Alchemy : Turning metal into Gold, . . . and all the potion stuff too....

[Crankenstein]

Why metal to gold?
1. That is the definition of Alchemy
2. can Be a skill that allows for economic growth
3. will promote Character trades, RP , Alt High Value currency, black market,
4. another use for existing metals ( adding new value to them ) , and perhaps as well existing herbs
5. a new trade path that brings together mining, metal refining ( metalurgy ), and Alchemy
6. alchemy can be both magic spell and apparatus based.... or either.
 
beginer Alchemist  needs several refined metals combined to form one gold bar... i suggest refined  iron, coal, tin, copper in multiples, resulting in over all cost ( value of the refiend metals used ) to exceed the value of the refined gold bar.
    failures destroy all elements used
Low level Alchemist   needs fewer of each metal used, with more frequent successes

Mid level Alchemist   Fewer still and more frequent success

High level   one of each metal  with frequent successes

  and then ... like the usual.... potions can be made from herbs

[Mordaan]

I'm quite sure it's being worked on...at least to some capacity.  PS already has several 'alchemist' NPCs and there was even briefly a couple of quests which seemed to pave the way for alchemy (which probably led to books or information or whatever).  But it is not fully developed yet and the quests were removed.  So ... Soon (TM).

[LigH]

Furthermore, I really doubt that alchemy is nothing but turning crap into gold. Rather the opposite - gold isn't worth much in Yliakum these days, compared to a crafted weapon.

[Gilrond]

Why metal to gold?
1. That is the definition of Alchemy

Common misunderstanding. That's neither a definition, not really a goal of alchemy, though side effects of alchemy are chemical transformations, they aren't the purpose of it in essence. If you read more about it, you'll get an idea that the purpose of alchemy is really the exploration of the mind, when chemical processes are contemplated as a metaphor for dynamics of the soul.

[potare]

Isn't Alchemy the "father" of chemistry.

[Gilrond]

Isn't Alchemy the "father" of chemistry.

Indeed. Alchemy basically means 'the chemistry' ('al' being the definitive article in Arabic). Alchemists made many significant discoveries (in chemical reactions and substances) and developed chemical tools. Just their focus was different than of most modern scientists, and their research was viewed by them as means to explore the mystical.

Here is an interesting article on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_the_Jewess