Alchemy and its Laws

[Señor Sunday Friday]

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ALCHEMY AND ITS LAWS

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Contents:

Foreward
Chapter 1- Terminology
Chapter 2- Seals and Equivalent Exchange
Chapter 3- State Alchemists and the Military

History
The Ranks, Insignias, and Uniforms

Chapter 4- Forbidden Alchemy

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Foreward

The most important thing to remember in alchemy is that to gain, something of equal value must be lost. This must be learned before one can begin alchemy and then they may move on to the greater things of the science. This book cannot teach you everything about alchemy but it shows the points of veiw concerning me, for I am an alchemist and despite the fact I remain anonymous I shall pass my knowledge to you.

~I

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Chapter 1 - Terminology

Alchemy: A science which essentially is a three part process first is understanding the strucure of a certan matter, followed by decomposition, and finally reconstruction and manipulation.

Automail: A kind of prosthetics made of metal and linked directly to the nerves in the body. Well made automail can allow a range of movement and strength as good or better than the limb it replaces. Automail may also include enhancements such as ballistic devices or various other devices.

Equivalent Exchange: The law that in order to gain, something of equal value must be lost. This governs over alchemy, transmutations and even life.

State Alchemist: An Alchemist serving in a special branch of the state military. State Alchemists are selected by a series of examinations, and are regarded as some of the most powerful and talented alchemists. The position of State Alchemist also holds considerable authority and influence, automatically being promoted to the rank of Major. However, State Alchemists are despised by the general public, often called 'dogs of the military' - meaning that the person sold their soul to the military in exchange for special entitlements.

Transmutation Circles: Transmutation circles act as catalysts in alchemic reactions, and are needed for any transmutation, except in the case of alchemists like Edward Elric who can transmute without one (there is a reason for this ability of his). The circle represents the constant flow of energy, the patterns decide what effects the transmutation has. A circle may be drawn on the spot, embroidered into an article of clothing, or even tattooed onto the alchemist itself. Transmutation circles can be drawn with any substance that leaves behind a trail, ranging from chalk to blood.

Philosopher's Stone: A legendary stone that allows someone to bypass the laws of equivalent exchange but it is believed that human souls must be sacrificed in order to create a philosopher's stone.

Incomplete Philosopher's Stone: An incomplete or impure philosopher's stone which is also called a red stone in some cases is much weaker than a pure Philosopher's Stone though it does magnify the abilities of an alchemist, though it will backfire on the user eventually. A related material is red water which is toxic to humans but may be refined into a red stone.

Blood Seal: A special type of transmutation circle that acts as a seal to bind a person's soul to an object, such as a suit of armor. It must, as the name suggests, be written in blood; the soul is tied to the blood and an element in the blood must be binded with the object itself. This typically only works on armor as the iron in the blood binds with the armor. Thus the blood acts as an intermediary between the soul and the object. If a blood seal is destroyed, the soul will no longer be tied to the object, and the person will enter the Gate. Some translations refer to it as a "Blood Array."

Gate of Alchemy: Also known as the "Gate of Truth" or just "Gate", it is said to be the source for all alchemical power. An alchemist who sees into the Gate can then perform alchemy without the use of a written or tattooed circle because of the knowledge gained during the experience. Behind the Gate is an alternate world. People's deaths from beyond the Gate fuel alchemy. The Gate swings forward each time the energy for Alchemy is summoned. There is a Gate inside everyone, they just need to know how to call upon it. A weak link between the body, mind, and spirit is what calls the Gate - Death. A baby has a weak link between the body, mind, and spirit, thus it is easy to summon the Gate with the power of a baby. The Gate resembles Rodin's sculpture The Gates of Hell. There is also the Kabbalahistic Tree of Life on the Gate in the manga version.

Rentan Jutsu: A type of Alchemy that is used in the eastern country Xing. While similar to Amestris alchemy (called "Renkin Jutsu" by people from Xing), the source of energy is different. Rentan Jutsu uses the power called "Lungmei" which exists everywhere on the earth.

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Chapter 2- Seals and Equivalent Exchange

The first thing that someone must learn to do in alchemy is how to draw a proper alchemic circle or transmutation circle. You must be precise or your alchemy will not be performed correctly. Below is a picture of a transmutation circle.

Along the circles of a transmutation circle you must write out the equations needed to perform your alchemy and place the items being used to satisfy equivalent exchange in the center. Though if you have learned and progressed enough in this science you will get to the point where the equations are no longer needed. After this is done you might be able to perform alchemy if you have an understanding of the mathematic and alchemic properties of what you are doing. Alchemic circles may be extremely simple though they may as well be incredible complicated depending on the depth of the alchemy being performed though many of these are strictly forbidden and should never be performed and are punishable by law.

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Chapter 3- State Alchemists and the Military

The military is a peace keeping force that controls the country of Amestris. Currently the country of Amestris have border skirmishes against the neighboring countries of Creata in the west and Areugo in the south. To the north is the Briggs mountain range and further north is the country of Drachma which has a non-aggression pact with Amestris.

The country of Amestris itself is divided into five administrative sectors (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Central), each with their own headquarters. Though each region has its own army and commanding officers, the bulk of the forces lie within Central City, the military capital. The military also has its own collection of enormous libraries, only accessible by high ranking officials and State Alchemists, as well as five laboratories in which alchemic research is conducted

History

The history of the military is, for the most part, unknown. It is known, however, that there were two very large scale wars in which the military partook. These were the Northern War and the Ishbalan War. The Ishbalan War started when Juliet Douglas, the Furher's secretary, at that time an officer, killed an Ishbalan child. This caused large scale riots which eventually escalated into a war that lasted many years.

The Ranks, Insignias, and Uniforms

The military differentiates between ranks through the symbols on the shoulders of service men, as well as the type of uniform they wear. The enlisted rank, equivalent of a private, wear a black and white uniform and everything from corporal up wears a blue and white uniform with a gold cord on their shoulder. Military staff wear the officer uniform without the shoulder cord and the shoulder insignias. The dress uniform is the same as the regular uniform but the front is not cut out and there is a hat. All state alchemists enter the military at the rank of Major.

The badges of rank worn on the shoulder are shown below. The stars in the uniform only go up to three stars. The only rank that has four stars is the Fuhrer (Commander in Chief).

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Chapter 4 - Forbidden Alchemy

I will keep this chapter short as it covers a very touchy subject and simply leave it as that it is illegal to perform alchemy on living beings and persons as well as changing coal into gold.