Editing Sorcerous Arts:Characters (section)

===Vaum the Alchemist===

Vaum is a conjurer, alchemist, and astronomer; a doddering old professor who hides his advancing years under simple illusions. His Theory of Sidereal Metallurgy, which holds that metals are created by the interactions between various types of stone and the light of different constellations, is his chief claim to fame. Vaum believes this to be a meagre and boring accomplishment, and has therefore decided to become the supreme ruler of the universe before he dies. His plan is simple: given that Mother Moon is the center of all things, and that his Thousandfold Magnifying Apparatus reveals its surface to be uninhabited, he must merely travel to the celestial body and plant his flag upon its crust.

To this end, Vaum expends his efforts in the pursuit of two main projects. Firstly, he seeks to design a spell to support life in a thin, cold atmosphere, so that he may survive Mother Moon's surface conditions. Secondly, he attempts to persuade Headmaster Tolze to set down his Greater Teleport spell upon a magical scroll, so that he may travel to Mother Moon. Tolze fears that the Alchemist will prefer being supreme ruler of the universe to life as a mere professor. Not wishing to lose Vaum's services, Tolze has thusfar denied the man's request.