Theo didn’t think he was at Ziz’s quarry for that long, but his barrel was sitting outside of Sledge’s workshop when he arrived. He inspected it before greeting her. It was a sturdy barrel, half his height and wider than expected. The slats smelled of pine and were banded together by thick ribbons of copper which held no seam. The alchemist noticed Throk’s handiwork in that. Only the blacksmith could get such a flawless piece of copper around the barrel.
Sledge emerged from her workshop, hands on her hips, with a wide smile painting her face. “What do you think?”
“It’s perfect, thank you,” Theo said, inspecting the bands of copper. “I have concerns about the copper.”
“I sourced it from Throk. If you want to complain, talk to him,” Sledge said.
“The problem is my reagents,” Theo said, withdrawing a piece of [Spiny Swamp Thistle Root] from his inventory. “They’re typically reactive with untreated copper.”
“That’s your problem.”
Theo scored the edge of the root with his alchemy knife and rubbed it against the copper. It sizzled, sending streams of red smoke into the air. The alchemist stepped back and nodded, taking the barrel into his inventory and turning to Sledge. “As I expected. I’ll be back with an updated order.”
Sledge shrugged. “You’re the one paying.”
Theo left, ignoring the brusque woman’s comment. The issue with the reactive copper was one thing, but perhaps there was a hint in his alchemy book. The more he increased his core’s level, the more he understood from the book. It was a grim omen, and a blessing at the same time. Without it, he wouldn’t have a straight path for the next stages of alchemy, but with it, he had to deal with the demon breathing down his neck. He only hoped to outpace the speed with which Drogramath pursued him.
The alchemist stopped by Throk’s blacksmith to check on the pressure tank. A half-assembled copper tank sat in the front of the workshop while the blacksmith tinkered with something inside. Theo popped his head in the shop and waved for the Marshling’s attention.
“Still working on the project,” Throk said, grumbling. “You’re quite a few days too early.”
“I just wanted to know if I could have a length of copper,” Theo said. “In bar form, if possible.”
Throk gestured to a table strewn with ribbons of copper. “Take what you want. I won’t expect it back.”
Theo smiled. “You know me too well.”
He returned to the Newt and Demon, finding Azrug haggling with another adventurer inside. The shopkeeper seemed too busy to pay attention to him, leaving him to retreat to the lab upstairs. Theo saw his lab in a new light that day. Running up against the barrier of level 10 was draining him of his desire to perform alchemy. Now he was beyond that. Reinvigorated by both his breaking of the barrier and the impact he’d had on the town. He flicked open the book and scanned through the pages, finding a section near the back that detailed a process for alchemy-proofing a section of metal with alchemy.
There was irony in that, but Theo couldn’t care to find it.
The instructions in the book were for another ingredient, but Theo didn’t have access to it. He didn’t know where he’d come across a [Flame Tongue Wisp], and he didn’t care to find out. The pearl would do just fine. It was a similar setup to the tannery potions, but the final product needed to be put through some different steps. Instead of pouring the solution over the metal he wanted to harden against alchemical intrusion, he needed to soak the metal for an amount of time. Otherwise, the distillation and mixing process was the same as the tannery ingredients.
Theo poured 50 units of [Purified Water] in his still, adding 50 pearls worth of dust before setting his [Flame Artifice] to low and placing it beneath. He poured his intent into the still, willing it to focus on the [Infuse] property. He placed a flask beneath the condenser unit and went back to check his book. The artifice sputtered into silence and he cursed, moving to jam an [Earth Mote] in the contraption's side slot. The air inside became oppressive immediately, forcing him to prop a window open.
I saw the Goblin! Tresk shouted into his mind.
Theo stared out the window, knitting his brows as he tried to piece together what she was talking about.
The Goblin? Aren’t we already aware of the Goblins?
No! Not just a Goblin. The Goblin. The one riding a wolf, Tresk said. I’m gonna stab him.
Theo glanced at the stack of status bars in the side of his vision. The Tara’hek core allowed him to see her health, stamina, and mana, which were all currently full. Suddenly her stamina dropped significantly, followed by her health. Her health then returned to full, the entire sequence of events forcing the alchemist’s heart to hammer in his ears. It was hard to ignore what the Marshling was doing when he was idle, something that pained him when he was breaking the barrier.
Nevermind, Tresk said. I used my [Vanish] ability and I’m hiding. That Goblin has a spear.
Be careful, Theo said. Do you need me to talk to Aarok about it?
I’ll handle it. This thing is level 20, or something, Tresk said. I thought if I got the jump on him, he’d be dead. Turns out, that wolf is the problem.
We’ll post a contract at the guild if need be, Theo said. He wanted to talk her out of attacking it again, but she wasn’t stupid. She didn’t need him to be her nanny, if anything it was the other way around. Tresk was powerful for her level, mostly because of her Legendary [Assassin’s Core].
Alright. Looking for weaker monsters, Tresk said. I’ll stay safe—don’t worry.
Theo nodded to himself, letting out a sigh of relief. He noticed the smell of the condensing essence behind him. It was a strange stench, somewhere between rotting fish and machine oil. He plugged his nose as he waited for the process to complete. Even the open window did little to ease the smell. The alchemist stuck his head out into the rain, fanning the fumes away. Azrug burst through the lab door, nose pinched.
“By the gods, what are you brewing? Bottled farts?” Azrug asked.
“It’s supposed to be [Infuse Essence],” Theo said, gagging. “It wasn’t that bad, but now it’s awful.”
“I’m opening the windows downstairs,” Azrug said, turning on the spot and sprinting down the stairs.
Theo heard the amazing sound of the condenser sputtering the last of its contents into the flask. He dashed over, taking the flask into his inventory and dripping [Cleansing Scrub] into the still. He went around the lab, sprinkling drops of the cleaning liquid on every surface. The fresh scent returned to the lab after a while, but the smell still stung his nostrils. The alchemist inspected the essence in his inventory, refusing to take it out.
[Infuse Essence]
[Essence]
Rare
Created by: Belgar
Grade: Excellent Quality
50 units (liquid)
Concentrated essence of infusion. Used to imbue materials.
The description wasn’t much help. It imbued materials with what, exactly? He pushed the thought away, moving to his book, which still smelled a little. Another drop of [Cleansing Scrub] made it right, and he referenced the section on infusions. According to the author, the stench would go away during the next phase of the process. He wished he read that part sooner. It was a simple detergent-style recipe, and he set up the required flasks. The Drogramath Dronon who penned the tome used copper as the catalyst, and warned against using simple [Purified Water], favoring the [Stabilized Water].
Theo made a 20 unit flask of [Stabilized Water] by introducing a [Flaky Agate], watching the solution bubble until completion. He brought out his smallest measuring pipette, introduced the [Copper Shavings], and dripped the [Infuse Essence] into the mix by the tenth of a unit. When the reaction finally kicked off, it sent a cloud of blue smoke into the air. Mercifully, it smelled like nothing. Perhaps ozone before a big storm, but nothing offensive. The air washing in from the storm outside mixed with that scent, bringing something nostalgic into the alchemist’s mind.
Theo discarded those idle thoughts, inspecting the potion.
[Potion of Infusion]
[Infusion Agent]
Rare
Created by: Belgar
Grade: Excellent Quality
Used to infuse base materials with alchemical essences. Soaking anything in this will render it alchemically inert. Does not work on reagents, or other living materials.
Effect:
Renders object alchemically inert.
Basic Drogramath Alchemy detailed the next part of the process, but he could have figured it out from the description. A material needed to be soaked in the solution for an amount of time, it wasn’t specific about that part, but the author claimed it would be obvious. Theo found an unused vessel for his experiment, hoisting an old washtub from his [Dimensional Storage Crate] and placing it on the table. He poured the liquid in, unworried about the wood reacting with the copper, and dipped the ribbon of copper Throk gave him inside.
The copper bubbled, the solution immediately taking on a blue hue. Theo studied the reaction intently, taking mental notes on whether the process was taking a turn for the worst. Eventually the bubbling let up, the copper taking on a color similar to the blue solution. His instinct told him he could use the liquid a few more times, but only a few. After that, it would lose its potency and become unable to infuse the metal. He withdrew the copper with his gloved hand, withdrawing it quickly when the leather on his hand bubbled. It kept a hint of blue, but nothing more.
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Theo set the copper ribbon down on his table and removed a [Spiny Swamp Thistle Root] from his inventory, scoring it with his alchemy knife. A grin spread across his face when nothing happened. The juices from the root spread across the length of the copper, causing no reaction at all. He set up several flasks for some more [Potions of Infusion], thankful that he only had to withdraw the essence from his inventory for moments at a time. By the end of his run, and the slow crawl of the day towards dusk, he had enough solution to be satisfied.
Azrug still had his nose pinched downstairs, although the smell was long gone.
“The stench has lifted,” Theo said.
“Are you sure?” Azrug asked, narrowing his eyes. “I’m not about to risk it.”
“Only the distillation process makes the stink,” Theo said. “I’m done distilling that horrid stuff for now.”
“What was it supposed to do?” Azrug asked.
“The book didn’t describe the extent of the potion, but I’m certain it causes non-magical items—also non-living—to become alchemically inert,” Theo said. “The non-magical part is my personal theory.”
“Oh. Is that useful?” Azrug asked.
“Extremely. I need to use it on my fermentation barrels,” Theo said.
Azrug rubbed his hands together, removing his fingers from his nose. “Oh, are we making some booze?”
Theo chuckled. “Not yet. We’re making essence modifiers.”
“Whatever that is,” Azrug said, frowning. “I wanted booze.”
“You’re too young,” Theo said, waving him off. “I’m off to talk to Throk. Maybe Sledge.”
“You met Sledge?” Azrug asked, laughing. “Oh, I bet she had fun with you.”
“She really did,” Theo said. “She’s a pistol.”
“A what?”
“Hot-headed.”
“Yeah, she really is,” Azrug said, sighing longingly.
There was a twinkle in the shopkeeper’s eyes that Theo didn’t want to entertain. Love was in the air over Broken Tusk, but he’d have no part of it. People could run off and do what they wanted, but the drama was always too much. Whether it was Xam and Uharis, or Azrug and Sledge, he didn’t want to hear about it.
“I’m off,” Theo said, stepping into the rain before the boy could fawn anymore.
Throk was still absorbed in his tinkering, pressing a strange rod into a series of glowing crystals. He cursed and brought himself closer to his work, muttering to himself. Theo cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the annoyed Marshling.
“I’m still not done,” Throk said.
“I need to buy some copper ribbons. The kind you use to make barrels,” Theo said.
“Gods—there’s a stack over there. Just leave whatever you want to pay on the table and leave me alone,” Throk said. “I’m getting frustrated with these mechanisms. They’re more complex than I expected.”
“Take your time,” Theo said, finding the thick copper ribbons used to band the cypress barrels. They were already magically welded to the right size and shape for his 200 unit barrels, which seemed to be standard. He took enough for his ten barrels, stowing them in his inventory, and leaving a few silver on the table.
He wouldn’t normally pay anything over a few copper coins for the ribbons, especially regular untreated copper, but Throk was working hard. Theo thought of it as a tip in his mind, remembering Xam’s words about the drunk wizard. The alchemist retreated to the Newt and Demon once again, darting upstairs to set up his washtub. He treated the copper ribbons, finding that the wooden container’s capacity could treat 3 of the circular pieces of copper before he needed to dump it out the window. The generous ratio of essence to water meant he could treat all the copper without the need to brew more of the stinking essence, a fact he was thankful for.
Theo was once again out in the rain. His steps fell on the cobbles with sloshing moccasins, the familiar sense of comfort coming back. Something was missing from his life when he was working on the barrier. This frantic dash to get endless tasks done, just to find another task over the hill, was something he missed dearly. Only when he was working without end did he feel happy. He found Sledge, working another section of timber and cursing under her breath.
The alchemist thought about her station within the town. It didn’t appear she was making repairs to the homes within the town, so what was her revenue source? She was far too prickly to ask outright, so he would weasel it out of her over time.
“Sledge,” Theo said. “I have something for you.”
“Oh, more work?” Sledge said, brightening slightly. There was the glimmer he didn’t want to see. The destitution in her eyes.
“More work,” Theo said, producing the infused copper from his inventory and placing all 20 ribbons on her workbench. “I have some alchemically treated copper for the barrels.”
“As long as it's the standard size from Throk, I can work with it,” Sledge said, coming over to inspect the copper. She pressed her nose against it, furrowing her brow. “Alchemically treated? Why?”
Theo was surprised at the way she softened her personality for him. Perhaps there was a gooey center under that hard shell of hers. “They’re for fermenting alchemy reagents. Even though the barrel is watertight, if any of the contents leak they’ll react with the copper. Explosively, perhaps.”
“Right,” Sledge said, running her fingers over the metal. “Well, standard rates.”
Theo knew her standard rate was 2 silver a barrel, which was already robbery. Perhaps the Ogre Cypress was harder to work than the hardwoods, but it couldn’t have been that much of a bother. No, she was likely charging him at least a silver over what she’d charge other people, and he didn’t mind. She was the most vulnerable of all the citizens of Broken Tusk. What place was there for a carpenter in a town of magical buildings, even if they had to buy furniture?
“30 silver,” Theo said, placing the stack of coins on her workbench. His mental math was good enough to multiply 2 by 10, but he feigned ignorance for her sake. She eyed the stack hungrily, refusing to cast that knowing expression at him. “The barrels may need to be replaced regularly, but we can reuse the copper.”
Theo didn’t know if the barrels needed to be replaced at all. The magic in the Ogre Cypres could last for centuries for all he knew, but he wouldn’t tell her that. This was the only avenue that he could think of to approach her poverty. The pride of the Half-Ogres that seemed to run through her veins wouldn’t allow that. That same pride was likely the same reason she never approached him, looking for work. Very few Half-Ogres would do that, and the Marshling took a page from their book. Even Ziz didn’t approach him about work, simply being pawned off by Perg.
“Nice doing business with you, mayor,” Sledge said. “Stop by anytime you need something. Your coin is always welcome.”
The alchemist left the woodworker’s workshop, heading back to the center of town. He wiped sweat, mingling with the falling rain from his brow as his stamina bar dipped lower by the moment. Dusk wasn’t far off, but he had one more task to attend to for the day. He entered the adventurer’s guild, which really needed a name to call its own, and found Aarok in the back room talking with some adventurers.
“Mayor,” Aarok said. “What can I do for you?”
“Have you heard about the Goblin riding a wolf?” Theo asked.
“I have,” Aarok said. “It's a menace.”
“Do you have a contract out for it?” Theo asked.
“I’m working on that.”
“I can offer money for its head—their heads—if it helps,” Theo said, smiling.
“Leave the adventuring to me,” Aarok said. “If you post a gold for the monster, people are going to die. That’s too tempting. They’ll throw themselves into danger for a chance at that money. Allow me to handle this, Theo.”
Theo nodded, feeling useless about the situation. Money typically solved all his problems, but this was a bridge built out of something other than coin. He’d defer to Aarok’s expert opinion about all things adventuring. “I understand. Let me know if you need any help.”
“Will do,” Aarok said, returning to his conversation with the adventurers without breaking his stride.
Theo left the adventurer’s guild, heading back to the shop for the night. He found Uharis inside, chatting with Azrug at the front counter. They were discussing something about the state of trade in the central section of Qavell. The shopkeeper had a lot of opinions with little experience to back them up. They broke off their heated discussion, turning their attention to the alchemist.
“Time for dinner? Your Tara’hek is upstairs,” Uharis said, smiling.
“Are you cooking?” Theo asked.
“I am,” Uharis said. He’d clearly already had his [Sanchrin Leaves] for the day, clearing away whatever hangover he slept off in Xam’s tavern.
“Then let’s go,” Theo said.
Azrug gave Theo’s share of the take for the day. It was a few silver coins and a smattering of copper, but enough to make the boy’s position worth it. They found Tresk upstairs, looking out the window. She turned on the spot when they entered, smiling.
“I almost got that Goblin today,” Tresk said.
“Aarok thinks it's dangerous enough to be worried about, so don’t get yourself killed,” Theo said.
“A Goblin? I could take care of that issue for you,” Uharis said.
Theo waved a dismissive hand. “No, don’t interfere.”
“He wants Broken Tusk’s adventurers to cut their teeth on strife,” Tresk said, flashing a grin. Perhaps as the [Tara’hek Core] leveled, it granted her better access to his feelings, because that was the exact thought he had.
“We won’t always have an Archmage in town,” Theo said. “Least of which one of such high prowess.”
“Oh, you flatter me,” Uharis said. “I’ll deliver a meal to remember.”
Uharis flitted around the room, more nimble than his gangly appearance gave reason to. The cause was likely that he wasn’t currently drunk, but being at level 80 didn’t hurt matters. From Theo’s understanding, it was common for people to distribute their stats across the board. What use was there in being an all-powerful wizard if you stumbled when you walked? That was his reasoning, anyway.
The Archmage made a sign in the air, a trail of light glimmering behind. He nodded to himself and withdrew 6 plucked birds from thin air. They were about the size of a chicken, but with dark skin. He zipped around the lab, pulling things out of thin air and producing vegetables and sauces from nowhere. A glowing cube came into existence in the center of the lab and Uharis placed the prepared birds inside, stuffed with vegetables and sauces. Theo, Tresk, and Azrug watched with amazement.
“Why 6?” Azrug asked, tilting his head.
“Because your friends have been lurking outside, near the front of the shop,” Uharis said. “Perg and Luras, I think they’re called.”
Theo laughed. “Just wait for the smell to waft out the window. They’ll be up.”
Sure enough, the moment the magical box cooked the meat enough to send the tantalizing scent outside, the bell downstairs rang. Luras emerged up the stairwell with a sheepish expression on his face.
“I knew it!” Tresk said. “Archmage Uharis just confirmed that you two lurk outside. Waiting for us to cook!”
Perg stammered.
“You guys can just come up,” Theo said. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Understood,” Luras said, finding his traditional spot by the window.
The scent of the cooking birds was intoxicating. The mixture of slightly sweet-smelling vegetables mingled with the savory bird and sauce smell. Theo felt his stomach rumbling more than it ever had, and he realized now that they had been culinarily bankrupt until that point. A livestock program for the farm suddenly jumped to the top of his to-do list.
“I have a question for you Luras,” Theo asked, watching hungrily as Uharis plated the 6 birds.
“What?”
“Sledge,” Theo said, nodding solemnly to himself. “How broke is she?”
“Beyond broke. She’s refused my help many times,” Luras said.
That tracked with what Theo understood about Luras. The Half-Ogre didn’t have tact when it came to these things. He likely offered to just give her money, which was the wrong approach.
“We need to set her up with something,” Theo said, trying to keep his mind on track as the 6 plates were set out, complete with two-pronged forks.
Luras nodded, not taking his eyes off his plate. “We’ll work on it.”
“We’ll find her something,” Perg said, rubbing her hands together.
“You may eat,” Uharis said, gesturing at the tables.
Theo didn’t hesitate, but by the time he pulled the leg off the bird, Tresk had already hoisted the entire thing up, slurping the vegetables out of the thing’s cavity. The alchemist bit into the dark meat of the leg, a mixture of flavors exploding into his mouth. Whatever sauce the Archmage put on it was divine. It was a strange, yet satisfying, mixture between a thick brown gravy and a sweet sauce. Uharis stood back for a while, watching and giggling as the group ate. He sat down after a moment, digging into his meal.
The entire time the group ate, no one said a word. It was the most luxurious thing any of them had for quite some time. Idle chatter filled the room as the plates were emptied. Theo leaned back in his chair, patting his full belly and letting out a groan. He ate the entire bird and was far too full. But it was worth it.
By the time everyone cleared out of the lab, Theo had forgotten about Sledge’s plight. He’d kick himself for this later, but it wasn’t time for that. It was time for sleep in the impossibly comfortable bed. He drifted off the moment his head hit the pillow, Tresk belching loudly as she snuggled under the sheets.