alchemists today are few and far between, most basing their research on the studies of iris, an alchemist who lived before the fall of avenberry. they travel the world in search of new alchemaic artifacts for synthesis, ruins of the past, and mana. the mana are a race of beings that allow alchemists to use their power. they augment the power of the elements which alchemists extract from objects in the world and use them to create new and powerful magical items. mana have feelings, emotions, and personalities just as people do, and many become good friends with their alchemist, although some people do forget about this fact.