The Mansions of Madness: Astral Alchemy scenario, found in the Streets of Arkham expansion, is a level four difficulty scenario where players must decipher a spectral mystery at Miskatonic University. Players face a time limit and must solve riddles and gather ingredients for a powerful elixir while battling monsters and managing their own sanity. The scenario is known for its unique mechanics, like the Elixir deck, and for potentially having a poorly written or anti-climatic ending. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Premise: Investigators receive a cryptic note from a Miskatonic University professor, Dr. Delinia Bell, about a threat from the stars and a need to create a powerful elixir. 
• Setting: The scenario takes place within Miskatonic University, specifically the Alchemy Lab, and features new map tiles and elements like darkness tokens and rubble. 
• Elixir Mechanic: A core mechanic involves finding and using Elixirs, which can improve investigator skills but also have unpredictable side effects. 
• Challenges: Players must solve riddles, find ingredients, manage time pressure, deal with monsters, and potentially face the consequences of consuming Elixirs. 
• Difficulty: Rated as one of the more challenging scenarios, Astral Alchemy requires quick thinking and strategic play to succeed. 
• Possible Endings: Some players have reported a limited number of endings, with some feeling the “good” ending is underwhelming. There’s also a potential for the scenario to end abruptly due to time running out or incorrect riddle solution.

We played Astral Alchemy three times with negative results. On the fourth attempt, we changed characters and did better. We collected all the reagents for the elixir and thought we had completed the scenario… but… the app then asked us to select from four final items .. none of which we had any idea or information from the game to go by.. our 25% chance was a no go.. we once again lost.. the scenario seems very random…