Alchemy, the Key to the Future

"Alchemy isn't a gift from some supernatural being. It is simply the art of seeing our world for what it truly is rather than seeing it only as it appears." - Karl Ibherd, Professor of Alchemical Sciences, Taelsburg 504 PGS

A student's homework in memorizing basic alchemical symbols

Alchemy has an incredibly long history in the world of Vhosparus. Fundamentally, it is widely understood that alchemy is the science of converting one form of matter to another based upon formulae and the fundamental desire to turn lead into gold. Like many sciences, alchemy in itself began as a philosophy and as such has changed over time. The most widely presumed theories on philosophy lie within prolonging the life of mortal races, seeking what is widely known as "the answer to all", and curing the ailments and alieving disease amongst the populous.
In the year 164 PGS, a human philosopher and scholar by the name of Ahmev Ristoffle created a book that simplified and made alchemy accessible to all, the Anvenduem. Ristoffle claimed that his discoveries were based upon the finding of several culture's practices in Ordia. After years of deciphering and practice, Ristoffle believed that no mortal man could fully comprehend "the answer to all". He claimed that Gudinoff, God of Alchemy, prevent mortal minds from mastering alchemy out of fear for what they might do with it. Within the compendium, Ristoffle describes how alchemy is closely related to the now-dead art of transmutation, saying "...from lead shall come gold only through rituals lost to time. alchemy is not fundamentally arcane, but the arcane can trace its origins to Alchemy". Many alchemists, scientists, and philosophers today research and find new interpretations of Ristoffle's work and many believe that the hypothesis of lead to gold is fundamentally impossible. Beyond dismissing certain statements and prose created by Ristoffle, many of those in Gentrov widely accept the vast majority of Ristoffle's work as the alchemical gospel.

"The arcane shall not be touched, lest ye bring wrath upon yourself and others." The second tenet of the Church of Progress

In more modern times, alchemy in Ordia is widely practiced in Gentrov, home of the Church of Progress. Those who wish to become licensed doctors, alchemists, and scientists all know well that the place to study is at the Schugraff University of Modern Science (or SUMS). The alchemists of the Church of Progress are widely regarded as the apex of alchemy and scientific advancement. Together, they've created cures to diseases, potions, and medicine that have since prolonged and saved the lives of many people. The Church of Progress sees alchemy not as magic, but as a science that is replace more primitive and dark witchery. Medicine, however, isn't the only thing that alchemists within the Church specialize in.
As the original philosophies of alchemy grow older and older, some believe that alchemy should be separate from philosophy and ethics. Believing to improve the safety of their people and to amass vast amounts of wealth, they've turned to alchemy for the creation of weapons of war. Some elements are known for having deadly properties, and as such the invention of poisonous gasses, bombs, and even gunpowder have forever changed the way Ordia's people settle conflict.