Unveiling the Charms: A Guide to the Secrets of the Components Archive

The magical components archive is a vital resource for any wizard or witch. It contains a vast collection of items used in magical spells and rituals. These components can range from herbs and plants to crystals and gemstones, each with its own unique properties and powers. **The main purpose of the magical components archive is to provide a comprehensive inventory of these items, allowing magic users to easily find and access the ingredients they need for their spells and enchantments**. It is a well-organized system, with each component carefully cataloged and tagged for easy retrieval. **One of the key advantages of the magical components archive is the knowledge it holds**.

And how does it affect the spell if the gems aren't crushed finely enough? Does your Forcecage crackle and break? Does the act of casting release mana haphazardly, causing 1d6 damage to the caster?

Instead of saying, I cast Shatter, you could instead say, I shout the command word Sund and throw a piece of mica at the base of the idol, attempting to Shatter it. So True Polymorph requires mercury - quicksilver which will flow to take a desired shape, I believe arabic gum and smoking are used as preservatives.

**One of the key advantages of the magical components archive is the knowledge it holds**. Each item is accompanied by detailed information on its history, uses, and the effects it can produce when incorporated into a spell. This allows magic practitioners to make informed choices when selecting components for their magical work.

Magical components archive

So many of the material components for spells are either puns or silly referential jokes. Here's all the ones I can spot in the PHB spells. (I'm not counting ones that are merely symbolic of the spell itself, like the grasshopper leg for Jump, or items that are just traditionally associated with magic, like Eye of Newt for Hex or a crystal ball for Scrying. The item has to have a hidden or idiomatic relation to the thing that I find funny.)

Aid: A strip of white cloth. A Band-AID
Animal Friendship: A morsel of food, implying all you are doing is bribing the animal. Ditto for Animal Messenger.
Color Spray: Are you just throwing colored sand in someone's eyes?
Confusion: Three nut shells. A "shell game" as a term for any attempted bamboozle.
Darkvision: Dried carrot (carrots help improve your vision, according to folk tradition).
Detect Thoughts: A copper piece. (Penny for your thoughts?)
False Life: Alcohol or spirit (liquid courage?)
Fear: A white feather (used to be given to draft-dodgers and men who wouldn't volunteer for the army, as a mark of shame for their cowardice) or the heart of a hen (self-evident).
Feeblemind: A handful of crystal, glass, or ceramic spheres (lost your marbles.)
Gust of Wind: A legume seed (many legumes, like lentils and beans, cause flatulence).
Insect Plague: Sugar. Possible reference to the saying "You'll draw more flies with sugar than with vinegar."
Levitate: Leather loop or golden wire, possibly a joke reference to stage wires.
Major Image, and various other Illusion spells that come after it alphabetically: Fleece (To "fleece" or to "pull the wool over one's eyes" both mean to deceive.)
Passwall: Sesame Seeds (Open Sesame!)
Sending: Copper Wire (To me, this seems like a joke reference to telephones made from wire and cans.)
Slow: Molasses ("Slow as molasses", though this is on the boundary of being mere symbolism.)
Sunbeam: Magnifying glass, favored tool of sadistic ten-year-olds.
Tasha's Hideous Laughter: Tiny Tarts and a feather (Comedy implements).
Tongues: A clay model of a ziggurat (probably a reference to the Tower of Babel).

There are some others that are weird enough that I figure there has to be a joke reference there, but can't spot it. Particularly the powdered corn extract and a twisted loop of parchment for Rope Trick, and the two halves of eggshells from different creatures for Rary's Telepathic Bond.

If anyone knows of any more, either from older editions or other 5e sources, or just thinks I missed one from the PHB, leave a reply!

There is always fireball (bat poop and sulfur) perhaps a reference to "eat crap and die!" or just what you say when you see it coming.

There is always fireball (bat poop and sulfur) perhaps a reference to "eat crap and die!" or just what you say when you see it coming.
Saltpeter and Sulphur are two ingredients in black powder.

There is always fireball (bat poop and sulfur) perhaps a reference to "eat crap and die!" or just what you say when you see it coming.

Guano was historically a significant source of potassium nitrate which, mixed with sulfer and charcoal, was used to make explosives.

How many editions back does this wordplay run? I've been playing since '87, and this is the first time I'm seeing the connection between components and spell function.

Has it been this way for decades and we, I, didn't notice?

How many editions back does this wordplay run? I've been playing since '87, and this is the first time I'm seeing the connection between components and spell function.

Has it been this way for decades and we, I, didn't notice?
All of them. So yes.

Insect Plague: Sugar. Possible reference to the saying "You'll draw more flies with sugar than with vinegar."

I've always known the expression "You attract more flies with *honey* than with vinegar," which leads to Antipathy/Sympathy, which has either Honey Or vinegar depending on which effect you choose.

Dragon's breath is a hot pepper, which seems pretty silly.

And to clarify, this thread is about silly/ironic/referential components, not just particularly apt ones, right? Don't want to submit something like alarm, if that's not the intent.

How many editions back does this wordplay run? I've been playing since '87, and this is the first time I'm seeing the connection between components and spell function.

Has it been this way for decades and we, I, didn't notice?

Blue box original D&D didn't have components for spells at all, but the wordplay and inside jokes are in 1e AD&D.

I think it's not so silly. I mean, the idea of sympathetic magic has been around forever and is the basis of lots of real world magic systems.

Note: I'm just saying people in the real world have developed magic systems. I'm not commenting on the effectiveness of any system.

So True Polymorph requires mercury - quicksilver which will flow to take a desired shape, I believe arabic gum and smoking are used as preservatives?
Mass polymorph needs a catterpiller coocoon - metamorphosis reference
Foresight: hummingbird feather . no idea
Madenning darkness: pitch - pitch black, mercury - possible reference to heavy metal poisoning and their mental impacts.
Antimagic field - iron filings: might be a stretch but used to show magnietic fields and science as antithetical to magic?
Horrid wilting: sponge. Reference to the spell description of drawing the water out of enemies
Whirlwind: a piece of straw. A three little pigs reference?
Reverse gravity - lodestone (magnet) and iron filings: again a field reference for telling direction?
True sight: saffron is an ingredient in some vision supliments, but seems tenuous
Tenser's transformation: bull hairs. As strong as an Ox (though no actual Str boost), put hair on your chest? All seems a little unlikely
Mass suggestion: snake tongue - I wont touch this as a real world religious reference. Honeycomb - honeytonged meaning persuasive
Guards and wards: burning incense, a small measure of brimstone and oil, a knotted string, a small amount of umber hulk blood, and a small silver rod worth at least 10 gp - got me stumped
Flesh to stone: a pinch of lime, water, and earth - no idea
Disintegrate: a lodestone and a pinch of dust - again no clue
Chain lightning: a bit of fur; a piece of amber, glass or a crystal rod; and three silver pins - all tools for making static electricity or detecting it.
Negative energy flood: a broken bone and a square of black silk - not getting this one
Maelstrom: paper or leaf in the shape of a funnel - fluid pssed though a funnel will tend to form a whirlpool
Legend Lore: incense worth at least 250 gp, which the spell consumes, and four ivory strips worth at least 50 gp each - incence is generic but an Elephant Never Forgets
Infernal calling: a ruby worth at least 999 gp, possibly a reference to the 9 hells
Dream: a handful of sand, a dab of ink, and a writing quill plucked from a sleeping bird - thereis something here I must be missing
Bigby'shand: an eggshell and a snakeskin glove - an egshell representing something tobe protected by interposing hand?
Polymorph: a caterpillar cocoon - another metamorphosis reference
Mordenkeinen's private sanctum: a thin sheet of lead, a piece of opaque glass, a wad of cotton or cloth, and powdered chrysolite - this has been puzzling mefor a while
Mordenkeinen's faithful hound: a tiny silver whistle, a piece of bone, and a thread - dog whistle, bribe and lead
Freedom of movement: leather straps? A puzzle.
Arcane eye: a bit of bat fur - why? darkvision? why fur?
Water walk: a piece of cork - traditional material for making floats from
Water breathing: a short reed or piece of straw - you can liein water submerged and breath through a straw to the surface
Stinking cloud: a rotten egg or several skunk cabbage leaves - sulphur rich foodstuffs that releasefoul odors when decaying
Melf'sminute meteors - niter, sulfur, and pine tar formed into a bead - explosvies
Lightning bolt: a bit of fur and a rod of amber, crystal, or glass, more ways of getting static electricity
Hypnotic pattern: a glowing stick of incense or a crystal vial filled with phosphorescent material - sparklers or concert/rave glowsticks
Haste: a shaving of licorice root - hmm,not seeing it yet. might try using google later
Erumpting earth: a piece of obsidian - volcanic rock
Catnap: a pinch of sand - cat litter?
Spider climb: a drop of bitumen and a spider - bitumen is really sticky
Rope trick: powdered corn extract and a twisted loop of parchment - cornflour is basically starch used to make things stiff,like a fakir's rope.
Pass without trace: ashes from a burned leaf of mistletoe and a sprig of spruce - sure there is a reference here I am missing
Melf's acid arrow: powdered rhubarb leaf and an adder�s stomach - possibly a referencetooxalyc acid in rhubarb leaves
Magic Mouth: a small bit of honeycomb and jade dust worth at least 10 gp, which the spell consumes - don' know
Locate animals or plants: a bit of fur from a bloodhound - bloodhounds hunting dogs to sniff out animals
Locate object: a forked twig - describes a divining rod
Flame Blade: leaf of sumac - I don't get this
Tenser's floating disk: a drop of mercury - I wonder if it is a reference to making very flat seets of glass floating on mercury?

OK, I think these are most of the interesting ones that no one had commented on yet (or at least since I began writing this!) Some are pretty simple. Others are probably wrong.

So True Polymorph requires mercury - quicksilver which will flow to take a desired shape, I believe arabic gum and smoking are used as preservatives?
Arabic gum is actually a glue/binding ingredient, which made invisibility signify an eye being glued shut (eyelash + arabic gum)

Foresight: hummingbird feather . no idea

I feel like I should know this one, when I went over the list briefly it gave me pause.

Whirlwind: a piece of straw. A three little pigs reference?

Nice one! that does seem like the reference.

Mass suggestion: snake tongue - I wont touch this as a real world religious reference. Honeycomb - honeytonged meaning persuasive
Outside of those references, it is a phrase/idiom. Snakes tongue can be referring to a snake charmer, or a particularly persuasive and deceptive person.

Flesh to stone: a pinch of lime, water, and earth - no idea This one made me think of calcification, it's probably a reference to that.

Dream: a handful of sand, a dab of ink, and a writing quill plucked from a sleeping bird - thereis something here I must be missing
Catnap: a pinch of sand ?
Most of the sleep based spells (including Sleep) have sand, which I thought might be a reference to the sandman.

I noticed as well that there were lots of spells with iron filings, bat's fur, and mistletoe

Arabic gum is actually a glue/binding ingredient, which made invisibility signify an eye being glued shut (eyelash + arabic gum)

I feel like I should know this one, when I went over the list briefly it gave me pause.

Nice one! that does seem like the reference.

Outside of those references, it is a phrase/idiom. Snakes tongue can be referring to a snake charmer, or a particularly persuasive and deceptive person.
This one made me think of calcification, it's probably a reference to that.

Most of the sleep based spells (including Sleep) have sand, which I thought might be a reference to the sandman.

I noticed as well that there were lots of spells with iron filings, bat's fur, and mistletoe

So mistletoe I had thought of as a generic druid flavour. Same as incence or holy water for divine or some gem as a generic costly component.

Flesh to stone: a pinch of lime, water, and earth - no idea

Some kind of concrete right?

Edit: yeah, Roman mortar. The earth was volcanic ash though.

Yes, but only for spells requiring (S) components. There is no general rule that all spells require a free hand, and there are plenty of rules without somatic components such as Wish

**The magical components archive is not only a repository of physical items, but also a hub of magical wisdom and tradition**. It serves as both a library and a community center, where wizards and witches can gather to share their knowledge and experiences. The archive often hosts workshops and seminars on spellcasting and potion-making, further enriching the magical community. **Maintaining the magical components archive is no small task**. It requires a dedicated team of experts, including herbalists, alchemists, and historians, to research and categorize the various components. The collection must be constantly updated to include new discoveries and obscure ingredients from different magical traditions and cultures. **The magical components archive is a beacon of magic and a valuable resource for both novice and seasoned magic users**. Whether one is seeking a rare herb for a specific spell or simply wants to explore the vast world of magical ingredients, this archive provides a wealth of information and access to a wide variety of magical components. It is a place where imagination and reality meet, opening doors to endless possibilities and enchantments..

Reviews for "Mastering the Mystic Arts: A Guide to the Magical Components Archive"

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Enchanting Artifacts and Legendary Objects: A Glimpse into the Magical Components Archive