HEROIC REALMS

As some of you may know, i am intending to play as an alchemist. I know its best to worry more about role playing and less than rules your first game, however i have a large question pertaining to my chosen classes final skill.

In the rulebook Create Alchemy states:
Alchemists learning this trait will be able recreate spells from other spheres of magic. Alchemists may only recreate spells up to half their characters level. This is often useful for those wishing to sell their services to others.

However Spell Creation Says:
This spell will allow a caster to create spells from another sphere of magic and may be used to create certain artifacts that could be imbued with magical properties. Spell casters may only create spells up to half their level. Spell casters that delve into all spheres of magic may also learn of hidden magic used in ancient times. The prerequisites for this spell are “Spell Craft” and “scribing.”

Now my questions pertain to the abilities of both of these spells. Unless i am mistaken these skills are very similar. They both are level 10 spells. They both create spells from other spheres of magic up to half the character level. My questions are:

1.Can create alchemy create similar magical items like spell creation can?
2. Can either of these skills replicate spells from other classes, and spells denoted under all classes?
3.Can either of these skills be used to recast a skill you know but have already used up? (ex: I've used three magic strikes already, can i use create alchemy to cast it again?)
4. Is the only drawback to spell creation over create alchemy the fact that spell creation is harder to acquire? (spell craft and scribing not required)

I know that i wont be even able to use create alchemy until approximately level 4, but if create alchemy has no advantages over spell creation other than it's easier to get, i may decide giving up the death attacks of other classes is not worth getting a spell that everyone else effectively has, albeit at a higher point cost.

This question becomes slightly more relevant when you remember that create alchemy and spell creation become more powerful the higher you level, which means obtaining this spell earlier is sort of a drawback. You may as well have acquired the low level spells themselves rather than the create skill.
(Ex: Create alchemy can be gotten as early as 8 games. at that time, it will allow you to cast either level 1 or 2 [provided we we rounded half of 3 up] spells. Assuming we wanted all the pre-requisite to Create Alchemy, that gives us 5 points used on create alchemy. That means we spent 5 points for 3 casts of any level 1 or 2 spell, when we could have bought all 5 level one spells, for a total of 15 casts, or gotten 2 level threes and one level one for a total of 9 casts. )

I do not mean to sound upset or rude, if i did I apologize. I am just worried that create alchemy is not balanced with every other caster's tenth level class specific spells. If the alchemist has abilities that the other casters cannot easily imitate, that were not listed in the rulebook, i would like to know at least one of them (if it is allowed of course)

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and if you respond thank you again in advance. I am grateful for any information on the subject of my future class.

Hi there!

Welcome to Heroic-Realms.

Im going to attempt to answer some of your questions at least until Keith has had a chance to give you official answers.

1.Can create alchemy create similar magical items like spell creation can?

I think your question is asking if it can imbue items such as a rock. As I understand Alchemy, you are creating a potion to create your magic and the standard casting of an alchemical spell is akin to dropping a vial on the ground and releasing its properrties. Since the spell Create Alchemy does not specifically say you can imbue and item, I do not believe you can.

2. Can either of these skills replicate spells from other classes, and spells denoted under all classes?

I believe you are asking if you can use it to create magic from other schools such as elemental or holy. That, as I understand would be yes. Other spheres of magic would refer to other class tyes of magic. The question is that I am unsure of is what the spell derivative would be. Would it be "Alchemy" or the other school. I don't know... Keith?

3.Can either of these skills be used to recast a skill you know but have already used up? (ex: I've used three magic strikes already, can i use create alchemy to cast it again?)

My guess is since you are creating an alchemical component such as a potion, it requires a "lab" of some sort to actually make it, and is not done on the spot on an as need basis. As such I believe it would have to be done between games. So if you wanted to make a fireball spell, you would have to decide that before game. Again this is my guess and would have to wait for Keiths official response.

4. Is the only drawback to spell creation over create alchemy the fact that spell creation is harder to acquire? (spell craft and scribing not required)

From and In Game perspective, spell creating requires both spell craft and scribing because you are developing a magical scroll to use. Where as an alchemist, you are mixing vials of potions. Im sure both have their advantages and disadvantages but for further clarification, I would defer entirely to Keith.

These are all just general answers meant to sate your curiosity for the time being, but by no means formal answers. I know Keith checks these boards often and will get back to you either here on the board or by private message soon.

Great questions by the way, I dont think it was either rude or upsetting. questions as I have said before are always better than assumptions.

Thank you for replying. I mostly figured that the gm would most be able to answer my questions. I did not think that the create skills were to be used beforehand- mainly because they are listed in the "spell lists" thank you for answering my questions to the best of your ability.

I just wanted to add on a few comments to what Laurelin was so kind enough to explain below:

1. Can create alchemy create similar magical items like spell creation can?

Laurelin is correct so you would not be able to imbue physical items using an alchemy potion.

2. Can either of these skills replicate spells from other classes, and spells denoted under all classes?

Yes you can create alchemy potions that will allow you to cast spells from other schools of magic!! Very cool I think! To answers Laurelin's question about spell derivative you would need to cast the spell in the following manner.

If it is a non-resistable spell you just simply would cast the spell as you normally would ie Magic Thrust. However for the purposes of role playing you should simulate in some manner so that players understand that this is being cast from a potion vial etc.

If it is a resistable spell you would just simply replace the original school with alchemy ie "Elemental Entangle level 1" would then be stated "Alchemy Entangle level 1". Again for the sake of role playing you should simulate the idea it is being cast from a vial.

It is also important to note that regardless of what type of alchemy spell the player is casting they must at least have the physical vial in their hand when casting the spell otherwise it would be considered a mis-cast as one cannot pop a potion from their pocket!

3. Can either of these skills be used to recast a skill you know but have already used up? (ex: I've used three magic strikes already, can i use create alchemy to cast it again?)

Laurelin is correct you would need to create any and all potions prior to the game ie check-in. To further clarify this question any skill that is considered to be a unique craft that takes a good amount of time to create must also be done before the game begins. For example the following items fall under this category: Create Alchemy, Create Spell/Spell book, Create Poison, and Gem Cutting. The idea behind this is mainly because each of these items with the exception of gem cutting would require you to gather ingredients or magical components to create it.

4. Is the only drawback to spell creation over create alchemy the fact that spell creation is harder to acquire? (spell craft and scribing not required)

As you play the game you will find that almost everything in its own way has benefits and drawbacks. To specifically address your question the major benefit to create alchemy is the fact that once the item is created (ie potion vial) anyone in the game can use the item!!! There is no skill pre-requisite that you need to cast from a potion. So this is a fantastic way to help generate some in-game money for yourself…..and let me tell you potions of Heal would go like ice water on a 90 degree day!!!

The drawback to spell creation is that if you are creating a scroll only those with the ability to read magic can cast the item. The skill read magic is a level 1 general SPELL so this eliminates all classes from the fighter & stealth classes from being able to use this item.

I think they were excellent questions and I hope between Laurelin and I we have clarified them for you!!