Alchemist

Profession, single-classed

A practitioner of the science of alchemy rather than a spell caster. Alchemists focus their Will through Rare Earths to make substances with magical properties, working up from simple mixtures to golems, homunculi and Aqua Vitae.

From the book

Alchemy is treated as a science, and the alchemist casts no spells; instead, laboratory craft combined with the mental power called Projection of Will lets the alchemist give ordinary ingredients magical effect. Every 1st level alchemist has already served an apprenticeship of seven years or more under a master, studying preparation of ingredients, lab method, metallurgy, plants, natural history, the traits of herbs, metals, gems and animal parts, and the reading of magical and alchemical scripts.

The apprenticeship ends once the student shows the knack of working Rare Earths. These trace-element substances (antimony, cinnabar, pitchblende, assorted salts and oxides) lie in all soil and sand and look like fine grit to anyone else; an alchemist can sift a small quantity out in an hour. They are the catalyst on which the alchemist concentrates.

Because the effort is draining, Projection of Will is limited per day. The appendix holds the detailed alchemy rules.

Skills by level

Level 1
- Any single weapon
- Herb Lore
- Healing Arts
- Read Magic (55%)
- Naturalism
- Horticulture
- Analyze Mixtures
- Decipher
- Herbal Remedies
Level 2
- Herbal Elixirs
- Alchemical Devices
Level 3
- Toxic Powders
- Magical Mixtures
Level 4
- Philtres
Level 5
- Venoms and Poisons
Level 6
- Potions
Level 7
- Alchemical Dusts
Level 8
- Advanced Alchemical Equipment
Level 9
- Advanced Alchemical Substances
Level 10
- Essences
Level 11
- Machina
- Golems
Level 12
- Homonculi and Aqua Vitae

At a glance

Minimum attributes: INT 12, WILL 12
Alignment: Any
Combat training: Untrained
Hit points per level: 1 H.P. per point of CON, plus 2 H.P. at first level; then +2 H.P. and any CON bonus per level gained; after 12th level, +1 H.P. per level with no CON bonus (optional rule, page 48)
Special abilities: Locate/Utilize Rare Earths: sifting ordinary soil or sand for one hour yields 1-4 (d4) drams of Rare Earths; Projection of Will: focusing Will through Rare Earths to empower alchemical operations; usable 1x per day, +1x per day per 3 levels of ability gained
Restrictions: Not a spell caster: works through alchemical science and Projection of Will, not spells or rituals
Open to races: Humans

The level 2 skill is printed 'Alchemial Devices' (a misprint for Alchemical Devices). 'Homonculi' is the book's spelling. The stat block says Single-classed.