There's a slight problem in the alchemy/herbalism system in that although casting spells on the table is an integral part of the sytem, as your character gains levels it's increasingly likely the spell will blow up the placeable. I've wrecked it simply by chaining Acid Splashes on an experiment.
I suggest giving the table 100% damage Immunity to Elemental Damage, Negative Damage, Divine Damage and Magical Damage, as you're casting the spell into the pot or using it like Scribing I assume. To allow the table to be destroyed, give it low HP so anyone can bash it. Otherwise it's a gamble as to whether you wreck your experiment, as you have no idea of the table's current damage status.
Agreed, I've destroyed these mid experiment completely by accident using spells.
Yes, sounds like it's causing quite a few problems. Though you can cast spells such as Protection from Negative Energy, Energy Protections, etc. on the tables.
I knwo you can but does it actually protect them? Also, that doesn't help when you experiment with magical/divine damage spells, or aren't a Cleric.
I kinda like having to use protection spells on the table. It shows just how batshit crazy one has to be, to pursue alchemy. One of my favorite interactions on my alchemist was someone screaming that I didn't put protection from elements on them, or myself, but on the table.
"The integrity of the experiment must be maintained! You can mend your wounds! Have you ever -tried- to mend a table!?"
Oh, it does work on the table? Sweet! I thought it was just absorbed as spells don't normally work on placeables. Now I want to make a Furniture Wizard who treats the table as his baby.