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Sangreal Alchemy System - __denby - 08-19-2024
Sangreal Alchemy System v1.0
What is Alchemy?
Alchemy is the process by which natural and unnatural objects of the material and spiritual world are combined through a myriad process by often un-powered individuals to replicate or create products that set them apart from the standard individual. Alchemy can come in many forms, from physical manipulation of elements via chemical and semi-magical reactions, to the manipulation of thought, memory, flesh and bone. The typical alchemist does not specifically seek out the development of their own power, but rather the development of new scientific and pseudo-scientific methods to make the world at large a more functional place. The mother of invention is, as always, laziness.
Alchemy can vary from medicinal developments to soothe injuries, to something as direct as stimulants to better a person’s combat effectiveness or ability to regenerate stamina. It is also quite common for alchemicals to be developed specifically for pleasure and recreation- there are many shamanistic alchemists who strive to create better and more potent hallucinogens and other recreational substances. The field of alchemy is quite broad, and as such, this system is created to provide a basis for what alchemy is, isn’t, and how you can pursue it in regards to following the guideline of the server’s Lore.
What isn’t Alchemy?
This is equally as important as defining what alchemy is. Alchemy refers to the usage, and combination of specific materials and processes to develop something that is more potent and useful than its constituent parts or processes. Utilizing a known medicinal herb to soothe a toothache, an alchemist it does not make. In this regard, processes that are incredibly simple or narrow that they can easily be considered common knowledge are not restricted under the Alchemy system. Herbalism and things of that ilk are largely bound by the rules set about in the Proficiency system, and the usage and development of common substances and processes can be gone about with relatively little oversight. If you have any questions, please refer them to the Review Team.
Examples of Alchemical Processes, Terms and Important Keywords
Recipe:
The recipe of the Alchemical Creation defines the process by which it is refined into the combined form. It includes the component materials required to create it, as well as the process and technologies required. Whether this is written down In-Character or not, a recipe must be created initially, before something can be created.
Skillset:
This references the skill of the character, or characters, involved in creation of the alchemical substance. Over time, characters develop a higher level of skill, through practice and the creation of lesser alchemicals. An example of skillset restrictions, is the stipulation that a novice alchemist would be unable to create something out of a rarer material.
Tools:
Alchemy requires specific tools of the trade, so to speak. The creation of alchemical concoctions becomes ever more complex as one becomes more skilled and knowledgeable. A tool can range from a simple mortar and pestle, to a complex machination of pipes and flame for distillation and calcification processes.
Type:
There is a myriad of alchemical products that can be created, however these are aligned to certain types. Each type of alchemical creation varies, and the processes by which it works, and is created varies heavily as well. For example, the basic range of alchemical types are- Medicinal, Poisonous, Offensive, Defensive, Alcoholics- and the list is as wide as the individual who creates the craft intends it to be.
The Crafting Process:
Alchemical items are crafted through a variety of processes applied to mixed ingredients in order to create different and stronger effects out of different materials. Ingredients used in the alchemical arts range from the parts and pieces of animals to even the various stones and metals of the land. Some alchemists even dabble in the use of the magical arts to try and better their trade. While there are a variety of methods through which one can craft an alchemical item, there are several base and universal processes that almost every alchemist learns and proceeds to use in their process of creation.
Calcination:
A process that is defined as the burning, or debasing something to the most basic minerals and elements that are contained within it. The precise method is fairly simple, and usually results in exposing the material to an open flame, quite literally burning the organic tissues from it. There are very few alchemical reagents that are not entirely destroyed by the act of calcination, though in the right application it can be beneficial.
Ceration:
This process entails the addition of a liquid substance to a previously hardened, or dried out substance, in order to liquefy and reduce the potency of the solution. Depending on the liquid, whether or not it is heated, or chilled, the chemicals and proteins in the solution can have varied effects. For example, a very hot liquid added to a protein-rich solution, can denature certain proteins, resulting in a heavily reduced effectiveness, or an entirely inert solution.
Congelation:
Congelation is a process by which the addition of a thickening agent, usually inert- though at times active, like a material such as soda-lime, and the chilling of the solution increases its viscosity. This can be utilized to create pastes, and thick liquids that can serve as healing agents, among other things.
Defenestration:
A process named after the act of throwing something out the window, this is the method of removing or weakening magical properties in an alchemical creation. The exact method to go about this varies depending on what an alchemist has on hand, but it is often done either through the careful use of magical spells or the addition of specific metals.
Digestion:
In this alchemical process, a solution is heated, and is allowed to slowly over the course of a great period of time, boil down to a thicker, and more sticky form of itself. With vaporization, the chemicals within are allowed to concentrate down into a semi-pure sludge form.
Distillation:
Distillation pertains to a process by which a singular element is divided from a solution, or a section of plant matter. The solution, or plant matter, is placed into an iron crucible, which is heated, allowing the vapor of the lowest vapor point element within to float upwards into a condensation chamber. After it has condensed, the separated element flows downwards into a collection chamber. Distillation is complicated, and cannot be done by lesser alchemists- however, it creates the most pure substances possible.
Earthing:
Earthing is a process by which an amount of fresh soil, or other nutrient-rich solution is combined with the alchemical reagents. This allows the combined mix to begin leeching nutrients and base minerals from the nutrient-rich soil or other concoction. Though, this takes a considerable amount of time, it does result in an increased potency in objects such as healing creations.
Exposure:
The act of exposing an alchemical substance to the natural elements or significant airflow, it is an alchemist’s way of allowing the natural world to work upon their creation to alter its properties. The results of this can vary dramatically depending on the creation’s composition, though they’ll be strongest with primarily organic creations.
Fermentation:
Fermentation is the process of allowing a compound to break down naturally at the hands of bacteria and other organisms. It generally alters the potency of an alchemical creation’s properties, although by how much and what can vary heavily.
Filtration:
The process of using a filter to remove materials from a brew, this can have varying effects depending on what’s stripped from the alchemical creation by the process. Generally, this removes or weakens side effects of a creation.
Imbuement:
The process of adding or strengthening magical properties in an alchemical creation. While the exact means of going about this varies, it is most often done by various magical spells or the addition of magical ingredients.
Sublimation:
Sublimation is the process of converting a liquid or semi-liquid alchemical reagent to a solid. It operates under the process of heating the reagent to a high temperature, vaporizing it to the upper end of a sublimation container. Once cooled, the reagent will solidify, having lost the water and vaporous qualities, thus becoming a solid.
Alchemical Process and Object Creation Rules:
These rules and examples are provided to attempt to answer as many questions as possible, and perhaps provide the player with additional examples towards what they may be able to do in regards to alchemy.
- Alchemical Processes may not involve the direct use of magic to manipulate an element. This would be considered a material use of magic, and thus would fall into the same category as Magitech, if permanent changes are supplied.
- Utilizing magical objects or materials to cause modifications to another object by a non-mage is considered alchemy, although this will increase the difficulty of the process or object creation greatly.
- Alchemical processes and items may not in any case result in changes that may be infinitely reproducing, or universe-altering in scale. This falls outside the realm of possibility by relatively simple processes. Examples will be provided below.
- You may not develop self-replicating potions, or modify an object to replicate itself without constant and intensive observation by the creating character.
- You may not develop chemicals, gases, plagues, or other far-fetched things of such ilk which would put the realm itself in peril. This is not only your story.
- Apotheosis is impossible. Nothing more needs to be said.
- Staff word is final. Do not make modifications or expressions for your character before the alchemical object or process has been approved by the Review Team. If they say that the creation is impossible, you may request an outcome to be granted in order to provide character development, but the item is unusable as it is intended.
Example; if you produce a substance that accelerates wound healing, you may not roleplay the item’s success before Review Team has granted a verdict in regards to the application. If Review Team informs you that the substance or process will not work, you have the right to request an alternative outcome based on their verdict that you may use for character development- ie; testing of the initial substance causes rapid-onset decomposition to the afflicted skin or the development of keloids, etc.
- Strength, Dexterity and Speed of Characters may not exceed twofold without the extensive modification of the physical structure of the individual. Any attempts at more laborious processes to exacerbate this form of physical aptitude will be met with extensive review by the Review Team and likely permanent IC physical consequences to the character.
This does not mean we do not encourage the development and modification of organic structures. It does however mean that attempts to pursue this will inevitably result in outcomes- good, bad, horrifying and chthonian.
- Use of any processes that are not logical or known by the character, inhibited by the techlock and IC situation surrounding the character, will result in the immediate denial of the process and potential voiding of any roleplay surrounding the object.
Review Team will inevitably discover the use of what can be referred to as “Wikipedia Dropping.” If your character cannot reasonably know it, do not use your OOC knowledge to try and worm your way towards a goal. Some call this min-maxing.
- Element Blacklist: The following elements occur in real life, and would admittedly most likely be found within the world, however, due to the properties of these elements it has been determined by the Staff Team that they do not exist. Do not attempt to pull “...well this is an integral part of x, thus y should exist because…” This is considered Wiki-dropping, and will be punished.
Lithium, Rubidium, Caesium, Francium, Strontium, Barium, Radium, Scandium, Yttrium, Hafnium, Rutherfordium, Niobium, Dubnium, Seaborgium, Technetium, Rhenium, Bohrium, Ruthenium, Hassium, Rhodium, Iridium, Meitnerium, Darmstadtium, Roentgenium, Mercury, Copernicium, Boron, Gallium, Indium, Thallium, Nihonium, Germanium, Flerovium, Antimony, Moscovium, Tellurium, Polonium, Livermorium, Astatine, Tennessine, Uranium, Plutonium and all Lanthanides and Actinides (57 - 71 and 89 - 103.)
- If you’ve read the above rules and have thought, “Now I just need to find a way to loophole this!” Loopholing is easily recognizable. If your character does not have an easily expressible research question or reason to pursue something, the gap in roleplay can be noticed and will be punished accordingly.
Application Formats:
Please abide by the following formats whenever possible during your application for a specific process or item. This is to assist the Review Team in reviewing your work and producing a suitable physical representation of it. It will also allow the Review Team to ensure that others are not metagaming and stealing your processes or items.
Chemical: Including but not limited to Poisons, Gases, et cetera.
Name of Chemical Object:
Character Name of Creator:
Username(s) of creator:
Ingredients:
Proof of Material Collection:
Proof of Creation:
Evidence for Testing:
Method of Use:
Immediate Effects:
Long-Term Effects:
Alchemical: Including but not limited to Potions, Medicines, et cetera.
Name of Alchemical Object:
Character Name of Creator:
Username(s) of creator:
Ingredients:
Proof of Material Collection:
Proof of Creation:
Evidence for Testing:
Method of Use:
Immediate Effects:
Long-Term Effects:
Overdose Effects: