Prime Arcana

(hypothesized alchemical substance)

The Prime Arcana is a theoretical alchemical substance, discussed in The Way of the Stone. Rumors and legends suggest that many alchemists have sought this material, but there are no conclusive proofs it exists. It is said to be a key ingredient in many concoctions of great power, especially those granting invulnerability and youth.

The mad alchemist Grimstone, working in Western Cymea, believed the Prime Arcana was related to petrification. He thought that transmuted flesh retained the essence of flesh, that magically created stone retained magic, and that a living soul turned into stone might produce the substance he needed. This led him to capture prisoners and use a captive basilisk to petrify them for study. He was killed when several of his kidnap victims turned on him.