The Philosopher's Stone

Dissertation: The Philosopher's Stone
Hugo Cornelius Renfield
What is an alchemist’s greatest weapon of both education and power? That title belongs to philosopher's stone, also known as the alchemist stone . In fact, these synthesized stones are able to transmute metals into different ones. For example, one could turn iron ingots directly into steel without having to smelt the ore at all. When synthesizing the philosopher’s stone, alchemists are able to channel an amount of their own mana into specific materials to synthesize these objects of power [1]. Thus, the stone is an embodiment of the powers exerted into the stone and the natural powers of the objects used to synthesize the stones. This jewel is an essential tool to the Alliance, but should be kept under close as well as only used in a laboratory setting. But based on the potential power it holds, it must be highly regulated by the laws of stormwind. Due to the regulations provided by Stormwind, this document’s express purpose is to provide information about the stone ranging from the energies present that make the stone useful, the differences between alchemical and the school of magical transmutation, and a background on the current laws put in place to regulate the stone. Ideally, these topics would provide insight into future policy in Stormwind.

It should be noted that alchemical transmutation is extremely different from the magical school. But what distinguishes alchemists from mages that have specialized in transmutation, is how little mana is required to properly use the stones. As seen by numeral sources, one does not need to be a mage to perform alchemy; however, the energy needed to catalyze the reaction of converting metals into different types must come from somewhere. This energy is supplied by the alchemists themselves and the Philosopher's stone acts as a catalyst for the reaction. The reagents used to create the philosopher’s stone will vary from time to time. But, the combination of the reagents are able to utilize the energy of spirit. In all of the recorded uses of philosopher and alchemist’s stones, they all include either plants or elemental energies. But what connects these two types of ingredients is spirit energy. Spirit energy, or chi as called by the pandarens, is the energy that shamans are able to tap into to ask for the aid of the elements; furthermore, all life is connected by this form of energy [2]. Thus, by perfecting a formula to store a large amount of spirit energy, alchemists are able to manipulate the energies of the stone to change metals.

However, there has been speculations that the philosopher’s stone relies on mana instead of spirit. But this notion has not been commonly accepted by the alchemical community because there are a handful of elemental energies that do not rely on mana to be functional.
Thus when comparing the two arts of transmutation, the differences are quite evident. For starters, the alchemist’s transmutation require less energy. This contrasts to the practices of the magical school which rely highly on the use of mana to fuel their spells. Furthermore, the effects of alchemical transmutation are always permanent unlike the effects of transmutation spells like polymorph. In fact, it is believed this permanent transmutation is due to the intense and overwhelming power held in these stones. In addition, these stones hold so much power that they are commonly used as trinkets to increase offensive and defensive power for individuals trained in the stone’s powers.

As of writing this essay, there are an amount of stormwind laws regarding alchemical transmutation. According to section 7 of The Witchcraft act,
 s7. Maltransmutation

A citizen shall be guilty of Maltransmutation, if

i. he should transmute copper coins into silver coins, or silver into gold; or
ii. if he should transmute gold coins into silver coins, or silver into copper; or
iii. if he should transmute any other material or metal into copper, gold or silver coins.
This law has been put into place in order to secure the value of gold and prevent economic crashes. If not for this act, corrupt alchemists could unfairly acquire gold. This surplus of gold would decrease its value drastically harming and inflating the current economic currency of the gold coin.

It is clear that the philosopher’s stone is an item of extraordinary power. But based on its destructive potential, its use should be heavily monitored. But, its use should not be limited to the lab because it is used as a trinket to enhance power. Instead, philosopher’s stones should become registered. In other words, after creating a stone and before using it on the field, the Stormwid government should be able to link the alchemist to the possession of the stone through a registration process. Though, regulations the stones can be massively useful units to bring prosperity and order to Stormwind. Only through education, however, can this task be complete.

Master of Alchemy, Hugo Cornelius Renfield. Recruit of The First Regiment, member of the Mage Circle of Sarcelie

1 http://world-of-warcraft-rpg.wikia.com/wiki/Alchemist
2 http://wow.gamepedia.com/Spirit\_of\_Life