Attitudes toward alchemy in DS? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Attitudes toward alchemy in DS?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
boondocker
Jul 23, 2010 10:55:14 I've got a PC in my upcoming game who's an Artificer with the Master Mixer feat. How is Alchemy viewed on Athas?

For that matter, what about other consumables like magic potions?
#2
ian.thomson
Jul 23, 2010 12:54:35
I think that alchemy, like rituals, would probably be seen differently depending on who was using it.

If a defiler who's every footstep leaves ashes uses alchemy or rituals, they're probably considered defiling (even if they aren't mechanically) and someone who uses his recipes is probably going to get into trouble.

If a psion uses alchemy, it's probably treated like science (or maybe SCIENCE!!!). Rituals would be looked at as psionic exercises or something.

If a druid uses alchemy, it may be treated as primal magic or as a natural wonder. Rituals would be seen as religious practices.

If a preserver uses alchemy, he might dress it up as science, primal magic, natural wonder, or "mind your own business, that's how it works." Rituals could also be treated like that.

Martial characters might treat alchemy and rituals as any of the above.

There could also be some variation depending on themes. A warlock that has the elemental priest theme (feypact makes sense) would probably treat his rituals as calling on primal spirits. A shaman with the templar theme (SK's personal gardener?) might see his alchemy and rituals as sorcerous knowledge to serve his king. A preserver with the noble adept theme would probably treat his alchemy and even his rituals as SCIENCE!!!
#3
big_goon
Jul 23, 2010 14:33:03 Alcehmy seems like it'll be one of the various tools of the Athasian Minstrel theme. The preview today mentions the Unwelcome Stranger, a paragon path that gets the Alchemy feat (and some poison recipes) for free.

There is no indication that Alchemy is, or ever was, related to Arcane magic. Any power source attached to the attacks made my Alchemy have always been Martial. I would equate Alchemy to "science", not magic.

Magic Potions are... uh... magical like in the Arcane sort. So they're outlawed unless sanctioned - maybe a permit of some sort would be required? Producing them, owning them, etc would be difficult within the borders of a city-state. Common items, like magical potions, could be found in non-magical forms: like primally powered magical fruit that give you healing without using arcane.

A dumb templar or mobs might confuse the two in any case.
#4
xlorep_darkhelm
Jul 23, 2010 14:37:56 Alchemy was on of the tools that the DS3 bard had, if memory serves...
#5
ian.thomson
Jul 23, 2010 16:58:43
Alcehmy seems like it'll be one of the various tools of the Athasian Minstrel theme. The preview today mentions the Unwelcome Stranger, a paragon path that gets the Alchemy feat (and some poison recipes) for free.

There is no indication that Alchemy is, or ever was, related to Arcane magic. Any power source attached to the attacks made my Alchemy have always been Martial. I would equate Alchemy to "science", not magic.

They're not martial, there just isn't any power source listed. There's a difference. Otherwise, Amulets of Protection and Ring of Feather Fall are martial powered.

Magic Potions are... uh... magical like in the Arcane sort. So they're outlawed unless sanctioned - maybe a permit of some sort would be required? Producing them, owning them, etc would be difficult within the borders of a city-state. Common items, like magical potions, could be found in non-magical forms: like primally powered magical fruit that give you healing without using arcane.

A dumb templar or mobs might confuse the two in any case.

Maybe different permits for different things. Might be able to buy a cure light wounds potion over the counter, need a perscription for anything heavier, and have to apply for a license to make them.
#6
mouthymerc
Jul 23, 2010 18:25:38 There were, officially, no potions in the original setting. Potions came in the form of magical fruits or berries. Alchemy would work just fine in the setting as it is not tied to one particular power source. Because of the range of skills which are aplicable it makes it very easy to have any type of character use it, be they Arcane, Martial, Primal or Psionic.
#7
big_goon
Jul 23, 2010 19:02:28
They're not martial, there just isn't any power source listed. There's a difference. Otherwise, Amulets of Protection and Ring of Feather Fall are martial powered.

Hmm... I just assumed since the Athesian Minstrel's powers are martial. Nevermind.
#8
boondocker
Jul 23, 2010 19:43:03 Cool. Alchemy sounds like not only a relatively problem-free feat, but also a possible cover for the Artificer's arcane power.
#9
alevar
Jul 23, 2010 20:59:50 I see Alchemy as a science, not tied to any power-source, knowledge of Arcana or Nature would be useful since it is often combined with other teachings, but other skills can work just as well. Meanwhile potions (or fruits) could also come from oher sources like primal knowledge.
#10
eric_anondson
Jul 23, 2010 21:11:52 Depends on your boundaries around what alchemy means.

The Original boxed set allowed rangers to duplicate potions using botanical enchantment.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 boondocker Jul 23, 2010 10:55:14	I've got a PC in my upcoming game who's an Artificer with the Master Mixer feat. How is Alchemy viewed on Athas? For that matter, what about other consumables like magic potions?
#2 ian.thomson Jul 23, 2010 12:54:35	I think that alchemy, like rituals, would probably be seen differently depending on who was using it. If a defiler who's every footstep leaves ashes uses alchemy or rituals, they're probably considered defiling (even if they aren't mechanically) and someone who uses his recipes is probably going to get into trouble. If a psion uses alchemy, it's probably treated like science (or maybe *SCIENCE!!!). Rituals would be looked at as psionic exercises or something. If a druid uses alchemy, it may be treated as primal magic or as a natural wonder. Rituals would be seen as religious practices. If a preserver uses alchemy, he might dress it up as science, primal magic, natural wonder, or "mind your own business, that's how it works." Rituals could also be treated like that. Martial characters might treat alchemy and rituals as any of the above. There could also be some variation depending on themes. A warlock that has the elemental priest theme (feypact makes sense) would probably treat his rituals as calling on primal spirits. A shaman with the templar theme (SK's personal gardener?) might see his alchemy and rituals as sorcerous knowledge to serve his king. A preserver with the noble adept theme would probably treat his alchemy and even his rituals as SCIENCE!!!*
#3 big_goon Jul 23, 2010 14:33:03	Alcehmy seems like it'll be one of the various tools of the Athasian Minstrel theme. The preview today mentions the Unwelcome Stranger, a paragon path that gets the Alchemy feat (and some poison recipes) for free. There is no indication that Alchemy is, or ever was, related to Arcane magic. Any power source attached to the attacks made my Alchemy have always been Martial. I would equate Alchemy to "science", not magic. Magic Potions are... uh... magical like in the Arcane sort. So they're outlawed unless sanctioned - maybe a permit of some sort would be required? Producing them, owning them, etc would be difficult within the borders of a city-state. Common items, like magical potions, could be found in non-magical forms: like primally powered magical fruit that give you healing without using arcane. A dumb templar or mobs might confuse the two in any case.
#4 xlorep_darkhelm Jul 23, 2010 14:37:56	Alchemy was on of the tools that the DS3 bard had, if memory serves...
#5 ian.thomson Jul 23, 2010 16:58:43	Alcehmy seems like it'll be one of the various tools of the Athasian Minstrel theme. The preview today mentions the Unwelcome Stranger, a paragon path that gets the Alchemy feat (and some poison recipes) for free. There is no indication that Alchemy is, or ever was, related to Arcane magic. Any power source attached to the attacks made my Alchemy have always been Martial. I would equate Alchemy to "science", not magic. They're not martial, there just isn't any power source listed. There's a difference. Otherwise, Amulets of Protection and Ring of Feather Fall are martial powered. Magic Potions are... uh... magical like in the Arcane sort. So they're outlawed unless sanctioned - maybe a permit of some sort would be required? Producing them, owning them, etc would be difficult within the borders of a city-state. Common items, like magical potions, could be found in non-magical forms: like primally powered magical fruit that give you healing without using arcane. A dumb templar or mobs might confuse the two in any case. Maybe different permits for different things. Might be able to buy a cure light wounds potion over the counter, need a perscription for anything heavier, and have to apply for a license to make them.
#6 mouthymerc Jul 23, 2010 18:25:38	There were, officially, no potions in the original setting. Potions came in the form of magical fruits or berries. Alchemy would work just fine in the setting as it is not tied to one particular power source. Because of the range of skills which are aplicable it makes it very easy to have any type of character use it, be they Arcane, Martial, Primal or Psionic.
#7 big_goon Jul 23, 2010 19:02:28	They're not martial, there just isn't any power source listed. There's a difference. Otherwise, Amulets of Protection and Ring of Feather Fall are martial powered. Hmm... I just assumed since the Athesian Minstrel's powers are martial. Nevermind.
#8 boondocker Jul 23, 2010 19:43:03	Cool. Alchemy sounds like not only a relatively problem-free feat, but also a possible cover for the Artificer's arcane power.
#9 alevar Jul 23, 2010 20:59:50	I see Alchemy as a science, not tied to any power-source, knowledge of Arcana or Nature would be useful since it is often combined with other teachings, but other skills can work just as well. Meanwhile potions (or fruits) could also come from oher sources like primal knowledge.
#10 eric_anondson Jul 23, 2010 21:11:52	Depends on your boundaries around what alchemy means. The Original boxed set allowed rangers to duplicate potions using botanical enchantment.