Alchemy and Alchemist

Abdas

Greetings, I think of getting back into the swing of things here and was thinking of switching classes to start anew.

I was wondering which cities if any have a house dedicated to alchemist or at least which city give alchemist the greatest freedom to explore the depth and role play of alchemy lore,

without any hindrance from anything not concerning alchemy.

The RP potential for alchemist are huge and I'm wishing to explore it in more depth. 

I was hoping I would not have to be house-less, but if so I'm cool with that as well

Trevize

Hashan has an alchemy clan that's quite fun. The spiritwalkers allow alchemists, but aren't dedicated to them. I can speak to any of the others.

Vayne

Hello, I keep a rather close eye on the class in general and am quite pleased to have seen a real surge in the population of the class across the board in recent months.

Hashan, Cyrene, and Ashtan seem to have the largest communities at the moment, but there are good and active alchemists in each city, save Eleusis of course.

I am intimately involved with Hashan's alchemist organisation, the Crown Institute of Alchemy. We are only a clan, though aspiring to high clan status one day, but our activity and depth of roleplay rivals many and even surpasses some Houses. We have unique facilities beyond the standard labs, active and roleplay encouraging members, a significant and rising influence in the city, and excellent foundations for the class compared to any other city, I think. Moreover, like Trevize mentioned, Alchemists are accepted into the Spiritwalker house in addition to the clan as well.

Hellen

Without any hindrance from anything not concerning alchemy? Well Hashan, Cyrene, and Ashtan fit the bill, those cities not really having a specific dogma it demands it's citizens follow. Targossas and Mhaldor's culture revolves much more around their religion, and of course Eleusis cannot accept alchemists.

Hashan's what I'm most familiar with, due to the fact that I run the Crown Institute of Alchemy. Hope to make it a High Clan soon. It's an exciting time! Vayne spoke quite well of it, and sadly I don't really have much to add other than the fact that we have worked really hard to make that clan a place where someone can just come in and be supported by the community, and hopefully a place that will probably be pointed at as -the- place to play as an alchemist.

As for Ashtan and Cyrene, I don't really know too much about them, and what I have seen is just from surface glances, so anything I say about those places is not going to be very accurate. Not that I really mind all that much, but in general, I've got my hands busy working with the Institute to really worry too much about the other cities.

And as an aside, when you choose a city, I would suggest taking a cursory glance at the faction-specific professions or the unique culture. I've often said this kind of thing in game, and I'll say it out of game. No God really -owns- alchemy, though many Gods have reason to invest in it. Alchemy is an art that can add some more flavour to a religion or culture, and one that can be made to play nice with every other profession out there, with the exception of the forestal classes. So don't get tunnel-vision on that. Consider taking a look at the culture you've joined, and think about how an alchemist from there would act. After all, a Mhaldorian alchemist is probably only going to use Silver when he -has- to, unlike a Hashani alchemist, who often will prefer to use Silver over any other possible substitutes.

But enough of my chatting. Good luck, and I hope to see you in Hashan!

Vayne

Hellen is essentially right where Alchemist culture is concerned. However, being the newest class still there are definitely some cities that have integrated the class into their culture better than others. Hashan is a natural fit with its history with astronomy and has given us a lot to draw from as a basis. In Cyrene, alchemy fits in rather well with with the Arcane Kindred's goals and philosophy as well. Ashtan, Targossas, and Mhaldor, I have not seen any noticeable culture develop but it might just be out of my scope. Even with the cities that have intentional alchemy roleplay there will be degrees of depth. From being seen merely as "guys who make us cures" to dedicated organisations integrated into the ideology of that city-state. Once again however, it seems to be the class is being player more and alchemist culture is on the rise, so hopefully there will be opportunities to develop those cultures more in the near future.

Zii

The Ebon Fist, I'll tell you IC that the Ebon Fist won't stop you from exploring whatever your heart desires, as long as your findings are shared with the Monastery.

EVIL!!!!

Florentino

If you want to RP an alchemist, go do it with @Vayne. He's more dedicated to the class than anyone else I can think of at the moment.  

Dji

I'm having a lot of fun with the Hashani Alchemists and would highly recommend them for someone looking to explore the roleplay side of Achaean Alchemy. I managed to catch one of Hellen's surgical demonstrations and it was fantastic.

Nellaundra

Even as a Cyrenian I'd recommend Hashan for this one.  It's just a better spot for Alchemists right now.

Shirszae

So nice to see something in which Hashan excels   :x

Gibbi

Yeah, @Vayne and Hashan are wonderful for Alchemy. Me and @Tahquil have some pretty fun conversations, but Targ isn't a huge Alchemical hotbed in terms of roleplay.

Silas

At the same time tho, Hashan sux. So there's that.

Still, at least if you roll a character there it won't be long before you end up in Ashtan or somewhere relevant like everybody else.

Achimrst

Silas said:

At the same time tho, Hashan sux. So there's that.

Still, at least if you roll a character there it won't be long before you end up in Ashtan or somewhere relevant like everybody else.

Damn @Silas, way to kick em while their down! Although more Alchemists might start to focus the city and push it into fix mode!

Abdas

Thanks for all the opinions folks. Guess I better roleplay it out and see which city fells right to me in game.