The Inspirations Behind "The Horrors of Alchemy"

When I first set out to write The Horrors of Alchemy, I knew I wanted to create something that blended my love of fantasy, horror, and immersive storytelling. The idea wasn't born overnight - it was a cumulation of years spent playing Dungeons & Dragons, building intricate homebrew worlds, and absorbing every eerie, twisted tale I could get my hands on.

The Influence of D&D and Homebrew Campaigns

Tabletop role-playing games have always been a massive creative outlet for me, and Dungeons & Dragons in particular played a foundational role in shaping the world and characters of The Horrors of Alchemy. I’ve spent years crafting homebrew campaigns, developing intricate lore, and throwing my players into terrifying, alchemy-infused nightmares. Some of those ideas, particularly the themes of forbidden knowledge and the pursuit of power at any cost, naturally found their way into the novel.

One of the most rewarding aspects of homebrew world-building is weaving together horror and fantasy—creating places where magic feels dangerous, where the pursuit of knowledge can lead to ruin, and where even the most well-intentioned characters can become something monstrous. That same sense of tension and dread is something I wanted to capture in my book.

Literary and Cinematic Influences

Beyond D&D, I drew inspiration from classic gothic horror, cosmic horror, and dark fantasy. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was a major influence—particularly in how it explores the consequences of pushing science and alchemy beyond ethical limits. The idea of a brilliant mind unknowingly creating a monster resonated deeply with the themes of my novel.

The works of Edgar Allan Poe also shaped the book’s atmosphere. His mastery of psychological horror, obsession, and the inevitability of doom helped guide the tone of my story. The way his characters often spiral into madness, consumed by their own ambitions and fears, felt like a natural parallel to the alchemists in my book.

I also drew inspiration from The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, particularly in how both series handle magic as something vast, powerful, and often unpredictable. In The Lord of the Rings, magic is ancient and mysterious, something that lingers in the world rather than being easily controlled. That idea heavily influenced the way alchemy functions in my book—it’s not just a science, but an unpredictable force that can just as easily consume its wielder. Harry Potter, on the other hand, influenced my love for dark academia and the allure of secret knowledge hidden within ancient tomes. That sense of wonder mixed with danger plays a crucial role in my story.

The Research Process

Alchemy itself was a fascinating rabbit hole of research. I dove into historical texts, medieval treatises, and real-world alchemical philosophy. While much of it is steeped in mysticism, I was particularly intrigued by the idea that alchemists weren’t just trying to turn lead into gold—they were often searching for enlightenment, immortality, or divine secrets. That obsession, that willingness to sacrifice everything for knowledge, became a driving force in my story.

I also looked into medical history, particularly the grotesque experiments of early science, where the line between progress and horror was razor-thin. The ethical dilemmas of science, the way ambition can twist even the best intentions, became central themes in the book.

Final Thoughts

The Horrors of Alchemy is the result of years of storytelling—both at the D&D table and in my own creative explorations. It’s a love letter to dark fantasy, cosmic horror, and the kinds of stories that linger long after the last page is turned. If you love creeping dread, morally complex characters, and a world where alchemy is as much a curse as it is a gift, then I think you’ll find something to love in its pages.

What are some of your favorite horror and fantasy influences? Let’s talk in the comments!