its form. It floats in a brine-filled pool.

AC: 10           HP: 210
CR: 14           Size: L

Elder Brain
Harvesting Table


Instructions: Because this creature is an Aberration, the player should roll a Arcana Check using the DCs in the table below. On a success, the player is able to harvest the item. On a failure, the item cannot be harvested (either because the character is not skilled enough, or because the item is ruined). The DM should note that many of the items have an expiration, and can not be sold or used after the expiration has passed.

Type: Aberration (mind flayer)
Skill: Arcana

DC
Item
Description
Value
Weight
Exp.
Crafting
DC: 5
ITEM: Elder Brain Fluid (3 vials) DC: 5
The Elder Brain dwells in a dimly glowing brine pool, filled with foul and brackish water infused with the elder brain's vital fluids and with psionic energy. The fluid has many uses to many spellcasters, craftsmen and alchemists.

Use: As an action, a creature may drink a vial of this fluid. For the next 1o minutes, the creature gets advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma Saving Throws against magic pertaining to illusions.
VALUE: 50 gp
WEIGHT: 1lb.
EXPIRE: 2 days
CRAFT: Potion of Boundless Intellect (HHH2)
DC: 10
ITEM: Elder Brain Tentacle (x2) DC: 10
The tentacles of an elder brain flow with psionic energy. Harvesting a tentacle intact, and with enough psionic power, can be difficult. An expert craftsman can stretch the tentacles and carefully comb them into long, thin fibers. These fibers are then soaked and treated with oils, making them useful filaments for creating ropes and whips, which may be easily enchanted.
VALUE: 150 gp
WEIGHT: 30lb.
EXPIRE: 2 days
CRAFT: Mind Whip +1 (HHH2)
DC: 15
ITEM: Elder Brain White Matter DC: 15
White matter is found in the deeper tissue of the brain. Ripples of psionic energy flow through the tissue like electricity. Harvesting the tissue can be difficult, as it takes a great deal of dexterity and medical knowledge. Failing the DC check by 5 or more results in a backlash of psionic energy, sending out a wave of 4d6 psionic damage to every conscious creature in a 15-foot radius. The tissue is a psionic sponge, valued by spellcasters.
VALUE: 400 gp
WEIGHT: 15lb.
EXPIRE: 2 days
CRAFT: Interrogator's Web (HHH2)
DC: 20
ITEM: Elder Brain Neural Core DC: 20
An elder brain's neural network is so prominent that they manifest as wiry tendrils that snake across the brain's gray matter. These tendrils often lead to a large mass of neurons. Finding this fleshy ball of neural wires is difficult, as it is buried deep within the brain. The core is highly valued by artificers for electrical machinations, but also useful to researchers and spellcasters. Craftsmen can stretch the strands into thin, thread-like fibers that conduct electricity.
VALUE: 1000 gp
WEIGHT: 4lb.
EXPIRE: 2 days
DC: 25
ITEM: Elder Brain Pineal Gland DC: 25
The pineal gland is believed to be the heart of the elder brain's psionic power. The gland is a pea-shaped mound of soft, maroon flesh, about the size of a basketball. The gland is a psionic focal point, and can be used to enhance psionic power.
VALUE: 3000 gp
WEIGHT: 4lb.
EXPIRE: 2 days
Most crafting items have an acronym associated with it, such as "DMG". These acronyms refer to specific guide books. For example, "DMG" refers to the "Dungeon Master's Guide". The acronyms for HHH and HHH2 refer to Hamund's Harvesting Handbook, a homebrew harvesting guide that offers a variety of homebrew (not official) magic items. To view and purchase Hamund's Harvesting Handbook, click here.


Expiration

Many harvested goods will start to rot and decay after a period of time. Below is a quick overview of how we determine expiration dates, and is used as a guide for most harvested items. Note: It is always up to the DM to decide on the exact expiration.
Item Type
Days
Explanation
Body Part
2 days
Flesh rots and decays quickly.
Body Part, Undead
7 days
Undead body parts are already rotting, so their usefulness can last a little longer than regular flesh (which becomes useless when it rots).
Bones
∞
Bones take a very long time to decay.
Feathers
∞
Feathers take a very long time to decay.
Ears
14 days
Ears are predominantly tough cartilage (soft bone). The skin around the ears rot quickly, but the ear remains intact for some time after.
Hair
∞
Hair takes a very long time to decay.
Head
3 days
Like other flesh, it rots and decays quickly, but lasts slightly longer
Hides/Pelts
10 days
Hides/Pelts must be treated and soaks in order to retain its usefulness.
Liquid, Vial (i.e. Blood)
7 days
If contained in a stoppered vial, most fluids have a longer shelf life. However, if exposed to air, it gets ruined VERY quickly.
Liquid, Vial (i.e. Slime)
14 days
Slimes and gels tend to have a longer shelf-life than other fluids. However, if exposed to air, it gets ruined VERY quickly.
Poisons
14 days
Most poisons are viable for about 2 week. However, each poison is different. In additions, proficiency with a poisoner's kit may allow assassins the ability to extend the shelf-life every few weeks (adding other ingredients to extend the poison's usefulness)
Tattoos/Marks
5 days
Usually a strip of skin, which can be preserved with some oil to last a little longer than other flesh.
Wings
7 days
While wings contain flesh, which rots quickly, the bones and leather/feather last much longer, making the wings usefulness last longers.

Elder Brain
Individual Treasure

223 gp, 38 pp
Random Roll: d100 = 83
ROLL AGAIN
d100 cp sp ep gp pp
01-20 cp:  — sp:  4d6 x 100 (1,400) ep:  — gp:  1d6 x 100 (35) pp:  —
21-35 cp:  — sp:  — ep:  1d6 x 100 (350) gp:  1d6 x 100 (350) pp:  —
36-75 cp:  — sp:  — ep:  — gp:  2d6 x 100 (700) pp:  1d6 x 10 (35)
76-100 cp:  — sp:  — ep:  — gp:  2d6 x 100 (700) pp:  2d6 x 10 (35)

Elder Brain
Treasure Hoard

19866 gp, 772 pp
Gems: 9 gems worth 1000 gp each
[6 Opal, 1 Fire opal, 1 Black opal, 1 Star ruby]
Magic Items (5): [1 Wand of the War Mage +1, 1 Sun Blade, 1 Daern's Instant Fortress, 1 Gem of Seeing, 1 Weapon +2]
Random Roll: d100 = 81
ROLL AGAIN
cp sp ep gp pp
Coins cp:  — sp:  — ep:  — gp:  4d6 x 1000 (1400) pp:  5d6 x 100 (1750)
d100 Gems or Art Objects —
01-03 Gems or Art Objects:  — —:  —
04-06 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 250 gp art objects —:  —
07-10 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 750 gp art objects —:  —
11-12 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 500 gp gems —:  —
13-15 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 1,000 gp gems —:  —
16-19 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 250 gp art objects —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table A and 1d6 times on Magic Item Table B
20-23 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 750 gp art objects —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table A and 1d6 times on Magic Item Table B
24-26 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 500 gp gems —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table A and 1d6 times on Magic Item Table B
27-29 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 1,000 gp gems —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table A and 1d6 times on Magic Item Table B
30-35 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 250 gp art objects —:  Roll 1d6 times on Magic Item Table C
36-40 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 750 gp art objects —:  Roll 1d6 times on Magic Item Table C
41-45 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 500 gp gems —:  Roll 1d6 times on Magic Item Table C
46-50 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 1,000 gp gems —:  Roll 1d6 times on Magic Item Table C
51-54 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 250 gp art objects —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table D
55-58 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 750 gp art objects —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table D
59-62 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 500 gp gems —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table D
63-66 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 1,000 gp gems —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table D
67-68 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 250 gp art objects —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table E
69-70 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 750 gp art objects —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table E
71-72 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 500 gp gems —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table E
73-74 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 1,000 gp gems —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table E
75-76 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 250 gp art objects —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table F and 1d4 times on Magic Item Table G
77-78 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 750 gp art objects —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table F and 1d4 times on Magic Item Table G
79-80 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 500 gp gems —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table F and 1d4 times on Magic Item Table G
81-82 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 1,000 gp gems —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table F and 1d4 times on Magic Item Table G
83-85 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 250 gp art objects —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table H
86-88 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 750 gp art objects —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table H
89-90 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 500 gp gems —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table H
91-92 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 1,000 gp gems —:  Roll 1d4 times on Magic Item Table H
93-94 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 250 gp art objects —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table I
95-96 Gems or Art Objects:  2d4 (5) 750 gp art objects —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table I
97-98 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 1,000 gp gems —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table I
99-100 Gems or Art Objects:  3d6 (10) 1,000 gp gems —:  Roll once on Magic Item Table I

Elder Brain
Meat

The meat of many monsters is considered vile and distasteful. Monstrosities and aberrations, in particular, may have tainted blood or rancid tasting meat. Dungeon Master's discretion.
This creature produces 18 pieces of meat, weighing a total of 72 lbs.
Random Roll: 6d6 = 18
Large creatures produce 6d6 worth of meat.
ROLL AGAIN


The table below shows how much meat an inexperienced butcher may be able to harvest from a creature, especially after a battle may have ruined some of the meat (i.e. burned, frozen, poisoned, etc.). If a whole creature's carcass is brought to a butcher, the butcher may pay 4x the value rolled in the chart below for the carcass (if the butcher even WANTS this kind of creature - DM discretion). Of course, carrying a heavy carcass can be difficult, and the creature's bacteria that kept it alive will begin to ruin the meat, spoiling it within a day.

Beast Size DC Meat Weight (x4)† Expire ‡ Value (x2sp)⋆
Tiny DC:  5 Meat:  1 Weight (x4)†:  4 lb. Expire ‡:  1 day Value (x2sp)⋆:  2 sp
Small DC:  5 Meat:  1d4 Weight (x4)†:  4-16 lb. Expire ‡:  1 day Value (x2sp)⋆:  2-8 sp
Medium DC:  5 Meat:  2d6 Weight (x4)†:  8-48 lb. Expire ‡:  1 day Value (x2sp)⋆:  4-24 sp
Large DC:  5 Meat:  6d6 Weight (x4)†:  24-144 lb. Expire ‡:  1 day Value (x2sp)⋆:  12-72 sp
Huge DC:  5 Meat:  8d12 Weight (x4)†:  32-384 lb. Expire ‡:  1 day Value (x2sp)⋆:  16-192 sp
Gargantuan DC:  5 Meat:  8d20 Weight (x4)†:  32-640 lb. Expire ‡:  1 day Value (x2sp)⋆:  16-320 sp
† The weight of a raw piece of meat is 4 pounds. And one slab of meat (4 lbs.), can be used to make 1 dried ration (2 lbs.).
‡ Raw meat has a very short shelf-life, and will go bad within a day if it is not refridgerated or cured.
⋆ The table above uses a standard price of 5cp per pound for regular a piece of animal meat (such as cattle or deer). The value of meat can vary drastically, depending on the quality, rarity and the creature it is sourced from. For example, dragon meat could cost 10x more than standard livestock meat, while insect meat could cost only a copper or two per pound. A DM can decide if that is adequate, and if certain meat is worth more or less.


Meat and Creature Types

Some creature types have meat that is inedible (i.e udead), while others carry some sort of stygma (cannibalism, distasteful, unholy). For example, eating a celestial may be considered a vile, unholy act; while eating a monstrosity may be considered disgusting and distasteful; in addition, giants are too similar to most medium-sized humanoids and are often considered inline with cannibalism. Of course, while buying meats with a stygma is forbidden and possibly illegal in most places, there are always people willing to buy illegal goods (although they may be hard to find).

Creature Type
Edible
Possible Stigma
Sellable
Aberration
N
 
Inedible
Beast
Y
N
Y
Celestial
Y
Cannibalism, Holy Creature
N
Construct
N
 
Inedible
Dragon
Y
N
Y
Elemental
N
 
Inedible
Fey
Y
Cannibalism, Worshipped
Some are inedible
Fiend
N
 
Inedible
Giant
Y
Cannibalism, Disgusting Creature
N
Humanoid
Y
Cannibalism
N
Monstrosity
*
Disgusting Creature
N
Ooze
N
 
Inedible
Plant
N
 
No meat
Undead
N
 
Inedible
* Some monstrosities have meat that is edible (DM Discretion)


Eating Meat

Cooked meat can be eaten safely. Cooking meat requires a campfire or oven. Eating raw meat requires a DC 10 Constitution Check. A successful check results in a filling meal. A failure results in debilitating stomach cramps, causing 1 level of exhaustion (disadvantage on ability checks).

Drying Meat

The meat can be dried using salt, spices, heat and time.

Drying Method
Time
DC
Notes
Oven
6 hours
5
Smoke Hut
2 days
7
Smoking must be maintained periodically (can't be left alone for days)
Sun
16 hours
15
Must be in direct sunlight, in over 85°F.
Set on a hot stone, or hanging from a rack.
Higher chance of spoiling.
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