That sounds horrendously boring. I'm really glad I'm allowed to actually do things. Would've put a bullet in my head otherwise.
Well, you can make gold, it's just stupid and pointless, for the reasons you said. If alchemy is like chemistry, then yeah, it's alchemy without all the woo crap.
What are Crusades?
There are recipes for gunpowder, if you want to look. I don't know what supplies you all have. It's doable with your tech level, in very basic form.