Eastern occult scholars have long believed in two different studies of alchemy. Western alchemists are usually focused on the physical realm, and while Eastern have also explored the concepts of internal alchemy. The principle is the refinement of the mind and body in pursuit of purity of spirit from which life springs. Although a mystic may consume medicinal herbs and compounds, the art requires one to go further. Meditation, breath control and purification rituals blend with nonresistance, asceticism and physical training to recapture energies lost in daily life and to direct them toward a return to the spiritual state.

The two-dot version allows the alchemist to hone her body or mind toward a more perfect state. Choose any Attribute and roll Resolve + Occult, with a –1 penalty per dot already possessed in the Trait. A successful roll grants a bonus of one dot to the Attribute, though the trait cannot be raised above the human limit of 5. The alchemist gains all of the benefits of the increased Attribute for the duration of the scene. Raising Resolve or Composure increases the character’s Willpower dots, but doesn’t refuel her current points (thus increasing her capacity, but not her current Status). Health might increase due to Stamina, but the gains disappear at the end of the duration, potentially endangering the thaumaturge. Other advantages such as Speed, Defense and Initiative Modifier are figured from increased Attributes as normal. The character may benefit from only a single increased Attribute at a time. If she uses the Merit again while it is already active, the first effect ends when the second begins.

The four-dot version represents the alchemist’s great strides toward the achievement of spirituality. A successful use causes the character to transform into an ephemeral being, immaterial in the manner of a ghost for the duration of the scene. If the alchemist chooses to return to physical form, it takes her one action spent concentrating to bring the ritual’s effect to an end. Any clothing worn or personal objects carried are transformed as well. Anything held in hand that’s larger than Size 3 cannot be changed. A transformed character cannot affect the material world at all as she passes harmlessly through physical objects. She moves as fast as she normally would travel were she still physical. Being ephemeral allows her to affect other ephemeral beings, with “physical attacks,” social interaction or other powers. The roll to achieve ephemeral state is adjusted according to the alchemist’s surroundings as follows:

Dice Pool: Resolve + Occult
Ritual Length: 30 minutes
Duration: One scene

Roll Results
Dramatic Failure:
The jarring experience prevents the mystic from using this Merit again for the remainder of the scene.

Exceptional Success:
The two-dot version grants an extra dot to the chosen Attribute (for a total of two). The four-dot version allows the alchemist to end her ephemeral existence reflexively at any time, returning to material form.

Suggested Equipment: A magical locus (+1)

Ritual Details: Meditation and ritual-breathing exercises interact with the physical and mental discipline of the alchemist. Medicinal herbs or compounds are sometimes used as well.