I was just watching Due Date and they had that joke, then I thought back on some of the funny lines they had in Assassin's Creed that the doctors would say. Doesn't alchemy seem like a goldmine of jokes thrown in with serious potions?

Perhaps half of the potions should be bullcrap or ineffective that some bad alchemists are selling, but they're placebos to people who don't know that. A doctor might say you can cure your stomach problems with medicinal beer, or cure your headaches with a lead based solution. Or they can require ingredients so rare that there's no reasonable way of attaining them, so desperate people believe the lie if he says he has some. Who's up for having some fun and danger with the business of alchemy in the next game?

Errr.

I dont really know if I understand what the overall object of this idea is....? Lol.

I mean its funny.....But I dont get it.....?

I'm lobbying for casual everyday business to be interesting and funny. They had a good example with some of that in Assassin's Creed or games like Red Dead Redemption, so hopefully some humor like that can creep into Skyrim.

Yes, that would be absolutely hilarious.

i agree it could even get some little spinoff quests ( this brings emmas Vilja companion mod to mind) where a group of people take some potions from a shady snake oil salseman and have nasty side effects like oversized droopy ears or they grow a tail or something and you have to find this guy and get their money back.

they already had a quest making fun of placebos in Shivering Isles. Gathering that Aquanostrum for Sickly Bernice that can cure anything but can only be found one place. Someone told her about it for free lodging at her inn. But once you get it for her, she contracts her fake disease again and asks for more. Sure, humor is great and welcomed but its less funny if coming from the forums and more funny if the devs do it. Theyve had hidden jokes in their games for quite a while and I doubt theyll dissappoint, just dont let the forums beat the devs to the punchline

they already had a quest making fun of placebos in Shivering Isles. Gathering that Aquanostrum for Sickly Bernice that can cure anything but can only be found one place. Someone told her about it for free lodging at her inn. But once you get it for her, she contracts her fake disease again and asks for more. Sure, humor is great and welcomed but its less funny if coming from the forums and more funny if the devs do it. Theyve had hidden jokes in their games for quite a while and I doubt theyll dissappoint, just dont let the forums beat the devs to the punchline

This would be awesome, completely epic. Especially if you get sold 'health' potions for a really cheap price at a sleezy bar, and it turns out they're water.

Quack doctors in Skyrim: Yes please.

I dunno. i like the idea of this maybe in small increments.

I dont want to have to worry that everything I buy in game is actually fake and worthless...I mean its a fun concept but where do you draw the line?

Maybe theres a lowered chance of getting sold accidentel doughnuts if you have high luck but the people who are trained conmen negate the effect.

or luck can make it so placebo can take place and be an even more powerful potion. Or both.. .

If lucks in . And if you have high speech you can sell dodgy stuff to bartenders. A hard to get perk to bargain with street peasants.