i love the implications of alchemy in this game
(or at least early alchemy)
(little bit of a side tangent for context) i think one of the things that really shines with this game is the requirement for infrastructure to develop, et a windmill, a bakery, a pulveriser, a distillery ect. so in addition to the ancient technology that you can make in the game, a chemical setup could be very interesting. not necessarily for full on chemistry, but such as a boiling flask (boil impure liquids to extract materials [et saltwater -> salt]) and other mechanics of making perhaps more medicine or preservatives or higher end explosives for fireworks or such. having players add a lab to their roster of industries in my opinion can only add to the game.
however i draw a blank as to what the lab would add to actual progression, i might need someone else who is more familiar with chemistry to follow that (id love to hear it)
edit: oh yeah making yeast as a required thing is a must, why can't we just be stuck with flatbread until able to make yeast
^an expansion on this could add bacteria as a resource but id refrain from going into that unless we want some REALLY vintage cheese
crap second edit: oh i love the implications of electroplating i need to see what statistics you can mess with