The Essence of Alchemy
by Llama

        Alchemical solutions are important to magical lands in that even 
warriors, theives and any other assortment of people can also use them. 
The most commonly used alchemical solutions only require a certain blend 
of ingredients rather than what IÕd consider Òmagical stimulation,Ó 
which I shall describe later.
        
THE COMMON POTIONS
Weak healing
Weak curing 
Weak poison
Weak speed
Weak Bless
Weak Invunerability
-----------------------
Medium healing 
Medium curing
Medium poison
Medium speed
Medium Bless
Medium invuneribility
----------------------
Strong healing
Strong curing 
Strong poison
Strong speed
Strong Bless
Strong invunerability

Most trade alchemists can make spells of this sort. All healing spells 
are helpful to heal wounds and fatigue, curing solutions  cure poison 
and remove curses. Poison is usually applied to weapons, making the shot 
or stab loads more deadly when landed. Speed spells allow the drinker to 
move at a faster pace for a limited amount of time. Bless spells give 
the drinker a boost, their spells being more efficient, their hit points 
more numerous and their hits more likely to cause damage. Invunerability 
spells are the most rare and have the most expensive retail value of the 
common spells, making a person take no damage from any hit of any kind 
for a limited amount of time.

RARE POTIONS
Ambrosia
Graymold Salve
Killer Poison
Weak/Medium/Strong Bliss
Potion of Fire

These potions can still be made by trade alchemists with no power that 
is derived from other people* or objects, but are worth more and the 
ingredients are harder to find. For example, you must kill a dragon and 
take their adrenilin glands to create one potion of fire, Graymold Salve 
has over 900 ingredients in itself, bliss potions must be made under a 
full moon using holy water blessed by a nomadic holy hobbit woman, 
killer poison uses the tongue of an orc, and the ambrosiaÕs contents are 
alchemist trade secret. The ambrosia delivers total healing and curing, 
and a minor bless. Very useful when fighting the dragon to make a potion 
of fire. One drop of this potion can set a fire a blaze. Very useful for 
getting rid of evil hideouts and villages, and can burn brick. Graymold 
Salve heals EVERYTHING, even lost appendages. Bliss potions bless, 
speed, cure and heal a person. Killer poison can kill an ordinary person 
in three seconds upon contact. Only orcs can resist itÕs effects.

MAGICALLY STIMULATED POTIONS
Water of the Golem
Water of Invisibility
Water of Ressurection
Water of the Soul
Water of Fire
Etc...

Magical stimulated potions are potions that require a spell from a mage 
or priest to become more than just water and whatever ingredients are 
used. Usually these additional spells are small electrical charges  or a 
blessing, but sometimes can be a spell to cleanse an ingredient of 
another element (Like if someone could separate the chlorine from salt) 
making a neutral solution a poisonous one.
Thousands of these ÒwatersÓ exist and thousands more are created 
everyday, all of which are called ÒwaterÓ of whatever the effect the 
potion has. These potions are characterized by being clear like, you 
guessed it, water. The fountain of youth was actually a pond an evil 
alchemist named Shanre Frackenmoh turned into a solution called Water of 
the Young. Water of the Golem generally turns inatimate objects into a 
creature of sorts which does the alchemistsÕ bidding until a shouted 
spell turns them to dust. Once a golem, the object can never be restored 
again, and even the dust of the object is magical, if swallowed the sand 
has healing properties. The Water of Invisibility does exactly as the 
name states, making the drinker invisible for a limited amount of time. 
The Water of Ressurection, when poured on a dead body or body turned to 
dust, will bring them back to life. If the alchemist is pouring this on 
a person turned to stone, they will turn back to flesh, but only a spell 
of life can bring the flesh back animate. Water of the Soul is a poison 
which, when applied to weapons does damage to poison/magic resistant 
beings and the undead. Water of Fire is a crude potion which is usually 
splashed on an enemy, the enemy then bursting into flames.

POTIONS OF THE ORCS
Orc Poison
Orc Fire Water
Water of the Soul

These three potions can be used against orcs, the only mortal creatures 
in existence completley resistant to poisons. They can use healing or 
any spell which is consumed, but traditional poisons will not do damage. 
Orc Poison has the effects of Strong Poison on an orc. Orc Fire Water 
has the same effects as Water of Fire on an orc. Water of the Soul can 
be used on any creature, including orcs, and so has two classifications.


*Using the word ÒpersonÓ or ÒpeopleÓ at any time during this essay 
applies to all species except Orcs.

Veronica G.