Chimerian Alchemy

Written by Katherine Russell (1913021)

Chimerian Alchemy is the bedrock of magic on the island. A step-sibling to the less supernatural herbalistic arts, Alchemy is made of creating "Spirits". Drinks made from a combination of alcohol, Starlight Energy, and an additional ingredient to create temporary and generally beneficial abilities.
Founded fairly shortly after the discovery of Starlight Energy, some of the varieties of Spirits that have been discovered are a staple part of Chimerian, and increasingly DCA society. Used primarily as weak medicines and occasional conveniences by the general public. With the superusers of the magical art being called "Spiriters". People who take and attempt to experiment with the strongest and wildest spirits. Either to further themselves, supporting the alchemical community in their own way, or just for the sheer hell of it. With their emblematic waterskins of glowing and colourful liquid on their body at all times.
All good Spiriters understand these rules as follows:

• Spirits are created by using proportions of alcohol content, solid or liquid starlight energy, and the additional ingredient- known in Spirit lingo as the "kicker" - for a safer drink. Exact measurements don't actually matter for the most part, as long as the proportions are consistent.
• The kicker determines the effect of the spirit, as well as its final colour. Only small amounts are needed.
• The proportion of alcohol strength (more specifically the ABV, to use a more scientific term) dictates the power of the spirit. The stronger (larger the ABV) the drink, the more powerful the effect.
• The proportion of Starlight Energy dictates how long the spirit will last, as the energy is consumed by the user's body. The more Starlight Energy, the longer the effect.
• For a safer spirit: the more of either alcohol or Starlight there is, the less of the other there should be. Either the spirit should be weak and long-lasting, or strong and brief.
• The spirit can either be drunk or poured onto the ground to have an effect.
• And finally, the fun only truly begins when you max both to the best your body can handle.

The Spirit Recipies. As they are understood.

For the difference of effects between weak and strong alcohol: rice wine and potato vodka will be used as examples. Since they are the most common alcoholic bases for alchemy.

Bodily

The grim alchemy. Made of the dead or the captured living. Also applies to humans.

Capsicum

The heating alchemy. Made of flakes of peppers.

Fruits

The vitality alchemy. The first to be discovered.

Metals

The mystic alchemy. It's not drunk but instead poured into a shallow pool.

Dangers

Outside of potential damage from the effects of the spirit, the main dangers of Chimerian Alchemy is alcohol addiction or poisoning, as to use high-level alchemy requires the regular consumption of strong alcohol. This is less likey in the casual use of alchemy, which uses much weaker alcohol as a base. This creates an upper limit to how powerful a spirit can really be. As there is a point where an alcohol is so strong that is becomes poisonus to everyone. Another risk, of course, is drunkenness and its accompanying effects.
The main danger with metal alchemy is the handeling of molten metals, hense why its so rare as a practice (additionally, working blast furnaces are hard to come by).

Access & Availability

Dependent on the ingredient used. From order from most to least available.

1. Fruits
2. Capsicum
3. Bodily
4. Metals

Discovery

The exact nature of the discovery of Alchemy is lost to history, though it appears to coincide with the founding of the Chimerian Nomadic Districts. Tales of myth have attempted to provide answers, from brewer's accidents to divine inspiration. There is no main story for the start of Alchemy, as for all Chimerians by the current date, it's as if it has always existed.