Pill Alchemy Yes, No, Other? (Poll Closed) · 12:06pm Jul 21st, 2021
Hello there. Staadnauthursil here with another message.
I was recently asked if my story, A Cultivator In Equestria, will have the Pill-based alchemy of wuxia/xian stories. It involves combining ingredients in a furnace into the shape of pills that varies in strength and effects, like artifacts.
Since I do not intend for the story to become a, [take a miracle drug and get stronger] story, would this mostly involve medical, temporary effects, or permanent effects that could alter things of those who take it. But not in a way that increases their cultivation. Like a Pill that makes you grow taller or shorter, or maybe a pill that changes the colours of your body. With a few rare pills capable of adding supernatural powers, that would not be Qi-based at all. Thus would be considered acceptable.
Guo Long only has knowledge of the basics of alchemy and herbology from his homeworld. While the spirits may hold more knowledge of herbs and naturally formed pills, pills that are formed in natural formation/furnaces in nature. Yes, that's a thing.
So should he be able to use this knowledge in the MLP universe? And if so, how do you think would be the best option for him to do so?
Vote here on this Blog Post: Yes, No, or Other if you have another suggestion.
About the Other Option: If anyone does not want pill-making in the story but has other suggestions for a sort of supportive knowledge/skill he might have that doesn't involve pills. Then they may speak of it here and I will see if it might fit into the story's concept and theme.
UPDATE: POLL IS OVER! YES AND OTHER (POTION ALCHEMY) HAS WON! I WILL WORK OUT A BALANCE FOR GUO LONG TO LEARN BOTH!
I think more of potions than pills.
5558071
The Pill Alchemy would still have the possibility for potions, but it is mainly focused on pills as it is a form of Qi-based medical process.
So is that a Yes, No, or Other, vote?
I vote yes. Those limitations you have put up are also a good idea.
5558074
Other
Yes. Maybe add if you use to much at a time you get sick like if you drink to many potions you get potion sickness but yes it sounds OK to me
I vote no, pill are kind of a cliché in cultivator stories, maybe do something a little more original.
Other as in potions he wouldn't have the knowledge to do full up pills.
That's not including that the plants and other he can get in this world is different than his home.
Besides he can sell them to make money for his travels.
A wandering cultivating pharmacist is well within the genre.
It's far easier to cause harm rather than healing after all.
5558098
It's a wuxia staple, that advancing too quickly can lead to an unstable foundation.
Yes, reposting old comment for clarification.
Pill crafting could create some interesting interactions.
Let's leave out the fact that it's present in 90%+ of wuxia and purely assess its merits in this particular story.
Firstly, and most humorous, you could have it differ widely from potions (let's call pill crafting alchemy, for now). Maybe potions are made in a way that the ingredients used compound off each other to drastically different effects, which would legitimize why Zecroa had seeds to a plant, she had Applebloom eat whole instead of concocting a potion with a higher concentration using the plant.
Potion brewing could follow bad fantasy tropes and have seemingly random ingredients added to make a potion for a specific effect.
"Twilight, why are you mixing a sedative with a laxative?" "Because, I need bug repellent."
This could lead Twilight to be beyond nerdy, while she tries to figure out how it's done. Alchemy might be able to differ, due to it separating and concentration the essence from the materials used into their purest form and achieving better results, instead of going through several processes to refine the necessary concoction. "One-and-Done".
Secondly, it would allow both worldbuilding and character development opportunities with Hardshell. Maybe he knows enough about medicine to lead MC to useful materials that could be used as is, but not enough to refine them into complex medicines.
Maybe Guo Long teaches him the most basic alchemy, which skyrockets the quality of medicine the village has access to, without tying himself down to the location. This could also be used as grounds for a royal interest in the area, which would lead to Guo Long to the Empyreal courts, for good and ill.
Guo Long's knowledge, talent, and skills could lead the Emperor to want to try to take him into his faction. Or, his unknown origins and demeanor could paint him as a threat to the Emperors rule. "Capable AND humble? You're hiding something, other than your identity."
Both of these options could, realistically, have Guo Long travel to Equestria. Either as an ambassador or a refugee, which, in turn, could easily draw Celestias eye.
5558100
Such as? I imagine, a cultivator bubble bath isn't what you'd have in mind.
How about alchemy similar to Skyrim? (other)
5558079
Yes, vote noted
5558089
Other (Potion alchemy), vote noted.
5558098
Yes, vote noted.
And yeah overdosing on pills is a factor, and rely too much on pills might cause harm to the body. Like all medicine, there is a risk as medicine can be just as, if not more, dangerous as poison.
5558100
No, vote noted.
Pill-making is a big part of the franchise but it is not one that is needed to make a decent story. So it is good you are stating your opinion. But if you want me to make another thing you need to give a suggestion as those who made Other votes have.
5558103
Other (Potion Alchemy), vote noted.
A reasonable explanation and a decent venture for a cultivator to learn.
5558137
Indeed.
5558138
I will take this as a Yes vote.
5558140
Clarity is important, indeed.
5558193
Should I take that as an Other (Alchemy Potion) vote?
Current Taly of Votes
Other (Potion Alchemy): 3
Yes: 3
No: 1
It is neck to neck between Potion & Pill alchemy.
If I combined the two, would that make everybody vote for it? With Guo Long creating his own original style of potion/pill making with elements from both MLP and Wuxia?
5558266
I am OK for both it will be fun to see how you use them
5558266
Recommend that you use something harmony related
5558286
Glad to know. I will mark it down as a possibility if more people show interest in it.
5558289
...I am sorry for sounding negative but. That is not helpful whatsoever.
5558266
Combining the two sounds like the best idea. You will make both happy with that.
The Voting is Over and the results are a bit mixed.
I have 3 Votes for Yes and 3 Votes for Other (Potions).
So to work this out I am going to try and work out a mixture between the two to make a more Jack of All Trade Alchemy set in Guo Long's skill set. He will be proficient in both Pill and Potion crafting, but never a master in either. But his knowledge in the subjects will be deeper than most masters, he will just not have the skill to utilize the knowledge.
Nor will he start like this. He only knows the basics of Pill Alchemy thus far and will need to conduct research and practice in Potion Alchemy when he has the chance. Not available in his current location.
Does this sound fair to everyone?
5558494
I hope so. I will try to keep things unique as to not bore people with too much information dumping and crafting scenes.
5558960
You can also make it that he can later on teach people how to pill craft and make potions and those people can become experts with the skills to make the top-tier types.
5558962
This sounds good and if all that information get to much. Make a chapter with all the information and ranking on it. That way you and us can use it. Like if we forget what the weapon ranking is we just got to go to that chapter to find it. If you need an idea how it works look at this https://www.fimfiction.net/story/404566/457/airship-mauled/chapter-x-airship-mauled-magical-alchemy-appendix-warning-possible-spoilers