On the Nature of Alchemy

"Alchemical guilds? They have impressive knowledge - but they are such bores. If an alchemist ever asks you to read something, run like the Secretkeepers are on your heels."

— the Understudy of the Spearhead House

Some call it blasphemy. Others call it foolishness. But they have never crafted a perfect replica of a flower, nor transmuted iron to gold.

The sacred art of alchemy underpins everything, from the nature of fire to the primordial shadow. Mages' view of the elements is narrow and rigid - neglecting the myriad ways in which different paths mingle. The Flamestriders speak of balance, but they only ever consider preservation - growth has never been an option in their eyes.

But alchemy is different. We eschew both stagnation and rigidity, and delve into the deepest truths of the world. We alone have established the order and positions of the gods, so that we can understand reality's foundations.

The world according to alchemical principles is a simple one.

Before the dawn of creation was Auriju, who lay slumbering upon the formless, abyssal waters. His divine intellect could draw form from shadow, and so from His dreams rose the nascent world. Thus did He became the progenitor of gods, and their venerated ruler.

Koros, scion of the fallow earth, is the base matter of reality. Earth is the universal insulator - that which equalises all beings. We arise from the soil and return to it; all enchantments and castings must fail when in contact with earthly beings. Koros is placed at the centre of the celestial sphere, for all His brethren are only given meaning in His presence.

The natural opposite of earth is water, for where earth is the universal nullifier, water is the universal solvent. Sethyr, mistress of rain, represents the chaotic primordial sea - that which accepts all rather than forms all. Her position is beneath Her husband Koros, for She catches and returns what falls from Him.

Ifera was born in response to the devouring outer beasts, beloved child of Auriju. Raw matter is nothing without the art of transmutation, and the gaze of dawn was the crucible that gave rise to perfect life. Through Ifera may we refine all things, and so He is placed at the crown of the celestial sphere. But this god is fated to fall, and rain down destructive flame on the world He loves.

Twin siblings, Ankil and Rethil, act as the balances of nature. One lays down the law, the divine intent of the heavens that the world must abide by. The other allows us to impose our own will upon the world, and granted mortals the gift of alchemy. As the children of earth and water, these two gods are microcosms of those ideals - order and chaos, change and stagnation.

Finally, Maiale is the sister of Koros, and the animation of life itself. All things breathe that are alive, and ingredients burned to ash must return to the wind. Alchemy aspires to reach Her power, for that is the nature of life. She is placed between Auriju and the celestial sphere, holding up the firmament and inviting us to join Her in the heavens.

There is no room for baseless speculation and blind belief in this field. We deal in hard truth and empirical fact. This is the worship we offer the gods - for what kind of god would ask for coddling from the mortals who rely on it?

Open your eyes. Discover the truth at the root of all else - and then use it to drive mortals onward to new heights.

We will be waiting for you at the crucible.