Pharmacist Association

Biodata

Background / History

The Wang Family Pharmacy is described as having ties to the Pharmacist Association, a connection regarded as a major advantage for the pharmacy's future in Mengyin City 6.

Master Lu Tiao approached Zhang He after examining his Detoxification and Marrow Cleansing Pill. Impressed by its unconventional refining and molding methods, he recruited Zhang He both for his potential and to associate the Association's name with the popular Five Poison Beads 13.

The Association supported Zhang He's advancement by granting him enough contribution points to become an Iron-Rank Pharmacist after his pills were marketed as specially supplied by the organization 13. It later procured rare medicinal ingredients Zhang He needed, demonstrating its ability to mobilize resources beyond an individual pharmacist's reach 47.

After the Luowang Prefecture branch verified the exceptional potency of Zhang He's Body-Tempering Potion, it entered an exclusive distribution agreement for the product, subject to Zhang He's existing supply arrangement with Prince Qu and his private provisions for family and friends 43 47.

Organization

Connection to Medicine King Valley

The Pharmacist Association is backed by Medicine King Valley, granting its members the valley's protection 13.

Membership in the Association does not make one a Medicine King Valley disciple. However, the valley prioritizes selecting disciples from the Association during its annual recruitment 13.

Headquarters and Branches

• The Association's headquarters is located in the capital of the Northwest Empire 40.
• A major branch operates in Luowang Prefecture, positioned opposite the statue of the Chu Emperor in the prefectural city's central plaza 40.
• The Luowang Prefecture branch is led by a President holding Gold-Rank Pharmacist status 43.
• The branch contains a large service hall with registration counters and uniformed attendants 41.

Membership and Promotion

Pharmacists are ranked through contribution points and may exchange those points for advancement or assistance.

The Association's stated rank order is Ace, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Iron, and Ordinary 13. Higher ranks carry greater authority and access to resources 47.

Member Benefits

• Access to rare medicinal herbs, ancient pill formulas, and aid from high-level experts through contribution points 13.
• Authority to post Association tasks for locating required medicinal ingredients 40.
• Ranked identity badges that establish a pharmacist's status within the organization 25 41.
• Access to alchemical facilities appropriate to rank 47.
• Professional prestige; pharmacists are treated as highly valued figures by major families and nobles 28 50.

Facilities

Alchemical Chambers

The Luowang Prefecture branch has four alchemical rooms: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding.

• Jia and Yi — Reserved for Bronze-Rank pharmacists and above 47.
• Bing and Ding — Available to Iron-Rank and ordinary pharmacists 47.
• Alchemical Chamber A — Equipped with high-grade apparatus, including a pure gold-wire strainer that prevents contamination and filters more effectively than bamboo tools 48.
• Staff can provide meals or respond to special requests through bells installed inside the chambers 47.

Notable Members

• Lu Tiao — Silver-Rank Pharmacist, master alchemist, manager, and Zhang He's sponsor. He recruited Zhang He and arranged the Association's distribution agreement for the Body-Tempering Potion 13 47.
• President of the Luowang Prefecture branch — Gold-Rank Pharmacist. He personally evaluated Zhang He's Body-Tempering Potion and recognized its extraordinary body-tempering effect 43.
• Pharmacist Lin — Bronze-Rank Pharmacist. He initially challenged Zhang He's use of Alchemical Chamber A, then accepted that Zhang He had Bronze-Rank status 48.
• Pharmacist Shi — Iron-Rank Pharmacist whose badge is recognized by the Luowang branch gatekeepers 41.
• Zhang He — Recruited as an Iron-Rank Pharmacist through the success of the Five Poison Beads, then promoted to Bronze-Rank after granting the Association distribution rights for his Body-Tempering Potion 13 25 47.

Relationships

• Medicine King Valley — Patron and protective backer; its disciple selection favors Pharmacist Association members 13.
• Wang Family Pharmacy — Commercially connected to the Association; Master Lu first encountered Zhang He through the pharmacy's successful sale of the Detoxification and Marrow Cleansing Pill 6 13.
• Zhang He — Member, initially recruited by Lu Tiao; the Association provides ingredients, facilities, status, and distribution in return for the reputational and commercial value of his medicines 13 47.
• Prince Qu — Exempted from the Association's exclusivity arrangement because Zhang He had an earlier agreement to supply him with Body-Tempering Potion 47.

Trivia

• The Association had over 3,000 pharmacists at the time Zhang He was recruited 13.
• Gatekeepers at the Luowang Prefecture branch initially treated Zhang He dismissively, then became deferential after recognizing his Iron-Rank badge 41.
• The Luowang branch President considered Zhang He's Body-Tempering Potion among the three best body-tempering liquids he had encountered 43.