Essences (general rules)

Essences underpin most of the great works of alchemy. Making one is slow, complex and dangerous, since alchahest is involved. Each needs 12 drams of the chosen metal or element and a quarter fluid dram of alchahest, worked for at least two weeks using an aludel and athanor in a fully equipped laboratory.

Success depends on projecting the alchemist's will, so it is decided by a save vs Will. On a failed save the Game Judge rolls percentile dice, and 10% or less means a mishap on the alchemical mishap table. Any failure, mishap or not, means repeating the whole procedure.

In theory, since matter can be altered but never destroyed, alchahest does not annihilate what it dissolves; it reduces it to its purest state, the essence, which lies between the physical and the metaphysical and can be given form by the alchemist's will.

Some essences, such as True Platinum and True Gold, can enchant objects of the finest quality, worth at least ten times the average price. The item is enchanted by dousing, washing it in the liquid essence for an hour every day; skipping even one day ruins the process. Only the alchemist who made the essence can douse with it, so enchanting essences are never sold.