Alchemy Earth

The discovery of alchemy in 1382 by Nicolas Flamel changed a lot of things. For centuries the practice was kept secret among a small group before eventually in 18th century is was made more widely known. Alchemy advanced society at a rapid pace. It enabled advances and inventions that otherwise would only have been possible decades of centuries later. Mankind prospered due to the advances and also the advances in medicine. However the changes were also applied to the way wars were fought. Nations used Alchemists as weapons of war and horrendous wars ensued. This ended when the Alchemists declared that no nation could command them and Alchemists would no longer fight in the armies. As can be imagined this met with stiff opposition from the various countries and governments who intended to take action against the rebellious alchemists.   The actions were pre-empted by the alchemists who, on 28th of May 1901 struck hard at those nations that intended to take extreme measures to force alchemists to fight for them. This became known as the Sundering. Alchemists separated themselves from control by nations and over time also became a neutral party that mediated between nations in times of conflict. Sometimes they even pre-emptively neutralized a conflict like in the war of 1939 where the German army was decimated by Alchemists when invading neighbouring countries. Historians theorize this prevented a long during global conflict.   Current day the presence of the independent Alchemist faction has ensured a mostly peaceful balance in the world. Most of the research, alchemical and other, is focused on preserving the Earth and mankind. The rapid technological expansion in the previous centuries has resulted in global warming and environmental problems. The Panacea is a much sought after alchemical remedy that is said to cure any ailment and could be the answer for cancer and rampant viral outbreaks caused by environmental decline. Some factions advocate that the changing extreme weather and virus outbreaks of the recent years are away for the planet to try and correct the imbalance caused by humanity.   Another much sought after element is the fabled Philosophers stone. This is regarded as the epitome of Alchemy and the Alchemist that masters this is said to gain legendary powers (however it is not what everyone thinks). However only Nicolas Flamel is rumoured to have achieved it but if this was indeed the case the knowledge was never passed down or made public.   However not all is well in the world. Though every country and government is independent rumours and theories are abound of a cabal of powerful Alchemist families that rule the world as a sort of shadow government. Though only rumour and unconfirmed this idea partially fed by the fact that most Alchemists are influential people that mostly lack for nothing. This is feeding discontent among non-Alchemist and breeds extremists that seek to harm and destroy what the perceive as tyranny.   Alchemists have good relations with most religions with the exception of Christianity and Islam. The other religions each have always included some of the elements that are reflected in Alchemy. Christianity and Islam are opposed mainly because they don't understand it and view it as a rival for power (like they view each other). Alchemy and the understanding of the world it grants has resulted in declining numbers of believers in religion. This also breeds extremists that seek to attack alchemist and paint them as evil. Where discontents from among the non-believers that decide to take violent action against Alchemists usually are lone wolves, those from Christianity or Islam organize themselves and are therefore a more urgent threat also because they place coordinated terror attacks and try to subvert countries and governments to take action against Alchemists. Most prominently among those factions is the Malleus Malificarum (the witches hammer). There are some countries that under their influence have outlawed the practice of Alchemy inside their borders on penalty of death. This results in a continues undercurrent of tension that envelops the world.   Nation rulers also fear the discovery of the Philosophers stone because they fear that the power that comes with it will be used against them and may result in world domination by the Alchemists. This result in (a sometimes thinly veiled) distrust between Alchemists and those in power.     Within the society of Alchemists there is also a form of class society. Important jobs and positions along with the best educations go to those of powerful and wealthy families that can trace their lineage back to the first Alchemists. Among some of those families there is also an unspoken conviction that those not able to practice Alchemy are inferior. Unknown to any but those involved the most powerful Alchemist families have formed a secret cabal (just as rumoured) that determines the course of Alchemist society and tries to influence the rest of the world in their favour.