Post by Admin on Oct 14, 2021 21:50:50 GMT
Written by Gasman. Thank you.
Alchemy
Alchemy
From the very day the gods have granted sentience to the creatures they created, they had a whole world to explore and experiment. Exploring the world they lived in, discovering and experimenting with everything the gods have created; researching what gives them an edge -- and more importantly; researching what one could use to fill their bellies.
Alchemy surrounds everything involving the utilization of both artificial -, but mainly natural - , resources into medical remedies. They may range from simple potions capable of curing a cold to powerful elixirs capable of granting mages the strength and many to slay dragons. Potions are mainly favored and carried by freelancers, such as mages, adventurer’s and bandits. However, it does not end with potions, alchemy also lead to many creations such as explosive bombs, deadly poisons as well as gunpowder required for muskets.
Many foolishly believe that alchemy is obsolete with the existence of the arcane; - more specifically the School of Life, - however, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, alchemy and the arcane are supposed to complete one another, magics providing careful and safe studies of exotic - as well as sometimes dangerous - herbs and ingredients; and through alchemy mages can be assured to always have mana kept on reserve through potions. Whilst the arcane is capable of healing injured individuals efficiently and especially curses; alchemy still reigns on top when it comes to medicine; not only because the School of Life requires mana to heal, but also due to the fact that unlike magic, alchemical creations have a much longer effect upon the body.
History
Initially, alchemy has been discovered comically enough through the hands of marauding, exiled giants brewing themselves a stew containing the nowadays famous Yuchj’ mushrooms. The adventurers who had slain the exiled bandits spoke how the giants were fighting with much stronger vigor; even drinking from their bowls mid battle after sustaining an injury. Once the battle has ended with the bounty hunters successfully, the bodies of the giants were recovered along with whatever had remained of their crudely brewn ‘potions’, shifting the minds of Aliud’s academics towards the concept of studying nature more thoroughly; and more importantly it’s possible connections towards mana and how they may affect the body. A concept beyond reason and logic back then has become a necessity and blessing nowadays; the skills of alchemy always requested within noble courts, within villages vulnerable to plagues and diseases -- and even more important to adventurers and mercenaries.
Eventually alchemy has also spread to the lands of Tao; and began involving in every way, academics spending day and night experimenting with nature’s resources. The most recent discovery and most important one since the very first mana potion has been the discovery of utilizing flesh, blood and other parts of creatures for alchemy; which skyrocketed the market for monster hunters and mercenaries. There are countless possibilities, and we’ve only reached the tip of the iceberg.
However, as much good alchemy has brought; it has brought just as much bad; poison and diseases being brewed by assassins and oppressive warlords and dark sorcerers using the arcana to create further mischief, involving necromancy and the corruption of their victims. Alchemy is taught by the “School of Alchemy”, a school initially founded in Aliud, which teaches alchemy in three phases. Herbology, Potions and Oils. Teaching the knowledge of gunpowder and poisons is illegal, however it does not prevent criminals and sorcerers from teaching it themselves.
Potions
Healing Potions
The most common and well known potion, the Yuchj’ Healing Potion counts as the very first potion ever brewn; discovered by giants initially. The potion is a potent preparation consisting mainly of Yuchj’ mushrooms (named after their discoverer, Yuchj’ Bonne), boiled water, berries of one’s choice and tree saps. It is most popular amongst adventurers, due to it being useful in combat, carried usually in a 250ml flask. Over generations, these healing potions have been adopted by every known, existent culture - which also lead to said potions being tempered within their recipe. Although the recipe may vary, the effects and process remain mostly the same throughout the many variations.
Upon consumption, the injured individual is greeted with a rather sweet taste and a warm embrace going through their body. It grants the user an adrenaline - as well as dopamine boost, encouraging them to go on. Simultaneously, it also speeds up one’s regeneration; it’s effectiveness is based mostly on the species. Nonetheless, it does the job.
- Boil 300ml water at 90 ° C for fifteen minutes in a small wooden bowl, add every fifth minute a handful of salt and stir it.
- Whilst the water is boiling; grab three Yuchj’ mushrooms and crush them until they turn into paste; by the time the water has boiled - the mushroom should be nothing but crimson mush.
- Add the paste into the boiling water and stir it for another fifteen minutes, add 25ml of tree sap.
- Change the bowl and add berry juice of choice, it is mandatory otherwise the potion could turn bitter and become neight impossible to swallow, due to the body rejecting it. Heat up the potion at 50° C and add more water if necessary.
- In the end, the preparation should be a deep crimson color. The potion can be stored within a room temperature environment, although a cold environment is preferred.
Mana Potions
Mana Potions initially were the reason why academics and mages were so interested in the study and research of alchemy; searching for the possibility to harvest the mana surrounding them to fuel themselves. Something deemed impossible has become common and almost a necessity for mages across the world. Unlike most other potions, the recipe barely matters, as mana is contained within everything. However, Tucho Leaves are prepared, as they are known to be the safer resource to harvest mana from; as well as being more common - It’s the knowledge and process which matters. For example, the very first mana potion was discovered by a necromancer, seeking to harvest the mana of the dead and the living.
Upon consumption, the mage feels a cold sensation running through their veins, almost as if a part of them has been restored; they feel much more energetic and “complete”. Depending on the size of the Mana Potion, the magus restores the Mana within them, being able to cast spells once more. It is known to taste bitter, which makes drinking more than one mana potion unfavorable. It is also known to be extremely addictive, which can cause sickness and hallucinations, should a mage consume too many potions in a day.
It is advised to brew the potion within safe environments, with your skin covered up and with a herb - stuffed plague mask to protect you from possible, harmful exchange.
- Boil 500ml water at 90 ° C for fifteen minutes in a small wooden bowl, add every fifth minute a handful of salt and stir it.
- Whilst the water is boiling, prepare another bowl with the mana - containing herb and crush it with a mortar, if said herb doesn’t crush easily, either add a teaspoon of oil and a handful of salt.
- Once the water has reached its correct temperature, slowly and cautiously pour the crushed herb into the boiling water and change to 120 C°, place a glass bowl over the brewing potion to harvest the steam.
- Once the entire potion has turned into steam, turn the stove off. Collect whatever was left into a vial and add COLD water as well as some Ta’ah Powder. Seal the vial and shake it.
- In the end, the preparation should be a bright blue color. The potion should be stored cold, an optimal way to do so is to store it within a bucket filled with water. (And ice, if possible)
Strength Potions
Strength Potions are most popular amongst enforcers and criminal syndicates, it allows them to not only hit harder; but to also recover one’s stamina and breadth much easier and quicker. One could consider the Strength Potion to be the Mana Potion of those, who are neither skilled nor interested in the arcane. The potion usually comes in a mint green color and is the cheapest potion, due to the value it provides being lesser than the more popular one, and the overall price for the resources being low.
Upon consumption, the user feels a cold sensation overtaking them; almost as if they woke up with a cold bucket of ice being poured over their head. Depending on the size of the potion, they recover a great amount of stamina over time and feel invigorated; increasing the amount of strength and power they put into their next punch.
- Prepare 250ml of cold water in a bowl. Take three Mintus leaves and crush them until it becomes green paste. The leaves should turn into green paste and should have a faint taste of mint.
- Add the paste into the cold bowl of water and stir for five minutes straight. The result of it should be a thick, green liquid, almost créme like.
- Whilst stirring, grab 50g of Menut roots and crush them until you’ve reached the same result as with the Mintus leaves stirring.
- In the end, one should add a handful of salt to the pot and mix it up for five minutes. Once finished, the potion should have a strong mint smell to it, a green fluid with black bits of Menut roots sticking out. The potion can be stored within a room temperature environment.
Potion of Fire & Potion of Fice
The Potion of Fire and Potion of Ice are both unique and expensive; it’s core resource being salts taken from natural, arcane creatures such as frost spirits and fire atronachs. Both potions coat it’s wielder's immune system in magical substance, providing temporary either high resistance or immunity to the individual element. Whilst it is possible for mages to “create” their own frost & fire salts through artificial summons; they are much less effective and inconsistent. Said artificial salts only provide minor resistances. Both potions have the same process and recipe; the only difference being the salt used.
Upon consumption, the drinker feels a strong sore in their throat the more they drink from it. The potion must be drunk whole and in one go, as it’s painful taste prevents the body from consuming and swallowing it in more than one go; resulting usually in throwing up; the worst possible scenario is throwing up blood. After a handful of seconds, the potion takes its effect, providing heavy resistance or immunity towards the drunk element. Upon drinking the Potion of Fire, it feels as if the wearer has eaten a warm soup; they’re glowing up from within. The Potion of Ice on the other hand, it feels as if they drunk up a whole bucket of cold water after being dehydrated for so long. Side effects may include being temporarily more vulnerable to the opposite element or being unable to ever consume a potion of said type. Chances for side effects are increased when artificial salts are used.
- Whilst preparing the potion, one should cover up their skin entirely and wear a plague mask, stuffed with standard herbs. Once all the preparations have been made, fill a wooden bowl with a handful of Frost / Fire salts and crush them with a mortar.
- Boil 250ml of Aliudian Oil at 120° C and add occasionally Yuchj’ mushrooms to the bowl. The Yuchj’ mushrooms purpose is to prevent the potion from being lethal/causing too much damage internally. The mushrooms should dissolve within the boiling oil.
- Once the salt has been crushed into powder and the mushrooms have dissolved, cautiously and slowly pour the bowl of salt into the oil. It is important to do so patiently, as adding too much at once could cause a volatile reaction. Stir the pot the entire time.
- Once everything has been mixed and stirred, turn the stove off and allow the potion to cool for two hours. The result should be a thick, blood orange/ cold blue fluid fluid. Cautiously change the bowl without touching the fluid personally.
- Crush a handful of Yuchj’ mushrooms until it has become crimson paste and add it to the pot. After 10 minutes of stirring the potion should be consumable once put into a vial.
Uni-Dis Potion
Uni - Dis stands for “Universal Disease” and is a Tao - originating potion with the intent on curing every disease at once. Since new diseases develop and evolve regularly, the potion itself must be evolving and “updated” every now and then as well, which makes the recipe and overall process of the recreation of said potion incredibly hard and nigh impossible. It is why most alchemists are unable to produce them, but instead purchase them in bulk from Tao, where academics constantly work on the potion. It is extremely rare and even more expensive, the main herb “Zan-Shee” being a flower grown only within Tao’ Oases.
Upon consumption, the ill individual begins to violently throw up whatever infected cell or virus has embedded itself within their body. It is known to taste very bitter, and many claim that the potion has caused more bad than good; seeing how the potion causes someone to throw up for minutes straight; causing damage to one’s throat for quite some time. However, despite that the potion is known to reliably get out whatever sickness has befallen you.
Weapon Oils
Necrotic Oil
Necrotic Oil is a crimson colored liquid, most commonly used by Monster Hunters, specifically those with the intent on slaying the undead and wicked. The oil is used to coat one’s blade or arrow; causing extra damage towards monsters and the undead summoned/resurrected through dark magics. Upon contact, the oil purges the creature up from inside, burning them up. Necrotic Oil is mainly brewn using a combination of Yuchj’ mushrooms as well as Temth roots.
Oil of Fire & Oil of Ice
The Oil of Fire is essentially the counterpart to the Potions of Fire and Ice; rather than using Frost & Fire Salts to grant one immunity, the salts are used for oil; allowing the user to coat their blade in fire or sharp ice. Whether or not the salts are artificial or not, determines whether the blade can get damaged from the fire / ice coat or not. Upon applying the oil on one’s blade, the wielder can use a torch to ignite their blade temporarily; lasting up to thirty minutes usually. Or they can coat their blade in water to cover it in ice; making thrusts incredibly dangerous and lethal; as the blade can freeze and clog up the blood of it’s victim. Both oils are countered by their Potion Counterparts
Anti - Magic Oil
An oil more commonly used on arrows, to disable and weaken mages from afar and from within safety; the oil has an extreme and destructive reaction when it comes in contact with arcane. Should a mage get injured by an Anti Magic arrow, the arrow sucks out every last bit of mana of the arcane wielder for as long as the arrow is stuck in them. Not only does the arrow harvest the mana of it’s victim, it also has a crushing result to their stamina and overall strength, considering their very essence is being forcefully removed. Most commonly used by the minions of sorcerers or monster hunters. The damage caused can temporarily be treated through mana potions, however it is advised to instead take medical care of doctors.
Poisons
Not exactly oil, but an implication that poisons can also be used to coat one’s blades, causing damage depending on the poison. Details on different types of poisons stated below.
Anti - Magic Poison
Carries the very same effect as it’s oil counterpart; except this poison must be directly consumed and can cause long - term damage; such as a decimation of one’s mana capacity. It has a bitter taste to it, which makes mixing it with a drink problematic; however still possible if one does not know of the poison nor it’s taste. Most commonly used on arcane prisoners to prevent them from fighting back; or for torture purposes. Illegal in most Kingdoms, but that has never stopped people from obtaining nor brewing them. The main ingredient is the Void Blossom; a cursed and dead flower irradiating no mana whatsoever; only found within the Jubokko Cursed Highlands.
Poison of Decay
The most common and “standard” poison, much easier to sneak into a drink or food. Depending on the dose and potency, the results may vary from causing someone to be bed-ridden to straight up killing someone. Whilst the poison may be very versatile and effective, it is very easily treated if discovered soon enough, mostly treated by every - day medicine available from alchemists and doctors. Usually brewn by utilizing the blood of animals and creatures; rats and necrotics being the most popular options.
Herbology
There is known to be over a thousand different herbs and ingredients utilized in every - day potions in Aliud alone, which is why this section only covers the most basic, common and “important” ingredients. Specifically those, which have been named above.
Yuchj’ Mushrooms
Crimson mushrooms that are known to grow underneath pine trees within Aliuden forests.
Has healing properties.
Can be chewed and stuffed into an injury to temporarily treat a minor injury, should there be no time to brew a potion or should there be no doctor around.
Earthy, bitter taste.
Mostly used for healing potions or Necrotic Oils.
(Allenin) Salts
Salt used for almost every alchemical preparation, harvested by elves from their trees.
Has no taste whatsoever and is not intended for cooking.
Quite rare for someone, who is not a professional alchemist nor doctor.
Can be used to disinfect injuries, however it causes tremendous pain upon the injured.
Salt is harvested alongside its tree sap.
Tucho Leaves
Most common ingredient used for Mana Potions.
Harshly bitter taste.
Potent with mana.
Can be chewed on to recover temporarily from mana exhaustion; however will not recover nor return mana.
Has a teal blue color to it and largely grows under water, or on riversides almost globally.
Known to cause addiction and hallucination if consumed regularly.
Mintus Leaves
Harvested from the very same tree as Menut roots.
Has a minty taste and color.
Main ingredient for Strength Potions.
Recovers Stamina and increases Strength temporarily.
Minut Trees are most commonly found within the Continent of Ferran, but have recently been introduced to Aliud.
Menut Roots
Harvested from the very same tree as Mintus Leaves.
Roots are rather soft and have a very wood or bark-like flavor.
Main ingredient for Strength Potions.
Temth Roots
Gathered from trees found in cemeteries, which were blessed by light priests.
Ivory & Yellow-ish tone.
Ashen flavor, very unappealing.
Main ingredient for Necrotic Oils.
Is known to shy/scare away undead monsters.
Void Blossoms
Purple & Black Flower growing within Jubokko Cursed Highlands.
Absorbs mana around it, yet is never filled with mana.
Mainly used for Anti - Magic Oils and Poisons.
Erenn Berries
Bright blue berries that often grow in Eastern Aliud.
Easy to find, very populous around forests.
Very sweet, somewhat acidic flavor.
Often used as a sweetener, and ultimately does not react to most alchemical components.
Kova Leaves
Harvested from the tropical and seaside climates of Ferran.
Dried Kova leaves are psychoactive in nature, and often used for drinks.
Neutral, grassy flavor.
Fiodh Iceflower
Harvested only from the Fiodh forests during the winter.
A white colored, beautiful flower with stems and roots that look like ice. The blossom radiates an icy elemental aura.
Can be eaten, often used for quick rehydration. No flavor - stem dissolves into water.
Unfading Everbloom
Appears in the Stucian region very, very rarely.
A light reddish colored flower with dozens upon dozens of petals. The stigma of the flower is surrounded by more tiny petals, and has a bioluminescent glow.
Eating is not advisable - eating often causes the consumer to feel as though no time has passed for approximately up to an hour. This is often used for a sedative as a result.
Silkpetal
Appears in Durtheim, close to the shores.
A flower native to Durtheim. It is a delicate summer flower. It's an incredibly soft to the touch, and smells faintly sweet, like some form of vanilla.
Silkpetal is rarely ever used for potions, moreso as an aromatic due to its smell.
Blushrose
Harvested in Beraforte.
A flower grown commonly in Beraforte - this flower is a beautiful crimson rose without any thorns. Though it has a pleasing aroma, it can induce fatigue and put a person to sleep if they were to huff the flower for too long. It is named a Blushrose due to aroma also causing people to blush.
Blushing roses are often grinded into paste for sleeping medication, or for sedatives. Also utilized by assassins in some of their poisons.