[center][color=9e0b0f][i][h2]The Alchemists’ Guild[/h2][/i][/color][/center]
Alchemy is one of the oldest jobs, dating as far as the invention of fire. The alchemists will often boast that their art predates that of wizards and even holy people, although the latter is debatable. The current guild was created several centuries ago, joining the many local guilds into one organization that focuses on expanding the alchemical knowledge and teaching new alchemists across all of Altheim.

The members are ranked. Alchemists wear special rings that are not only identifying them as members of the guild, but also from the appearance of the ring one can determine their rank and thus what skills they were tested in. A lower rank alchemist may take a job better suited for a higher ranking alchemist, but the guild makes no guarantee they will be successful and will not cover any damages the job may result in. The ranks are as follows:
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[*][i]Apprentice:[/i] A novice that studies under a master. They are not allowed to take on any jobs unless assigned by their masters. Most of their time is spent studying. Their rings are usually only plain metal ones varying in material with the guild’s emblem engraved into it, and the alchemist's personal unique motto or emblem engraved.
[*][i]Journeyman:[/i] After passing tests from herblore, metallurgy and basic engineering, the alchemist is permitted to create a Journeyman’s ring, which is then reviewed by their master to judge the quality and originality. Each of these has to be unique, as they also serve to identify the alchemist. They are usually composed of rare metals, low grade gemstones and decorated with symbols of the elements.
[*][i]Artisan:[/i] These members are required to prove greater skill in the occupations learned as Journeymen, on top of adding at least one specialization skill - most often pharmacy, precise mechanics, smithing or chemistry. Their rings are strictly made of gold alloys, and decorated with high grade gems.
[*][i]Master:[/i] After at least 10 years of being an artisan and mastering all of their selected areas, one is allowed to submit a masterpiece for review. These can be anything from studies to actual tangible items. If one’s piece is found worthy by the majority vote of the other masters, they are granted the rank, along with a special seal for their ring.
[*][i]Sage:[/i] A special rank bestowed upon any member of the guild that makes and subsequently describes a new important discovery. The most sought after is of course the art of transmutation, still waiting to be unlocked. But other notable works in history included the invention of paper, black powder or distilled alcohol.
[*][i]Grandmaster:[/i] A Lifelong title bestowed onto one of the masters or sages by a vote of the other masters. He serves to represent the guild in meetings with other organizations, city councils and the like.
Rogue: While not an official rank, the term ‘Rogue Alchemist’ is commonly applied to any practitioner of alchemy that does not follow the guild’s regulations.
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Aside from the ranks, the guild is separated into branches that deal with its various aspects, such as pharmacists, engineers, blacksmiths and others.

There are two factions of alchemists. The Traditionalists focus their studies on obtaining the legendary Philosopher’s stone and otherwise achieving transmutation and gaining eternal youth, with their art often being downright witchcraft, espevially in the very early and very late research.

The Reformists on the other hand abandon these old ways to study nature itself in detail and trying to figure out its workings and how they can be used without any end goal in mind.

Both factions sans rare individuals are united in their common rivalry with wizards of any but the druidic school, believing that their way of manipulating nature through arcane means is impure, not to mention the users of Foul magic, whose magic opposes creation.
They are indifferent to churches, but the general mindset is that unlike prayers whose result depends upon the whims of deities, performing the same alchemy will always end in the same result.

The guild is not too restrictive, however they absolutely forbid practicing alchemy with living animals and sentient beings in any way, and a discovery of transmutation must be immediately reported to a grandmaster, and not practiced until the ban is lifted to prevent gold transmutation and following crash of world economy.