So titled because I'm gonna do a post on Alchemy, then later, as I feel like it, add smaller posts on esoteric branches of Magic in this same thread rather than new ones.

Yeah, I suck. Whatever, you know you love it.


Alchemy:

It is generally held that Alchemy was invented by Men, specifically the men of Irem.  Certainly, Iremi Alchemy holds some blame for the disaster that destroyed Irem and ended the Mythic Age, yet for some reason Men continue to pursue the art without shame, and the Gods do not punish them for it.

Today there are two main schools of Alchemy, two branches. The Alchemists Guild, in Renbluve has pushed the Art so far that to the untrained eye there is little to distinguish it from Sorcery.  Indeed, the Alchemist Guild has given the world Gunnes and flying ships, and as rumor has it, holds some small share of the 'blame' for the dragonnes that take Nornsan Dragoons to war even now.

The Southern School, or Tenebrian School claims that its roots are deeper and older than even Irem, and focuses more on how Alchemy interacts with the body than on 'parlor tricks'.  And yet, of course, an Alchemist trained in either school can learn the potions and linements of the other, and the equipment is similar in function if not necessarily in form.

At its heart, Alchemy seeks to understand the nature of Haven, not on some grand theological level, but in the smallest of places.  Alchemists concern themselves with pure elements, Earth and Air, Water and Fire, on the Aetheric currents that derive from them and their blending. Alchemists are always interested in refining and purifying natural states.  An Alchemist would describe the Firepowder as Raw, or perhaps Aetheric Fire, trapped in Refined Earth and released by the principle of Aetheric Air as represented by the liquid solvent.  Another Alchemist would understand perfectly the description, though perhaps curious as to how it was done...

Alchemy does not sit will with sorcerers of any stripe, though a few rare individuals may study both fully. Alchemists are always curious, always wondering what would happen if they did X instead of Y... such an attitude towards magic would be horrific and probably lethal.  That is not to say that Alchemists have not killed themselves in their experiments, indeed they have, simply that they are more prone to take risks, and the risks, while dangerous, are more bearable than magical mishaps.

Aside from the four elemental principles, there are a host of lesser 'potentials' that can influence an experiment, a potion.  Many of these are viewed as uniquely influential mixes of existing principles (the Sun for example is clearly Fire with a careful alloying of Air, Light is a potential of Air with a touch of fire...). Potentials, in Alchemy, are generally easier to use in the lab rather than recreat from Principles, and thus are treated as distinct elements.  

And aside from firepowder what, exactly do alchemists do?

Obviously they can make potions of all sorts, refine metals, create poisons. Alchemical Potions are not often as potent as magical potions, and metallurgy is viewed by many as a skill utterly removed from alchemy, though not every blacksmith can create or work with certain exotic metals that alchemists can produce.  Depending on the rules one is using, Alchemists can do minor enchantments by 'non-magical means', which do not count as magical enchantments for later enchanting purposes.    Alchemists are particularly useful in preparing for a foe...  Consider a Vampire. While the common lore of vampires may be useful in destroying the undead fiends, an Alchemist can study the remains of a vampire, or samples from a specific vampire, and devise non-traditional substances that reduce or counteract the vampire's traits... though it will not be quick or easy, and may require exotic elements as dangerous to acquire as the vampire itself!   (using MRQII rules for Alchemy, they can also make philosopher stones...).

A quick note (incomplete, as I'm busy) on numerology.

Numerology is universal, meaning each culture shares the same significances for certain numbers. Wether or not they care, of course, matters. For example, the Tenebrians generally ignore or dispute the significance of the number three, but heavily weight the significance of four.

1: Authority
2: Completion
3: Peace
4: Death/destruction
5: Law/the Sun
6: Demons
7: