A revival of an old Equivalent Exchange mod idea I had, but more dwarven. And yes I know there's a lot of fluff. Sorry.
To begin using alchemy, first you must acquire Alchemical Catalyst, which during these initial stages must be bought from a caravan. (Very expensively, though, something around 1000+ Dwarfbucks) Since Adamantine is the only substance known to resist the effects of Alchemical Catalyst, you will need both a pair of Adamantine gloves and an Adamantine pot for protection while utilizing it in one of the various alchemical workshops. Additionally, due to their unusual repulsive properties toward Catalyst and its products, one or two cut gemstones will be required for manipulating both the Catalyst and its product; matter, broken down into its most basic components.
The usual storage method for both Alchemical Catalyst as well as the broken down Matter is something called an Alchemical Gem/Star, which is essentially a container constructed out of a large, hollowed-out gemstone. These work due to the aforementioned repulsive properties, allowing one to carefully 'pour' the matter into a hole in the container, then securing it with a lid. The repulsive properties prevent the dangerous contents from touching the sides, similar to an electromagnet containing plasma.
It is also notable that green and clear glass do not have these properties, though crystal glass does.
Now, to the use of Catalyst, and the resulting Matter:
The first workshop you'll want is the Matter Forge, which uses fuel to power and Catalyst to, well, catalyze the break down of objects into Matter. A magma variant should, of course, be available as well. Different items and materials are worth differing amounts of Matter, which is represented in three tiers: Gaseous Matter, eight units of which can be combined with fuel to form Viscous Matter, eight of which can then be combined again into Solid Matter. Additionally, every operation has a chance (something around 5-2%) to consume the catalyst, and twice that chance to release a cloud of deadly gas which reduces any living thing caught in it into a pile of 'Grotesque Alchemical Bits'. But what is progress without sacrifice? Just make sure you reserve this task for the most special and valued members of your fortress, such as soap makers and potash burners.
Now that you have this glorious Matter, to use it requires one of the following workshops:
Alchemical Mold, which consumes Matter to produce all kinds of colors of alchemical stone for all your construction needs (It's also as or more valuable then obsidian) or Alchemical Gemstones, for crafts or Alchemical Gem/Star production.
Alchemical Smelter, which consumes Matter to produce various kinds of alchemical metals, each with differing properties, values, advantages, and disadvantages.
Alchemical Extruder, which consumes Matter to produce various colors of alchemical wood, thread, and maybe a few other organic materials.
Alchemical Synthesizer, which consumes Matter to produce very low-value food and alcoholic products. Also able to produce water and lava from Matter, preferably in a bucket or other container, if possible.
But by now, you must be thinking, "Man, it sure would be great to be able to produce that glorious Catalyst myself!"
Well... That, is a secret closely guarded by those few, insane alchemists whom lock themselves in their towers and mysteriously mass-produce the stuff. Perhaps one could try studying those Grotesque Alchemical Bits at an Alchemical Labratory? Surely there must be some kind of secrets locked in that horridly twisted flesh!
Spoiler for how it's actually made, if this is ever actually turned into a mod... Also, to see if this or something like it is actually possible.
Studying the Bits has a 10% chance of producing a Scribbled Notes item. It also only has a 50% chance of consuming the bits. These notes are then used to construct a Catalytic Synthesizer... Though, this is far from the end of it!
The Synthesizer allows you to combine Catalyst with a few ingots of Alchemical Metal to produce a few ingots of Catalytic Metal. Upon contact with blood of any kind, this metal immediately explodes into a destructive cloud of vapor, converting any and all living sentient creatures (don't know if this is actually possible. If not, then just any animal will also do) it touches into a lump of Blood-Red Essence. All other items and flesh is destroyed.
This metal can, of course, be used like any other metal. Bolts would probably be especially effective, though there's something about the idea of a kamikaze dwarf holding a sword of the stuff or wearing it as armor that seems rather appealing...
Alternatively, you can combine Catalyst with a Mechanism to produce a Catalyst Mine, which can be placed and detonates with the same explosion as Catalytic Metal when anything living comes near.
Now that you have this Blood-Red Essence, simply combine a few bits of it in the Synthesizer with fuel and an Alchemical Gem/Star, and... Voila! Alchemical Catalyst! The wonderful distilled essence of divinity, extracted and congealed from the living and ready to be used for all of your alchemical needs!
Additionally, you can combine three Grotesque Bits in the Synthesizer to make one Blood-Red Essence. Waste not, want not!
Now, it's been awhile since I've played Dwarf Fortress, let alone modded it, so I'm rather curious how much of this is still possible. I know that the whole stuff to matter and matter to stuff can be done with workshops quite easily, though I'm not sure about the other things...
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Topic: [Mod Idea] Sacrificial Alchemy (Read 612 times)