Alchemist's Initiation - On Potential & Purpose.

[Helmet 1454]

ALCHEMIC LECTURE I - On Potential & Purpose

 

Held on Year 263 of the Second Age by Galathol Cobbett.

Transcribed within the Mechanikas workshop, Norland.

This text has been lightly modified by Galathol Cobbett for added clarity.

 

 

[Lecture Start]

 

Galathol Cobbett: “Alright, alright.” He peered up from his book, sealing it shut. “So. This talk will primarily focus on Alchemic theory plus CONTEXT as to what Alchemy is, and what it means to BE an Alchemist.”

Galathol Cobbett: “One may brew potions, create machines, and perform surgeries- but those things, an Alchemist is not built from.”

Galathol Cobbett: “To get to the bottom of this, we will start with a question. What is Alchemy? Let me hear your own thoughts on it."

 

Daevos Drasereth pondered for a moment before speaking. “Alchemy is science being utilized to one of its greatest potentials, I suppose?”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “You are on your way, Daevos. Let me shorten that sentence for you, for the rest is irrelevant. Alchemy is Science.” | - | “Not a science, not related to science- no, THE Science. Biology, physics, chemistry, mundane processes like stonework, turning wool to string, the fact that your stomach acid dissolves food- or even the Arcane!"

Galathol Cobbett: “It is the knowledge-thread tying everything together in this… almost haphazardly combined world, for it is the art that lets us see how everything works. And if you look deep enough, you will see the barriers between Mundane, Alchemic, Arcane and everything else fade.”

Galathol Cobbett: “I believe I mentioned how this is the case to you last we spoke, Daevos. Memory test, what did I call it again?”

 

Daevos Drasereth tries to remember what Galathol had said, but he was drunk at the time. “I don't remember. Sorry.”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “...The Material Alphabet,” The clockwork man nodded a while. “Or how I like to call it- the Language of Reality.”

Galathol Cobbett: “Alchemists study this Language, and since it is the foundation that all of Reality is built off of- learn about how everything else is working in the process.”

Galathol Cobbett: “There is a FLAW, however.” He planted a hand atop the table, leaning forwards. “The Material Alphabet- something discovered and compiled by Man, to try come to terms with how everything works- is incomplete. For if it were, we would be able to understand anything and everything passing through or inside of this Reality. It is NOT complete, because if it were, our own knowledge would rival the Creator’s, GOD’s, Author’s- whatever you wish to name him.” | - | “And the thing is, it will never be complete, for Reality is more or less infinite.”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “I don't think Man deserves such knowledge of everything; it will cause corruption more than there is now.”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “Well, yes, but you need not worry. We will never finish it. Despite this, Alchemists study it anyway, because the more we understand Reality, the more we can control the seemingly random chaos within our Realm. Make sense of it all, and calm the storms.”

Galathol Cobbett: “How many lives do you think the person who invented the sword protected, and slew indirectly?”

Galathol Cobbett: “How many lives were clothed by the first who designed the loom?”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “A number I can't even fathom I imagine.”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “And it grows, to this day.”

Galathol Cobbett: “Because a Scientist- Alchemist, had an idea. Tinkered. And brought it forth into Reality. By studying how Reality WORKS.”

Galathol Cobbett: “These… inventions, discoveries, all of them- they are just the byproducts of our knowledge on how everything around us works growing. That is an Alchemist's purpose. Their job. To learn.”

Galathol Cobbett: “Does this make sense to ye, Daevos?”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “Yes.”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “Now then- can ye imagine, my… frustration. When oi hear supposed 'Master Alchemists' ranting on, about how rich they've gotten from making the same damned potion over and over again?”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “A man once told me that once you think you have learned everything, you know nothing. I guess I'm just seeing that more and more.”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “A wise man, they must have been. Now- should you become an Alchemist, Daevos. You need to PROMISE me something.”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “Ti?”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “NEVER. EVER. Be that guy. There are a million potion brewers, thousands of mechanics, hundreds of flesh-weavers- but few Alchemists.”

Galathol Cobbett: “The number of folk in this room should tell you that fact itself.” He gestured around the empty workshop. There were none but himself and Daevos.

 

Daevos Drasereth: “None of them are true scientists I suppose?”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “Not none, but. Many lie to themselves.” His helmet shook slowly from side to side. “They repeat the same steps, abusing what we know of the Language of Reality.”

Galathol Cobbett: “The world does not improve itself when you make your three-hundredth blasting potion. Descendantkind's knowledge about the world does not grow, when you make a thousandth tanglefoot brew.”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “So create new things and expand the limits of science?”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “Sort of.” His boot tapped the ground a couple times. “Study the world around you. In doing this, you plant a tree- one which requires care.”

Galathol Cobbett: “With time, it will grow, and be able to stand up on its own. And once it is grown, it will bear fruit. That is an Alchemist's job.” 

Galathol Cobbett: “Most are content to run around, climbing the trees planted by those before them. Growing fat off the produce falling into their lap.”

Galathol Cobbett: “You will promise me that you shall not become one of them.”

Galathol Cobbett: "It is okay to pick from the trees planted before you- that is what the fruit is for. Just remember to give back through your Alchemic efforts. Do not fall to greed. And how you repay this debt DOES NOT need to just be a new potion recipe! We’re working with the Language of Reality here, anything’s possible. Have some originality."

 

Daevos Drasereth: “So no one tries to plant a new sapling?”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “Very, very few.” He nodded.

Galathol Cobbett: “A million fruit-pickers. A thousand tea makers. A hundred bark gnawers. Few gardeners.”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “I promise I won't become a tree climber, but a planter.”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “Swell. You will do well, I hope. Now then- to give you your first Alchemic endeavor, before I tell ye the Language of Reality.”

Galathol Cobbett: “Find something that interests you. Observe it. Study it. Find out how it works. It can be anything. So long as you learn something new, and DOCUMENT it. That, is Alchemy.”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “I understand, I will try my best to do so.”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “I expect quality work, but not for it to be done any time soon. Take care in what you do. Find something that genuinely, truthfully interests you.”

Galathol Cobbett: “That shall be all for our lecture, Daevos.”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “Thank you Galathol, the lecture was great.”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “Aye, any time. Do you have any questions, comments or curiosities I can help you out with?”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “What's the best way to stick to the right path of science? I don't want to ever go down the path you said of the million potion brewers.”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “The path does not matter too much, only that you keep looking for new horizons.”

Galathol Cobbett: “Hell, you can think of more than one thing at a time, can you? So you can go down more than one.” | - | “...But be wary. Some paths are more steep than others. And once you go down those paths without ample preparation, you may not be able to climb back up.”

Galathol Cobbett: “The scary part is you will not know fully if you are prepared or not, until it is already too late.”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “True. So I can still do all these other things, so long as I just don't lose sight of the true purpose?”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “Yes. Question. Discover. Learn. Alchemy is Science. Alchemists are Scientists.”

 

Daevos Drasereth: “I understand, thank you for answering my questions. I hope we can talk more about this in the future.”

 

Galathol Cobbett: “Swell. Remember to study something ye find curious, and document it.” | - | “Show me what that grey matter of yours can achieve.”

 

[Lecture Dismissed]

 

Edited December 11, 2025 by Helmet