A Revised Guide to Alchemy by Orin Vossar

[WriterX]

A Revised Guide to Alchemy
by Orin Vossar

Introduction

Over the many months of practicing Alchemy I have revised both my views and methods on this topic of study. It's a complex and challenging topic, especially to a person who had limited to no experience with it. Today I am far more knowledgeable in these matters and ready to rewrite my Guide to Alchemy, with new observations, suggestions and ideas for a young alchemist to pursue.

Let us begin then, from the basics.

Chapter 1: Basics of Alchemy, Reagents, Catalysts and Fuels

In order to practice Alchemy you need to gather Reagents, Catalysts and Fuels. These are terms originally coined by Itri Ablator in his book The Arcano-Chemical Aspirant's Guide, and I continue to use these terms as they are simple and straightforward in their understanding.

Reagents

Reagents are basic components that you add to create an alchemical reaction, and they could be anything that you find, purchase or make. Beginner alchemists would often opt for anything that is either easily accessible or extremely cheap, including: Paper, Bread, Ale and Worm Meat.

Due to the way Alchemy works, in order to facilitate a positive reaction you need to add at minimum three reagents or a maximum of eight. Three is the bare minimum where anything of benefit may occur, adding any fewer will not create any reaction at all.

Meanwhile, if you attempt a reaction with eight reagents the outcome, if it were to produce something, will come around somewhat easier.

To explain this more clearly, as you experiment with different combinations of reagents, in different orders and amounts, you may end up finding different recipes that produce the same outcomes. However two recipes that produce the same outcome, where one will call for eight reagents, while the other for only three, you will find the one with the abundance of reagents a bit more stable, or easier to reach a positive outcome with.

There is no true rhyme or reason when it comes to which reagents produce what outcomes. You may find that by using completely different reagents of different amounts may produce the same outcomes, but that is what makes Alchemy so special. It's a path of discovery, which may sadly take many weeks or months, but the more you experiment, with different combinations and amounts, the greater your library of recipes will grow. To the point where, if you have a handful of different reagents you may decide which recipe is the best to reach the desired effect.

And to clarify a point made earlier, a recipe could be something as simple as adding three pieces of bread together, or eight. Then, you can decide to add one bottle of ale, instead of one bread, thus two breads and then an ale, the outcome may be different. And depending on when in the reaction you add the ale, the outcome may again be different.

I often write "may" instead of "will" because, as I said before, the outcomes of your experiments are not predictable, and you may keep stumbling back onto the same outcome, time and time again.

But, now let us move onto the next matter, Catalysts. 

Catalysts

Catalysts are objects you find that greatly influence or change the outcome of your recipe or experiment. They are typically connected to a specific theme or element. Among them, the four basic elements, Fire, Air, Water and Earth, as well as more complex notions of Shadow, Negative and Positive Energy, Chaos, Order, Metal, among many others.

While an Alchemist should always be able to identify the potential of an object as a Catalyst, what the Catalyst does will call for a measure of experimentation. After all, how can you be certain what a Catalyst does until you add it to a reaction?

Catalysts are unique, in the sense that they do not count as a Reagent for the purpose of reactions.

Thus, if you had a recipe made up of eight reagents and then added a Catalyst this would not ruin your experiment, it simply changes the "element" of it.

You should be made aware that Catalysts can also interact with one another to create Quasi-Elements, especially when it comes to Catalysts associated with the four basic elements. 

So, if you combined a Fire and Air Catalyst you would produce the Quasi-Element of Smoke. Fire and Water produces Steam. Fire and Earth produces Magma. Swapping the order does not change the Quasi-Element. And just as before, if you added two catalysts to a reaction of eight reagents this would not ruin your experiment, as long as the Catalysts successfully combined together. 

Sadly, based on my own experiments, many of the other Themes, such as Law, Positive and Negative Energies, and so on, do not readily combine with one another, or at least I did not successfully find any such combinations.

Now comes the question of when you should add a Catalyst, and as far as I can tell, the moment at which you add the Catalyst seems to impact the outcome of the reaction. You could add it at the end, or at the beginning, and the outcome will be different. That is why keeping a clear record of when you add different components to your experiment is important.

Fuel

Fuels are components that you add to a reaction to increase its power, unlocking more promising or powerful outcomes. One of the most common forms of Fuel, in the current Age of our World, is Smouldering Ash. Adding it to a reaction will allow your experiment to produce more powerful outcomes. But, using Smouldering Ash in your experiments also makes them more complex and possibly more deadly, thus it is not advised for Alchemists who have not yet found their footing.

Fuel can be added to Catalysts as well, however, not every single Catalyst interacts with Fuel. It will increase the power of catalysts of the four basic elements, as well as that of the Quasi-Elements.

So, in an experiment where you added eight reagents, and then a fire beetle belly, adding smouldering ash would produce a more powerful outcome, if everything combines correctly. The same would happen if you had eight reagents, a fire beetle belly combined with a bottle of spring water, to produce the Quasi-Element of steam, and then added smouldering ash.

In reactions where smouldering ash will not empower a reaction it behaves like a reagent. So, for example, if you added eight reagents, a vial of blood (blood element) and then added smouldering ash your experiment would sadly fail, because smouldering ash does not empower this particular theme, and instead it would count as a ninth reagent. 

If you are uncertain whether a Catalyst benefits from the use of a Fuel my advice is to use an eight reagent recipe, add a Catalyst and then the Fuel. If the experiment then fails due to an abundance of reagents you will know that the Fuel does not interact with that particular Catalyst.

Chapter 2: On the Themes and Elements of Alchemy

In my previous work I did not dwell too much upon the Elements and Themes as I invited Alchemists to approach this topic on their own, but today I feel that some clarification or direction may be prudent. This is not a conclusive list.

Basic Alchemy - Experiments without the use of Catalysts. Basic Alchemy produces a limited number of objects, but few that are of genuine use to adventurers. This is where most begin their adventures as Basic Alchemy is also the safest, with few possibilities for truly disastrous outcomes. Basic Alchemy can be empowered via Fuels to produce far more interesting results.

Elemental Alchemy - While it would be more productive to speak of each Element separately, the outcomes tend to be simply associated with that element. For example, while experimenting with Fire Alchemy I have produced all manner of ammunition that would burn their target. In turn, through Water Alchemy I produced darts that were cold to the touch. Of course each Element will produce their own unique products, for example Water Alchemy may produce helmets that allow a person to breathe underwater. All four elements can be empowered by Fuels.

Quasi-Elemental Alchemy - Among the Quasi Elements you may find, Steam, Smoke, Mud, Magma, and others. The reason why I cannot offer a full comprehensive list is because some Catalysts are extremely rare, specifically Earth Catalysts, and this did not allow me to create a comprehensive list of different Quasi-Elements and their outcomes. Fire and Water Catalysts are the most common. I only found one Air Catalyst (bubble berries) and while they may be hard to find out in the wilds they have been sold on occasion by merchants. The one Earth Catalyst that I know of is extremely rare, and it is Gargoyle Skulls. I had a handful in my own grasp over my time in the Well, and there is really no reliable way of finding them. All Quasi-Elemental experiments can be empowered by Fuels.

Blood Alchemy - One of the most thoroughly studied themes in Alchemy by myself, Blood Alchemy produces numerous disturbing outcomes, though it is also able to produce some neutral or even beneficial outcomes. As it requires vials of blood to tap into, your own or another person's, it is a Catalyst that is always available.

Positive Energy Alchemy - Obtained through the use of Positive Energy Crystals, it is one of the few Themes that I found to react positively to Fuels. The outcomes usually are associated with light, healing and warmth. It is also, oddly enough, one of the only themes where complications during experiments instead of harming an Alchemist can in fact heal him. One of my personal favorites to explore.

Negative Energy Alchemy - The direct opposite of Positive Energy Alchemy, most of the outcomes here could be loosely described as "miserable". While it is correct to assume that Negative Energy Crystals are used in these types of experiments it seems that skeleton knuckles also have access to this theme, though the outcomes seem to always be weaker.

Shadow Alchemy - Shadowstone is one of the most common Catalysts you can find. For some reason Thousand Clan Orcs drown in them. From personal experimentation the outcomes are often troubling and unwelcome, and of course related to Shades and Shadow.

Order Alchemy - Most of the outcomes here seemed to be different Writs that have a variety of effects. The use of the Rakshasa Eye is necessary.

Metal Alchemy - The use of very specific metallic shards is necessary for this theme to become active. So far the only successful outcome I produced is Mage Silver.

Chaos Alchemy - Produced via Slaad Tongues, Aside from one very loud trumpet, and Shell Potions, I did not yet produce anything of real note or value, but the Slaadi are known for their chaotic nature, and so I would be weary of the results coming from these experiments.

Aberrant Alchemy - Through the use of "Strange Objects" one may gain access to this theme. For obvious reasons the outcomes here are often strange and alien, and furthermore most experiments are extremely complex and demanding.

Troll Alchemy - I have no better way to describe it, as the Theme may only be accessed through the use of Troll Warts, and most outcomes produced something made out of troll skin or flesh.

Crystal Alchemy - Amethystine Essence may be used to tap into this unusual form of Alchemy. Most of the outcomes here allow you to produce so called Purple Crystal, that are capable of healing or some degree of restoration. Their purity and power varies greatly.

Ioun Alchemy - Flawless Alchemical Crystals are extremely rare, and based on my own experiments and research can be used to produce both flawed and perfect/pure Ioun stones.

Arcane Alchemy - Shimmering Tears are another extremely rare catalyst that can be used to access Arcane Alchemy. One of the most popular results of these particular experiments are magical pouches and bags that lighten the weight of objects placed inside of them. However, these experiments are often difficult to successfully complete.

Death(?) Alchemy - Can be achieved by using Bodak Teeth. While I am uncertain whether this is the correct way to classify this particular Theme, I have found the products from Bodak Teeth to be both powerful and markedly troubling.

Mummy Alchemy - I cannot describe this any better, because one of the main things I produced through the use of Mummy Dust is just Mummies, as in, fully wrapped corpses, not animated ones. On one hand, it's proof that perhaps Alchemy can be used to rebuild bodies, as both Blood and this form of Alchemy allows for limbs or organs to come about, yet at the same time, it's very hard to explain to your guests and visitors, "I did not mean to create a Mummy, I do not know what to do with it now."

Chapter 3: How to Practice Alchemy

After this introduction we ought to speak about how to safely and practically approach alchemy, and it comes down to a few key points.

Firstly, be prepared for any catastrophic failures. Basic Alchemy is safe to practice, but any Elemental or Theme Alchemy can be extremely dangerous. Recipes that fail to produce anything useful, whether because it's an unsuccessful recipe or because you failed to perform the experiment successfully can lead to either hostile magic afflicting the Alchemist or his surroundings, or some manner of monster or creature appearing.

As you may guess much depends upon the Element or Theme when it comes to the scale or form that this catastrophic failure may take. A failed Fire experiment may lead to a Fire Elemental or Mephit appearing, or a fireball exploding. On the other hand, using a Bodak Tooth or Troll Wart can lead to Death Magic being cast upon the Alchemist, thus making them extremely dangerous and deadly.

Broadly speaking, before attempting any experiment with the use of Catalysts make sure you are using appropriate protections or even have guards or helpers to aid you in case something does go wrong.

Secondly, keep detailed notes of all your experiments. What reagents were used, in what order, whether a catalyst or fuel was added and when. Then, record whether the recipe produced anything, or whether it was a failure. All such information is crucial so that you can repeat successful experiments, and avoid failed ones. 

Thirdly, there does not seem to be a strong correlation between the value of the reagents used and the outcome or difficulty of an experiment. I have achieved similar results using both the cheapest and somewhat more expensive reagents. In other words, do not spend thousands of dinari on what you deem an expensive reagent, and instead see what you can achieve with cheaper alternatives. Take measured steps if you feel desperate, but do not throw a crate of ancient treasures at your Alchemy Table hoping for a better result.

Fourth, if you are capable of spellcasting, pay special attention to Arcane Sparkling. Sometimes when you add Reagents, Catalysts or Fuel you may notice Arcane Sparkles appearing. These are always the same, regardless of Catalyst used, so do not be misled by other ambient effects or sounds that may happen during an experiment. This effect is very distinct and easy to identify.

When it occurs you may cast a spell, instead of adding a physical reagent, upon your experiment. The spell counts as a Reagent for the purposes of Reagent limits. In an ideal scenario you could, for example, add a single physical reagent at the start of an experiment and then chain seven spells  together to act as the remaining seven reagents.

Here I should note, that just like with physical reagents each spell counts as a separate reagent. When it is cast, in what order and so on can impact the outcome of the experiment.

The benefit of chaining spells like this is that a spellcaster may cast cantrips indefinitely. There are also many different trinkets that are often abandoned because of their relatively weak effects that could instead be used in Alchemy.

In order to chain spells each time you cast a spell upon your experiment you must see a similar Arcane Sparkling effect. However be wary because once you reach the limit of eight reagents and the arcane sparkling effect appears at the end you might think to cast more magic, but that will, in fact, lead to the failure of your experiment.

Chapter 4: The Challenges of Alchemy

In this closing chapter I only wish to add that when I began my journey it was a difficult one. I had to discover Alchemy from the ground up, with only a guide to show me my first steps. Over these months I learned much, and now I wished to pass on this knowledge onto you, student.

The path will not be a smooth one, and it may be long, but every new discovery will feel like reaching new land. Something new to show off to other Alchemists, to adventurers, to hopefully sell. There will be struggles of finding Catalysts and Fuels. You may even feel that you have faced a dead end.

A journey that you may never entirely reach the end of, yet one you could look back onto and remind yourself of your first humble step, and where you stand now.