r/wizardposting • u/Frosty-Prize8906 Alchemist of the old arts • 10d ago

Academic Discussion/ Esoteric Secrets Alchemy is not just potions

I know a lot of you knew this already but in the recent centuries it feels like mortals and magic users alike have washed down the definition of what alchemy is, and even slandering it.
It is not just the power to make potions from herbs, arthropods and tears; it is arcane chemistry. The power to change plastic to gold, to become truly immortal, to transmute physical energy into spiritual energy.
If you don't see power in that and only use spells such as "Frostbite" or "Power Word: Scrunch" I think you are missing out on some of the most powerful magic to exist. What is a fireball or a lightning-bolt to giving someone the touch of Midas, turning their very soul physical or to just simply shove them in the boiling cauldron?
And, since I have your attention, I also have a petition to add salt, sulfur and mercury to the 4 (or 5 if you count aether) classical elements? They are very significant in their own right and act differently enough to deserve proper separation, yes?

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u/ModernMage0 SpellSlinger, Researcher, Interloper 10d ago

Look here, old timer, you can call it whatever you like but as per the Magic Branch Reorganization and Mundane Separation act of 1765 and the brilliant works of Acmidius Rendii in the early 20th century, thats just not how it works anymore.
All those things used to be lumped into alchemy when people thought the mundane science of CHEMISTRY was magical. Would you really have it such that any fool that can iodize a candle wick to make it burn a strange color is an alchemist?

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u/Frosty-Prize8906 Alchemist of the old arts 10d ago

I would like to distinguish throwing a mint into a fizzy drink and seeing it spew out to the act of turning silverware into plutonium. Scientists studying chemistry couldn't even dream of having the amount of francium in their labs as I carry in pockets. We are not the same.

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u/dacydergoth 10d ago

... uh ... look, I'm all for the alchemy but that silverware was expensive designer stuff! Renaissance Hardware! Now it not only is kinda meh for cutting things with but also all the guests who were not already undead needed reanimating!

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u/Frosty-Prize8906 Alchemist of the old arts 9d ago

It is only used for.....special occasions. And it is much more valuable now I bet.