Introduction into alchemy

Alchemy is the art of studying, refining and combining different materials and substances, found in nature or man-made, to obtain a different material or substance with enhanced properties. Alchemy encompasses both the physical and the magical in its practices. Most materials fall into one these 5 categories: foundations, acids, bases, latent materials, derivatives.
 
Foundations: Foundations are pure materials that are capable of transmuting and absorbing magical energy. Most materials found in nature can be foundations.
Acids: Acids are materials or substances that have a negative magical potential. Usually composites. Main physical characteristics: eats away at organic matter, accelerates oxidation of metals.
Bases: Bases are materials or substances that have a positive magical potential. Usually composites. Main physical characteristics: bitter, conducts electricity, dissociation factor.
Latent materials: Materials or composites that have passive magical properties. Those properties surface only when a magical impulse or magically active material/substance is interacting with them.
Derivatives: Derivatives are materials that have already been altered with alchemy. They can fall in any category or none at all.
 

Main tools and equipment

Glass recipients and glass/metal utensils. Ovens and/or forges. Measuring devices for volume and mass. Tubing. Gloves. Eye protection. In extreme cases sealed and ventilated masks for oxygenation or protective suits. Fire starting gear. Very important: tools that come in contact with the substance in use must not react with it!
 

Magical stones

In nature there are a number of precious materials that have latent magical properties and are used in alchemy. Each is unique in its use and have a very well defined role in the creation of magical artifacts. Known stones so far:
-obsidian is a perfect conductor for magical impulses. It's used in its solid state. Used mainly for transmitting unaltered magical impulses between components. The width depends on the power of the impulse.
-quartz guides magical impulses in the physical word. It is usually used at the end of a cycle for defining shapes and form.
-lapis is basically the opposite of obsidian. It cannot conduct, it absorbs and transforms into magical structures that act as physical ones. Mostly used for magical weapons such as blades, bows etc.
-opal acts as a sedative for magical impulses. It weakens the power and lowers the dispersion.
-amethyst extracts magical impulses and absorbs them by force. Used for defensive purposes.
-sapphire stabilizes magical impulses. It brings the power and dispersion to an equilibrium. Used for more precision.
-topaz is a cheap alternative for storing magical impulses. Due to it's low storing factor it is usually used for dosing systems or for rapid releasing of magic.
-ruby converts magical power into physical power and raises the dispersion. Used for damaging artifacts.
-emerald can react to the will embedded into the magical impulse. It requires a caster to work. It can stack magical power and effects. Used for artifacts with multiple stones.
-diamond has the best storing capabilities and has limitless potential for "programing" magical impulses. Through very precise carving methods you can influence an impulses properties, behavior and effects.
 
*For any of this to work a carefully crafted network of paths must first be implemented. Magic does not simply travel through air. Once a magical impulse leaves a magical circuit it cannot be interacted with. Alchemical manufacturing of a magical impulse is done in a controlled way.