The Compleat Alchemist
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The Compleat Alchemist is a generic role-playing game supplement first published by Bard Games in 1982.
Bard Games was formed in 1982 by Steven Cordovano and Stephan Michael Sechi to market generic fantasy role-playing supplements that could be adapted for any game system.[1]: 172 Their first product was a 46-page softcover book called The Compleat Alchemist.[1]: 172 A preliminary edition with a white cover and brown cover art was published in 1982;[2] the first edition with pink cover art was released the following year. In both cases, the contents were typewritten, and artwork was provided by Joe Bouza.
Bard Games ceased operation in 1990.[1]: 172 In 1994, Wizards of the Coast released an updated edition of The Compleat Alchemist, a 71-page professionally typeset softcover book written by Cathleen Adkinson, Anthony Pryor, and Beverly Marshall Saling.[3]
Description
The book provides details on the alchemist character class.[4] Its contents are designed to be modified for use with any fantasy role-playing game system. Alchemical processes are described in detail, including more than 200 ingredients and their cost.
The first edition book is divided into four parts:
- Introduction: an outline of alchemy and basics about the alchemist character
- Ingredients, including herbs, elements, gemstones, animal parts, equipment needed and a log sheet
- Twelve levels of alchemical processes, from Elixirs and Toxic Powders at the low end, to the philosopher's stone, golems and homunculi at the highest levels.
- Gamemaster notes, including details of buying and selling, hirelings, apprentices, and an explosion table