Philosopher's Stone

Historic Conception
The philosopher’s stone, in alchemy, is an unknown substance, also called “the tincture” or “the powder”, sought by alchemists for its supposed ability to transform base metals into precious ones, especially gold and silver. Alchemists also believed that an elixir of life could be derived from it. Inasmuch as alchemy was concerned with the perfection of the human soul, the philosopher’s stone was thought to cure illnesses, prolong life, and bring about spiritual revitalization.

The philosopher’s stone, variously described, was sometimes said to be a common substance, found everywhere but unrecognized and unappreciated. The quest for the stone encouraged alchemists from the Middle Ages to the end of the 17th century to examine in their laboratories numerous substances and their interactions. The quest thereby provided a body of knowledge that ultimately led to the sciences of chemistry, metallurgy, and pharmacology.

The process by which it was hoped common metals such as iron, lead, tin, and copper could be turned into the more valuable metals involved heating the base material in a characteristic pear-shaped glass crucible (called the vase of Hermes or the philosopher’s egg). Colour changes were carefully watched—black indicating the death of the old material preparatory to its revitalization; white, the colour required for change into silver; and red, the highest stage, the colour required for change into gold.

Mystic & Occult Conceptions
DESCRIPTION

This rare substance appears to be an ordinary, sooty piece of blackish rock. If the stone is broken open, a cavity is revealed at the stone’s heart. This cavity is lined with a magical type of quicksilver that enables any alchemist to transmute base metals (iron and lead) into silver and gold. A single philosopher’s stone can turn up to 5,000 pounds of iron into silver, or up to 1,000 pounds of lead into gold; however, the quicksilver becomes unstable once the stone is opened and loses its potency within 24 hours, so all transmutations must take place within that period.

The quicksilver found in the center of the stone may also be put to another use. If mixed with any curative potion while the substance is still potent, it creates a special oil of life that acts as a resurrection spell for any dead body it is sprinkled upon.

DESTRUCTION

The philosopher’s stone can be destroyed by being placed under the heel of a titan.

Properties

 * 1) Elemental transmutation
 * 2) Exploitation of Life
 * 3) * Extension of lifespan
 * 4) * Healing
 * 5) * (Artificial) Life Creation & Replication
 * 6) Magic Augmentation