Alchemy Basics

Professor Nightwick of the West Shimmer Academy's Introductory Class Notes on Alchemy

Alchemy is the study of transforming substances into other substances. It has a long history within the Turspan Slightlands and beyond.

All substances have properties, whether they be hot, sharp, tasty, or spongy.

By combining things with different properties, one can create substances with new properties.

Combining things requires catalysts, and which catalysts are used depends on the substances being transformed. Different types of catalysts result in different types of materials. One catalyst such as water or alcohol may combine things into a potion, while another like tectonic force may combine things into a mineral.

Most alchemists concern themselves with making substances intended to be used on the human body, such as foods, potions, poisons, balms, and aethers. Each of these crafts are their own branches of the study of alchemy, but they do feature significant overlap.

When creating a consumed creation, all of the ingredients will have their own properties that influence the final product. Which ingredients you use will determine which properties become effects on the recipient, how potent they are, and whether there are effects unintended by the creator.

The following are the forms of alchemy typically used within the Turspan Slightlands to deliver effects to creatures.

Alchemical Foods produce effects which last for an entire day. These effects are usually not as potent as other options, but their long duration makes them efficient. However, the potency depends in part on how delicious and well-balanced the meal is, with masterfully made feasts outpacing any other means of producing an effect. Likewise, if a meal is disgusting and poorly-balanced, the effects may be rejected as though they were poison, and prove inverse or harmful if accepted.
Alchemical Potions, or drinks, produce an immediate effect, usually with a limited duration. These effects are often potent, but limited to a single dose. Like with food, the potency depends in part on the flavor of the potion, with better-tasting drinks having superior potency, and foul flavors resulting in rejection. Potions tend to keep better than foods, as they are usually made with an alcoholic base.
Alchemical Poisons are the dark side of alchemical food and drink. The study of alchemical poison is the study of delivering effects which the body rejects, for good or ill. Poisons specialize in overwhelming the body to deliver effects, or otherwise bypassing its defenses. Due to its reliance on agents to facilitate this, its effects are usually limited to harmful ones which often accompany these weakening properties. However, poisons can in some cases be the only way to deliver highly specific effects or combinations of effects.
Alchemical Balms produce intermediate effects which take effect over time. These effects are dependent in potency entirely on their ingredients, but they are applied topically, so they can be made from ingredients which have foul flavors. Balms take time to apply and take effect, so they can’t be used in dangerous situations. However, their versatile ingredient base makes them ideal options for inexpensive healing.
Alchemical Ethers produce effects upon those who inhale them. Named for the primordial element they are dispersed in, alchemical ethers can take effect upon any individual that breathes in the air it is released into. These gaseous potions have weak effects that take effect immediately upon being breathed in, and can affect many individual creatures until it disperses into oblivion. Like with food and potions, ethers vary in effectiveness, in this case depending on the scent. A foul smell will result in coughing, rejection, and a maleffective result.

The first recipe we will study is that of a basic healing balm. By combining willow bark, barley flour, and animal fat over heat, a concoction to heal minor injuries may be made. This requires no skill in cooking, but further into class, we will be teaching properly cooked alchemy.