The Alchemist's Apprentice
Conversations with an Alchemist
Chapter 1
While teaching in the Study of Renrut Nek, a Dreamer entered who made me gasp and stop in mid-sentence. I knew him immediately and knew why he was here. What I did not understand at the moment was the adventure he was about to present me.
He spoke rather sharply to me and ordered me to a place of privacy. I took him to Bogram's Liar. After inspecting the area, he eased slightly and began to speak. Unsure of his surroundings, how he had arrived, or why he was only 4th sphere, he asked me an abundance of questions in succession. I did my best to orient him; it was then that I knew how he had arrived. Moreover, I understood why.
Over the course of the next week or two, we traveled in secret; studying the planes he used to call his home. After a time, Fenr'al felt comfortable enough to confide in me and share his tale (See Fenr'al Tells His Tale). I, in turn, explained how he had been returned to a place he had been exiled from. Eventually, I felt compelled to ask him why he had sought me out, and not our High Priestess.
"Are you not an Overscanner?" he asked.
I could not believe my ears! He actually thought me an Overscanner. However, he did not know of the death of Trebak (Refer to StarScanner Section). He did not know that Trebak had been DreamStruck and that his Soul Essence had been buried in the mound at the Rings of Passage. Slowly, I began to tell him all I knew of the Overscanners and showed him a transcript. He read the meeting minutes of the StarScanners with tears in his eyes. It was then that I knew the Prophecy was coming true before my eyes.
"And what of Asmodan? Was he DreamStruck as well and no longer a threat to this beautiful City?"
I was in shock. "No, we live in fear of the fact that he will return anytime to take his Ruler's Ring from my husband, kill his own children along with many innocents. We believe he will try to return to the Throne of the Keepers of the Eternal Shadow as its Dark Lord."
Fenr'al grabbed my arm rather forcefully and pulled me toward him, his eyes staring coldly and deeply into mine. He whispered, "We don't have much time and I have much to teach you. We will begin immediately. Take me to the place you do your research, I want to see your laboratory now!"
Well, I was rather put off by the whole experience and was considering Blasting him a few times to teach him some manners (as is my nature). I began concentrating upon him and staring at him intensely. "You'll not talk to me in that tone, I don't care who you think you are!" He pushed me hard enough not only stopping my evocation, but landing me against the wall as well.
"Listen to me carefully as we have very little time. I must teach you what I know. Berkana has a good idea, but she is only one. You are the Dark Star and you are a StarScanner."
The Name of this place is Syriand's Graceful Entrance
Once again, I returned to the safety and serenity of Home. He kicked a few things out of his way and walked around. He picked up the Recharging Talisman and snickered under his breath. "You really think this piece of ago dung will work?" It was still in pieces from when I heard Intrigue's screams of pain, and had dropped it onto the floor.
"As a matter of fact, I DO think it will work. I've had this piece (pointing at the cylindrical encasement) made by a knowledgeable DreamSeer not too long ago."
I looked at the broken Recharger and sighed a bit under my breath. Looking over to Fenr'al, I watched like a child whose parent brings home a bag of goodies. He cleared a worktable by dragging his arm across it; notes, journals, and Elemens fell to the floor in a heap. He then laid his pack upon the table and pulled out a tattered book and then a variety of objects - roots, herbs, a few vials and small Earthen pottery jars. He laid them out on the table carefully and reached for a flask in his pack, uncorked it, poured the murky liquid into an Earthen mug, and drank from it greedily. He pulled up a chair and began to talk quickly.
"I will tell you the ways that we were taught from the Book of Val'Des when I first came to the feet of Aquiela. The wisdom is complex and as used in the manner, which I did, without the proper Balance with the other Wisdoms, it can be the portal to one's demise in this City.
You see, this City is one of the greatest alchemical and magickal creations of all time. It is the very essence of it all.
The human spirit manifests in a triad of forces, which Alchemists call, Sulphur, Mercury and Salt, corresponding to the Spirit, Soul and Body. Sulphur is the active force by which Order is created out of Chaos, the individualized aspect of the Universal Spirit. Mercury (also known as QuickSilver) is the passive force by which represents the individual Spirit manifesting as the soul. The inner heat must purify the soul so that it may be re-formed by the volatile Spirit into a universal state. Salt is the material manifestation of the soul, the physical body; this is healed and transformed by the purification and transformation of the soul..." (The Full Lecture @ Chapter 5)
Well, I was completely dumbfounded. I had not the first clue as to what he was talking about. I had started taking notes, but found that they made less sense than his words.
"Nature is sustained by a continuous rhythm of disintegrations and formations, and the Alchemist imitates this with his 'solve et coagula'. He dissolves the imperfect coagulation of the soul (lead) and crystallizes it in a new form (gold). This is accomplished through an inner circulation of energy which the alchemist sets in motion, and this circulation then works by itself to achieve the desired result. The fixed form of the soul must be melted down so that its creative power is freed; then, it becomes the father of a new form. This process creates unstable changes and irrationality in the Alchemist, and only the influence of the illuminated mind can control the change and bring back stability."
>Fenr'al pauses for a moment and sighs sadly
"You can see that it was here that I made the turn with our works. This is where the Chaos took hold of me and I began to warp to the Darkness."
>Fenr'al continues
"When you pass from the consciousness of individual existence to the consciousness of universal existence (I might interject that this is debatably the split second of awakening… This is where the Balance of the individual begins), you will experience a state of darkness and Chaos called variously the nox profunda. This is the dark night of the soul or the lost confusion, corresponding to energy in an unformed potential state. Philosophical Mercury is the water of life, the spring in which the Sun and Moon, Spirit and Soul must bathe in order to be rejuvenated. This Mercury must be distilled from its normal course in the body so that it can be transformed into the medicine called the Quintessence. 'Boil' the body in the white water (mercury) until it has been dissolved in blackness. On boiling for a very long time, it will eventually lose its blackness, and finally the dissolved body will arise along with the white (purified) soul. They will unite in perfect harmony and become inseparable. This is the dissolution of the body and the fixation of the Spirit. These circulations should keep time with the heavens, each circulation lasting one week. The Quintessence is derived from the four elements through the Work of the Pelican (in the root center), and perfected by a simple digestion with the help of the Phoenix."
>Fenr'al stops and sips from an earthen mug before he continues.
I rose and wandered over to a small fire with a kettle nestled over it and fixed a cup of Harrowroot Tea, wishing for something a bit stronger. I suppose I should have understood what he was talking about, and my face must have shown my frustration and confusion. He glanced at me and scowled slightly, his tone changing to reflect his expression.
"The addictive effects of studying the Alchemic principals were evident to Aquiela. Though we were to learn the basics, he set forth that we were to restrict our studies to Herbal Alchemy in the City. I, of course, was not satisfied with that and with the reign of terror that the DreamStrike Masters were causing, I knew that there was some way to use the knowledge to aid us in their defeat. But, for the record, I will tell you the guidelines of the Herbal Alchemy here for you now."
Yes, but did I want to know? This guy sounded as loony as a goon and he was fixing to share some ancient secrets with me and I was suppose to be grasping all this. My fists began to clench as did my jaw, resettled myself in my bean bag chair and continued to let him babble.
"The auras of plants will help you to figure out their uses and powers. Pale yellow pink indicates a poisonous plant. Bright violet pink shows a medicinal plant. White pink (murky or brilliant white) means it is a power plant. Substances (essence and salt) should not be intermixed when alchemical elixirs are prepared. The vegetable, mineral and animal essences should never be mixed in any preparation; the result will be either neutral or poisonous."
"Alright!!!!", I shouted. "That is quite enough! You have come to me, demanded my attention to spoken to me as if I understood what in the world you're talking about." I stood up and threw my teacup across the room, shattering it into pieces and began to take my leave of this madman.
"THAT! That is EXACTLY what I am talking about." He pointed at the shattered cup in the corner. His eyes filled with the fires of rage and he stood up, straightening himself in a foreboding manner. "Foolish woman! You think your arts and knowledge are as written. You have traveled this City not having the first clue what you are doing!"
That was quite enough for me!!!
You evoke Blast on Fenr'al! You evoke Blast on Fenr'al! You evoke Blast on Fenr'al!
>Fenr'al screams, clearly beginning to weaken!
You evoke Blast on Fenr'al! You evoke Blast on Fenr'al! You evoke Blast on Fenr'al!
>Fenr'al appears heavily damaged!
You evoke Blast on Fenr'al! You evoke Blast on Fenr'al! You evoke Blast on Fenr'al! You evoke Blast on Fenr'al!
>Fenr'al seems very near dissolution!!
You evoke Blast on Fenr'al! You evoke Blast on Fenr'al! You evoke Blast on Fenr'al!
You have defeated Fenr'al!
>purple lace claps her hands together as if dusting them off and walks off in a huff……
Chapter 2
The Conversations Continue...
Fenr'al and I had almost come to heated words because he was talking to me… well, way over my head. I am certain that he fully understood the ways of Alchemy, but to me, it was like Maren. I allowed my short fuse to get the better of me, and I had collapsed one of the few Dreamers who may ACTUALLY have a clue as to how to defeat Asmodan. I had become what I strive so hard not to allow my students to become… an angry dreamer. Well, I had to stop and change that immediately or I would be no different from Asmodan himself. We sat down this morning and after I apologized for the explosion of rage I bestowed upon him, we began again… only slower and more basic.
"In Alchemy, there are 4 basic Elements. There is Earth, Water, Air and Fire." Now, right away, I was on the same page with him, as I found similarities within the Dream as he was explaining this to me.
Earth = Cold & Dry. Melancholy (meaning dejection or gloom) Earth is the basic Elemen of the GateKeeper.
Water = Cold & Wet. Phlegmatic (meaning calm, unconcerned, or indifferent) Water is the basic Elemen of the SoulMaster.
Air = Hot & Wet. Sanguine (meaning murderous, confident, or optimistic) Air is the basic Elemen of the DreamSeer.
Fire = Hot & Dry. Choleric (meaning fiery, wrathful, or irate) Fire is the basic Elemen of the FateSender.
I knew of the Elemental forces within the Dream, and knew they have their own abilities and behaviors. Berkana calls to the 4 Quarters. These are the quarters she refers to. Each is an integral part and without one, the whole equation is unequal.
"This leads to the 3 basic principles of Alchemy."
Salt. The contractive force in Nature. Crystallization & Condensation.
Sulphur. The expansive force in Nature. Dissolution. Evaporation.
Mercury. The integrative force, interweaving and balancing that of the Salt & Sulphur. Circulation & Dynamic Equilibrium.
He stopped speaking after explaining these basics, as if to allow me time to digest. I could (and would) learn so much from him; his patience made mine look to be level 1, and even though he spoke coldly, his voice reflected a clarity that I envied. He leaned back in the chair I had offered him and studied my notes for a short time.
"Let's list what we all start out with, the very beginning arts."
I looked at him; he sipped from his earthen mug, looked up catching my gaze and continued. I too, settled back and pondered my notes with intensity. The night air was still and crisp, but my thoughts were buzzing wildly in my head, nearly to the point of wanting to cover my ears. I closed my eyes and thought way back to my very first Dream.
I was standing at the base of that grand staircase. The whispers of Nickita had brought me here. However, what was I to do now? After clothing myself and looking around a bit, I looked through my pack, seeing only a small book containing 11 odd, mysterious "spells".
Drain Essence (Resilience), DreamSeer, DreamBlade, Give, Join Party, Know (Insight), Locate Dreamer, Meditation (Willpower), Random, Show Talisman, and Trail (Lucidity)
As I wrote these down in my notes, a realization began to race through my mind. Taking out the 5 Arts which use Dreamsoul (Give, Join Party, Locate Dreamer, Random and Show Talisman), and the 2 which belonged strictly to my Focus (Dreamseer and Dreamblade), I was surprised at what remained. Drain Essence, Know, Meditation and Trail remained; one art of each of the 4 Focii. What did this mean? While most of my beginning Arts were of a DreamSoul nature, I possessed one Art of each of the 4 Focii. I remembered reading that at one time, all Dreamers were of all Focii, and there was no distinction between them. The Elders saw the flaw in this and along with the Sphere process, and the basis upon which we teach Arts, and grant Plateaus for Arts, they also defined the Focii into 4 separate entities.
I rose from my beanbag chair, notes in hand, and started to pace.
>Fenr'al closed his eyes and seemed to meditate. He seemed to know that I was slowly making the connection.
Stopping mid-stride, I raised my notes closer to my face. "How does the Art Trail use Alchemy?"
>Purple Lace reads over her notes
Trail uses Fire, the elemental force of Lucidity, fiery or irate. Taking the principle of Salt, the Spirit is able to crystallize pure Lucidity into fiery crystals or diamond shaped objects. These "markers" are only seen by their creator, because they are, in essence, part of one's self. By means of Mercury, these Crystals are then laid down equidistant from one another in such a manner so that the Dreamer is able to literally mark his or her path.
You begin evoking Trail Your trail is being marked.
>Purple Lace paces slowly around the room, allowing the small crystals to flow from her form with ease, then walks carefully around to a jade crystal and reaches down to touch it
You try to take the ornament but it is a permanent part of the DreamState and cannot be moved.
Hmmm…
Purple Lace walks to another and attempts to pick it up
You try to take the ornament but it is a permanent part of the DreamState and cannot be moved.
How definitely odd!
>Purple Lace looks at Fenr'al with a look of complete confusion >Fenr'al looks at her and chuckles softly >Purple Lace whispers softly to Fenr'al..."Lead into Gold???"
He could not contain his laughter any longer and chuckled merrily. He regained his solemn composure and asked, "What's so odd about a Trail Crystal?"
I took my Lucidity, crystallized it and as soon as it hit the ground, it becomes part of the DreamState!!!!! He was definitely amused; the smile on his lips betrayed him as he attempted to continue.
"Alright, you've taken your Lucidity, made a crystal noone but you can see, and you cannot pick it back up. When your "spell" dissipates, where does the Crystal go? And more importantly, what does this tell you about the nature of Chaos and Order?"
Well, my Art of Trail was as high as I could get it, yet I felt completely ignorant about this Art. Personally, I believe that my Avatar is Order harnessing Chaos in itself. By creating Trail, I have used part of my Order, which seems to be complimentary to the nature of this realm. Therefore, Trail must be an Art based on Order or the structure of this place.
>Purple Lace fingers the Elemen she had just picked up
You begin evoking Identify The Night Chalk Elemen has 1 function and 15 charges Function #1: Change Stat - Stat : Insight; Modifier : +1 to 30;
>Purple Lace looks over to Fenr'al with the inquisitiveness of a child
So, this.....
>Purple Lace opens her palm to him revealing the Night Chalk Elemen
I can pick this up. Are Talismans products of Chaos?
>Fenr'al smiled brightly
"We shall study the Talismans later, let us continue on the Arts bestowed upon the new Dreamer."
My mind raced around countless thoughts; but took his advice and returned to my list of Arts.
>Purple Lace looks at Fenr'al for his next choice
He spoke softly, "Alright, let's look at Drain Essence."
Oh I had hoped he would save that for last, as that was one of my Arts I knew so little about. He handed me a Shamblix essence, and said, "Drain that Essence".
You take the Shamblix Essence! You begin evoking Drain Essence The Shamblix Essence evaporates. It is gone forever! You have drained the nightmare essence
How does that Art compare with Trail?"
Well, at first, I saw no comparison, but instead of dismissing his question, I thought about it carefully. I collapse a beast made of pure chaos into a concentrated lump, which I can then pick up. That would suggest it is not part of the DreamState.
>Fenr'al nods
I then am able to use a small part of my Resilience, mixing it with the concentrated Chaos in the essence, to disperse the raw chaos back into the DreamState.
You take the Tan Night Elemen! You begin evoking Identify The Tan Night Elemen has 1 function and 22 charges Function #1: Change Stat - Stat : Lucidity; Modifier : -9 to 16;
You begin evoking Destroy Talisman You have destroyed the Tan Night Elemen
He stood up and shouted, "You did the exact same thing with that Elemen !!!"
I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sudden burst of emotion. He mumbled something about digressing and motioned me to continue.
"Can you Drain an essence in sanctuary?" "Yes, you can." "But sanctuary is pure Order. How is that possible?"
My mind was reeling at the concepts and theories. The reason this Art uses Resilience must be associated with the fact that the material I am working with is of a spiritual nature. The Art of Drain Essence seems to utilize the Principle of Sulphur, mixing Resilience with Chaos inside the essence, causing the product to evaporate into the DreamState.
>Fenr'al folded his hands around his mug, smiling as he saw that I had FINALLY grasped the concept of the basics of Alchemy. He sat back and waited for me to continue.
Know HAS to be an Insight-driven Art. The principle of Mercury uses Insight along with the Order circulating around our avatars to "enlighten" ourselves as to our location.
You begin evoking Know The name of this place is Northeast Meditation Hall, in Cairn Of Sorrow
Purple Lace takes in a deep, cleansing breath, looking around at her location
The touch of Insight we spread equally about us mixes with the very air in the room, bouncing off, and reflects back to our avatars instinctively, whispering only to the evoker the information, or Insight, we wish to learn. We utilize our own Insight, which like Trail, results in only the evoker "knowing" the answer we seek.
What happens when one Meditates? You must stand still, but can look around in all directions. You must stand on the same spot of ground or earth to achieve Dynamic Equilibrium. When this is achieved, the avatar is able to focus in upon itself, replenishing those other elemental forces, which require sustenance.
>Purple Lace looks at her feet
I can bend down and retrieve something off the ground; I can also lay items down upon the ground. Meditation must be an Art based on Order rather than Chaos.
Chapter 3
The Conversations Continue...
The Lab was in shambles, certainly destined to remain that way for some time. Giving up, I caught myself giggling at the mess. I sat back with a hot cup of Harrowroot tea and began to read the old leather bound book Fenr'al had left forgetfully (?) on my worktable. As I studied these Alchemical Processes, a thought exploded in my mind. Rifling through my pack, I retrieved a quest and rolled it out on the table next to the book.
For the 1st part of this quest, I would like you to find a Gatekeeper who has Ward, Amulet, and Shatter, who is willing to spend time with your researching how Blend works with those 3 major Gatekeeper Arts. Be creative with those Arts while you perform your research, and keep a record of your findings to present upon completion of this quest. In addition, I would like you to present a theory on why Blend cannot be bound to an Alteror. Also, how does Blend relate to other personal effect Arts that cannot be bound to Alterors. Finally, research various defense strategies that Houses use to protect their territories from rogue Dreamers and Dark Mares, specifically with Blend.
>Purple Lace makes certain noone is around and begins to journalize her thoughts
After spending some time with Berkana and a little with Flagg, I experimented with these four Arts with some surprising results.
The study of the art of Blend as it relates to the Gatekeeper Arts of Amulet, Shatter and Ward, is in essence a study of various Alchemical Processes. Blend uses the process of Rarefaction. The knowledgeable DreamSeer focuses upon the air around themselves and the Ward. Mixing the Air with a tremendous amount of Insight, the resulting effect upon the avatar is one of subtle thinning. This temporarily allows the DreamSeer to slip past the Amalgamation of the Ward itself. This is best explained by studying the properties and the processes of these three Gatekeeper Arts.
Although one might suggest that the actual Ward is a crystallization placed upon a portal, further study reveals that it could possibly be actually two processes happening in succession. The Gatekeeper draws forth an amount of his/her Willpower, using the very Earth that sustains them, and forms it through Fusion. This fused matter is then formed into an amalgam, then affixed to a portal. The process is specifically designed to apply this alloyed material only to the portal. The energy flux of the portal itself must have a special adhesive property, which allows the Gatekeeper to literally control passage through that "Gate". Each fused Ward possesses its own signature, which is why the Amulet of one Gatekeeper will not allow passage through the portal of another.
When discussed with Berkana one afternoon, she summed it up well. "Ward is evoked from the elements of Earth and Fire, in internal forging so to speak."
The Amulet is quite a unique Talisman, with its roots in the Art of Forge and created through the process of Descension. Sealed at the top by means of Luting, the Amulet contains the very essence, or signature of THAT Gatekeeper.
>Purple Lace places an Amulet and a Forged Artifax on the worktable.
The Forged Artifax, when placed next to the Amulet appears to suggest that the Amulet uses Descension, evident by the fact that the Amulet itself holds the substance, in this case, Willpower, at the bottom of the container. The Forged Artifax, conversely, holds its substance at the top, using the converse process of Ascension.
Berkana on the other hand presented a clearer and better-defined process for the Amulet. "All the while, an amulet is a product of Colliquation when you get down to it. However, some would argue it is Amalgamation. It's not. An Amulet works for one specific Ward so it is case specific. I would disagree with the Luting. It is a distinct item forged from two parts and identifies specifically to the Ward, which is an actual piece of one signature. Take a look at any referencing you have to Colliquation. Your dealing with the Evoker's personal Will/Earth and a piece of the Ward signature as well. You're not 'containing' something and sealing it within. It can't be broken apart and the contents extracted. The coding is part of its make-up. It is a solid mass, not a container sealed with a key in it. It IS the key."
Shatter, on the other hand, is a very complex process. The Gatekeeper must expend much, if not most, of his/her focal elemental force. He/she must remain quite focused while a combination of two processes is performed within a single action. As the Ward is based in the Earth, the act of shattering it requires first Decrepitation, cracking and splitting the Earthen Ward. Then the remains are then dispersed into the DreamState by use of Incineration. Both processes must be used and at the appropriate time in order for the Ward to both break apart and disperse evenly. When discussed with Berkana, she argued that Shatter in fact uses Fulmination. When the Gatekeeper Shatters a Ward, he/she is applying a force to the Ward, which makes the Ward itself unstable and then disrupts the Ward in an explosive manner.
>Purple Lace re-reads the quest and Forges an Artifax
Why can Blend not be bound to an Alteror? Well, to begin, I would examine what each focus is able to bind to an Alteror. The DreamSeer is able to forge Alterors of Chamele, Invisibility and Vision. The FateSender can produce Alterors of Blind, Deafen, Paralyze, Scare and Stagger. The SoulMaster is able to bind Poison, and Curse to Alterors. The GateKeeper is able to create Free Action, Resist Fear and Protection Alterors. All but the GateKeeper are able to produce unique talismans. The GateKeeper's Arts are also available to the other three. The only exception here is the Amulet. The Amulet is not a forged talisman, but a part of themselves with their own "signature" or "soul impression". The DreamSeer cannot bind Blend. The SoulMaster cannot bind Abjure, Antidote, Purify, or Restore. The FateSender cannot bind Darkness, Firestorm, or Razorwind. The GateKeeper cannot bind Amulet or Return, Shatter or Ward, although they ARE able to create Pocket Wards.
The Amulet takes so little Willpower compared to the 30 Insight used when evoking Blend. The container needed to hold such an amount of Insight would be quite large. The Amulet requires little concentration (requiring only 1 Willpower), evident by the time when a GateKeeper is able to learn it.
Blend defines the DreamSeer. We literally achieve the depth of thought and concentration needed to be able to slip through the Earthen fused Ward. We see through the fabric of the Dream, into the walls and through to its true nature. Since a Ward is not of the natural sense of the DreamState, the DreamSeer is, at high meditative state of thought, literally the Elemen we focus on. The DreamSeer manages their Insight, thinning their structure, literally becoming a light breeze of Air. Air slips into and through in its natural state. By the time the DreamSeer is able to learn the Art of Blend, we achieve the ability to do as we see our natural DreamState behave.
If Fenr'al knew I had found this little book of Processes, he would be furious.
>Purple Lace leans down and brings her pack to the table and then returns the small leather bound book in the bottom of her pack
The GateKeeper's Ward is a deterrent for most, all but the DreamSeers who are able to Blend past. The best defense is the Double Ward. This binding of the fused amalgamations to both sides of any given portal restricts the DreamSeer. Why does this happen? With the blocking of both sides, the DreamSeer is unable to stretch the fabric. This must be due to the added Willpower mixed with Mercury. The Earth force is strong within the GateKeeper. Not every wall is Mergeable. Some walls are open on one side, only to open into an Abyss, or a slight ledge high above the clouds. In either case, the Dreamer does not fully merge through to the other side. Blend allows for the stretching of our Avatars thinly as a breeze. However, if there is something solid on the other side, such as hardened Earth, Rock or Mineral, that Breeze cannot pass through.
Warding of portals that either connect or are quite close together, is another good defense against those able to Blend. Requiring much Insight, if more than two portals are Warded along a given path, the DreamSeer is depleted of Insight and forced to pause and replenish. Given a battle situation, Chamele and Invisibility are not available after Blending through portals. (At present, I would be able to Blast or Flame twice, but would not have enough Insight to envision myself.) The DreamSeer without the ability to manipulate their arts is an easy target. This is why most DreamSeers have a great respect for the SoulMaster. An aid to the DreamSeer in a defensive posture would be to Chamele while Blending. It may take a moment or two to see that the DreamSeer is attempting Blend, and by then he or she has passed through the portal.
Following is a list of the Alchemical Processes used in these Arts and referred to in this section of the journal:
WARD
Amalgamation - Formation of an amalgam, or alloy, of a metal with mercury. This term is sometimes extended to mean any union of metals.
Fusion - The joining of powdered substances together, or the conversion of a substance into a new form, by means of an extremely high degree of heat, sometimes using a flux.
SHATTER
Decrepitation - The cracking and splitting apart of substances, for example common salt, by heating.
Incineration - The conversion of a substance to ashes by means of powerful fire.
Fulmination - The preparation of a fulminate or explosively unstable for of a metal. Sometimes applied to any process in which a sudden eruptive event occurs.
AMULET
Descension - When the subtle or active part of a substance is made to go down to the bottom of a flask, rather than ascend as a vapour.
Luting - The sealing of a flask or other apparatus with a lute, or resinous paste, which once applied, sets hard and produces an airtight seal.
Colliquation - The conjunction or melting together of two fusible substances.
BLEND
Rarefaction - The making of a substance extremely subtle, or thin and airy.
Chapter 4
The Conversations Continue...
We are given 1 Art of each Focus and the rest are DreamSoul, except for our Focus Art and Blade, right? The Quarters are called upon to bring our Soul literally into this place. One Art from each Focus...the rest are DreamSoul, and then there's Our Blade.
Our Blade is formed differently than most other Arts.
Therefore, when Acopolyse told us that I was of the Dark and you of the Light, and that together, we form the Shadow, he was referring to these principles.
Ravageone attemped by explaining. "I believe that he has something to do with the evolution of the Dreamers, as we all hold properties of each of the focuses. I heard that before the Great Loss that we all had the same abilities as the next Dreamer, yet he did something that separated us into the 4 separate Focii. Now we hold the 4 Focuses but I also believe there is a 5th Focus, the Balance we seek or have that we do not fully comprehend, or that which binds...DreamSoul. We have these abilities of our own Focuses and some minors of the other Focuses, However we share a common with the 5th as we all have them."
Ok. Now I took this scrap of information he gave me and then I looked at my Arts.
You begin evoking Identify >Purple Lace holds her Identify nexus between her hands
A flow of energy that can be formed or used to do ones bidding.
>Purple Lace studies it closely
"Now, look at it. It's bigger at the bottom and flows upward to the higher hand." "Yes, however your right hand is at the base of it and the left hand at the top." "Your left hand is at the bottom. Completely opposite mine? How interesting..."
"Alright, the same thing occurs though. The Nexus is larger at the bottom and flows upward, correct? Are all Nexus cones dual colored?"
See, this is as hard for you as it is for me. We take this all for granted and take it on faith that what has been written is the truth. Berkana has already shown us that are not true.
The Arts of Give makes no Nexus, nor does Join Party or Show Talisman....
My question is this: Are we products of Alchemy? Our ability to literally form into avatars?
"Ok lets look at it, come outside. Collapse me."
>Purple Lace gasps
"It is to help answer your question."
>Purple Lace sighs
"Ok, but I do it under duress." "Objection noted."
Ravageone screams, clearly beginning to weaken! Ravageone appears heavily damaged!
Ravageone seems very near dissolution!!
You have defeated Ravageone! >Purple Lace cringes
"Ok, without Avatar we are little fuzzy balls of energy. Now as energy, we cannot use our Arts in any form. Soul Evoke is an exception. We all started as this; energy with no form or focus." "Well, that is one theory, but I tend to disagree." "Then we entered the Dream, and our energy turned into Avatars, male, female, certain focuses, yes we had a choice in what we chose as a focus. Without our Avatar, we are just a Soul, a sphere of pure energy of life itself." "Oh, gosh, that was such a long time ago. When we first enter the DreamState, we arrive in that room with the staircase. I wonder if anyone has ever evoked Know in those rooms?" "Now did my extreme show here help in that thought of yours a little?" "Oh yes, very much so!" "When you restored me, did you not see my form take shape?" "Yes, I did."
"By showering you with Resilience or heated Water, it was as if I used the principle of Salt. Blast, on the other hand, is an application of the principle of Sulfur. Now where was the Balance? Could the SoulSphere itself be that Balance? Does a SoulSphere feel the effects of Blast? Yes, it gives a choice when I showered with Resilience but a choice…"
Chapter 5
Fenr'al Speaks to Lace of Alchemy:
I will tell you the ways that we were taught from the Book of Val'Des when I first came to the feet of Aquiela. The wisdom is complex and as used in the manner which I did, without the proper Balance with the other Wisdoms, it can be the portal to one's demise in this City.
You see, this City is one of the greatest alchemical and magickal creations of all time. It is the very essence of it all.
The human spirit manifests in a triad of forces which Alchemists call Sulphur, Mercury and Salt, corresponding to the Spirit, Soul and Body. Sulphur is the active force by which order is created out of Chaos, the individualized aspect of the Universal Spirit. Mercury (also known as Quicksilver) is the passive force which represents the individual Spirit manifesting as the Soul. The Soul must be purified by the inner heat so that it can be re-formed by the volatile Spirit into a more universal state. Salt is the material manifestation of the Soul, the physical body; this is healed and transformed by the purification and transformation of the Soul.
The Soul, the aspect of consciousness that controls and forms the body, is sometimes represented as a mountain which the Alchemist must enter so its form can be dissolved from within. The mountain often shows the word "V.I.T.R.I.O.L." (visita interiora terrae; rectificando invenies occultum lapidem), which means "Visit the interior of the earth; through purification you will find the hidden Stone." While you are engaged in this phase of the Work, you may Dream of yourself within the caverns of the mountain, manifesting as three persons: a young warrior, a middle-aged scholar and an old wise one. Usually, you will find yourself undertaking some Work as one or another of these aspects.
Nature is sustained by a continuous rhythm of disintegrations and formations, and the Alchemist imitates this with his 'solve et coagula'. He dissolves the imperfect coagulation of the Soul (lead) and crystallizes it in a new form (gold). This is accomplished through an inner circulation of energy which the Alchemist sets in motion, and this circulation then works by itself to achieve the desired result. The fixed form of the Soul must be melted down so that its creative power is freed; then, it becomes the father of a new form. This process creates unstable changes and irrationality in the alchemist, and only the influence of the illuminated mind can control the change and bring back stability.
>Fenr'al pauses for a moment and sighs sadly
You can see that it was here that I made the turn with our works. This is where the Chaos took hold of me and I began to warp to the darkness.
>Fenr'al continues
When you pass from the consciousness of individual existence to the consciousness of universal existence, you will experience a state of darkness and Chaos called variously the nox profunda, the dark night of the Soul or the lost confusion, corresponding to energy in an unformed potential state. (I might interject that this is debatably the split second of Awakening. . . this is where the Balance of the individual begins.) Philosophical Mercury is the water of life, the spring in which the Sun and Moon, Spirit and Soul, must bathe in order to be rejuvenated. This Mercury must be distilled from its normal course in the body so that it can be transformed into the medicine called the Quintessence. 'Boil' the body in the white water (Mercury) until it has been dissolved in blackness. On boiling for a very long time, it will eventually lose its blackness, and finally the dissolved body will arise along with the white (purified) Soul. They will unite in perfect harmony and become inseparable. This is the dissolution of the body and the fixation of the Spirit. These circulations should keep time with the heavens, each circulation lasting one week. The Quintessence is derived from the four elements through the Work of the Pelican (in the root center), and perfected by a simple digestion with the help of the Phoenix.
>Fenr'al stops and sips from an earthen mug before he continues.
The addictive effects of studying Alchemic principals was evident to Aquiela. Though we were to learn the basics, he set fourth that we were to restrict our studies to Herbal Alchemy in the City. I, of course was not satisfied with that and with the reign of terror that the Dreamstrike Masters we causing, I knew that there was some way to use the knowledge to aid us in their defeat. But, for the record I will tell you the guidelines of the Herbal Alchemy here for you now. . . .
The auras of plants will help you to figure out their uses and powers. Pale yellow pink indicates a poisonous plant. Bright violet pink shows a medicinal plant. White pink (murky or brilliant white) means it is a power plant. Substances (essence and salt) should not be intermixed when alchemical elixirs are prepared. The vegetable, mineral and animal essences should never be mixed in any preparation; the result will be either neutral or poisonous.
Barks - should be peeled in Autumn or early Spring. Roots - should be dug after the leaves are dead in the Fall. Seeds & Flowers - should be gathered when ripe. Leaves - should be collected while the plant is in flower. Fruits & Berries - should be picked when fully ripe.
Fenr'al Tells His Tale
Fenr'al Speaks of Asmodan
Many moons before the dreaded battle of Spiked Crossing, before The House of KoES (Keepers of the Eternal Shadow) fell into corrupt and power hungry hands, we were at peace. We had little interaction with any other houses and kept to our own works, our own quest for Balance within the Shadow.
Aquiela Val'Des gathered us. He was the true Father of the Keepers and teacher to us all. By us all, I include our nemesis Asmodan Kytain. Asmodan was not the man he is today then. He was an eager student full of hope and promise, much like I was. I dare say I once called Asmodan `friend', though I know now this was not so.
Asmodan and I sought to learn from Aquiela just about everything and anything that he was willing to impart upon us. The Magick and the Alchemy was like an addictive drug that neither of us could quite get enough of. We were devout to the Keepers and served Aquiela with honor for a very long time. That is until our own blind ambitions made us stray from our oaths and lead us to our inevitable demise.
Though the story of my folly is long and one of its own, it bares a small mention here as I fear my works accelerated Asmodan's corruption. With Aquiela's restraints on how the Secrets were to be used and what was "right for the Shadow and the Balance," both Asmodan and I grew impatient and anxious. I turned my back on my oath as a Keeper to pursue the works and creation of the Entropy Coalition, which ultimately lead to the leaks of Chaos into the City. But Asmodan, his plans were of total domination of the Keepers. I fear that the Chaos the EC unwittingly allowed into the Dream clung to Asmodan like a second skin. He thrived on it and wanted more. I was so lost in my own taint and darkness that I did nothing but stand by and watch Asmodan destroy the Keepers. I allowed the beauty and truth to be buried under his greed and deception for far too long.
Aquiela's favorite word was "Tolerance" in his day to day works. He allowed us all the room to err and flounder but was the first to help us off the ground when we did fall. He gave us too much room in retrospect, with allowing us access to the Secrets, the Book, all of it. While I was no more then a common thief in stealing the formulae, Asmodan was a traitor of the worst kind. His lies and conspiracies against Aquiela, Bellenter and Lorthodolic to overthrow them stopped at no lengths. But Aquiela foresaw all of this, even my betrayals were shown to him. They knew and they prepared.
Asmodan raged at Aquiela and his brother's actions. He gathered his followers and convinced them that Aquiela had grown weak and feeble minded with his actions of burying the Truth and the Wisdoms of the Keepers. Now Asmodan was completely barred from access to the Secrets and used it as a power play to seize the House from Aquiela and the True Keepers. It was not long until Asmodan gathered his own Circle of Rulers and lead them all under his dark cloud of tyranny. It was a tragedy like no other, paled only in comparison by the Great Loss itself.
I lost track of much of Asmodan's actions after Aquiela and the others went into seclusion and eventually Cast Adrift. I do know that though small in comparison to the other Houses, Asmodan's House of Shadows was one of great wealth and power. It was not the House that was meant to stand at all. It was tainted by evil, greed and lies. Asmodan had succeeded in removing all traces of what the House was built on and what the true Keepers stood for with his new reign as the Dark Lord of KoES.
Now I feel it important here to interject that my own corruption and imbalance took great pleasure in seeing The Keepers turn. Perhaps it made me feel justified in some twisted way. I wanted the Truth to die along with my own goodness. I was not "myself" though, you must understand that. My own hands helped bury the True Keepers to justify my own corrupt pursuits. I, am not who I was then. I am now who I was when I first took Aquiela's hand and vowed my soul to the true Shadow. . . NOT the man that Chaos tainted and twisted through my works. For whatever reason, if but to tell this tale, I have been given a chance to redeem myself and make amends. With that, I continue. . .
Asmodan came to me often after the Battle at Spiked Crossing in search of any knowledge that I still held from our pure days. He used bribes, threats and whatever else he could summon to get me to spill all I knew that would aid him. Evil begets evil they say, and my heart was black as the pitch spawned from Chaos at that point. The Dreamstrike Masters were my foe and I could see nothing else but their demise. I aided Asmodan; I admit this freely as part of my penance now. I knew of his plot to kidnap Kiroko Lambent Kayarhara and I reveled in the thought of Turgin's suffering. I was corrupt, my Keeper's soul buried deep beneath the Chaos I so desperately sought to harness and control. Despite that, I had no taste for Asmodan's MindFlay or other tools of torment. Though I dished out my own evil, I can take some solace in knowing that I never directly inflicted the pain and suffering that Asmodan took pleasure in dispensing. But it was when I learned that Asmodan sought to possess the very art that my comrades and I were fighting to destroy that Asmodan and I became mortal enemies. I had no clue that his abduction of Kiroko was for the bargain of Dreamstrike. When I did learn of this, it was far too late.
I watched from a safe distance past the Shadow Steps, chamelled and Mind Blanked, I watched it all. I heard Kiroko's cries after Asmodan shattered Contessa to oblivion. I witnessed it all first hand. I retreated away from the House in horror, an odd sensation for me at the time I admit. The Truth was indeed dying. Bittersweet.
It was a full week of silence outside my laboratory before I felt the strange twinge. Aquiela often spoke that the Shadow was in all things, a single thread that binds and the Keepers tap into it as if a sixth sense. I knew this to be true then. On my instincts I raced to the Gathering and watched once again. I saw Mi'Raj and knew at once, as if intuitively, what was to take place. I did not stay. I walked back slowly and heard the screams of Asmodan as the Dark Rite was performed against him. I felt the smile cross my lips as the image of the Shadow take its divine justice out upon him. Then I stopped dead in my tracks, knowing my time would be next, knowing that my own betrayal to the Shadow, to Aquiela would be upon me. I too would reap what I had sown. Oddly, this is the last bit of "feeling" I carried for many moons, until the last Full Moon before the Great Loss. I felt Aquiela leave this place forever. It was then that I knew the Truth was indeed dead within the City. That I would never see the prophecy play out in my lifetime.
And here I am. Brought back to this place as I was before. With my heart free from the evil that twisted me into the hideous creature that wrought havoc not much unlike Asmodan. But I have been gifted a second chance. To make things right with my `father' Aquiela Val'Des, to help the true Keepers banish the evil cloud of Darkness that is called Asmodan from their lives forever. To help Asmodan's children find peace. This is my path, thus is the tale.
Alchemy and the Arts
The Alchemic Nature of the Arts
A Study of the Arts, their Physics, Effects & Alchemic Processes Used
In the early days of the Dream, times were simple and little was understood. Explorers wandered in awe while philosophers pondered the nature of this Realm. All the basic elemental forces were there: Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Spirit. Practiced in dark, makeshift laboratories or the lush DreamScape, the Arts were born. It is my premise that all the Arts were formed by the mixing of these Elements, using the processes known only to the Alchemist.
I place the findings of months of research here, in hope that by better understanding how the Arts came to be, Dreamers may, in turn, find the true nature of their own Dream.
Clear your mind, put aside what you have been told about how the Arts work (the physics) and ponder the Alchemic Principles and Processes involved in creating that which we take for granted. First, I looked at the nature of all the Arts available, and then grouped them together based upon what each physically does.
Art Classifications
Group Description
1 Arts which make no Evocation Cone
2 Arts which produce something
3 Arts which tell the Evoker something
4 Arts which ONLY affect Evoker
5 Arts which ONLY affect a Target
6 Arts which affect EITHER Evoker OR Target
7 Arts which affect an Essence
8 Arts which affect Talismans
9 Flames
10 House Arts
NOTE: Each Art has been placed in 1 of these categories. For a complete listing, refer to the Art's Chart. Each Art contains colors, processes & other detail.
After each Art was classified in one of the above ten categories, the individual groups were studied. Each Art gives off specific clues as to both its nature and its Alchemical Process(es) used. Both instances of color were examined; the Evocation Nexus, created by using the Art, and what I dubbed the Target Colors, rather the colors which are seen when the Art is applied to a Target (be it Dreamer or NightMare). The Blended colors were then further dissolved to their more primary colors. You see, there are only 5 Elemental Forces within the realm of Alchemy, and all things fit within these five. Therefore, a Blended color such as .... Purple or Berry, would, in essence, be the Blending of Red and Blue. Pink would be the Blending, or Heating of Spirit, or Red and White.
The Colors Perceived
COLOR FOCUS PROPERTY ELEMENT DISCIPLINE
Yellow WillPower Cold & Dry Earth GateKeeper
Blue Insight Hot & Wet Air DreamSeer
Green Resilience Cold & Wet Water SoulMaster
Red Lucidity Hot & Dry Fire FateSender
White DreamSoul -- Spirit All Focii
With all of the Arts then Classified, it was quite easy to figure out which Arts used which Processes. I say easy.... it took months to learn these secrets from Fenr'al, as my journal (Conversations with an Alchemist) herein describes.
~Lacie~
