Editing Alchemist

The '''alchemist''' [[skill]] does not currently have any use in Dwarf Fortress. It was originally included in the game alongside the [[alchemist's laboratory]] for making [[soap]], a function that has now been taken over by the dedicated [[soaper]]. The alchemist skill and [[alchemy]] [[labor]] have not served any function since version 0.28.181.39a and have been removed from the visible game, but [[Main:Toady One|Toady One]] has [http://www.bay12games.com/media/df_talk_8_transcript.html shared some thoughts] regarding its use with [[reaction]]s in a future version of the game; for now, though, the skill is likely to languish in the background.

There also once existed an [[23a:Alchemist (noble)|alchemist]] [[noble]] would arrive at the fortress after ten relevant jobs: either making [[soap]] or [[extract]]ing essences from plants, vermin, or fish. He had light [[furniture]] requirements, could issue [[demand]]s, liked working at the alchemist's laboratory, and was phased out at the same time less lofty alchemists were.

In the real world alchemy is a primitive precursor to chemistry, mingling some legitimate material science with a great deal of occultism. Alchemists were preoccupied with, among other things, transmuting metals, creating universal panaceas and solvents, and searching for the elixir vitae that would grant them immortality. More practically, real-world alchemists discovered [[wikipedia:phosphorous|phosphorous]], perfected [[Still|distillation]], researched [[smelting]] techniques, experimented with [[extracts]], created new [[Healthcare|medicines]], and identified or discovered a wide assortment of acids, salts, and other useful compounds. Some of these basic alchemical processes or products are already present in Dwarf Fortress to various degrees, but the individual functions fall under different skillsets.