Tresk joined Theo and Zarali to tour her new enchanting building. The building’s interior was lavished, compared to the alchemist’s expectations. She had cleared everything to the sides of the room, leaving an area down the center for an ornamental rug. At the end of the long rug, sitting under a stained glass window, was a shrine to Drogramath. Entering the building gave the alchemist a sense of comfort, and his eyes were instantly drawn to the shrine.
Along the edge of the room were tools he had never seen sat atop tables and strewn haphazardly. There wasn’t a room for her to sleep in, but Zarali had taken to sleeping at Xol’sa’s tower. She gave them a tour of the building, showing off her impressive tools. The priestess had to tell them how impressive they were, since the descriptions only gave basic information. Enchanting required a combination of precision work with an awl, meant to scratch out the rough shape, then gems and her own personal magic to infuse them with power.
The roots of Xam’s new building were almost done forming. As the trio approached, they noted a crowd surrounding the tangle of roots, scratching their heads. They stopped for a moment to observe the group, a smile playing across both Theo's and Zarali’s face. Both of them knew what it was thanks to their high [Wisdom]. Tresk was still in the dark, but her curiosity was bubbling up.
“I give up,” Tresk said. “What is it?”
“A bathhouse,” Zarali and Theo said in unison. They turned to smile at each other.
“You noticed the outgoing pipes, too?” Theo asked.
“I did,” Zarali said. “I can’t imagine she’d need so much water for something like a brewery. Although, I’ve never seen a seed core bathhouse.”
“A bathhouse,” Tresk said, barely a whisper.
“Knowing these buildings, you’ll get a buff for soaking in the water,” Theo said with a nod.
They made their way into Xam’s tavern, taking their traditional seat. She was serving a kind of dumpling soup again. It was more delicious than the last time they tried it, if that was even possible. That simple fact painted the [Cook’s Core] as something that made things better as it leveled up. Theo let his mind wander to the idea of a level 100 [Cook], and the transcendent experience of eating their food. Perhaps it would be difficult to go back to simply cooked meals after that.
“So, I’m catering the festival,” Xam said, grinning.
“What was it?” Theo asked. “12 days?”
“12 days of breakfast and dinner for everyone,” Xam said with a nod. “50 heads.”
Theo could see the gears turning in her mind. She wasn’t reluctant to do the event, she was salivating at the chance to get so much experience.
“I assume the bathhouse will be open by then,” Theo said.
Xam’s face twisted into shock. She looked over her shoulders, trying to ensure no one heard the scandalous revelation. “How did you know?”
“Lucky guess,” Zarali said, laughing.
“Is it going to be coed?” Tresk asked.
“According to Fenian, I can upgrade it to have different sections. So I plan on having three main areas with private baths available for rent,” Xam said.
“So, who is paying for all this?” Tresk asked, leaning in. “Seems expensive.”
“I’ve got funding from Throk and Luras,” Xam said. “They helped with the initial investment on the pipework. Kinda lame the building won’t generate its own water, but it will enchant the water to give buffs.”
“I knew it,” Theo said. “So, you’re planning to survive off people renting the private baths?”
“That’s the plan,” Xam said. “This is more a service for the town, though. Any outsider adventurers will have to pay a fee.”
Theo appreciated anything that helped the town outright, and was overjoyed that someone else wanted to take the reins. He knew it would happen, though. The people of Broken Tusk weren’t sitting on their hands because they didn’t want to help. They didn’t have the means to do so before he transformed their economy. Perhaps thinking of himself as the catalyst wasn’t the right path. It was the complete transformation of the surrounding resources that injected the economy with much-needed cash.
“So, the festival,” Xam said. “50 heads. 2 meals a day. 12 days. I was told you were funding this.”
Theo tried to smile, but his mental math made that hard. He owed her for 1,200 meals, and wasn’t eager to pay that bill. It would cost him 12 gold to pay her, assuming it was 1 silver a meal.
“How much per person?” Theo asked, letting out a sigh.
“Oh, don’t get your mayoral undies in a twist,” Xam said, letting out a laugh. “Whatever you can pay me helps. I’m already swimming in turtle shells as it is.”
“Turtle shells?” Theo asked. He realized after asking that she used an idiom he hadn’t heard before. “Oh, you’re rich.”
“Exactly,” Xam said.
“Well, I’m guessing you’d get 12 gold from the event if I paid you full price,” Theo said, intent on keeping his promise.
“Give me 5 gold for a job well done,” Xam said.
Theo handed over 5 gold coins without hesitation. The thought of her going out of her way, gaining the support of Luras and Throk for the bathhouse idea, made him want to give her the full amount. This brought his total gold down to 26, but he wasn’t worried.
Stolen novel; please report.
“And I’ll help you upgrade the building when it's done,” Theo said. “As a thanks.”
“Always easy doing business with you, Theo,” Xam said, winking. “You’re a pushover.”
“He is,” Tresk said. “But he’s getting better.”
The group ate their meal without discussing the bathhouse further. While they were all excited, Theo had other things on his mind. Potions had solved several issues with the town, but they had since grown past needs he could sate. Now it fell to those people, once scrambling in the mire to feed themselves, to raise the town further. Alchemy was integral to the success of the town, but he couldn’t do it alone. The alchemist’s cores were growing in strength slowly, compared to when he first arrived. The second tier potions were already so powerful, and he couldn’t imagine what the next tier brought.
Theo thought about that next tier, wondering what it would bring. Whatever they might be, it would bring a new era of potion craft to this world. The Drogramathi who existed refused to share their wares with the rest of the world. Zarali was so unlike that picture she painted, willing to give herself to Broken Tusk. That might have been a fluke of her circumstances, considering that no other Dronon had received a transmigrator. She had a special anchor in the alchemist, drawing her to the town. The explanation was good enough for him.
Once Theo’s equipment reached a point that he could satisfy mass demand, everyone would use his potions. He pushed the thoughts away and enjoyed his meal, finding that it hit the spot. When the group was done eating, Theo and Tresk accompanied Zarali to the portal. When the companions returned to the Newt and Demon, they were eager to get into the Dreamwalk.
Theo had more ideas as they entered the Dreamwalk. The longer he confronted more of his terrible memories of Earth, he remembered more of the good places. Despite the complete destruction of Berlin, there was a pleasant cottage he remembered hunkering down in for some time. They arrived on the edge of a forest, a low stone wall bordering the building. The pair spent their time practicing their arts and sharing their excitement about the coming bathhouse. The alchemist brought his [Drogramath Herbalism Core] close to his alchemy core, but it still trailed. They would now hit level 14 at around the same time.
When they woke the next morning, feeling fresh and rested, they departed the lab to eat breakfast. Arriving at Xam’s tavern brought an unfamiliar sight. Long tables lined the edge of the town’s square, surrounding the monolith. They were already laden with dishes. [Fire Artifices] burned, heating kettles filled with brewing moss tea bubbled. Flowers of all kinds hung, strung along the tables, and the Marsh Wolf Tavern.
“Festival!” Tresk shouted, pumping her fist. “You’re going to have fun with this, Theo. We’re gonna make the best wreath.”
Theo and Tresk grabbed a plate from Xam. The Marshling didn’t need to consider whether to sit. She simply downed the leftover dumpling soup in one go, releasing a loud belch and returning the bowl to the tavern’s keeper. More townspeople began gathering near the front of the tavern. They all shared the same excitement for the festival, and the alchemist was getting in the mood for celebration. As more people grabbed bowls of food, sipping their tea, more eyes turned to the mayor. Only a thoughtful nudge from Aarok revealed the need for a speech.
Theo cleared his throat, commanding the attention of the buzzing crowd. More eyes turned to him, and he wasn’t certain what he should say.
“The Festival of Dying blooms,” Theo started, figuring that was as good of a place to start as any. “We stand at the edge of the Season of Blooms and on the precipice of something else entirely. To the new people in town, I welcome you. You’ve found a rare space among mortals. A space where everyone is given a chance to do their best. Without your hard work, we’re nothing. So, join with me in celebration of the end of this season. And may the best wreath win.”
Theo received applause for his efforts, even if he wasn’t convinced of his speech. It felt awkward to address such a crowd, especially one filled with so many unfamiliar faces. They seemed to accept his words, though. Every mind in that crowd seemed to support him in more ways than he could imagine, bolstering his dream for this place. Aarok got the crowd’s attention after that, explaining the rules of the festival. He pointed a finger at Theo, emphasizing that cheating wasn’t allowed. He couldn’t use alchemical means to preserve the flowers beyond their natural life, nor could he use whole plants on his wreath. The wreaths had to be completed by the end of the day. This evening, the mayor would inspect each one to ensure they were following the rules.
Since there was no real reward for the festival, there was no reason to cheat. Even if Tresk had done so last year, she had done so out of spite for Banu’s perfect record. After the rules were laid out, and everyone had their food, the citizens of Broken Tusk fanned off into the swamp. The Adventurer’s Guild provided escorts for groups daring the swamp.
“What’s the best flower?” Tresk asked. “Last year I used the fire ones, but I hid the whole plant in the wreath.”
Theo thought about it for a moment. His herb knowledge gave him an unfair advantage. [Stone Flowers] wouldn’t show any rot over time, but that was absolutely cheating. [Widow Lilies] would last for quite a long time, but not the [Water Lilies]. The alchemist settled on a combination of flowers and foliage that would likely not last the entire 12 days, but would provide stark contrast. He led his companion to his greenhouse, where the [Spiny Swamp Thistle] had grown small buds of white flowers. They smelled like garlic and were aesthetically pleasing, but he doubted their longevity.
Tresk wove a wreath of greenwood branches as they went around collecting the perfect flowers. They harvested flowers from the eastern section of the town, making a wide circle that consumed most of the morning into the north. Theo spotted someone else harvesting [Widow Lilies], but they offered no conversation. Midday came and went. Tresk was particular about the flowers she’d accept for the wreath, and they needed to entwine enough of them to provide a striking image. She claimed looks were half the battle, since it was up to the whims of fate to win the competition.
The pair returned to the Newt and Demon, finding that others were doing the same. Even Zarali hung one from her door. Theo had to wonder if Xol’sa had a wreath hanging somewhere in his tower. The Elf was in the crowd, at any rate.
Everyone gathered for dinner back at the square. Xam had prepared a banquet-style meal for the evening. The courses ranged from spicy soups to savory meat dishes slathered in a cream-based sauce. Theo appreciated the addition of Karatan milk to his diet, and couldn’t remember how he lived without it. When the tavern’s keeper revealed kegs of honied mead from Rivers and Daub, the crowd went wild.
Theo found himself with a tankard of the sweet-smelling drink in his hand before he could object. The flavor of the drink was a strange combination of yeasty bread and sweet honey. To his unaccustomed taste, it was offensive at first. Only when his head began buzzing did he come to enjoy the drink.
The large group began their lazy wind around the town. Those who had been in town before, experiencing the festival in past years, had understood what kind of wreath to make. The newer additions to the town went a different route. Their wreaths took all shapes and sizes, not conforming to the circular shape. Throk had also decided not to follow the standards of the town. His entry into the contest contained minimal flowers. It was a decorative amalgam of tubes and artifices that played fart noises on a loop. It also shot sparks, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Once the tour was concluded, everyone returned to the center of town to continue their celebrations. Theo made sure to go easy on the mead, only mildly enjoying the way it made his head swim. He hoped the citizens would get over the new introduction to their diet quickly, as the threat of monster waves was always present. The start of the festival couldn’t have gone better, though.
Things settled down as the sun set, giving Theo a chance to appreciate what they’d built so far. The road ahead was long, but he knew they would proceed at a steady pace. He returned to the Dreamwalk with his companion, intent on gaining more experience. Alise’s contract expired tomorrow, giving the alchemist a chance to interview her about her position in the city. He knew she’d agree to continue her work and wouldn’t have it any other way.