8.1.1 THE ALCHEMIST CLASS

(See also: HELP ALCHEMY, HELP PHYSIOLOGY, HELP FORMULATION, HELP 8, HELP CLASS)

Long ago, a cabal of Alchemists quietly practised their studies in ancient
Seleucar, largely content to ignore and be ignored by the Empire. Operating
within their hall, named the Cauda Pavonis, they profited from trading
transmuted minerals and tonics to the elite who could afford them. Over time,
however, these curatives were replaced by other more palatable and readily
available remedies, and respect for the isolated order began to dwindle.
Eventually, the leader of the cabal made the fateful choice to depart from the
society that shunned them once and for all. Secretly the Alchemists used their
combined talents to displace the Cauda Pavonis to a fold in the ether: the
space between planes.

In the late sixth century after the fall of the Seleucarian Empire, a great
alchemical imbalance threatened our world. Forged by Phaestus and tainted by
Twilight's hand, the planet Nurazar wreaked havoc across the lands, causing the
cabal to resurface. With the help of Achaeans everywhere, the cabal was able to
destroy Nurazar, restoring balance to the cosmos and revealing the Alchemist
class.

In the Year 802, Tlalaiad, the Genesis, unlocked the ancient Wellspring of Hashan, the culmination of a bargain made between the Court of Shadows and the Tsol'teth. Access to these latent energies granted the powers of Sublimation - an alternative alchemical field to Formulation, able to be taken up by those friendly to the Court. 

The skill of Alchemy focuses on the use of the ether and the alchemical
energies reverberating through it. Physiology allows the Alchemist to inflict
illness upon an opponent via manipulation of the four humours. Additionally, an
Alchemist trained in Physiology may command a homunculus, a diminutive creature
formed from his or her own flesh. With Formulation, the alchemist is able to amalgamate potent compounds.

The skills wielded by those of Alchemist class are Alchemy, Physiology, and
Formulation. A fledgling in this class will possess Alchemy and Physiology,
gaining Formulation upon embracing class.

Sublimation is an alternative field to Formulation, practised by those capable of drawing on Hashan's Wellspring reservoir of energy. Its arts are centred around manipulation of forces, alignment of energies, and the 
oft-misunderstood field of substantiation.

** Training in the Alchemist class is not possible for members of cities that
have chosen to accept the Sentinel, Druid, and Sylvan classes. Additionally,
any Alchemist who quits a city after learning class skills will find him or
herself at a severe disadvantage when it comes to using some abilities. **

(See also: HELP ALCHEMY, HELP PHYSIOLOGY, HELP FORMULATION, HELP 8, HELP CLASS)