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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Messageboard Golem" data-source="post: 2007507" data-attributes="member: 18387"><p>In classic terms, the art of alchemy is the transmutation of matter through the arcane science of will. This can be mundane, using processes like distillation, blending, and catalysing elements, or it can be metaphysical, using meditations and incantations to force a change that would otherwise never occur in the physical world. Alchemy is best known for its attempt to transform lead into gold, but this analogy is truly just a representation of what alchemists strive for. By transmogrifying something utterly base into the best and greatest of things, alchemy breaks the laws of the universe and allows those with the skill and power of the ‘true science’ rewrite them. Alchemy is typically a perplexing art for common folk in a fantasy setting. In any world where the majority of people must toil to survive, the idea of someone’s life work being to stand around boiling liquids and talk about the ‘essense of rare matter’ is quite alien to them. Alchemists in a normal fantasy world are rarely considered anything other than strange folk with ways that step them apart from the rest of society. Of course, this is not always the case. The first time an invading band of humanoids is turned aside by thunderstones and tanglefoot bags, the alchemist responsible might find himself very popular indeed.</p></blockquote><p></p>