''The Compleat Alchemist'' is a generic

role-playing game A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within ...

supplement first published by

Bard Games Bard Games was an American game company that produced role-playing games and game supplements. Products Bard Games was formed in 1982 by Steven Cordovano, Vernie Taylor and Stephan Michael Sechi, who each put up $600. Their intention was to marke ...

in 1982.

Publication history

Bard Games was formed in 1982 by

Steven Cordovano Steven Cordovano is a game designer who has worked primarily on role-playing games. Career In 1982, Stephan Michael Sechi, Steven Cordovano and Venie Taylor each put in $600 and formed the company Bard Games Bard Games was an American game co ...

and

Stephan Michael Sechi Stephan Michael Sechi is a game designer who has worked primarily on role-playing games. Career In 1982, Stephan Michael Sechi, Steven Cordovano and Vernie Taylor each put in $600 and formed the company Bard Games to produce their own ''Dunge ...

to market generic fantasy role-playing supplements that could be adapted for any game system. Their first product was a 46-page softcover book called ''The Compleat Alchemist''. A preliminary edition with a white cover and brown cover art was published in 1982; the first edition with pink cover art was released the following year. In both cases, the contents were typewritten, and artwork was provided by Joe Bouza. Bard Games ceased operation in 1990. In 1994, Wizards of the Coast released an updated edition of ''The Compleat Alchemist'', a 71-page professionally typeset softcover book written by Cathleen Adkinson,

Anthony Pryor Anthony Pryor is the author and co-author of several roleplaying game products. Career Anthony Pryor has worked as a game designer for Wizards of the Coast, Inc. His professional RPG credits include the 1992 Greyhawk setting modules '' Patriots ...

, and Beverly Marshall Saling.

Description

The book provides details on the alchemist character class. Its contents are designed to be modified for use with any fantasy role-playing game system. Alchemical processes are described in detail, including more than 200 ingredients and their cost. The first edition book is divided into four parts: # Introduction: an outline of alchemy and basics about the alchemist character # Ingredients, including herbs, elements, gemstones, animal parts, equipment needed and a log sheet # Twelve levels of alchemical processes, from Elixirs and Toxic Powders at the low end, to the philosopher's stone, golems and homunculi at the highest levels. # Gamemaster notes, including details of buying and selling, hirelings, apprentices, and an explosion table

Reception

In the January–February 1985 edition of ''

Space Gamer Space is the boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative position and direction. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider ...

'' (Issue No. 72), Craig Sheeley was not sure if the average player should buy the 1983 edition, commenting that, "''The Compleat Alchemist'' is a worthy supplement, but if you don't think you'll ever have an alchemist player-character in your game, and you already have enough magical items and don't want to add any more, then this supplement is not for you." In the June 1994 edition of ''

Dragon A dragon is a reptilian legendary creature that appears in the folklore of many cultures worldwide. Beliefs about dragons vary considerably through regions, but dragons in western cultures since the High Middle Ages have often been depicted as ...

'' (Issue 206),

Rick Swan Rick Swan is a game designer and author who worked for TSR. His work for TSR, mostly for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, appeared from 1989 to 1995. Swan also wrote ''The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'' (1990), published by St. Martin's Pre ...

found some of the statistics hopelessly vague, due to the attempt to keep the information as generic as possible: "To accommodate everything from '' AD&D'' game to the '' Tunnels & Trolls'' game, the rules have to be vague. Consequently, I'm not always sure what they mean." Swan also was troubled by the lack of role-playing material, saying, "There's little about the alchemist's personality, no meaningful adventure hooks, no compelling reasons why alchemists would be more fun to play than, say, a priest or a paladin." He concluded by giving the book an average rating of 3 out of 6, saying that few players would likely play an alchemist, but that "referees should find ''The Compleat Alchemist'' to be an invaluable resource for adding color to their campaigns and creating oddball treasure items. Ghoul venom, anyone?"

Reviews

*'' Different Worlds'' #34 (May/June, 1984) *'' The V.I.P. of Gaming Magazine'' #4 (July/Aug., 1986)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Compleat Alchemist Fantasy role-playing game supplements Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1982