Questions about Poisons....

[Slamy Mcbiteo]

So if a poisoned is applied to a weapon how long is the weapon poisoned? Example if I apply a poison in the first round of combat and do not hit until the 3rd round is it still poisoned? Maybe I missed this but I was not sure based on the rules. Or can you do something like poison a dagger and leave in the sheath until combat starts? Can I pre-poisons? If so how long is the weapon poisoned?

[joeyfixit]

Far as I know, it's poisoned until something removes the poison. Like sticking it into a person's flesh. Or taking a swim with it. Or having it out in the rain. Or wiping it off with a kerchief.
I'm in a game right now where I played a Drow who got captured and turned to the dark side. We rolled up new characters to play with the one PC who survived a near TPK- that survivor has yet to use one of the daggers that my ex-character gave her before the party-wipe.
When the Drow was still a PC, she had a rambo-type bolo strip of daggers for throwing at bad guys, and they were all poisoned. At some point I told the DM that it was part of her morning ritual to "freshen up" any daggers that were missed.
I guess if WEEKS go by (in-game), the DM might rule to see if the poison's still potent. More likely he'll roll for it.

Your avatar is creepin' me out, Slamy.

[Milkman555]

If you think about it in a purely scientific perspective it would depend on what the poison was created from.
A biological poison from a plant,animal,reptile,or arachnid would degrade quickly if exposed to light,heat,and air.
( think about fresh fruit, it lasts longer in a dark cold refrigerator than sitting in the sun in front of a window )

If it was made from a chemical base, purified and concentrated to enhance its lifespan it would obviously last much longer. again considering exposure to light,heat, and air.
( think about medications that are active chemicals in powder or liquid form, or household cleaners or solvents )

I would say since there are so many variants on an idea like poisons and lifespans why not let the players create something like a reservoir sheath.
Reservoir sheath- This weapon sheath is tightly sealed leather, with a snug and form fitting blade cap that is waxed and insulated to hold a dose of the poison that keeps the weapon coated for use, but dries up and needs to be replenished after 1-2 days or after a hit when used in combat.

[InsaneFox]

As far as rules as written is concerned. There is no listed duration other than actually successfully hitting with a poisoned attack. Despite realistic logic, as far as game rules are concerned, swimming, ect. doesn't get rid of the poison on a weapon. Nor are there any actual rules for cleaning poison off of a weapon.

There maybe SHOULD be rules for these, but I would side with common sense when dealing with poison. For game mechanic's sake, I wouldn't allow poisons to 'degrade', but anything that'd reasonably remove the poison from a weapon should do the trick.

[skrahen]

my old poisoner used to mix an oil of timelessness(gentle repose) in with his poisons. he was a trap maker primarily. poisoned traps in games are assumed sometimes to have sat a very long time, and i seem to recall some instances of Modules justifying bonuses to saves because of old poison.

[Slamy Mcbiteo]

Hmmm ok so no official rules I guess I will have to ask the GM...thinking exists on the blade until delivered makes sense if you think about traps. But I will see what he says.... thanks for the replies

P.S. Whats wrong with my avatar joeyfixit???

[skrahen]

Partially relevant...
There is a wasp now whose poison paralyzes for 1d6+5 weeks
I guess it's not technically a wasp... From the new jade regent called a spider eater
Long onset for an injury poison though at 1 minute with a DC: 17 might be my new favorite poison