1. Abilities

Alchemy

The art of infusing essence into mundane objects and substances, alchemy is used to make medicines, tools, and poisons alike.

Creating an alchemical infusion typically involves mixing various non-magical reagents in a sealed container, then placing them in the center of an infusion ritual during a time of power. During the ritual the essence slowly seeps into the substance, enhancing and altering its chemical and physical properties.

Unlike enchanted artifacts, alchemical infusions are always temporary - they lose potency over time as the essence leaks out of them, and the decay is much quicker once the container is unsealed. Most infusions last a couple of days, or up to a month if created under a stronger time of power, and once opened they typically lose their magic within the hour.

Most alchemical reagents are common natural materials from plants or animals, though some formulae require specialised ingredients that are harder to come by.

Example Infusions

There are hundreds, if not thousands of alchemical infusions in common use throughout the world, presented here are a few examples:

  • Bloodletter’s Aide - a fine powder with metallic taste that thins the blood of those who consume it, causing any cut to bleed much more aggressively
  • Dehydrated Lightning - a golden metallic powder that dissolves into a jolt of electricity upon contact with water
  • Desalination Oil - a slick black oil, when dripped into seawater it collects the salt into clumps at the bottom
  • Distilled Sunlight - a pale liquid that sheds light like a morning sun, about as bright as a small candle
  • Frost's Touch - a clear crystal that is painfully cold to the touch, dissolves instantly in water and then freezes it
  • Haze Water - a wispy, cloudy liquid, that expands into a thick cloud of fog when opened to the air
  • Preserving Salt - a blood-red salt that absorbs all fluids from nonliving matter, preserving it as if it were salted
  • Scurvybane - an orange paste with a fruity aroma, which helps ward off scurvy for a week or two after eating it
August 11th, 2023