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Alchemy is a varied practice in [[Aloria]], and presents potions to heal, harm, or give people abilities they otherwise would not have. Originally a secluded art practiced only by the [[Allar]], Alchemy has since spread across the world, for better and for worse. Today, the majority of practitioners are Allar, but they are joined by significant parties of [[Ch’ien-Ji]], [[Qadir]] and [[Songaskians]].
|origins    = Sendras, 107 AC
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|notable    = *'''Ancient Allar:''' Mystical creators of many older concoctions.
{{Subject Table
*'''Jin Hui:''' [[Ch'ien-ji]] leader of the Golden Hand disciple.
|title = Aids
*'''Amelie D'fer:''' [[Ithania]]n leader of the Iron Fist disciple.
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*'''Alestaire Middencroft:''' Writer of [[The Modern Apothecarium]].
|image = Ghast Tear.png
*'''Halnick Mosenhof:''' Well known experimental alchemist of [[Dorinn]].
|caption = And, with one last gulp, the curse was lifted
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Alchemical Aids are made to heal the varied races of [[Aloria]] with varying degrees of success. Helping to ease all manner of injuries from cuts and bruises to burns, these concoctions often present themselves as salves and consumable potions. The vast majority of these are made using plants native to the supercontinent of [[Daen]] and are common to find in the clinics of Aloria.
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With humble beginnings among the [[Allar]] race, alchemy has been viewed as both a scientific study, and a religion. On one hand, the practice involves the use of many chemical and natural substances, yet on the other hand, alchemy can be heavily involved with strong spiritual beliefs that may vary from race to race. Due to this dual nature, those who practice alchemy are often torn between the extremists of the golden and iron hand principles. However, this has not stopped the popularity of this study from slowly spreading throughout [[Aloria]].
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{{Subject Table
==Origins==
|title = Detriments
Although those who have begun to focus on the process of alchemy enjoy theorizing that the ancient [[Seraph]] were its true creators and practitioners, since there is no evidence to solidify these beliefs, the Allar of the [[Kingdom of Mo’trilossa]] are attributed to the study’s initial creation in 107 AC. Developing the craft as a means of medicinal treatment, the Allar who either practiced alchemy or gathered the materials desired for those that followed this study could earn both prestige and fortune. Although the Allar grew very skilled in their study, after the events of [[Chrysant War]], most, if not all, of their knowledge was thought to be lost in the rubble.
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|image = Spider Eye.png
===Etymology===
|caption = One drop would remove her husband from the picture, securing the family's assets in her hands
Alchemy, as a term, is relatively new throughout the world of Aloria. However, it has spread like wildfire as a variety of cultures have taken to coining their own terms for this process. The common term itself is a simple derivative of the Qadiriq term, Alchras’Vrendda, which translates to “All-Study” in Common, but was misinterpreted as “All-Knowledge.” This, in turn, established alchemy as the ultimate knowledge of all things within Aloria. The [[Allar]] who initially introduced the process to the rest of Aloria, however, referred to alchemy as Kezzrangu, which loosely translates to “Golden Art” in the common tongue as a reference to the adept [[Naylar]] healers who populated many of their cities.
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Detriments are the poisons and tools of treachery in the Alorian world. These are frequently employed by the lower tier of society as distractions or tools to carry out their malicious means. Most appear as powders or instantly gaseous formulas. In Regalia, most would not sell these potions, but black markets are always willing to distribute these for some quick money.  
==Present Day==
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As it stands today, alchemy is a mere shadow of what it once was during the reign of the Naylar before the Chrysant Wars. As the textbooks were sold from the ruins of the Alchemical Ssenstra, broken knowledge spread upwards to [[Regalia]]. Although a high number of these textbooks were confiscated by the [[Violet Order]], the spread of knowledge and popularity was too rapid to contain. For a time, Regalia outlawed the practice of alchemy, considered a heretical study. Those who were caught practicing were often tortured, interrogated, or simply executed. It was not until Aloria approached 300 AC that the application of alchemy became an accepted practice within the Archipelago. Since the legalization of alchemy, it has become commonplace to see practitioners of this study seeking employment within noble families, similar to that of scribes or scholars, roaming throughout Aloria or even working to further the study in hopes of regaining many of the rumored alchemical treasures that were lost during the events of the Chrysant War.
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  category=Detriments
As a unique science, modern alchemists are required to have an intimate, if not adaptable knowledge of Aloria’s [[Flora]] and [[Fauna]], as well as a basic understanding of [[mineralogy]] and no small amount of [[Magic]]. All these things, in some form or another, help to either further an alchemist’s skill or are believed to help them along with achieving the noble goals of alchemy. Although the process has advanced considerably since its initial expansion to the rest of Aloria, many of the process’ original claims to fame have been lost and, thus far, have been impossible to reclaim. While the Naylar had developed the craft to the point that their salves and potions could rapidly mend wounds and unlock the recessive traits that dwelled within many of their denizens, modern alchemists could only hope to numb someone’s pain, clot any wounds or give the consumer short physical or mental, drug-induced boosts that may hinder more than they help if prepared inappropriately.
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==Alchemical Training==
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Due to the principle of the Order of the Iron and Golden Hands being so heavily instilled within apprentices, gaining knowledge of alchemy has proven difficult. With theft of alchemical tomes becoming very commonplace between rival practitioners, most who have begun to dedicate their lives to this study are usually not willing to take on apprentices very easily due to this fact. Although the entirety of alchemy as it is known today has knowledge based upon scattered textbooks, the only feasible way to gain any real knowledge in this area of study is to apprentice underneath a current practitioner as, much like proficiency in magic, alchemy has proven to be a time-consuming pursuit should the practitioner wish to attain a considerable amount of mastery within this field. While Alchemists from before the legalization of the practice gained knowledge from Naylar textbooks and general experimentation, since then, it has become commonplace for practitioners to write incomplete notes in regards to their study. This ensures that stealing their work would be highly difficult, if not impossible.
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Another major concern for those studying alchemy is the fact that, in order to continue to gain mastery within the study, one would need a fairly sufficient amount of income. This is the reason that most alchemists do not operate as freelancers, but instead pledge their services to a family of notable wealth, since it increases not only the family’s prestige, but provides the practitioner with an income high enough to enable them to expand their knowledge through means of travel and experimentation.
{{Subject Table
 
|title = Luxury Goods
==Alchemy as a Religion and a Discipline==
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After the Chrysant Wars, a high amount of alchemical knowledge began to circulate throughout Aloria, resulting in a plethora of branches on beliefs and ideals being creating across the land. Of course, this resulted in a high amount of conflict between rival alchemists. The most prominent of which were between the Alchemists of the [[Golden Hand]] and the alchemists of the [[Iron Fist]], who found themselves divided on the focuses of religion and discipline.
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|caption = After all, who wouldn't want to retain their youth forever?
===The Golden Hand Disciple===
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A powerful order of alchemists based out of [[Yang-Tzu]], the [[Golden Hand]] seeks to unite alchemy and magic. Founded after the [[Great Loong]] vanished, the Golden Hand are divided into various small sects and branches across Yang-Tzu, and in recent years have begun to expand upward toward Farah’deen.
Luxury Goods are meant solely for the upper class, and use high quality and rare ingredients within them. The vast majority of these can improve one's appearance, or serve as a luxury beverage or food. Some may cause harm when used by those incautious enough, though it is never by the original design of the product. These alchemical products are almost exclusively enjoyed by influential members of society as well as their underlings or overlords.<center>
 
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===The Court of Alchemists===
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The [[Court of Alchemists]] was originally meant to be a system to regulate alchemy in the early [[Allar]] kingdoms. However, their role altered over time and they ended up serving as advisors to the kings, though they only grew in power when the Allar moved to [[Hadar]]. When the [[Regalian Empire]] broke up the [[Essa Empire]], the Courts were stamped out. Since then, a new, official court is rising with the help and under the eye of the [[Regalian DMZ of Hadar]] with small offshoots popping up on other islands.
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===The Iron Fist Discipline===
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The [[Iron Fist]] is one of the two most powerful organizations in the realm of [[Alchemy]]. Based out of the manor of [[Amelie D’fer]], an [[Ithania]]n noblewoman, they seek financial gain from alchemical knowledge as a whole, though this is mostly a goal of its leaders. Favored by [[Allar]] for the acceptance and easy money, their main pursuits are the Universal Solvent as well as the Stone of Ssentra to provide this wealth. As of yet, there have been no major breakthroughs. Only time will tell how much longer that will last.
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==Noble Goals==
{{Subject Table
Whether focusing on the religious or philosophical aspect of the Golden Hand, the discipline of the Iron Fist, or the rare combination of both, many alchemists find that their work is centered towards achieving one or more of the ‘noble goals’. Although there is variation on methods and beliefs between alchemists, many practitioners believe that achieving these tasks are the keys to not only usurping the golden age of Alchemy that took place during the height of the Naylar empire, but to achieving their ultimate goal: ushering in the age of alchemical enlightenment.
|title = Other Alchemy
*'''The Universal Solvent:''' While hugely underrated, one of the most basic yet essential goals of many alchemists is the creation of the Universal Solvent: an unknown mixture that would allow the practitioner to break down any substance into its most basic elements. The creation of the Universal Solvent is considered an Iron Fist goal.
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*'''Alchemical Magic:''' Although their efforts have been considered fruitless thus far, many alchemists of the Golden Hand strive to create what could be considered an Alchemical Religion through a strange amalgamation of [[Void]] magic, [[demonology]] and alchemical science.
|image = noimg.png
*'''The Eternal Vessel:''' Quite possibly the most heretical desire of any alchemist, the Homunculus is a being created through pure alchemy that would be theorized to serve as an eternal servant for the alchemical group that creates it. However, since no successful attempt has been recorded, it is unknown how a successful creation would react to our world. For reasons that are not available to the public, those that lead the Golden Hand have prohibited further attempts to achieve this goal. This announcement, however, has only made practitioners more eager to prove themselves by achieving it.
|caption = Miscellaneous concoctions, for miscellaneous activities
*'''The Stone of Ssenstra:''' Also known as the ‘Heart of the Homunculus’, the Stone of Ssenstra is one of the most widely known goals associated with alchemists and their study and is believed to be the key to achieving every goal listed. One of the stone’s claims to fame was that it had the ability to cure any mortal ailment as well as increasing the longevity of one’s life, in addition to having the ability to transform the base minerals of Aloria, such as copper or coal, into the more desired noble metals of gold and iron.
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Other Alchemy products exist in Aloria that serve various functions, and are unable to be categorized with potions that heal, harm, or please. Most help give people unique abilities, or aid with adjusting natural body processes. Often made with less savory materials or appearing less pleasant than other creations, these concoctions still serve a valid purpose, and can be extremely useful in specific scenarios.  
==Trivia==
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*Although many dismiss the rumors stating that the Allar of the Ssenstra had created a magical artifact through alchemy that had the ability to cure any ailment, as well as transform base metals into gold, it is confirmed by many that the artifact is still in existance within the ruins of the Ssenstra. These eye witnesses state that they fell victim to some unforseen accident, only to be rescued by a group that called themselves the Court of Alchemists who used this item to save their lives.
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*Alchemists of the Golden Hand have recently attempted to create the homunculus by tapping into the energies of a [[Seraph Conduit]]. While the results from this experiment have not been made public knowledge, those who attempted this ritual went missing during the aftermath of this event, leaving the rest of the order to wonder what they attempted to create and, more importantly, whether or not it succeeded.
  category=Other Alchemy
*Although alchemists of the Iron and Golden Hands would not admit to it, their eventual goal is for alchemy to surpass and replace the presence of magic within Aloria, rendering magical practitioners obsolete and ushering in an age of alchemical enlightenment.
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{{Alchemy}}
{{Alchemy}}
{{Accreditation
[[category:Alchemy]] [[category:Items and Technology Lore]]
|Writers = JakkDhread
|Processors = 0romir, Shayin, Ryciera
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[[category:Occupations]] [[category:Alchemy]]

Revision as of 18:31, 19 November 2017

Alchemy is a varied practice in Aloria, and presents potions to heal, harm, or give people abilities they otherwise would not have. Originally a secluded art practiced only by the Allar, Alchemy has since spread across the world, for better and for worse. Today, the majority of practitioners are Allar, but they are joined by significant parties of Ch’ien-Ji, Qadir and Songaskians.






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