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For example, consider the Geozan herb
"woundwort." Woundwort is obtained from the roots of the woundwort plant,
a small flowering shrub which grows in temperate regions in magically sensitive areas
(areas of high Mana Availability) - especially in areas which are still inhabited by the
Fae. Woundwort is useful in brewing a tea which can greatly aid in healing wounds
(hence the name). Shavings from the inner core of the root are the most effective,
but shavings from the outer root can also aid in healing. Alchemists know of
this power, and use it in brewing healing potions which are even more effective in
healing, because they utilize not only the "natural" magical healing qualities
of the herb, but also draw upon the Potential Omnessence of the herb (usually in
combination with other alchemical/herbal ingredients) to further enhance the healing
effect. |
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The natural healing qualities of woundwort tea derive
from that same Potential Omnessence. Anyone who brews a good woundwort tea will have
a drink which can aid someone in healing or recovering from certain diseases. But
an Alchemist, by extracting or refining the herb into its Alchemical form, can now use his
Magical Talent and projection of Will to draw upon that Potential Omnessence directly,
using it to shape a Paradigm effect of healing. |
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Unlike other sources of Omnessence, such Potential
Omnessence cannot be used for general effects - to lift a rock, for example, or divine the
presence of water underground. It is only useful for a specific Configuration (in
this case, Transformation/Organic), and is most useful for a specific effect (healing). |
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Further refinement or distillation of the Alchemical
substance results in the Mystical form of the substance. This rarified form is
difficult to obtain, but possesses even more powerful properties than the Alchemical form,
allowing the Alchemist to create Permanent effects. The Mystical form of some
materials is used in Alchemical Enchanting. |
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Alchemy requires proper equipment to perform the
refining, extracting, or distilling of the substances, and the time to do so.
Accessing Alchemical Potential Omnessence includes the process of extracting or refining
necessary to obtain the Alchemical form of the substance. Further preparation will
be necessary to create a specific alchemical effect, once the materials have been refined
to the necessary form (Alchemical or Mystical) through Alchemical
Processing. |
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All Alchemical effects are "stored" effects
- i.e. the effect is not instantly activated, but is stored in a substantive form (which
can vary greatly depending on the forms of the substances used, and the method of
activation). As such, most Alchemical effects are Imbedded or Delayed effects, and
the associated costs must be paid. For example, a potion which must be used within
two days would be a Delayed effect, while a protective charm which can only be used once
would be an Imbedded effect. Only effects that will be used in the laboratory
itself (usually by the Alchemist) might be able to avoid using the Delay or Imbed Temper
Aspects |
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Alchemists need at least two skills in addition
to their Omnessence skills (Archetypes and Dominions). Alchemy Lore functions as
an Arcane Lore, limiting the Alchemist's effective Configuration Expertise, and serving as
a general measure of Alchemical ability. Alchemists also use Alchemy Lore to research better Alchemical techniques and effects.
Additionally, Alchemists must use Craft: Alchemy in preparing and shaping Alchemical
substances. This represents the Alchemist's aptitude with performing the various
physical actions and processes that are necessary in Alchemy. Additional crafting
skills may sometimes be necessary for certain material processes or preparation
techniques. |
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Magical Talent is not strictly necessary to
Access or refine Alchemical substances - anyone with Alchemy Lore and Craft: Alchemy can
refine / extract the Alchemical form of a substance. Shaping that substance to
create an effect, however, does require Magical Talent. Some cities may have
"alchemists" or "herbalists" with no magical talent whatsoever, who
perform the valuable function of gathering and processing Alchemical materials for the use
of others, or who utilize those substances in their Natural forms. The Alchemical
form of a substance is generally worth five to twenty times as much as the Natural form,
and the Mystical form of a substance can be worth up to one hundred times as much as the
Alchemical form. |
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Note: some Alchemists
consider themselves to be "Herbalists." This should not be confused with
common herbalism (Herb Lore and Healing, Craft: Cooking, or Craft: Brewing, for example),
which utilizes only the natural properties of various herbs, such as woundwort. Any
use of the Potential Omnessence of Alchemical substances, herbal or otherwise, is
considered Alchemy within the Geoza system. What the practitioner calls it is up to
her. |
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