Befuddlement Draught!
correctly guessed by Alessa Slytherie-Potions Club Activity4
what does it do?
The Befuddlement Draught works within the drinkers brain and causes a form of swelling called Cerebral Edema which causes fluid to collect within the brain, causing it to swell to accommodate this.
This swelling then causes the brain to push upon the sides of the skull, causing pressure (and often pain) to the victim.
excessive consumption of this potion can lead to brain haemorrhages and even death. Therefore, the Befuddlement Draught should not be experimented with, and consumption should be monitored.
history
After refusing to answer the questions of her captors, Red was taken back to her cell. That night, Red managed to slip through the bars of her cell and escape. However, after running through the centre where she was being held, she found herself in the store cupboard of the Master Potioneer. Amongst vats of Veritaserum and other potions which will not be disclosed here, Red began to brew a potion which she believed would make her invisible.
However, Red was not a Potioneer, and the weeks she had been held captive had made her all the more eager to leave the centre. She did not pay attention to the ingredients she was adding together, and instead of making an Invisibility Potion as planned, she created the Befuddlement Draught. This potion differs to many others in that there is no crushing or chopping of ingredients which would usually require this, there is only one, very quick brewing time and the method is very short. Red did not worry about small details - she wanted to escape!
After taking a small amount Red quickly became confused, and could not figure out where she was. The next morning, she was found by her captors, lying on the storeroom floor, drooling and asking what her own name was.
In the believe that she had gone mad through time in her cell and would therefore no longer be of use to them, her captors set Red free.
However, unknown to them, the Befuddlement Draught wore off after 4 days, at which point Red returned home, retired from service and began selling Befuddlement Draughts to other operatives in case they were captured.
You will notice this potion does not involve crushing or chopping, and there are no specific measurements - as Red was in a rush - all ingredients were added whole!
tools
Wand
Stirring tool
Dragon-hide gloves (please ensure to put these on prior to starting)
Phial and stopper
ingredients
2 Lionfish Spines
A large splash of Honeywater
3 handfuls of Scurvy Grass
Let's Get brewing!
Estimated Brewing Time - 25 minutes
Step 2 - Heat to 100oC (212oF) and allow the water to boil
Step 3 - Add 2 Sneezewort Flowers
Step 4 - Wave your wand in a circle, clockwise over the potion
Step 5 - Add 3 Handfuls of Lovage
Step 6 - Wave your wand in a circle, clockwise over the potion
your potion should now turn yellow
Step 8 - Wave your wand in a circle, clockwise over the potion
Step 9 - Stir the potion 12 times, rapidly clockwise
Step 10 - Add 3 handfuls of Scurvy Grass
Step 11 - Wave your wand in a circle, clockwise over the potion
your potion should now turn orange
Step 13 - Add the remaining 2 Sneezewort flowers to the potion
Step 14 - Wave your wand in a circle, clockwise over the potion
Step 15 - Add a large splash of Honeywater to the potion
Step 16 - Wave your wand in a circle, clockwise over the potion
Step 17 - Stir your potion 10 times, rapidly anticlockwise
Step 18 - Wave your wand in a circle, clockwise over the potion
leave the potion to brew for 90 seconds
This potion should be of a thin consistency, however, as nothing is crushed or chopped, and everything is added whole to the potion, there may well be lumps within the Befuddlement Draught, even when brewed correctly.
The repeated wand movement over the potion aims to work similarly to crushing or chopping the ingredients, however it is not as effective as physical crushing and lumps may remain.
note - the method and ingredients for the potion have never changed, and therefore this potion is made very quickly, with minimal brewing time and no crushing/chopping of ingredients
additional information
If stirred incorrectly, this potion will turn black and take on a very thick consistency. This potion will not be able to be administered as as soon as it touches the taste-buds it will cause the drinker to vomit profusely.
If the Sneezewort flowers are not the first and penultimate ingredient to the potion, the potion will turn white and begin to bubble. If consumed, this version of the Befuddlement Draught will cause the drinker to erupt into extremely sensitive boils which will burst randomly, leaving the victim with very painful sores.
There are no additional ingredients to this potion as the recipe has never changed
use
The optimum oral dosage for the Befuddlement Draught is 10ml. Ingesting 10ml will cause slight swelling in the brain, resulting in mild to moderate confusion. 10ml may also result in a slight headache, or a feeling of dizziness. The consumer may be slightly more irritable than normal, however they should not become overly violent or abusive. The consumer will be fully aware of what they are doing and their actions, although their brain may be mildly confused. The effects of ingesting 10ml of the potion will last around 4 hours
If between 10 and 30ml is ingested this will cause moderate levels of swelling in the brain. This will therefore result in moderate headaches, dizziness and high levels of confusion. This dosage volume may also result in some short term memory loss. The consumer may have slight periods of unconsciousness, or 'black-outs' which are associated with memory loss. The consumer may become violent and abrasive, but should not become prone to physical attacks. The consumer will be aware of what they are doing, however may be likely to act irresponsibly or without thinking. They will also be very confused. The effects of ingesting 10-30ml of the potion will last anywhere between 1-4 days.
If more than 30ml is ingested, the brain will swell to an alarming size, and at an alarming rate. This dosage volume will result in dizziness, sickness and periods of unconsciousness. The consumer will experience memory loss, most commonly from the first period of unconsciousness up until a few hours before the potion wears off. The consumer will become increasingly violent, and liable to instigate both verbal and physical attacks. This level of dosage will also result in a frequent loss of balance, nose bleeds, a high fever and seizures. If seizures occur, the consumer is also at risk of a sudden death. The consumer will have no control over their thoughts or actions, will act irresponsibly and will not respond logically to any conversation. They will experience extreme levels of confusion and may even lose control of common bodily functions. The effects of this level of dosage can last upwards of a week.
If you suspect someone has come into a high level of contact with the Befuddling Draught you should take them immediately to a Healer. If anything other than 10ml of the potion is taken, a Healer should be called, and the person should be restrained, and then contained in a room alone until the Healer arrives.
This potion is not suitable for use for pregnant women or children under the age of 16.
if you accidentally drink more than 10ml of this potion, or if the person stops breathing, you should summon a Healer immediately
storage
missions
for operative groups
Your mission if you choose to accept it:
Please write a full report on your most recent mission to <insert place name here> where you were unfortunately taken captive.
I have heard many rumours about your captivity <your project codename/letter>, most alarmingly the news that agent <insert one of your agent names here> turned against us for their own gain.
Make sure to detail your mission, your captivity, the conditions of your captivity and any external measures you were subject to during your captivity (i.e. questioning). I would also like a full report on the betrayal of <insert name decided above here>.
Lastly, please detail your escape, including the method and effects of your new Befuddlement Draught, which you created during your captivity.
I look forward to reading your report project <your project codename/letter>.
Sincerely,
Special Agent Wolfe
for solo operatives
Your mission if you choose to accept it:
Please write a full report on your recent mission to <insert place name here> where you were unfortunately taken captive. My condolences on your experience, but my congratulations on your escape.
Make sure to detail your mission, your captivity, the conditions of your captivity and any external measures you were subject to during your captivity (i.e. questioning).
Lastly, please detail your escape, including the method and effects of your new 'Befuddlement Draught' which you created during your captivity.
I look forward to reading your report <your codename>.
Sincerely,
Special Agent Wolfe
Please OWL your completed missions to Special Agent Wolfe! Don't worry, they will not be graded :)
The BEST group and solo submission will be featured on the HIH Potions Facebook page!
Please let me know what you thought of our fourth group activity :)
As well as any comments, questions or suggestions you may have!