Discovering Alchemy

Discovering Alchemy is a research topic under the Fundamentals research tab. It consists of 2 steps, after which the Alchemy research tab is unlocked for the player. It also unlocks the recipe for Nitor.

Required Research
First Steps

Contents
"Brewing simple potions has its uses, but true alchemical interactions require more than mixing a few monster parts together. 

''I think Essentia holds the key to a much more sophisticated way of manipulating matter. I should try and learn more about alchemy and how it fits into the magical world.''

Armed with that knowledge and a little bit of inspiration I am sure Thaumaturgic Alchemy will be within my grasp."

Requirements
Knowledge needed: 1 Fundamentals and 1 Alchemy Observation

Contents
"My recent discoveries have given me a new insight into how the world is put together and I think I might know a way to transform matter by altering its Essentia.

''This will require experimentation and something to hold the alchemical substrate. A simple brewing stand will not do - what I need is a mystical crucible.''

A cauldron is the right shape and size, but what is effectively a big metal bowl will never be able to hold the magical energies I wish to manipulate.

Once again, applying Salus Mundus to my cauldron should resolve my problems."

Requirements
Knowledge needed: 1 Fundamentals and 1 Alchemy Observation

Create a Crucible: this can be done by using Salis Mundus on a cauldron. To use it, it must be heated with either lava or fire underneath it, and filled with water, either manually or some liquid transport systems. The Crucible is used in several items but also is the base of all Alchemical creations and will likely remain your primary method of creating items via Alchemy as you progress through the game.

Nitor
Nitor is an item and light source that can be created alchemically. It can be used as a source of light, but the Arcane Lantern is recommended for most purposes unless a floating source of light is needed. It also has uses in some recipes and Infusion.

Suggested Recipe
2 torches, 1 coal and1 glowstone(catalyst) will yield 1 Nitor, with 2 Potentia and 2 Ignis Essentia left over. The catalyst must be added last, excepting Quarts Slivers.

Quarts Slivers to eliminate waste: 2

Final Contents
"I have my crucible! Now I need something to experiment with, and I happen to have the perfect thing. I have spent many a late-night studying thaumaturgy and flickering torchlight is not the best thing to read by. A steady magical light is exactly what I need now. 

''Glowstone is a steady source of light, but I require large handfuls of it for a light source and it lacks... style. I am sure I can alter it into something better.''

''The Crucible needs to be placed over a source of heat and filled with water. Once the water boils I can start adding the things I need. I have jotted down a recipe that I think will create a substance I have named Nitor. A small core of energized glowstone empowered with energy, fire and light should burn forever. It should be naturally buoyant, allowing it to be placed wherever I choose - even floating in mid-air.''

''I simply need to find objects with the required essentia (pressing shift whilst hovering over an item might help here) and throw them into the crucible. ''

''The crucible will render them down into their constituent essentia. I might not be able to gather the exact combination of essentia I require, but if there are enough of the types I need everything should be fine.''

''Once I have enough all I need to do is throw in the catalyst. In this case a handful of glowstone dust.''

If all goes well the glowstone will absorb the essentia and transform into Nitor.

I am not sure what will happen to the excess essentia, but I can only assume it will eventually dissolve harmlessly.

''[Shift-right clicking with an empty hand will empty a crucible. Each crafting operation will consume some water so you will have to replenish it now and again.]"''