IDreamofBunnies
Literotica Guru
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2002
- Posts
- 599
Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
- Alphonse Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist intro.
Alchemy
In Fullmetal Alchemist a major element in the story line is Alchemy, their science of changing one substance to another. Alchemy has three steps to perfrom a transmutation (a sucessful change of matter). The first step is understanding in which a person understands the molecular composition of an object. The second step is decomposition in which all bonds in the substance are broken through the use of alchemic energy and the final step is reconstruction in which those atoms are reconstructed into something new. Very good alchemists can also change the atom's element into somethign different too.
There are various lights associated with transmutations. The first being yellow light. That is the most common amoung alchemists. Yellow light is associated with transmutations done through circles not on a person or on an article of clothing being worn. The second light is purple which occures when people do a general transmutation with a circle tatooed on them or on an article of clothing being worn. The third type of light is blue, which is seen when alchemy is performed without a transmutation circle of any kind, of all the alchemists in the nation of Amestris, the State only knows of two alchemists who can perform alchemy in this way: Edward Elric and his teacher Izumi Curtis.
Alchemy is not a mystical cure-all. It is governed by laws, the most important of which is the law of Equivalent Exchange, similiar to the law of Conservation of Mass: Alchemy cannot create something from nothing and it cannot turn one thing into a completely dissimilar thing. For example, you could turn a knife into a spoon or change the material from iron to silver or lead, but you couldn't turn it into a car or a book or transform it into ice or paper mache.
Very skilled, talented, and knowledgable alchemists can transform base materials into finished goods and sometimes skip a few of the steps of mundane creation and construction, for example turning a water-sodden tree into a stack of paper or a pile of scrap metal into the body of a car.
There are legends of secret substances and methods that allow alchemists to ignore the laws of alchemy, the most famous of which is the legendary Philosopher's Stone. This stone which is said to be a blood red gemstone is supposed to be a perfect substance that allows alchemists to perform miracles. It is said that a normal person could use the stone to pass for a master alchemist and an alchemists would be unto a god with the stone's power. Many alchemists seek to create the stone though it is unknown if anyone has ever managed to do so. Many who seek the stone vanish or go mad, so the quest is often called the Devil's Errand.
Three truly bizarre notions in alchemy are Chimera, Soul Binding, and Homunculi. Chimeras are creatures created by combining two or more creatures with alchemy, they are usually monsterous beasts and many regard the practice as crass or evil. It is said that the state has a state alchemist who can create Chimera's capable of thought and human speech. Soul Binding is the idea of using alchemy to bind someone's soul to an object, most people would think this practice to be impossible but it's a loosely kept secret that Alphonse Elric, the brother of state alchemist Edward Elric is in fact a soul bound to a suit of armor. Because his soul is attached to something capable of mobility it seems, he is capable of movement, indeed Alphonse is a fast and coordinated warrior of great strength. He can also see, speak, and hear but he cannot feel anything. His soul is attached to the armor through a transmutation circle made from Edward's blood. Homunculi are humans created entirely from alchemy, they were thought to be fiction until Edward reported meeting several in the infamous Lab 5 incident. According to his report they are soulless creatures who are incapable of alchemy but have amazing powers. Because of him the state is aware of three Homunculi, a woman named Envy who can alter her appearance and voice to look and sound like whomever she wants, an unnamed squat obese man who can chew through stone and metal in moments, and an unnamed woman of great beauty who's fingers can extend to great lengths and pierce nearly any substance.
Technology
Technology in FMA resembles what was available in Europe and America just prior to World War I in many ways. Most people travel long distance by railroad, cars and motorcycles (which resemble the early cars of Europe and earlier Ford models) are generally only available to the government, the wealthy, and businesses. There are some differences however, heavier than air vehicles (airplanes and helicopters) have not been invented and while lighter than air vehicles have been invented, travel by balloon and zepplin isn't really done. Telephone service exists, including payphones and requires a dedicated staff of switchboard operators to function.
Thanks to a gestalt of alchemy and mundane mechanics there is a form of cybernetics available, automail. Automail are mechanical limbs that are connected to the nerves, those who install automail are one part mechanic and one part surgeon. Automail limbs are expensive to own and maintain but can make those lacking limbs almost completely functional. Combat models can even provide people with greater than human strength or conceal weapons such as knives or guns. The technology exists to replace lost eyes and even replace the majority of a person's body but this technology is rare, expensive, and generally shunned. The famous Edward Elric got his state nickname "Full Metal Alchemist" because one of his arms and one of his legs are in fact automail appendages.
The World
FMA takes place in a militant nation called Amestris. Amestris is ruled by Fuhrer-King Bradley, a strangely personable and friendly character who takes a hands on approach with many military matters. Amestris is divided into five administrative regions: North, South, East, West, and Central. The Fuher usually rules from Central but he goes wherever he feels he is needed. Amestris is famous for its State Alchemists, a group of high ranking officers who can apply alchemy for the benefit of the state, be it in research or combat. State Alchemists recieve generous research grants and access to huge state libraries and labs. The uniform of the military is blue pants, black boots, and a blue jacket with the rank of the wearer shown on the shoulders. Security personnel wear black instead of blue. All state alchemists are considered to be the rank of major when they recieve their appointments but can be promoted from there. Alchemists who underperform are not demoted below Major, they are simply discharged, state alchemists are also given an official nickname by the Fuher, it is considered appropriate to call an alchemist by his name or nickname. They are also given a silver pocket watch which serves as a badge and amplifies the user's alchemy. The chain can also be used to form an alchemicly secure bond to hold someone captive.
The military ranks are:
Security Personnel
Private
Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Warrant Officer
Second Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier General
Major General
Lieutenant General
General
Commander in Chief (The Fuher)
Named State Alchemists:
Major Edward Elric "The Fullmetal Alchemist"- the youngest officer in the military, he was in his early teens when he was accepted as a state alchemist. The only state alchemist who can use alchemy without a transmutation circle, he just claps his hands and applies them to whatever he wants to transmute.
General Basque Gran "The Iron Blooded Alchemist"- Deceased. Used alchemy to transmute the iron in his blood into weapons and guns. Lead the military during the Ishbal Rebellion and was in charge of researching military applications of alchemy. He was murdered by Scar, the serial state alchemist murderer.
Colonel Roy Mustang "The Flame Alchemist"- Uses gloves made from a special material and stitched with transmutation circles to generate flame and explosions by snapping his fingers.
Major Alexander Armstrong "The Strong Arm Alchemist"- Legendary for his great strength and physique, the intimidating Armstrong is friendly to the point of manic. He combines his strength and alchemy to launch stone constructs at his opponents.
Major Kimblee "The Crimson Alchemist"- Decomissioned and imprioned for use of excessive force during the Ishbal Rebellion, Kimblee was supposed to have been executed but was kept alive for research. He was recently brought back into the military as a special operative. He uses the transmutation circles tattoed on his hands to create explosions, his favorite method is turning people in bombs.
Major Shou Tucker "The Seweing Life Alchemist"- More of a research alchemist than a soldier, Tucker was the foremost authority on chimeras and was the first to create one that could speak the human tongue. He was driven insane by the threats and demands of Basque Gran and had transmuted his wife and daughter with animals to accomplish this. When this was discovered he was imprisoned and set for execution. Edward Elric reported that Tucker in fact survived as a Chimera with all his faculties within Lab 5 where he was still doing research for the state.
Major Tim Marco "The Crystal Alchemist"- A doctor who created red stones, a sort of a incomplete philosopher stone for the military. He later deserted during the Ishbal Rebellion to escape the violence and became a wandering doctor. He was later captured and put into the Fuher's protective custody to keep him safe from Scar, the serial state alchemist killer.
Major Joliot Comanche "The Silver Alchemist"- Fond of war, Joliot uses transmutation circles tattoed on his hands to turn matter into weapons.
Colonel Genz Bressallu "The Armor-Piercing Alchemist"- Deceased. A member of a rebel faction in the military lead by Brigadier General Mudey Nemda, killed by Edward and Alphonse Elric.
Major Jack Crowley "The Silver Bullet Alchemist"- Deceased. Court-martialed for dabbling in forbidden human transmutation, Crowley rediscovered the process of creating golems, a special type of chimera created by combining living creatures with inorganic materials. Later accidently transformed himself into one and died.
Lieutenant Colonel Aston Martins "The Thunder Alchemist"- Deceased. A bushido enthusiast and katana sword user. He was released from jail by Roy Mustang to assist the Elric Brothers on a mission. He was later killed by the Elric's quarry, Lincor.
Colonel Seraphy Royce "The Tuning Alchemist"- Deceased. Disgusted with the Ishbal rebellion and framed for human transmutation. Seraphy Royce faked his death and became Lincor, a man out to destroy the state military. He later transmuted himself into his castle and died.
Major Cravis Fagott (Nickname Stricken From Records)- Deceased. A pawn of Basque Gran, he was eventually cast out of the military. He took care of a number of chimeras and was later killed by his assistant.
The military is a peace keeping force that controls the country of Amestris. Currently the country of Amestris have border skirmishes against the neighboring countries of Creata in the west and Areugo in the south. To the north is the Briggs mountain range and further north is the country of Drachma which has a non-aggression pact with Amestris. Ishbal was once at the edge of East Amestris but was destroyed during the rebellion. In the very distant east is the Empire of Xing.
The Game
This RPG begins during the events of episode 40 "The Scar" and incorperates any part of the manga and video games that doesn't interfere with the canon of the anime.
Your character can be a soldier, civilian, Ishbalan refugee, alchemist, state alchemist, an advanced chimera (Shou Tucker's greatest works, chimeras that look human and retain their intelligence but have some unusual ability linked to the animal they were combined with), or just about anything else. You cannot be a homonculi or a named character from the show, manga, or video game.
Currently the military is moving to suppress a growing rebellion in the desert city of Lior where the infamous killer of state alchemists, Scar is said to be plotting some great plan of revenge. The state is now aware of five homunculi wrecking mischief (and a sixth has infiltrated the military as the Fuher's secretary, though this is known to a very small group of people). The mass-murderer Kimblee has been set loose in Lior with some Chimera by a faction of the military eager for war, represented by Colonel Frank Archer. The Elric brothers are busy trying to prevent a massacre and Roy Mustang's faction is still deciding what to do. With so much attention in the East, nobody seems to notice a gang of scheming soldiers and alchemists in the West.
- Alphonse Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist intro.
Alchemy
In Fullmetal Alchemist a major element in the story line is Alchemy, their science of changing one substance to another. Alchemy has three steps to perfrom a transmutation (a sucessful change of matter). The first step is understanding in which a person understands the molecular composition of an object. The second step is decomposition in which all bonds in the substance are broken through the use of alchemic energy and the final step is reconstruction in which those atoms are reconstructed into something new. Very good alchemists can also change the atom's element into somethign different too.
There are various lights associated with transmutations. The first being yellow light. That is the most common amoung alchemists. Yellow light is associated with transmutations done through circles not on a person or on an article of clothing being worn. The second light is purple which occures when people do a general transmutation with a circle tatooed on them or on an article of clothing being worn. The third type of light is blue, which is seen when alchemy is performed without a transmutation circle of any kind, of all the alchemists in the nation of Amestris, the State only knows of two alchemists who can perform alchemy in this way: Edward Elric and his teacher Izumi Curtis.
Alchemy is not a mystical cure-all. It is governed by laws, the most important of which is the law of Equivalent Exchange, similiar to the law of Conservation of Mass: Alchemy cannot create something from nothing and it cannot turn one thing into a completely dissimilar thing. For example, you could turn a knife into a spoon or change the material from iron to silver or lead, but you couldn't turn it into a car or a book or transform it into ice or paper mache.
Very skilled, talented, and knowledgable alchemists can transform base materials into finished goods and sometimes skip a few of the steps of mundane creation and construction, for example turning a water-sodden tree into a stack of paper or a pile of scrap metal into the body of a car.
There are legends of secret substances and methods that allow alchemists to ignore the laws of alchemy, the most famous of which is the legendary Philosopher's Stone. This stone which is said to be a blood red gemstone is supposed to be a perfect substance that allows alchemists to perform miracles. It is said that a normal person could use the stone to pass for a master alchemist and an alchemists would be unto a god with the stone's power. Many alchemists seek to create the stone though it is unknown if anyone has ever managed to do so. Many who seek the stone vanish or go mad, so the quest is often called the Devil's Errand.
Three truly bizarre notions in alchemy are Chimera, Soul Binding, and Homunculi. Chimeras are creatures created by combining two or more creatures with alchemy, they are usually monsterous beasts and many regard the practice as crass or evil. It is said that the state has a state alchemist who can create Chimera's capable of thought and human speech. Soul Binding is the idea of using alchemy to bind someone's soul to an object, most people would think this practice to be impossible but it's a loosely kept secret that Alphonse Elric, the brother of state alchemist Edward Elric is in fact a soul bound to a suit of armor. Because his soul is attached to something capable of mobility it seems, he is capable of movement, indeed Alphonse is a fast and coordinated warrior of great strength. He can also see, speak, and hear but he cannot feel anything. His soul is attached to the armor through a transmutation circle made from Edward's blood. Homunculi are humans created entirely from alchemy, they were thought to be fiction until Edward reported meeting several in the infamous Lab 5 incident. According to his report they are soulless creatures who are incapable of alchemy but have amazing powers. Because of him the state is aware of three Homunculi, a woman named Envy who can alter her appearance and voice to look and sound like whomever she wants, an unnamed squat obese man who can chew through stone and metal in moments, and an unnamed woman of great beauty who's fingers can extend to great lengths and pierce nearly any substance.
Technology
Technology in FMA resembles what was available in Europe and America just prior to World War I in many ways. Most people travel long distance by railroad, cars and motorcycles (which resemble the early cars of Europe and earlier Ford models) are generally only available to the government, the wealthy, and businesses. There are some differences however, heavier than air vehicles (airplanes and helicopters) have not been invented and while lighter than air vehicles have been invented, travel by balloon and zepplin isn't really done. Telephone service exists, including payphones and requires a dedicated staff of switchboard operators to function.
Thanks to a gestalt of alchemy and mundane mechanics there is a form of cybernetics available, automail. Automail are mechanical limbs that are connected to the nerves, those who install automail are one part mechanic and one part surgeon. Automail limbs are expensive to own and maintain but can make those lacking limbs almost completely functional. Combat models can even provide people with greater than human strength or conceal weapons such as knives or guns. The technology exists to replace lost eyes and even replace the majority of a person's body but this technology is rare, expensive, and generally shunned. The famous Edward Elric got his state nickname "Full Metal Alchemist" because one of his arms and one of his legs are in fact automail appendages.
The World
FMA takes place in a militant nation called Amestris. Amestris is ruled by Fuhrer-King Bradley, a strangely personable and friendly character who takes a hands on approach with many military matters. Amestris is divided into five administrative regions: North, South, East, West, and Central. The Fuher usually rules from Central but he goes wherever he feels he is needed. Amestris is famous for its State Alchemists, a group of high ranking officers who can apply alchemy for the benefit of the state, be it in research or combat. State Alchemists recieve generous research grants and access to huge state libraries and labs. The uniform of the military is blue pants, black boots, and a blue jacket with the rank of the wearer shown on the shoulders. Security personnel wear black instead of blue. All state alchemists are considered to be the rank of major when they recieve their appointments but can be promoted from there. Alchemists who underperform are not demoted below Major, they are simply discharged, state alchemists are also given an official nickname by the Fuher, it is considered appropriate to call an alchemist by his name or nickname. They are also given a silver pocket watch which serves as a badge and amplifies the user's alchemy. The chain can also be used to form an alchemicly secure bond to hold someone captive.
The military ranks are:
Security Personnel
Private
Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Warrant Officer
Second Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier General
Major General
Lieutenant General
General
Commander in Chief (The Fuher)
Named State Alchemists:
Major Edward Elric "The Fullmetal Alchemist"- the youngest officer in the military, he was in his early teens when he was accepted as a state alchemist. The only state alchemist who can use alchemy without a transmutation circle, he just claps his hands and applies them to whatever he wants to transmute.
General Basque Gran "The Iron Blooded Alchemist"- Deceased. Used alchemy to transmute the iron in his blood into weapons and guns. Lead the military during the Ishbal Rebellion and was in charge of researching military applications of alchemy. He was murdered by Scar, the serial state alchemist murderer.
Colonel Roy Mustang "The Flame Alchemist"- Uses gloves made from a special material and stitched with transmutation circles to generate flame and explosions by snapping his fingers.
Major Alexander Armstrong "The Strong Arm Alchemist"- Legendary for his great strength and physique, the intimidating Armstrong is friendly to the point of manic. He combines his strength and alchemy to launch stone constructs at his opponents.
Major Kimblee "The Crimson Alchemist"- Decomissioned and imprioned for use of excessive force during the Ishbal Rebellion, Kimblee was supposed to have been executed but was kept alive for research. He was recently brought back into the military as a special operative. He uses the transmutation circles tattoed on his hands to create explosions, his favorite method is turning people in bombs.
Major Shou Tucker "The Seweing Life Alchemist"- More of a research alchemist than a soldier, Tucker was the foremost authority on chimeras and was the first to create one that could speak the human tongue. He was driven insane by the threats and demands of Basque Gran and had transmuted his wife and daughter with animals to accomplish this. When this was discovered he was imprisoned and set for execution. Edward Elric reported that Tucker in fact survived as a Chimera with all his faculties within Lab 5 where he was still doing research for the state.
Major Tim Marco "The Crystal Alchemist"- A doctor who created red stones, a sort of a incomplete philosopher stone for the military. He later deserted during the Ishbal Rebellion to escape the violence and became a wandering doctor. He was later captured and put into the Fuher's protective custody to keep him safe from Scar, the serial state alchemist killer.
Major Joliot Comanche "The Silver Alchemist"- Fond of war, Joliot uses transmutation circles tattoed on his hands to turn matter into weapons.
Colonel Genz Bressallu "The Armor-Piercing Alchemist"- Deceased. A member of a rebel faction in the military lead by Brigadier General Mudey Nemda, killed by Edward and Alphonse Elric.
Major Jack Crowley "The Silver Bullet Alchemist"- Deceased. Court-martialed for dabbling in forbidden human transmutation, Crowley rediscovered the process of creating golems, a special type of chimera created by combining living creatures with inorganic materials. Later accidently transformed himself into one and died.
Lieutenant Colonel Aston Martins "The Thunder Alchemist"- Deceased. A bushido enthusiast and katana sword user. He was released from jail by Roy Mustang to assist the Elric Brothers on a mission. He was later killed by the Elric's quarry, Lincor.
Colonel Seraphy Royce "The Tuning Alchemist"- Deceased. Disgusted with the Ishbal rebellion and framed for human transmutation. Seraphy Royce faked his death and became Lincor, a man out to destroy the state military. He later transmuted himself into his castle and died.
Major Cravis Fagott (Nickname Stricken From Records)- Deceased. A pawn of Basque Gran, he was eventually cast out of the military. He took care of a number of chimeras and was later killed by his assistant.
The military is a peace keeping force that controls the country of Amestris. Currently the country of Amestris have border skirmishes against the neighboring countries of Creata in the west and Areugo in the south. To the north is the Briggs mountain range and further north is the country of Drachma which has a non-aggression pact with Amestris. Ishbal was once at the edge of East Amestris but was destroyed during the rebellion. In the very distant east is the Empire of Xing.
The Game
This RPG begins during the events of episode 40 "The Scar" and incorperates any part of the manga and video games that doesn't interfere with the canon of the anime.
Your character can be a soldier, civilian, Ishbalan refugee, alchemist, state alchemist, an advanced chimera (Shou Tucker's greatest works, chimeras that look human and retain their intelligence but have some unusual ability linked to the animal they were combined with), or just about anything else. You cannot be a homonculi or a named character from the show, manga, or video game.
Currently the military is moving to suppress a growing rebellion in the desert city of Lior where the infamous killer of state alchemists, Scar is said to be plotting some great plan of revenge. The state is now aware of five homunculi wrecking mischief (and a sixth has infiltrated the military as the Fuher's secretary, though this is known to a very small group of people). The mass-murderer Kimblee has been set loose in Lior with some Chimera by a faction of the military eager for war, represented by Colonel Frank Archer. The Elric brothers are busy trying to prevent a massacre and Roy Mustang's faction is still deciding what to do. With so much attention in the East, nobody seems to notice a gang of scheming soldiers and alchemists in the West.
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