[A Brief History of Alchemy]
Halfling book publisher renowned for his cheap editions, marketing abilities,
and summaries of complicated texts. At some time in his middle years
Broadspan received a state contract to collate and publish a new series of
magical texts for Asemath Academy. He developed a personal interest in
these, and soon progressed from publisher to dedicated alchemist.
Broadspan's personal contribution to alchemy was slim but telling. One volume in his Asemath series focused upon a debate over the resource consumption of 3 creature types (living, metallic constructs, elemental beings). "Why use up resources to create something permanent when you only want to kill temporarily?" Broadspan wrote in a brief forward. "Why not just fake it like I do when I toss a magical but fictitious wet rag down some snobbish Elothian's back?" This single remark sparked a new debate on the subject of magical glamouri, and ultimately led to the development of illusory creatures.