{ALKAHESTRY INFORMATION}

[Reila Tsukino]

OVERVIEW

Alkahestrists, originating from the country of Xing to the East, are an interesting and somewhat inverted type of Alchemist. Unlike the Alchemist caste of the world, Alkahestrists primarily deal with the body and its functions, manipulating singular parts of it to their advantage both within and without battle.

Known as "Purification Arts", Alkahestry is only similar to Alchemy in name. Whereas Amestrian Alchemy claims to have its roots in the energy of tectonic shifts and practices manipulation of matter toward scientifically practical ends, Alkahestry is centered on a concept called the "Dragon's Pulse" which speaks of the Earth itself having a constant flow of Qi (life energy) which flows metaphorically from the tops of mountains down to the land, nourishing everything it passes with that energy as does blood coursing through the veins. As well as this, every human in the world has their own flow of Qi, and a lot of Alkahestrists have developed ways of using such techniques.

Alkahestry itself is divided into nine 'schools', each school with its own certain nuances and techniques involving Alkahestric Energy.

Alkahestry and Alchemy can not be often used in tandem, due to the conflicting energies of the two styles.

Alkahestric Schools -- 01

[Reila Tsukino]

ALKAHESTRIC SCHOOLS

“Body Enhancement” (身體增強)
The school of the Báiyángzuò Clan is the school of “Body Enhancement”. Under this school, practitioners have the ability to be able to modify and enhance their body’s physical structure in order to increase physical prowess. Such enhancements are classed as ‘permanent’ enhancements, unable to be removed unless the creator wills it, and has actually created a counter-Alkahestry for such an event. For this reason, those who use “Body Enhancement” Alkahestry are usually prepared for the events that come about as a result of such modifications. They are the current leaders of Xing’s monarchy.
The current Master of “Body Enhancement” is Zhao Báiyángzuò

“Body Formation” (體的形成)
The school of the Lahn Dao Clan, to the South East of Xing, is known as the school of “Body Formation”. These people, due to having their land so close to that of the Aeries, took a lot of their ideas from them—namely that of physical manipulation. However, they could not be so subtle. Practitioners of the “Body Formation” style of Alkahestry are able to change internal and external parts of their body at will—even able to adapt to certain situations if specialized as such. One such example would be modifying the structure of your body to allow yourself to breathe underwater. Unlike “Body Enhancement”, “Body Formation” is only temporary, and will never last longer than necessary.
The current Master of “Body Formation” is Lahn Dao Phuong

“Physical Projection” (實物投影)
The school of the Butaar Clan to the North is the school of “Physical Projection”. Practitioners that have trained and built up within this school have trained themselves to be able to modify what is produced from their body, in ways such as increasing the volume of one’s voice, or the like. These manipulations don’t last very long, and are intended for quick use within rapid situations. For this reason, very few Alkahestric warriors come from this school, unless they have developed a way to project their own outputs in an attacking fashion.
The current Master of “Physical Projection” is Butaar Jemutin.

“Qi Manipulation” (池操縱)
The school of the Hua Clan is the school of “Qi Manipulation”. As a school, they are far more varied and make better martial artists, utilizing a style of generalized martial arts known as ‘Neijia’, which can be classified as “internal kung fu”. Using this, the users can focus through several dantian in their body, manipulating the flow of their own personal chi stream to the point of perfect calmness. This can allow them to execute precise techniques within their physical scope. “Qi Manipulation” type Alkahestrists are generally the best at martial arts, as well as most activities requiring a calm mind and steady hand.
The current Master of “Qi Manipulation” is Hua Fang.

“Qi Assault” (智突擊)
Rivals to the Hua Clan, the Kong’s school of “Qi Assault” focusses mostly on brute force and attacking, using Qi as a weapon instead of a conduit. For this reason, it can be inferred that they are major practitioners of the ‘waijia’ style of martial arts, generalized as ‘external kung fu’. Practitioners of this use their internal Qi and bring it out into the “world”, in a base sense. What they do is force it into the bodies of their targets, using it to disrupt and damage systems rapidly, blocking focus points and damaging mental stability in battle. A practised user of “Qi Manipulation” is far more effective in a fight, and will usually beat a “Qi Assault” student in single combat. Users of “Qi Assault” can also add strength to their melee weapons with Qi, making armed combat fall to their favour. More powerful and skilled users can occasionally be seen with a visible ‘aura’ of Qi from their body during a fight.
The current Master of “Qi Assault” is Kong Taoluo.

“Range Enhancement” (範圍增強)
Unlike the rest of the clans, the Ungdaehan keep to themselves. For this reason, they have both a coveted and rare school of Alkahestry that is sporadically taught to outsiders. The “Range Enhancement” school is a style of Alkahestry that combines usage with Alchemy, in order to increase the effective range of Alchemic usage. By connecting themselves directly into the Dragon’s Pulse, they are able to temporarily convert a small part of it into an extension of their body and mind. Pre-designating a point, they can then forge a transmutation circle. Using the Dragon’s Pulse as a line of sorts, they then send small packets of Alchemic Energy through this connection, transferring it into the circle and activating the Alchemy. Of course, all usual Alchemic limitations apply, and only a certain range can be manipulated. As well as this, the user needs to be connected to the earth, unmoving and be trying to manipulate something connected to the earth as well. It also takes a lot more energy to activate an Alchemic reaction of the same scale. Out of all of the schools of Alkahestry, “Range Enhancement” has the least amount of variability, instead taking on the variability of Alchemy to differ between students.
The current Master of “Range Enhancement” is Ungdaehan Man-Shik.

“Healing Practice” (治療實踐)
This is the most well-known school of Alkahestry, taught by the desert-fringing Gao Clan, who, as a somewhat-Nomadic Clan, took to the deserts and demonstrated their power over healing to those interested in watching and using them as doctors. This is why they are the most widespread in terms of school practice, as well as being one of the easiest for outsiders to learn. Practitioners of the “Healing Practice” school of Alkahestry have the ability to heal most wounds, imbuing cells with enough energy to have them multiply rapidly, or put platelets into action and quickly scab over an open cut.
The current Master of “Healing Practice” is Gao Ren.

“Poisoner’s Folly” (投毒的愚蠢)
Out of all of the schools of Alkahestry, this is the most looked down upon, as well as being the most persecuted. Because poison itself is an Alchemic device, Alkahestrists of the Zhu Clan have discovered a way of forging the effects of various poisons upon their targets. This can range from simple sleeping solutions, to full, death-inducing concoctions. As well as this, practitioners of this school are generally able to reverse the effects of their own creations, and some higher-class, long-lived users have even developed ways of bringing forth immunity to various natural/man-made afflictions upon an individual.
The current Master of “Poisoner’s Folly” is Zhu Cao

“Mental Stimulation” (精神刺激)
The Xie Clan are reclusive, and lead an intelligent school of Alkahestry, residing in the far North-Eastern reaches of Xing, surrounded by mountains, snow, ice and a dangerous forested area. Unlike most body manipulation Alkahestrists, the Xie were always more interested in the mind. For this reason, “Mental Stimulation” was born. Using very precise and minute manipulations of bodily processes, users of the “Mental Stimulation” style of Alkahestry are able to change select portions of the brain, locking and unlocking certain memories, imparting temporary control onto the subject, among other things. Users of this style of Alkahestry have little use in actual battle, and require time to properly modify their subject. Modifications never last forever. “Mental Stimulation” cannot completely lock processes away, either.
The current Master of “Mental Stimulation” is Xie Ye.

[Reila Tsukino]

FALUN GONG

Unfortunately, this practice was forbidden and sealed long ago by the Xingese Emperor. Whether out of fear, malice, or pure persecution it was outlawed as a means of practice. No one knows the exact practice of the Ancient Clan that created it, but what remains is several warnings about it's true use. It is said to be the only way to truly save a life without fail, but the cost may be higher than many are willing to pay.

Performing Falun Gong:
At level four, Alkahestrists, if they choose, can perform Falun Gong to access the Garden and survive. However, unlike human transmutation, Falun Gong must involve bringing back the life of another person by stripping the existence of ego and sacrificing mind, body, and soul selflessly. However, it is not without a price. The Seedling that attempts to pass into the Garden will be put to Trial by the Tree of Life. They must chose carefully from thousands of options to receive the Blessing of the Land, and once the correct fruit is tasted the seedling is sent back to where they came from. After that, the toll must be paid. Something physical must be taken from the person's body. A hand, arm, leg, eye, etc. Something must be paid in accordance to the trip, but not at the characters discretion. (It will be at your own discretion)

Steps to Exacting Falun Gong
• You must be willing to sacrifice yourself to save someone else without hesitation or personal motive.
• The person you wish to save, must be near death. You can in no way revive the already deceased.
• A Pentagram must be placed on both bodies in preparation, and Qi must be transferred to the injured.
• Once Qi is transferred, the individual mus then give the Physical Qi, which will lead to your own death. It can be accomplished many ways, but that is for you to figure out the best way.
• Find and consume the correct fruit or stay in Eternal Limbo of the Tree of Life.
• Return as a Seedling, which is a person who has successfully passed through the Garden, of course after paying the toll

But Be Warned. If You Waver In Your Decision, Death Will Come Swiftly To You And The One You Wish To Save.

Those that pass the trial will be rewarded with the Gift of Clarity. The Gift allows the Alkahestrist to determine their own Qi as well as anothers in an emphemeral sight, thus increasing their sense. This, as an added bonus, allows the Alkahestrists abilities to be more efficient and more potent.

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