Alchemy is the skill of manipulating the magical properties of ordinary matter. By combining appropriate reagents the alchemist creates magical potions whose effects are dependant upon the magical properties of the raw materials. The related discipline of Herbalism allows the alchemist to determine the properties of various plants and powders, and their alchemical uses.
With the use of a mortar and pestle, the alchemist prepares the liquids and powders of her craft from raw materials of rare or powerful substances. Then, after mixing the selected reagents in a suitable container, the alchemist heats and purifies the mixture with the tools of her laboratory until, if successful, only the magical essence remains. Great care must be taken during this step to avoid having the mixture explode violently, or simply boil away, leaving a useless residue.
Knowledge of the underlying magical properties of matter is indispensable to the practicing alchemist. There are basic properties known to alchemists throughout the ages, and also there exist other rare properties, found in but a few material forms, which are useful for the creation of very powerful and unique potions. Surely there are many of these unique properties and magical effects which are yet to be discovered. However, the basic magical properties in the three realms of Element, Form, and Effect are quite well known, and are of use to all but the most powerful of alchemists. The properties of these three realms are shown below:
ELEMENTAL PROPERTIES FORMATIVE PROPERTIES EFFECTIVE PROPERTIES
Earth Mind Transmutation
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Water--+--Fire Matter--+--Energy Creation--+--Destruction
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Air Body Preservation
The realm of Element is the easist for the alchemist to tamper with,
but also the least powerful, while the realm of Effect may lead to great
power, but is very dangerous. Since generally, useful magical effects are
obtained by combining properties of two of the three realms, apprentice
alchemists should begin by exploring the realms of Element and Form. Such
experiments will generally lead to potions which have some permanent but
relatively minor effects upon the drinker. Potions of magical energy,
healing, and nourishment are among the more useful of this type. Next in
power is the combination of Element and Effect. This type of alchemical
magic generally effects objects rather than people, and can have bizarre
and dangerous effects if potions of this type are drunk. Many of the magical
artifacts of legend were magicked by immersion in powerful potions of this
type. Finally, the combination of the two realms of Form and Effect lead to
powerful potions which can cause drastic changes in the drinker for both
good and ill. Potions of temporarily heightened strength or quickness are
examples of alchemy of this type.
Beware impurities of your reagents! There are many possible side-effects, both dangerous or simply embarrasing, that may form when properties of the wrong type or proportion are distilled to their magical essences. Unfortunately, all but the most valuable of reagents have a variety of magical properties not all of which are useful for the effect intended. The skilled alchemist, however, can take advantage of the opposing properties of magic to remove these impurities. For example, mandrake root contains properties of both the element of Earth and the form of Body, while roc feathers have the property of elemental Air. Should the alchemist desire formative magic of the body only, she could add both these reagents to her mixture, causing the opposing properties of Earth and Air to be nullified (non-explosively, if the alchemist is skillful).