We've had birds and lagomorphs (hares and rabbits) so far this week, and we're going to end with tomorrow's section from Chapter 3 covering Lizards! Today, we're going to have a tiny peek at one of the Lizard Callings, the Alkalist!
Reptile Callings
Through their calling, reptiles demonstrate the path they chose in life and which kind of skills and expertise they contribute to their party.
Alkalist
Alkalists are famous among all species for their unique abilities. The reptiles who pursue the path of the alkalist become experts at concocting all sorts of effects through potions, balms, and bombs. Reaching beyond what apothecaries and poisoners can achieve, alkalists wield powers indistinguishable from magic — and worthy of being called as such. An alkalist can heal their allies just as much as they hurt their enemies, and other portentous effect of creation, change, and destruction fall within the scope of their arts.
Salt is the fundamental element of every alkalists’ practices. It’s through its use that reptiles create their magic. Other ingredients may include complex mixtures of other minerals — each a form of transmuted salt, according to alkalists — alongside liquids, plants extracts, and reagents of all sorts, but salt is always present. Alkalist obtain salt from pilgrimages to hallowed sites when in the reptiles’ homelands, while resorting to salt pans, dehydrated sea water, and trade while on the road. The reptiles are always on the lookout for other ingredients as well, both familiar ones and new reagents to experiment with.
Considering the quasi-religious value reptiles attribute to salt, it’s no wonder alkalist often see their practices as sacred. The wonders of alkaline magic are a carefully-guarded secret, one reptiles defend with dedication and pride. The alkalist heritage is passed on from teacher to student across generations, and no reptile would ever teach it to people from other cultures.
Typical alkalist: Despite the battle applications of their studies, alkalists don’t consider fighting a priority. They favor light clothing that’s both practical and reliable, with an eye for materials that can resist exposure to chemicals and heat, inevitable burns, and the occasional more violent mistake. Alkalists keep safety into high consideration, even when it conflicts with their sharp curiosity. The average alkalist always has empty vials ready to collect samples, as well as a robust set of gloves and several ointments useful for first aid. The alkalists’ thirst for knowledge makes them wellsprings of valuable information, while also driving them to learn more about the world and move toward new places — and new discoveries.
Views on other species: Alkalist practices are a mixture of arcane studies and spirituality that disagrees with nobody, but doesn’t find a perfect parallel either. Whereas dogs look simultaneously too reckless when dealing with ancient artifacts and too fearful when it comes to using magic in everyday life, the cat’s approach to magic as a tool devoid of moral values doesn’t mesh well with alkalists either. The scars mice, rats, and lagomorphs bear remind alkalists of the responsibility they have to pursue discoveries while never losing sight of their ideals at all costs, which is something they feel overly curious birds could use a reminder of.
Views on other callings:
Mirages: I don’t question the talent nor the skill that comes from years of practice. It’s their martial applications I’m not so sure about.
Striders: I know I can always rely on you on the road, but I wish you would listen to me when I say that sometimes gathering a rare ingredient is worth the risk.
Weavers: What we do isn’t so different. We both care for knowledge and its preservation, and where we use salt and mixtures to trigger the reactions we want, they use words and stories.
Alkalist Tricks
Alkalist tricks put knowledge and wits to the service of the reptile and their friends. High Cunning and Intellect help to make them count where it matters the most.
Alkaline Magic
Alkalists combine esoteric knowledge and faith to trigger astounding magical reactions. Their salt potions tap into the secret mechanisms of the world, finding a way to bend elements to their will. Only alkalists know how to mix reagents to obtain desired results, but if people get a paw on their equipment they can waste what’s in there, make a mess, or even cause explosive consequences.
By taking this trick, the character acquires the equipment and the expertise necessary to perform alkaline magic, alongside the tools to apply it to friends and enemies alike. New mixtures are learned by gathering ingredients, studying with other alkalists, and extensive experimentation.
Upon taking this trick, the reptile learns three basic spells that can always be used through the reptile’s potions and bombs (Bless/Bane, Sacred Flame, and Spare the Dying). In addition, the reptile can choose two magnitude 1 alkalist spells. All references to “spellcasting attribute” are references to Intellect.
Refinements
The reptile can choose alkalist spells of the next highest spell magnitude. This can be taken up to four times (to magnitude 5).
The reptile can learn four more alkalist spells at their current spell magnitude this advancement (for a total of six). This can be taken multiple times.
Spell List
The alkalists’s spells are presented here, sorted by then magnitude.
Basic: Bless/Bane, Sacred Flame, Spare the Dying
Magnitude 1: Caustic Concoction, Chaos Spray, Control Light, Cure/Inflict Wounds, Disguise Self, Faerie Fire, Fog, Movement Surge, Slick, Smell Poison and Diseases
Magnitude 2: Aid, Alter Self, Barkskin, Blur, Darkvision, Healing Word, Prayer of Restoration, Remove Sense, Shatter, Spike Growth
