In the world in which this adventure takes place there exists a force called alchemy. When brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric lose their mother at an early age they break the second taboo in alchemy and try to bring her back to life. For this, Alphonse loses his entire body, but quickly gets his soul encased by Edward in a suit of armor. Edward loses an arm and a leg. After they recover, they begin a quest to regain their bodies by finding the legendary philosopher's stone, a device that has the ability to bypass the laws of alchemy and bestow upon the user limitless power.