Herblore Activity - Varlamore: Part Two
After looking over your reward ideas we're back to give you a look at Varlamore’s upcoming Herblore Activity!
The Audio Read
On the mainland, Herblore has existed in much the same way since the druids first honed their craft. In Varlamore, however, they brew potions a little differently.
The lush island of Aldarin is the perfect locale for Varlamore’s alchemists to grow and study herbs and other Herblore ingredients. Through intense study, they’ve discovered that all herbs contain a set of basic alchemical elements, which can be mixed differently to produce beneficial effects. In their laboratory, they serve the kingdom by mixing up potions in exchange for the time and resources required to continue their studies.
However, with the influx of new visitors to Varlamore, potion orders have gone through the roof! The alchemists' reputation is at stake, and they need your help to get the orders out on time.
Are you willing to lend a hand? Then keep reading to learn all about Varlamore’s new Herblore activity...
Before we begin, please note that we are at an early stage of development, and details are subject to change from now up until release.
As we mentioned previously, this activity is not intended to supplant the classic Herblore experience. As such, we’re not aiming for high XP per hour – instead, we want to focus on the production aspect of Herblore and provide an alternative training method that doesn’t shift the meta.
As such, this activity is targeted at players with 70+ Herblore, although lower-level players can still join in the fun. After a small quest explaining the fundamentals of alchemy, you’ll have free reign to start filling out orders. The activity is free to enter (the alchemists need all the help they can get) and you can leave at any time – although you’ll need to bring your own herbs.
Alchemy doesn’t use secondary ingredients. Instead, you’ll be processing herbs into basic elements and using the results to brew potions. Before we dive into the process, here’s what the laboratory could look like:
Your orders are listed on an overlay interface, meaning you can easily keep track of the potions on your list, along with the time remaining to fulfil the order. All potions have two components to watch out for: the Modifier and the Base, i.e. Concentrated Mason's Tonic.
Once you’ve picked an order to work on, your first job is to break down your herbs into a paste using the Herb Mill. Then, put the paste into the Mixer, which will convert them into usable base elements: Lye, Aga, and Mox, or LAM for short.
Herbs give different values of each base element. Subject to balancing, here's what we're thinking
| Herb | Value | Component Type |
| Cadantine | 1 | Lye |
| Avantoe | 2 | Lye |
| Ranarr Weed | 3 | Lye |
| Snapdragon | 3 | Lye |
| Lantadyme | 1 | Aga |
| Dwarf Weed | 2 | Aga |
| Toadflax | 3 | Aga |
| Kwuarm | 4 | Aga |
| Marrentill | 1 | Mox |
| Tarromin | 1 | Mox |
| Guam | 2 | Mox |
| Harralander | 3 | Mox |
| Irit | 4 | Mox |
Once you’ve got your LAM, use the three levers next to the Mixer to mix them into one of 10 distinct potion bases. You’ll be able to 1-tick these levers, so there’s no waiting for animations to finish – just pure production!
| Base | Combination |
| Goosebane | MMM |
| Earworm | MMA |
| Relaxative | MML |
| Mason's Tonic | AAM |
| Sunbeam | AAA |
| Mixalot | MAL |
| Wonder Wash | AAL |
| Wizardaway | LLM |
| Faerie's Fire | LLA |
| Shrinker | LLL |
Now we have a base, we have to think about the modifier, which we apply using the appropriate processing machine. There are three to choose from: the Retort, the Centrifuge, and the Alembic, and they apply the Concentrated, Homogenous, and Crystalised modifiers, respectively. They also have different processing times. The Retort is a passive method with slow progress. The Centrifuge needs active interaction, but progresses quickly. Finally, the Alembic processes instantly.
In our example, the Concentrated Mason’s Tonic, we’ll need to use the Retort. Since this is a slow process, we have some downtime to focus on mixing up some of the other potions on our order list – although it won’t be too long!
Once processed, pick up your freshly-brewed potions and stick them on the Delivery Counter. You’ll be rewarded with points, split between L, A and M, for each correct potion you’ve shipped before the order times out.
To recap:
- Check the current orders and select one, paying close attention to both the Modifer and Name of the order.
- Head to the Bank Chest and grab the necessary herbs.
- Break them down into paste using the Herb Mill.
- Add the paste to the Mixer to change them into LAM elements.
- Choose the correct combination of LAM elements based on the Name, using the levers next to the Mixer.
- Collect your Potion Base and select the right tool to give it the correct Modifer.
- Once completed, put your Potion on the Delivery Counter, and enjoy your points!
That’s the core gameplay sorted! Just in case you missed it earlier, we’re not revealing XP rates yet, but you can expect this to be a low XP activity. Instead, we’re offering a selection of special rewards for you to spend your points on...
In our last blog, we asked you to share your reward ideas for this activity. You clearly enjoyed flexing your creative muscles, because we’ve seen some amazing suggestions, and now we have a really clear idea of what the community wants from this activity.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look!
Potion Packs
Untradeable
This first reward is pretty straightforward – three different packs, one for each of the LAM components. Each one is packed with potions made from the herbs you used to gain those points – for example, if you used Ranarr, Cadantine, Avantoe or Snapdragon, you’ll be able to buy an L Potion Pack featuring pots like Prayer Potions and Super Defence Potions.
Reagents Pouch
Untradeable
Make space for your secondaries with the latest in item-storing technology! This handy pouch lets you store up to 28 secondary ingredients, from Limpwurt Roots to Unicorn Horns.
Alchemist's Set
Untradeable
The prescribed eyewear in this stylish clothing set lets you see beyond the physical realm and into the science zone. Well, not really – but wearing them, or any of the other set pieces will net you a 2.5% chance to save a secondary ingredient when mixing Potions, for a total of 10% with the full outfit.
The full set contains Goggles, Top, Legs and Gloves. Nifty!
Amulet of Chemistry (i)
Untradeable
Brimming with power, this imbued version of the classic Amulet will not just give you a sizeable increase in charges, but also ups the chance to mix 4-dose Potions to 15%. Powerful stuff!
Pre-pot Device
Untradeable
Why drink one Potion when you could create a cocktail of flavours and effects for any occasion? This special device lets you insert doses from up to five different Potions and drink them all at once. Sounds a bit like our uni days...
We’ll be exploring the functionality of this item and everything surrounding it to make this as smooth a process as possible. This includes ensuring that this powerful effect is balanced appropriately. Currently, we’re only allowing players to use this item within a Bank, or next to a Bank Chest.
Potion Storage
Untradeable
This final reward is one of the most-requested items in all of Herblore – a storage solution that will finally free your Bank slots from the tyranny of Potions!
Essentially, after unlocking this item, the Potions in your Bank will be automatically placed into Potion Storage, which will have a separate interface for you to withdraw them from.
We’d really like to hear your thoughts on this approach – especially as we recognise that this could just be a new button on the Bank interface, instead of a whole new object. Or perhaps it could be a new furniture item for your Player Owned House! What do you think? Let us know in the survey below!
As always we’d really like to hear your feedback about this upcoming Herblore Activity. While we pay close attention to discussion on socials (in a totally non-creepy way), filling out surveys like the one below are the best way to get your thoughts straight to us. So, if you’ve got feedback, click the link here or fill out the embedded survey below!
And that's a wrap! If you're looking for some more, you can chat to Mod Mack and Mod Sarnie at 4pm BST on April 23rd over on the official OSRS Discord for a special Stages on the activity. Not only that but you can expect this week's livestream to be going over this newest part of the Shining Kingdom on Thursday, April 25th at 5pm BST on the official Twitch channel!
You can also discuss this update on the 2007Scape subreddit, the Steam forums, or the community-led OSRS Discord in the #gameupdate channel. For more info on the above content, check out the official Old School Wiki.
Mods Abe, Abyss, Arcane, Archie, Argo, Ash, Ayiza, BigRig, Blossom, Boko, Bruno, Chilly, Criminal, Crystal, Curse, Daizong, Dylan, Ed, Elena, Enigma, Errol, Gecko, Gengis, Gizmo, Goblin, Grub, Halo, Harold, Hend, Hooti, Hornet, Husky, Jalo, Jerv, Keyser, Kieren, Kirby, Kurotou, Leebleh, Lenny, Light, Liron, Mack, Manked, Markos, Maylea, Meat, Moogle, Morty, Necro, Nox, Nylu, Other, Pumpkin, Redfield, Regent, Rice, Roq, Ry, Sarnie, Saiyan, Shogun, Shroom, Sigma, Skane, Skylark, Smithy, Sova, Squid, Starry, Suharun, Surma, Sween, Tide, Titus, Torrance, Tsourorf, Tyran, Veda, Vegard, West & Wolfy
The Old School Team.
