Classes
Class refers to your character’s choice of adventuring profession.
RPG Series
Illustrations by the inimitable Julie Dillon.
PERFUME OIL BLENDS
Presented in an amber apothecary vial
“You all meet at an inn…”
Pen and paper role-playing games have been a tremendous influence in my life since my formative years. My parents bought me the magenta D&D boxed set back in 1982, along with the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. My lifelong passion for fantasy, science fiction, war games, and mythology was well-channeled through RPGs, and I credit playing D&D with helping me sustain my imagination and sense of wonder through adulthood.
I played with one particular group through the bulk of my late teens and early 20s, and this series — along with the atmosphere tools that Black Phoenix Trading Post has introduced — was inspired, specifically, by the time that we spent campaigning together. Our group was somewhat prop-driven in our gaming: we felt that setting a mood was conducive to our style of gameplay. Little things like changes in lighting, minor sound effects, and music made a world of difference, and we found that utilizing miniatures, model railroad scenery, and other tools in order to physically illustrate strategies and provide visual cues was tremendously useful. How much more immersive would it have been if we’d been able to smell the crypt we were crawling through? Or the stench of steel and blood that permeates a warrior’s cloak? What do the wizard’s spell components smell like? What does winter in the desert smell like? Or spring in a druid’s sanctuary?
Pen and paper role playing games are, to me, dynamic stories that are propelled by the active participation of many individuals. You can’t have a strong storyline without creating characters of some depth. When you create a character, you generally have their personalities, priorities, and history in mind, along with a clear vision of what your character looks and sounds like. But how does she smell? What does the world around her smell like?
In most pen and paper fantasy RPGs, three of the primary attributes that you must choose for your character are race, class, and alignment. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab’s RPG scent series was designed to emulate the character creation process, and are meant to be layered in order to create a character concept. In short: you layer your class, race, and the two fragrances that compose your alignment to construct your character scent. RPGs in all their myriad forms — CRPGs, MMOs, and old school pen and paper — have brought me immeasurable joy. This is my homage. This series is dedicated to my first DMs — my parents — for laughing off the nutter-perpetuated AD&D Satan Scare of the 80’s. Thanks for taking the time to play with your little girl. I miss you, and I love you.
minikadomi –
For me it’s a soft leather jacket smell, which is nice but I wish I could smell some other aspects of this perfume as it’s kind too literal just leather for me.
Thebazilly –
I’m shocked that “shining armor” is a scent that’s truly captured here. This smells like white linen and freshly oiled steel with sunlight glinting off it. There’s leather, but it doesn’t smell overtly masculine. This is exactly what a paladin would smell like.
Eileen –
Vanilla is a note I tend to avoid, as it turns really sweet on me, but I love playing paladins so I decided to give this a try. It was very sweet and airy on the skin, and I see where the baby powder impression came from in another review. It wasn’t unpleasant, just very subtle. I dabbed on the tiniest bit of Half-Elf, and those two play well together on me. I play paladin and/or half-elf frequently, so I quite like that I can wear them together.
gildedeyes –
This is the first BPAL scent I ever tried on. Before, I thought the reviews on this site were poetic and metaphorical because of the kind of crowd this place draws. Now, I totally understand.
This is a scent that captures an essence. In the bottle, it’s not too remarkable, but as soon as I put it on my skin, it made me think of pleasant, tidy home. A cat sleeping neatly on clean laundry. Not like detergent or dryer sheets, which I do not enjoy, but the subtle natural scent of a place that is kept clean, fresh, and orderly.
It gains dimension as it warms. The vanilla crescendos (warm and just a little sweet), and then backs off after a few minutes, leaving the leather at the fore. The leather is gorgeous. It smells professional, and maybe a bit like a new shoe store. Like organized, open spaces. Something overall reminds me of friendly churches I visited in my childhood. Appropriate, considering the theme.
About two hours after applying, it has calmed down into what smells to me, paradoxically, like warm snow. Every stage makes me think of the colour white.
I agree with the other reviews about the subtlety. You could easily wear this without attracting attention, and without getting tired of it. I’m already planning to order more.
Faith –
Gorgeous scent, but it’s a bit too subtle.
kharveybiz –
Unfortunately, this turns to baby powder on me, but I did love it while it lasted.
john –
In the bottle it doesn’t smell like much of anything, but on skin it warms up to pleasant vanilla that doesn’t turn too sweet, with undertones of leather. Overall Paladin is very nice clean fresh scent, but also a subtle one.
Cesario de Rozlinde –
Subtle and ‘cologne-y’ in the imp, this one explodes into sweet, sharp, clean incense/resin on my skin, with an undertone of leathery assertiveness. And after it has a minute or two to dry… Dear God… this must be what Thor and Captain America smell like. Whoever says righteousness isn’t sexy has no clue what they’re talking about. Oh, I need a bottle of this. P.S. Keep it away from ‘Mage.’ That combination is just… nope. Ugh.
abovezenith –
Paladin is very subtle but smells very fresh. I got this as a freebie and love it! It smells very vanilla on me with the leather and frankincense as a very nice undertone. Would be wonderful to use as a room scent too.
xaglow –
This one smells like crisp, lightly sweetened linen when wet. As this dries the musk and vanilla warm the sweeter frankincense to make a very nice aroma that isn’t too overwhelming.
Forest –
* In the bottle: Deep resin contrasts with dry, freshly cut wood. Sunset reflected in sharp steel.
* On skin: Crystal clear water runs cold and fast in a fountain of polished marble. The creamy white petals of a vanilla orchid float on the surface.
* Dry down: Fine leather gloves still warm from regal hands. The faintest trace of cocoa and sweet spices.
Caitlin –
I love this scent. I have an imp and now need to order a 5ml bottle.