Alchemy

Alchemy refers to the discipline of potion-making.

Overview

Alchemy is a sophisticated blend of science, magic, and art. It involves the creation of potions, elixirs, and various concoctions that have magical effects or practical uses, ranging from healing to enhancing physical or magical abilities, and even changing one's appearance. This practice is essential to Innworld economy, medicine, and warfare, offering significant advantages to those who master it. [Alchemist] is the most common class for practitioners, though it can also be practiced by [Mages] or [Sages]. Alchemy is fraught with dangers, from minor mishaps to catastrophic failures like an explosions or ecological disruptions. These risks stem from the complexity of potion brewing and the volatile nature of alchemical ingredients. Xif had previously lost three apprentices, which was said to be statistically admirable for an [Alchemist] his age.

Alchemy is a trade, taught through an apprenticeship to a master [Alchemist]. While there are Alchemist Guilds in some cities, there are no official academies for alchemy, although it is offered as a course in Wistram.

For a list of known potions and their effects, see Here.

Nature of Alchemy

“If I knew what any one ingredient did, fully, any one—I would be happy and Level 60. Because we are combining two things, or eleven things, and praying and wishing it does what we think it’ll do…but the truth is, we’re constantly figuring out what that one thing did. We think we know, and then we put together something innocent like salamander skins into a vial of water, compress it, and whoa, there goes your face!"
Saliss on alchemy.

A broad generalization of alchemy is there are three fundamental components: a "Base," a "Booster," and a "Reactor."

• Base: The foundation of the potion.
• Booster: Additive ingredient that enhances or amplifies the potion's effects
• Reactor: Key active ingredient, akin to a catalyst

Alchemy is not just about mixing ingredients, but involves an understanding of their properties and how they interact with each other. Alchemists must understand how different substances interact physically and magically. This involves knowing which ingredients enhance each other and which can cause dangerous reactions.

Magic is intrinsic to the nature of alchemy, and can significantly amplify the effects of potions, allowing for results that go beyond the capabilities of mundane chemistry. A common test for determining the potency and grade of a potion is by measuring the quantity of its magic through a basic magical condensing test. Powerful reagents harvested from the corpses from powerful fauna like Old Ones are what pushes alchemy "into the stuff of legends." Modern basic potions don't require highly magical ingredients, thanks to the most common alchemical reagent, Sage’s Grass. Unlike enchantments, the magic in potions doesn't wear off or fade with time. However, they can leech away in an mana-negative environment, rendering the potion useless.

Alchemy is described to be more akin to herbcraft rather than a proper science, lacking standardization. [Alchemists] can be paranoid and secretive, and often refuse to share data or information in order to stay ahead of the rest. Well-known recipes are available for sale at Alchemist Guilds, but they are often imprecise, listing some ingredients with no units of measurement, like "Three Adult Ember Salamander Skins." Additionally, certain Skills are necessary for some potions, with a Potion of Flares requiring [Delayed Reaction] to successfully mix an igniter with magicore. Furthermore, few practice the scientific method when it comes to experimenting, which usually consists of haphazardly mixing random ingredients together and seeing what happens.

Techniques

[Alchemists] utilize the metric system for measurements.

The term "Alchemist's Portion" represents an amount of liquid needed to wet the tip of a finger.

Some alchemical reagents require refinement or purification to reduce the amount of contaminants that would interfere with the reaction. Certain reagents such as roaches or Ember Salamanders have a biological component essential for mana potions and Potions for Warmth respectively; however, [Alchemists] have not yet been able to isolate or identify the component without a Skill. As such, for lower-level [Alchemists] who are forced to add the animals wholesale, the unnecessary bodily parts are taking up most of the reaction.

Alchemy-related Classes

There are some classes related to alchemy.

• [Alchemiaform Oldblood, Grand Alchemist of War]
• [Alchemical Infantryman]
• [Alchemist]
• [Alchemist of the Ancestors]
• [Alchemist of the Guild]
• [Alchimagus]
• [Apprentice Alchemist]
• [Experimenter Alchemist]
• [Heretical Swarmlord Alchemist]
• [Journeyman Alchemist]
• [Master Alchemist]
• [Mixer]
• [Potions Healer]

Practitioners

Notable Alchemists

• Itimen
• Irurx
• Octavia Cotton
• Saliss Oliwing
• Velzimri (Not an [Alchemist], but practices it)
• Xif
• Zeomtoril (Not an [Alchemist], but practices it)

Trivia

• The flesh of A’ctelios Salash is a banned alchemical ingredient. [Alchemists] from Nerrhavia's Fallen once tried using it, and all of them were burned for it.
• Saliss is the only known alchemist-adventurer to exclusively use potions.
• Pallass has dedicated alchemy suppression teams, similar to firefighters. It also makes heavier use of alchemy in warfare than most other powers, possessing specialist soldiers that throw potions and apply alchemical salves to their weapons.