[Author's note, in the front cover]

This book is an explanative guideline to the basics of Alchemy. As the foremost expert on alchemy in this city, I am writing this to give those who wish to learn, a prod in the right direction.

Chapter 1; What is alchemy?

Every substance in Toril has certain properties. These properties are in careful balance with another. These properties are things such as smell, material, Liquid or solid states- and many more. Some properties of one substance, can be combined with another, to obtain a reaction. This reaction, can be small and incredibly minute, so much that no visible effect occurs. These reactions can also be so profound, the change is extremely evident, perhaps a new substance being formed from the combination. This in itself, is the basis of alchemy. The study of alchemy is that of how to create new substances and properties, through combination of two or more other substances.

Chapter 2: Why alchemy?

Alchemy has the potential to do many things. Virtually anything can be created through alchemy, if the right components are found. Though this raises the question ; How do I find what ingredients to use?

This question is the one that baffles most young alchemists, and why many give up, after having no success. Some reactions will require a catalyst, some will not. A catalyst is somthing which will spark the intial change, on the combination of substances. Some ingredients will react with each other, sparking the change merely by being combined in one way or another. Once the alchemist has their reacants, and perhaps a catalyst, they must seek to understand What they wish to make, and adopt a new mindset to learn the ingredients they need. Many factors can induce or affect the change, such as temperature. Some substances will combine only after being boiled, for example.

Chapter 3; Methods of Alchemy.

In order to determine the Ingredients required for alchemy, one must examine several important peices of information.

What do I seek to make? What will It do? What does it do now? Does my ingredient have any properties that stand out? How can I use them? Would those outstanding properties be of use to creating my goal? Which ways could I combine them? Should I boil them? What temperature? Will hotter water give greater result, or less?

For example. The most commonly sought recipe - The aptly named "Alchemists Fire"

A young alchemist should consider the following, for this substance.

Alcemist's fire, a substance that will ignite and explode upon coming into contact with the air. This means I will need an airtight container, something which explodes, and something to ignite it. What can I use to combine these ingredients properly to acheive the explosive effect? What is the most effective way to combine them? Boiling, stirring, shaking, or mixing?

I currently have this ingredient. Will it ignite or explode? can it contain the substance? Could it do anything else to otherwise improve the final product?

An Alchemist following this line of thought will rapidly be met with success.

This has been a breif summation of Alchemy for beginners. I certainly hope it has been an informative read, and for those who grasp the basics after reading this, more advanced writings can be made available to you.

[Scrawled elegantly on the back cover]

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