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== Nature of Alchemy ==
{{quote
|quote=''“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!"
|speaker= Saliss on alchemy.{{ref|Chapter 9.54 C}}
}}
A broad generalization of alchemy is there are three fundamental components: a "Base," a "Booster," and a "Reactor."<ref name=":0" />
* 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.<ref>{{VERef|Lifting Ants – Interlude}}</ref> Powerful reagents harvested from the corpses from powerful fauna like Old Ones are what pushes alchemy "into the stuff of legends."<ref>{{VERef|8.55 L}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{VERef|10.03 Y}}</ref>
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.<ref name=":0" />
