Bottle of Old Smoke

“It ain’t just smoke. It’s the kind that clings to yer lungs and yer conscience.”

This battered iron flask is capped with rusted brass and sealed with wax-black twine. When opened, it spills out a dense, choking black smoke—thick as grief and twice as bitter. The air smells like burnt rope, stale pipe ash, and bad memories. The Bottle of Old Smoke was found sealed inside a pyre’s stone—no inscription, no mark, just a single line carved in the base: Don’t breathe it in too long.

Mike says it came from an execution fire that burned three liars and a thief. “Still useful,” he mutters. “Just don’t use it near dinner guests.”

Smoke that hides more than bodies. Sometimes it hides regret.
👉 For when ya need cover, confusion, or a reason not to explain yerself, the Bottle of Old Smoke waits at the Armory. Or choke out a message here.

Bottle of Old Smoke – Wondrous Item (Consumable/Reusable Trinket)

Rarity: Uncommon
Attunement: No
Slot: Belt or satchel
Weight: 2 lbs
Special: Cloud of Concealment

• Uncork Smoke (1/day):
  As an action, you may uncork the bottle, filling a 10-foot radius sphere centered on you with black, heavy smoke.

  • The area becomes heavily obscured for 1 minute, or until dispersed by wind or magic.

  • Creatures inside the smoke cough when speaking—any verbal spell cast inside requires a Concentration check (DC 12) or fails.

• Lingering Stain (Flavor):
  The smoke leaves a faint scent of ash and burnt paper on anyone who passes through. For 1 hour, creatures who smell it may feel uneasy, though no mechanical effect occurs.

GM Notes:

Perfect for escape artists, spies, or bards who need to vanish mid-monologue. Use in social sabotage, sneaky retreats, or sudden ambushes. Great for roleplay, minor tactical use, or making everything suddenly awkward.

Pairs well with:

• The Tiefling Who Was Never Really There

• The Goblin Cleric Who Hates Healing (But Does It Anyway)

• Tryhard Roleplay: A Series for the Overachievin’ Fool

• Loot Don’t Mean Leadership, Ya Gold-Grabbin’ Pebble Counter

• About Mike’s Tavern

Ain’t nothin’ like a smoke cloud to leave questions behind. Answers not included.
👉 Add a little confusion to yer campaign with the Bottle of Old Smoke. Just don’t breathe too deep.

FAQ

Q: Can it be reused or refilled?
A: It refills at dawn. But if ya try to force it? It’ll spit at ya.

Q: Does magical wind disperse it?
A: Yep. Gust of Wind’ll scatter it faster than a rogue in debt.

Q: Can creatures hold their breath to cast inside?
A: Maybe—but have yer DM roll Con checks. It’s that kind of smoke.