by Due to Alchemy's nature and past tragedies caused by it, it has been considered a rather controversial branch of magic and some of its sub-branches have even been banned in certain cities and countries. It is therefore crucial to explain in-depth the craft and what parts of it are used and what parts are forbidden.
Definition
At its heart, alchemy is the craft of altering and manipulation of matter using magic energy. The process of turning one thing to another using this technique is known as transmutation. Unlike many magical branches, alchemy cannot create new material nor completely destroy it. Rather, it changes the material's form and/or fuses it with other materials in order to make something that is a sum of its parts. While it seems at first harmless, a tricky part of alchemy is that most often than not, these changes are irreversible and when life and Anima is involved, it can mean injury, mutation or even death.
Principles and Procedure
Since transmutation is the very core of alchemy, it is crucial to remember the following principles:
Sub-branches
Alchemy has several main sub-branches. Namely, Life/Blood Alchemy, Energy Alchemy, Physical Alchemy and Brewing. All forms save for brewing are banned or restricted only to licensed Cartic mages due to the many casualties in the past.
Definition
At its heart, alchemy is the craft of altering and manipulation of matter using magic energy. The process of turning one thing to another using this technique is known as transmutation. Unlike many magical branches, alchemy cannot create new material nor completely destroy it. Rather, it changes the material's form and/or fuses it with other materials in order to make something that is a sum of its parts. While it seems at first harmless, a tricky part of alchemy is that most often than not, these changes are irreversible and when life and Anima is involved, it can mean injury, mutation or even death.
Principles and Procedure
Since transmutation is the very core of alchemy, it is crucial to remember the following principles:
- Equivalent Exchange- Matter and energy cannot be added or destroyed to the point of non-existence.
- Essence and Accents-Matter and energy can also not be altered to the point that it changes its fundamental make-up. Rather, it follows that alchemy is merely the change of "accents" (physical properties), rather than "essence" (non-physical, abstract properties). For example, you cannot turn rock into water, but you can mix the two to form liquid mud.
- Requirement of Energy- Matter cannot be changed without it being forced to by energy. Matter cannot move without motion and motion cannot take place without energy. Therefore, you cannot simply put two things together and expect them to change. One must initiate the change.
- Reversibility and Irreversibility: Once matter is changed to the point materials have fused completely, it is almost impossible to revert them back due to the alteration in binds and its make-up.
Sub-branches
Alchemy has several main sub-branches. Namely, Life/Blood Alchemy, Energy Alchemy, Physical Alchemy and Brewing. All forms save for brewing are banned or restricted only to licensed Cartic mages due to the many casualties in the past.
- Brewing: the fusion and mixture of ingredients in order to create potions of the materials' combined affects. It is the most basic and simplest forms of Alchemy and the most accepted.
- Energy Alchemy: Focuses on manipulating and changing pure energy itself, whether channeling it, absorbing it, strengthening or neutralizing it. Only allowed in Stahlmin if one is licensed.
- Life Alchemy: Also known as blood alchemy strictly banned all over Esterelf. It uses life, particularly souls, or organic matter, whether to destroy, harm, enhance or to create homunculi.
- Physical Alchemy: The manipulation of physical properties. Only allowed in Saadedge and licensed individuals in Saoirse as it has often led to accidental life alchemy, destruction or property and is impractical compared to other branches of alteration magic.
