[Twan]

I agree, I actually only use alchemy when I'm 20 or 30 gp away from being able to build a castle or recruit a capitol mage.

In a mp with Machaka, I had to alchemize a lot in a war against Man whode bards were spreeding unrest in half my realm ; and finally realised that as long my mages upkeep was paid it was better to alchemize for other gems my huge production and summon thugs than to alchemize for gold and recruit troops. For 24f alchemized in death you get a bane lord, and it's far more interesting than recruiting 360g of anything.