Alchemy, in a fantasy setting, is far more than a pseudoscientific pursuit of turning lead into gold—it is the mystical science of essence manipulation, where the natural and the arcane intersect in bubbling cauldrons and glimmering flasks. Practiced by scholars, hedge witches, rogue apothecaries, and guild-licensed masters alike, alchemy weaves together the primal forces of nature with ancient, often dangerous, knowledge. It is both a craft and a calling, requiring meticulous study, rare components, and a delicate balance of art, science, and intuition.

At its core, alchemy is about transformation: transforming raw ingredients into powerful brews, enhancing natural properties through magical means, and binding energy into liquid form. This discipline touches every corner of the world—from battlefield triage tents and poisoner’s dens to royal laboratories and sacred temples. An alchemist may be a healer or a killer, a scholar or a charlatan. What defines their work is not morality, but method.

Every potion begins with its parts. Alchemical ingredients are drawn from the world’s strangest corners—creature remains, enchanted flora, elemental matter, planar fallout, and substances that may exist only under rare lunar conditions. Some ingredients must be harvested with great care (or under specific celestial alignments), while others can only be bought from secretive traders or stolen from dangerous places. These components carry latent magical properties, each with its own temperament, elemental resonance, and alchemical reaction profile.

Combining ingredients is only half the battle. Brewing requires knowledge of infusion times, proper vessel types, heat thresholds, magical catalysts, and—crucially—intent. A potion made for healing differs in subtle, powerful ways from one made to deceive or destroy. The result may be a clear elixir that mends bone, a viscous liquid that grants brief invisibility, or a glittering serum that warps the drinker’s very form. Some potions demand rare reagents and complex rituals; others can be brewed in a smoky backroom with clever substitutions and just enough luck.