Alchemists generally dwell in large cities where they can develop and enhance their craft, but it is not unusual to find them even in the smallest of villages. Often eccentric and obsessed with a particular field of study, most alchemists choose a specialty to master. Choose or randomly determine your specialization.

As an alchemist, you’ve likely been exposed to a wide range of chemicals by design or otherwise. Consequently, you’ve learned to quickly identify what properties a nonmagical substance might have—ideally before it causes any damage to you or your work by sampling a portion or inhaling the scent. Your experience limits accidental injury during such analyses. At the GM’s discretion, this feature may work with magical substances, but accidental exposure is much more likely.

Not every alchemist is fortunate enough to earn an apprenticeship. Instead, you may simply have an innate knack for alchemy or learn it through extensive trial and error. You might never have had someone teaching you the ropes, but you’ve learned them the hard way—your way. As a result of your unorthodox education in alchemy, however, you tend to approach problems a little differently. Your acids are just as caustic, your poisons as deadly, and your tonics as soothing, but you lack the careful, practiced methodology that apprenticeship teaches.
If you wish to be a self-made master, use the Unorthodox Alchemy feature, below. You may trade your skill proficiency with Medicine for Survival, if you learned your trade in the wilderness, or for Deception, if you practiced it in secret.

You may select this background feature instead of Chemical Exposure.
Your alchemy is a little different from everyone else, but that’s what makes it special. Your unique way of approaching the science grants you an esoteric knowledge of the world. When attempting to recall a piece of Arcana or Nature lore, you often have an idea on how to learn more, even if you don’t know anything specific. Usually, this method involves experimental, timeconsuming, and potentially dangerous alchemy. Your GM might rule that there are certain things you cannot know nor further explore via alchemy.