Alchemy instead of magic

[jdizzy001]

I've wanted to run a campaign devoid of traditional magic, and replace it with alchemy. Any ideas on how to make this work? I'm kind of at a loss. The easy way out would be to use the spell caster classes as written and inform the players that instead of meditating each morning they are out foraging for components. However, I don't want to just reskin magic to look different, i'd really like the alchemists to feel like they're doing something different. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Arduin]

However, I don't want to just reskin magic to look different, i'd really like the alchemists to feel like they're doing something different. Any advice would be appreciated.

First, research what alchemy REALLY was. Then, decide what powers (spells) you want available and decide what the alchemy procedures for each is.

[Treebore]

I would use the old "Compleat Alchemist" from I think it was Bard Games.

[Arduin]

I would use the old "Compleat Alchemist" from I think it was Bard Games.

I think that the cook at the Skeptical Chymist (a pub/restaurant near me) uses a cook book titled that.

[lobocastle]

Jdizzy001,

I would recommend Amazing Adventures because it has a Gadgeteer Class, which makes magic or high tech gadgets and a Mentalist Class, which uses the SEIGE system for psionics. Also the Rune Mark in C&C Rune Lore; its magic but based on Runes using the SEIGE system.

JLL

[Fiffergrund]

Grab an older novel called "Master of the Five Magics" by Lyndon Hardy, if you can find a copy. There's an interesting take on alchemy therein.

The characteristics of the items going in determine what comes out, and success is in repetition and percentages.

So, if you know that a diamond has a certain quality, and you want to make a potion that provides hardness to weapons, you would need to gather the components, then attempt the recipe, say, 10 times. 5 of those attempts make it to the next stage of the recipe. Then you take the next component and attempt the next. 2 make it through that. Finally, the last stage may or may not produce a result.

Cheap recipes and components produce higher rates of failure, requiring brute force repetition to generate even the simplest of effects.

The most rare, cherished, and expensive recipes use the best components, and have a rate of success approaching 50%.

In the end, this is a tough thing to put into a game mechanic, but it might give you a few ideas. Identify a few effects that can be potion-ized, put into a salve or oil, or even a powder. These are carried on adventures.

Between adventures (or maybe during a crisis mid-adventure), the stock must be replenished. If the character has good recipes, then this is easier, though components are possibly more expensive.

I'm just spitballing this, so I haven't thought a lot of it through. It might give you some ideas.

[Treebore]

This is the little book I mentioned, it would take some work revising it to your tastes, but I think its a solid base line to work from, plus it was written for 1E D&D.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Compleat-Alch ... 096107700X

[jdizzy001]

Sounds great. Thanks for the input.