The Absent-Minded Alchemist is a one-session adventure for first- or second-level characters in an urban setting. The players are hired to deal with rats in a cellar. Unfortunately, they’re not told that the alchemist whose cellar it is has been pouring his failed concoctions down the drain, and that the rats have been magically mutated!

The idea of dealing with giant rats in a cellar is something of a cliché for low-level D&D adventurers, despite – in my experience – rarely actually occurring. As such, I’m amused when I find an adventure that actually does it, especially when the adventure throws in a couple of twists, as this one does.

You want giant rats? We’ve got giant rats! And they’re mutated further by the potions, so they glow and have magical abilities! This isn’t so simple now!

There are three new stat-blocks presented here, for your “typical” alchemical rat, a swarm of rats, and finally the rat king. They aren’t very complicated but have just enough tweaks to feel different from your standard giant rat, and thus provide an entertaining challenge for the players.

I very much appreciate that once the players discover what has caused the rats to mutate, they have the chance to return and berate the alchemist for his recklessness. That could lead to a brilliantly enjoyable role-playing encounter – there’s a few of my players that would delight in the opportunity. I’d likely then use the alchemist as a recurring character, because this adventure provides a memorable introduction to the character, which is something that I value.

The adventure is very well-written and is clear and easy to understand.

Overall, if you’re looking for a fun low-level side-trek, you could do far worse than this. Highly recommended!