Science and Magic

Magic, in the fantasy meaning, doesn't exist in Vetus. However, sometimes, what we call "science" in our modern world can be regarded by many as magic. Examples include summoning lightning (electrostatic generation), predicting the future (statistics and weather forecasting), capturing a piece of time (photography), resurrecting the dead (CPR), and more. While usually being studied as a science, a lot of topics are so rarely understood that most people but scholars and scientists see them as magic. A few people also apply that kind knowledge as a magic art, having memorized the procedures but not understanding how or why they work, and often attributing unrelated factors to the success of their experiments, such as planetary alignments or burning specific incenses).

Besides discoveries, due to the recent enlightenment of society, a lot of processes have become way more efficient over a short period of time. Examples include medicine with the study of the human body or agriculture with the birth of fertilizers. These optimized practices can also sometimes be seen as mystical, even though them existing previously makes them more widely accepted.

### Science in Vetus

Vetus is undergoing an age of enlightenment. As such, many new scientific discoveries have been made in a variety of fields such as mechanics, engineering, chemistry, astronomy, medicine, advanced mathematics and more.

Many fields of study are moving at a rate previously unseen. A lot of new discoveries have already become widespread, like fertilizers and sterilization, while others remain in a prototype state, only known by those who are specialized in their field.

For instance, most people know that all planets are spherical and that the force that makes objects fall is gravity. However, most people still believe that diseases are caused by breathing in bad air.

Here are some topics that professionals might know about:

* **Microorganisms and bacteria.** Note that viruses are too small to be observed with the microscopes available.
* **High explosives.** This includes dynamite and nitroglycerin.
* **Photography.** Most people have seen a photograph at least once, but might assume they are just very good drawings.
* **Static electricity.** This has been known since ancient times, but is only just beginning to be truly studied.
* **Planetary orbital mechanics.** This includes basic astronomy like how the sun and moon orbit around the Earth.
* **Chemical principles.** This includes knowledge about basic chemistry laws, such as the fact that molecules are made of atoms, and that atoms cannot be created or destroyed, only rearranged.

Moreover, here are some fairly new topics that only extremely specialized professionals might be aware of:

* **Fungal and artificial antibiotics.** Specifically, the fact that fungi and bacteria tend to fight each other.
* **Atmospheric engines.** These have been theorized, but no working designs exist just yet.

### Chemistry and Alchemy

The recent birth of **chemistry** has clashed with the traditional art of **alchemy**. Even though they are similar, and study the same events, chemistry and alchemy are seen by their practitioners as antagonists.

Chemists tend to see alchemists as unprofessional, messy and ignorant, burdening themselves with mystical showmanship for even the simplest processes. Alchemists tend to see chemists as arrogant, know-it-all pseudo-alchemists who have no respect for the art and for tradition.