Alchemy

From Age of Sigmar - Lexicanum
Revision as of 23:17, 30 December 2021 by Ashendant (talk | contribs) (Users of Alchemy)
Jump to: navigation, search

Alchemy at its core is the science of gathering, analysing, and exploiting natural materials for mortal gain. Alchemy is used across the Mortal Realms for a wide range of uses ranging from the creation of lethal poisons and rejuvenating potions to powerful explosives and bodily enhancements.[1a]

History

Age of Myth

During the Age of Myth, the art of alchemy reached its height. Life altering concoctions were brewed and exotic matter was transmuted on a scale beyond the comprehension of modern Alchemists.[1a]

Age of Chaos

During the Age of Chaos the armies of Chaos marched across the realms burning down laboratories and libraries while the greatest alchemical masters died at the hands of Chaos or starved to death as they sealed their sanctums while others gave into the Ruinous Powers. However many great alchemists also survived the Age of Chaos by fleeing to Azyrheim carrying with them the tomes they could save. However even many theorems that were fully preserved are no longer useful as the of exotic flora and rare materials needed were destroyed or twisted and warped by the influence of Chaos.[1a]

Age of Sigmar

With the coming of the Age of Sigmar more realmgates are opening and the forces of Order are reclaiming the Mortal Realms resulting in a revival in the field of alchemy. However much knowledge awaits in long-lost laboratories waiting to be discovered.[1a]

Users

Order

Alchemy is practised by almost every culture in various forms but formal education and proven formulae are rare in the Age of Sigmar. As collaboration promotes progress in the field many alchemists have created establishments of alchemy.[1a]

The Cities of Sigmar rely on various organisations of various sizes to protect the Free Peoples with the major organisations including the Ironweld Arsenal and the Collegiate Arcane. The Ironweld Arsenal has interests in chemical engineering projects to develop superior fuels, chemical accelerants to propel ordinances and more durable or flexible exotic alloys. The Ironweld also applies alchemy to solve unique problems of specific cities such as the city of Anvilgard which is threatened to be overrun by surrounding jungles. The Collegiate Arcane is present in every City of Sigmar and chapters without an department dedicated to alchemy are rare. The students of the Collegiate carry out experiments within magically warded laboratories on local flora and fauna or transmuting substances. These alchemists present their results in grand lectures to their peers where they are either harshly criticised or highly praised. Research of the Collegiate is usually steered towards toward creations such as elixirs and arcane foci that can increase the arcane abilities of mages. Among the Collegiate. alchemical study is most prominent within the Gold Order who transmute metals and chemicals to create new alloys, fuels, and explosives for use throughout the Cities of Sigmar which also mean many Gold Wizards grow rich due to high demand by both civilians and militaries.[1a] In addition there are many self-made alchemists and practitioners of various disciplines such as wortcraft, herbalism, and homebrew alchemy who operate outside of the rigid constraints of large organizations. They are more adventurous with most lacking formal education or facilities. They must rely on trial and error or less ethical means such as stolen formulae or reverse engineering the creations of others. Some join expeditions or Dawnbringer Crusades but others take less risk and live within cities and rely on explorers or hunters.[1a]

Alchemy plays a major role in the society of the Kharadron Overlords as it was alchemy in the form of aether-gold manipulation that saved their people and keeps their cities in the skies using great aether-gold powered endrins. The Aether-Khemists Guild is dedicated to the study of aether-gold and these guilds enforce an extreme system of intense study followed by day-long written or dangerous practical exams to join them and even then only those possessing a near-perfect sense of smell to aether-gold can gain their gain certification.[1a]

Among the Daughters of Khaine Alchemy is practiced by Hag Priestesses and Hag Queens for whom it consists of equal parts science and prayer. They are capable of brewing very effective substances on any location including the battlefield and their creations include metallic-tasting potions that grant the user superhuman abilities and bloodthirst as well as venoms coated on weapons that can paralyse or exsanguinate prey with the slightest touch. It is also alchemy that forms the roots of their life-extending rituals. Only the most senior members of the Khainite Cult are privy to these secrets but due to its strict hierarchy and near-immortality of its members through rejuvenating rituals, only death of a member in battle or by betrayal allows an aspirant to learn these secrets but must first deal with bloody shadow games or ritual challenges due to high competition. Thus Khainite alchemists are known for their high levels of patience as well as a sneering vindictiveness for alchemists that did not have to go through such dedication for knowledge. The cult’s secret formulas are closely guarded and it is rumoured that every alchemist that attempted to replicate their works end up dead in their lab, exsanguinate and research destroyed.[1a]

The Skinks of the Seraphon use alchemy to create toxins using the environment around them alongside their own secretions.[1a]

Destruction

The use of Alchemy is not limited to the forces of Order as the Gloomspite Gitz are renowned for their use of fungi while the cauldrons of the Swampcalla Shamans of the Kruleboyz and the Butchers of the Ogor Mawtribes create noxious substances.[1a]

Chaos

Many great alchemists have also joined the forces of Chaos seeking to enhance their creations. Among the Skaven the most prominent users of Alchemy are Moulder and Skryre who make use of warpstone-infused alchemy to unleash various nightmarish creations.[1a]

Sources