Alchemy

The art of alchemy, of transforming one substance into another, is divided into two fields: substance alchemy and transformational alchemy. Many books were written on the subject, especially on scholarly uses for alchemy, before the Empire came to power and began suppressing magical proliferation. However, those which resurface are usually mistaken by uninitated adventurers for cookbooks and are left to lie in obscure and nigh unreachable ancient libraries.

Substance Alchemy

This field of alchemy can be used to the augmentation or alteration of sentient beings or creatures by affecting their physical or mental characteristics, usually through a potion or a salve. The actual act of alchemizing something comes much earlier than the alteration, when the potion or other substance is created. Many things can be used as ingredients, such as body parts (of animals or even sentient beings), herbs or minerals. Generally, if the finished product is not easily carried, it is mixed with water or ground into a paste and then carried in a pouch, clay jar or glass bottle.

Poisons are also refined by practising this area of alchemy. Poisons are generally made by mixing toxic substances found in wildlife with water (such as poisonous plants or snakes' poison glands), which can then be applied to wounds, weapons, or even food. Some explosives are also made by mixing minerals in a special ratio and them boiling them together, giving the resulting paste the property of extremely fast combustion.

Finally, substance alchemy can be used to affect material world instead of a sentient subject. One such examplary area of study is the application of alchemy in identifying, refining and purifying ore, as has been practiced in Fort Draco since the earliest days due to the rich nodes of various ores in its' proximity.

Potions

Potions in general require fewer and less powerful ingredients to make, but are modest in their effect.

Healing Potion. Restores health.
Curing Potion. Cures disease, poison, ensaring and slowing effects.
Strength Potion. Empowers and shields the imbiber.
Energy Potion. Restores mana.
Poison Potion. Induces a fast-effecting poison.
Haste Potion (also known as Speed potion). Allows the imbiber to move and act much faster.
Invulnerability Potion. These potions made according to the old and rare recipes makes the imbiber completely invulnerable. Modern recipes can only result in extreme resistance to most forms of damage, but not death curse.
Resistance Potion. A rarity in modern times: boosts magical and elemental resistance.
Shielding Potion. Causes regeneration and spine shielding.

Elixirs

Elixirs have more powerful or additive effects in comparison to their weaker potion-counterparts, but require more ingredients both in quality and quantity. The effects also last longer than those of potions'.

Healing elixir
Curing elixir
Strength elixir
Energy elixir
Poison elixir
Haste elixir
Invulnerability elixir
Resistance elixir
Shielding elixir

Brews and salves

Brews and salves are generally unique in effect, and require the best ingredients. Consequently, they are very much in demand and highly valuable.

Knowledge brew. Namesake, this brew has the magical capability to improve its imbiber's mental capacity.
Restoration brew. This is the most powerful restorative concoction known to the sentient races of Ermarian. It restores health and negates most known afflictions.
Protection brew. Similar to invulnerability potions and elixirs of modern times, it simply increases its' imbiber's resistances to elements and physical damage sources.
Heroic brew. Similar in effect to modern days' speed elixirs.
Graymold salve. This sought after salve can cure any known ailment. The modern, improved version can also restore a modest amount of health.
Balm of life. This concoction was used in ancient rituals of bringing the recently deceased back to life. Since the modern temples and priests have somehow modified the ritual, this balm is nowadays obsolete.
Searing balm. A cruel alchemical wonder, this liquid afflicts the victim with deadly poison, disease and acid.
Draining brew. This brew covers the victim with acid and drains their memories.

Crystals

There is only one verified instance where a human has managed to create a crystal with an excessive amount of alchemical ingredients. She was a witch in Dharmon. Sadly, little else is known about her because of her extremely secretive nature.

Wisdom Crystal. Similar in effect to knowledge brew, this crystal can whisper helpful thoughts into the user's head, increasing their experience.

See Crystals for further details.

Transformational Alchemy

Transformational alchemy is not studied by many people outside of magical and historical academies, as it is mostly a useless subject (in terms of practical applications). Transformational alchemy supposedly, when there were still masters of the subject, allowed those masters to turn lead into gold and to transform many other substances into different things.

No known books actually explain how to perform the act of transformation of gold into lead, although many have searched for the answer.