[b]The Introduction[/b] : To start it off, I would like to explain something about why exactly I don't want the "brewing"

to be called Pharmacopeia. This is because I find the word Pharmacopeia REALLY hard to spell when trying to type it fast, and I really cannot expect myself to be able to spell it during a heated IC discussion or in midst of battle.

I also believe this to be a little bit unfair to all of us who cannot write so well in english, although even if personally I am able to spell most of the "long" words, I believe there are or could be people who might find it ... well... hard! With so many people coming into the server from far and wide, slapping them in the face with such a big word might just scare them off!

[u][b]The New name[/b][/u] : After some time, and a couple of debates, I have decided to drop the word Alchemy, due to the high risk of people misinterpreting it. When people think "Alchemy" they automatically think of magical powers, turning lead into gold and breaking the natural laws of physics.

What I suggest we do is that we find a new name for the "brewing" done IC and OOC, one that will fit it, and yet not be too hard to spell.

[u][b]For all of the 1.0.0 brewing content[/b][/u] : I suggest we allow the players to use it as long as they have a good IC reason to be an Alchemist (that's for the 1.0.0 brewing and IC content above) since we can't allow people to just go : "Oh look! I can make ALL of these magical powers now! All other players, DIE!" on spot and can you just imagine the wave of players going "I WANT TO BE AN ALCHEMIST NOW!" if it was THAT easy to become one?

[u][b]Research[/b][/u] : Any Potion or Ailment of any kind would have to be "Researched" by trial and failure, and the person would spend many IRL weeks just researching the basics like "What herbs to use" and "What herbs make your stomach hurt or even die". Also, most of the Alchemical Solutions would have a "flaw" and contain some sort of Side-Effect, unless it has been perfected over a long (and I mean LONG) period of time. [u] [b]So, is Alchemy like Magic?[/b][/u] : No, never was and never will on this server. It is "Supernatural" but not magical. Magic is bad, it is the worst (and cheapest) plot hole filler you can use in an RP situation. This is because "Magic" allows players to break any rule in the roleplaying, such as suddenly bringing back people from the dead, defeating enemies with a single touch (and players too). The "because Magic" reason can not only be considered serious Power-gaming

(because it allows you to just ignore what the other player is doing) but it could also break the current RP, and make the "Magic using" player the most OP person, ruining the experience for others (Imagine the chaos if everyone started using that explanation for everything).

[b]Alchemy should never be associated with that term. Ever.[/b]

The whole point of Alchemy in this Universum (or story) is that it is driven or powered by the "Powers" and "Elements" (such as Nether, Aether, Earth and Water) of the Mesalian World. Combining them in a certain way, causes a certain "reaction" and creates a "Supernatural" (but reasonably stable) effect, such as healing low to moderate wounds or weakening a target. It has it's limitations unlike Magic, where a player could just create a potion of Godhood and give "Magic" as an explanation.

[u][b]Making an Alchemist[/b][/u] : It is also Logical that an Alchemist cannot be a Perfect Warrior at the same time, since it not only requires quite a high intelligence level or High Education, but also being an Alchemist makes you rather frail. In Real Life, Alchemists often tested their "Solutions" on themselves, thus, sometimes endangering themselves to dangerous substances, especially nickel. An Alchemist does not specifically have to be a "fragile" little old man, but you cannot make him a soldier too, he is a Scholar after all; and would rather hold a book than a sword. Be reasonable and do not make your character OP. [u][b] Creation of Potions and Ailments[/b][/u] : You [b]cannot[/b] make potions "from air" or without the right tools and equipment, and I do not mean just the crafting bench here. An Alchemist needs at least a small laboratory, some peace and quiet, the right Alchemical tools AND his recipe book. You can't just expect him or her to remember every single recipe he or she has created, as most of people can't remember what they had to eat last tuesday, let alone ingredients to make the potion on the spot!

A Character that is an Alchemist keeps a book on him or somewhere we he can use it, and the player that chooses to play an Alchemist should write all of the recipes he finds or "researches" on the forum or at least mention them in their Personal Journals (also on the forums).

Basically, either put effort into being a proper Alchemist, or don't bother at all...

[u][b]Explain it IC[/b][/u] : What also needs to be noted is that these Potions, even if used IG, NEED to be explained and played out IC. You cannot just *Gulp* down a potion before battle without

ACTUALLY writing it out, it's not fair and it's pretty much out-right cheating in my small opinion. If you are using it, use it IC or not at all. This excludes OOC battles when fending of monsters that happen to attack you, but you [b]cannot[/b] use the effect IC, [b]while it is still in effect[/b]!

[u][b]Use Common Sense[/b][/u] : Please make sure you make all of your potions, medicines and ailments (and poisons) using common sense, even if it is a fantasy setting try to think of stuff that would actually work, and try to be as [b]realistic[/b] as possible. Randomly mixing Redstone and Lapis Lazuli won't make a potion, nor would randomly mixing dirt with gold. Also, when I mean be realistic is that, do not attempt to create a potion that will let you fly indefinitely (or at all even) or bring back the dead because that would just break the rules of physics. Even if this is a fantasy based server, do not think you can just skip the rules that happen in our world.

Again, explain everything IC when making potions, and be reasonable when doing so.

[u][b]Lastly[/b][/u] : please be reasonable when using the potions, if you are planning on using them in battle, don't use them as a way to over-power your enemy and never just spam your enemy or yourself with them. Using potions and other substances doesn't make you invincible against your opponent, and they can still easily kill you even if you drink a potion of strength. It just makes the chances tip towards you a little.

Okay, now that we got some of the "Rules" pointed out, we should get to the Juicy part :

[u][b]Lore.[/b][/u]

"It was not so long ago when the Xitians and the Lucins opened Gateways and Portals into the middle realm, and with the waves of Dark and Light starting to pour endlessly into the world, something... unexpected... happened to the land of Mesalia. Little known to either of the Factions, or Mesalians for that fact, that little 'deposits' of then unknown and unheard of energy ... also ... started pouring through. This energy would then enter many of the living beings in Mesalia; while many plants, animals and minerals reacted little (and all Mesalians too it seems), many other would change and twist to these wicked forces.

Gold would become weaker, and shine gloriously when exposed to the gentle beams of the Sun.

Runes, would glow brightly, shimmering with a quiet rage of red, even in the darkest of rooms.

Spiders became bigger, their venom more vicious and their Hunger for living flesh almost legendary.

Many herbs, previously seemed useless, now possesed healing or harming attributes.

The mysterious energies, were nothing more than the Nether and Aether, from the both the Celestial and Dusk realms, where the Xitians and the Lucins dwelled in and came from. If affected by either of the energies, as it has been said before, a being or an object would change according to the element it was touched by.

The energies seemed to underline or strengthen what was already present within certain minerals or plants, give them enchanced properties if you like, and when combined with each other, it could... perhaps... create something more."

- Natheran the Sage.

[u][b]Final Note[/b][/u] : This piece of Lore also leaves a lot of room for someone to write about Enchanting, as you can see, so both of the Lores stay close to each other while still letting them be creative with it. I also wanted to keep it simple because the more complex the Lore is, the harder it is to read, understand and find enjoyable.

Edit : Changed a LOT of things, hopefully its better now.