Alchemy

The Magic of Transmutation

The practice of Alchemy is changing one material into a different but similar material. Practitioners are referred to as Alchemists and the transformation of materials is often called Transmutation. Alchemy is the most understood form of magic in all of Reliah due to it being one of the oldest forms of magic and quite widespread. Although well understood, Alchemy is also one of the deepest and most complex forms of magic, requiring years for an apprentice to complete their first simple transmutation.

The Laws of Alchemy

While all magic in Reliah has firm rules, Alchemists follow a strict set of laws. These laws not only dictate the nature of transmutation itself but also outline the moral guidelines that all Alchemists agree to when they begin to study the craft.

The First Law

Energy and mass can neither be created from nothing nor destroyed to the point of nonexistence. To create an object weighing one stone, at least one stone of material is necessary and destroying an object weighing one stone would reduce it to a set of parts, the sum of which would weigh one stone.
This law is also called "Conservation of Mass." This law is Meta-Physical and is impossible to break.

The Second Law

An object or material made of a particular substance can only be transmuted into another object with the same basic makeup and properties of that initial material. An object or material made mostly of metal can only be transmuted into another object with the attributes of metal.
This law is often referred to as "Law of Natural Providence." This law is Meta-Physical and is impossible to break.

The Third Law

Alchemy is not to be used to on the living directly. To do so is a crime against Reliah and her people.
While Alchemy has been used on animals in the past, even after the creation of The Third Law, it is now seen as a distasteful practice and few reputable alchemists ever study these practices. Some kingdoms protect animals from such practices for fear that even allowing such could lead to alchemists rethinking The Third Law and removing it from the teachings. This law is known as "The Living Law."

The Fourth Law

It is not the place of an Alchemist to create wealth. To do so would destroy the lives of others and endanger Reliah and her people.
Many alchemists site the Fourth law as being created as a preemptive measure to ensure the advancement of alchemy. It is widely believed if alchemists did not enforce the fourth law, every noble no matter how minor would vie to have an alchemist of their own to create gold from lead and to make precious stones from worthless rocks. This law also precludes alchemists from creating wealth for themselves. This law is often referred to as "The Law of Economic Balance."

The Fifth Law

An alchemist must not use alchemy to perform a task they can do without alchemy. Frivolous use of alchemy is a shameful display and leads to complacency elsewhere in life.
This law is one of the most broken laws of alchemy, especially by younger apprentices. This law is also one of the most often forgiven if broken.

Alchemical Arrays

Alchemy usually requires the use of complex magical blueprints. Alchemists call a blueprint an Array, but they are also sometimes called "Transmutation Circles", as Arrays often include large circles.

The Three Step Process

Every alchemist requires a basic understanding of the three steps in transmutation; Comprehension, Destruction, and Reconstruction.
First, the alchemist must understand the structure of the material or object they are using as for their transmutation, as well as the structure of the desired object of material. The alchemist must use this knowledge to select the best material for his transmutation and/or alter the desired transmutation to align with the structure of the material he has.
Second, the alchemist must begin the transmutation by using an array and magic to disassemble the material or object to it's most base components. This process requires a steady flow of magic as not to create any undesired side effects. Changes in the speed of the transmutation can cause the final form of the material to become brittle or displace the magic out of the array causing dissipation.
Third, the alchemist must them immediately while his array is still active use it to construct the desired material or object. This requires a tremendous focus that is exponentially proportional to the size and complexity of the transmutation. More complex and specialized arrays can be used to ease the stress on the alchemist, however the more specialized an array is, the more limited it's uses are.