Alchemy
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Alchemy, as explained by Rinaldo, is the field that experiments with the principles of God's creation of the world. Not many know about the existence of alchemy and it is usually referred to as a heresy.
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[edit] Artifacts
[edit] Crimson Stone
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
As it turned out, Mathias was in the midst of creating it. He then had Death absorb Walter's soul (after Leon had defeated him) into the stone, thereby completing it. In doing so he achieved his ultimate goal- eternal life.
The Spoilers: end here.
One additional benefit of the stone is that Death offers his allegiance to whoever possesses the Crimson Stone.
The Crimson Stone is a reference to the final stage of the Alchemical work, the rubedo/reddening. It represents transcendence, perfection, immortality, and incorruptibility. All these associations take on a very sinister double meaning with regard to what the Crimson Stone truly does in Lament of Innocence
[edit] Ebony Stone
Second greatest treasure of the vampires. It causes its surroundings to be enveloped in a never-ending night. It was possessed by Walter. Walter was tricked by Mathias into believing that it also allowed him to control Death. He used the power of the stone to defeat Joachim Armster, a vampire who had rebelled against him. He expected it to allow him to return back to life after his defeat by Leon Belmont, but only then learned of Mathias' and Death's deceit.
The Ebony Stone is a reference to the traditional first stage of the Alchemical work, the nigredo/blackening. This stage represents decomposition, and reduction of matter to the 'prima materia' from which it came. This stage is traditionally associated with death and rebirth, chaos, and the planet Saturn - an interesting association, given the similarity between depictions of Death and depictions of the Roman god Saturn.
[edit] Philosopher's Stone
The ultimate goal of alchemy. It provides eternal youth. The Ebony and Crimson Stones were created accidentally while attempting to create this stone. It is not known if it was ever made successfully.
[edit] Whip of Alchemy
A whip created with alchemy. This was the original form of the Vampire Killer Whip. Created by Rinaldo who was unable to use it to its full potential. He gave it to Leon Belmont, who was still unable to use it fully.
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
When Sara became cursed by the Vampire Walter, she sacrificed herself to its mercy and her soul joined with it to form the Vampire Killer.
For further reading see Vampire Killer.
The Spoilers: end here.
[edit] Magic Gauntlet
Leon Belmont's gauntlet which was enchanted by Rinaldo Gandolfi that enabled him to gather the magical energy released when he blocked attacks from monsters. He could then use this magic to use magical artifacts that were lying around the castle. This item was later lost to the Belmonts but at some point came into the possession of The Order, which was instrumental in several of Dracula's resurrections. It was in the possession of the dark alchemist Rohan Krause in the 17th century. Giovanni, a descendant of Rinaldo, told the Belmont sisters Zoe and Dolores of its existence and they were able to retrieve it while scouting the Order's grounds and they gave it to their brother Desmond, who was then able to use alchemy spells.
[edit] Alchemists
Alchemist- a person well versed in the field of alchemy. Not many are practicing this art and those who do, keep their talents in secret.
Known alchemists:
- Rinaldo Gandolfi
- Mathias Cronqvist
- Cronqvist family in general.
- Rohan Krause
- Giovanni (possibly)
Users of alchemy:
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
http://www.soul-guidance.com/houseofthesun/alchemy%202.htm - Discussion of the Alchemical stages of matter, and the symbolism of the stages.
