The Newt and Demon

5.48 - Utility Potions

The lab in the Newt and Demon was crowded. Sarisa, Rowan, and Salire had listened to Theos request, only pulling Aarok and Alran in for a brief meeting. The leader of the Adventurers Guild had brought Xolsa in on it, in a surprisingly wise move. When the alchemist reappeared from his twenty-four hour rollerblading and tea-sipping adventure, he found himself surrounded by those people. He cleared his throat, waving awkwardly to each of them.

Are you aware of a spell called Mindhunt? Xolsa asked, pressing his finger into Theos chest. It must sound awfully familiar.

I didnt have my soul slayed, Theo said, crossing the room through the crowd and finding a seat. Good to see you, too.

Did ya learn anything from the heavens? Aarok asked.

That was the kind of attitude Theo wanted to see. Not accusations, but a constant pressing forward to solutions. He explained what Glantheir had said, and that it should put everyones mind at ease. No one but the elven gods champion could have been assigned to the job. The most powerful god in the heavens had sent his first in command on the mortal plane, so there was no need to worry. Aarok and Alran were worried.

It took Theo a while to go over every piece of information he had, all the while being berated by Xolsa. An hour of that was enough to sate the alchemists need for pestering conversation for quite some time. Only when the pressing group of people left his lab did he feel at ease. He wouldnt be using the potion anytime soon. Especially with Sarisa watching so closely. Before getting back to work, he withdrew Fenians communication crystal and squeezed it. The buzzing filled his mind twice before the elf picked up on the other end.

Alchemist! I keep forgetting to call you, Fenian said with more joy in his voice than the alchemist had heard in recent days.

Where are you at? Theo asked. Are you alive?

Naturally. Takes more than an army to stop this elf. Im sailing with a group of pirates! Can you imagine? Pirates!

Sounds exciting. How long until you get to town? We still have your karatan and carriage.

Perfect. Im not sure how fast these pirates can move this old washtub of a boat. A few days. A few weeks. Months? Hard to say.

Keep me updated. Weve had a few developments Id like to talk about in person.

Certainly. Now, if youll excuse me, I need to participate in a rum guzzling contest.

Before Theo could ask what that was, the call was disconnected. The alchemist was left looking at the concerned faces of Salire, Sarisa, and Rowan. Fenian is on his way back.

Rowan turned to the others in the room, finally shrugging. I think it was worth the risk.

Come on, Rowan, Sarisa groaned. Youre going to encourage him.

Dont pretend like were not up against some serious power. We offer to risk our lives for him every day. So what if he wants to do it for the sake of an entire nation?

A nation of how many? A thousand? Sarisa asked.

More than the one were protecting.

Theo held up a silencing hand. Rowan and Sarisa were always very professional, but they were siblings. If he let this continue, it could come to blows. Xolsa lectured me enough. But dont pretend as though I wont use the potion again. Ill be smarter about it next time, though.

You better be careful next time, Sarisa said. How are we going to protect you against mages from afar?

Salire raised her hand timidly. I would have taken the potion, too. We figured something out about our two biggest problems. In a matter of moments.

Sarisa grumbled. At least make sure the wizard is here the next time you take it. Or make him take it.

Theo appreciated how concerned Sarisa was. He had hired her and her brother to guard him, but they had become more than that. Most people in Broken Tusk saw the alchemist as a native, although he was not. Once everyone had calmed down, he considered what other work they could get down. He hadnt even shown them the base version of the potion, which was powerful on its own. This experiment revealed two types of potions to him. Far-sight, and future-sight potions. Both seemed dangerous and useful.

Instead of getting back to work, Theo discussed his findings with Salire. They moved down to the shop, where she could handle customers as the discussion rolled on. Once they had made a resolution to test the other spirit fruits, they moved on to other topics. While he was in the heavens, he poked at the gods for a good core option. Each had refused to answer his questions, citing the binding laws that Khahar now enforced.

Im not good at those things, Sarisa said with a laugh. Ive been swapping cores since I got them. Only Drogramaths alchemy ever felt right for me.

Night was drawing closer as their conversation rolled on. Theo had a few experiments planned for the Dreamwalk, so he didnt want to get anything going here on the real plane. Instead, he invited Salire over for dinner at the manor. She accepted, naturally. Sarisa and Rowan might have been annoyed with the alchemist, but he had a feeling they would still make some delicious food. The group headed to the manor an hour before sunset, stepping out into the brutal heat and heading over to the air conditioned building.

Theo fell into one of the many comfortable chairs in the sitting room, sighing and casting his eyes to the ceiling. Tresk had already skimmed his memories of the far-sight potion, and was forming opinions. He could feel her mind twist around the danger versus the reward of getting information from far away. She was undecided, but at least she wouldnt yell at him. Both she and Alex arrived at the same time. The alchemist shook his head, getting a good look at the goose. She was taller than the marshling, even when she bent her slender neck down.

Youre going to ride her soon enough, Theo said, gesturing at the pair.

We already tried, Tresk said, waving a dismissive hand. She isnt big enough yet.

Yet, Alex said, speaking through the Tarahek. But I am close.

Theo patted the goose on the head, feeling her slick feathers under his fingers. She had grown with her level, and he couldnt help but examine her.

[Alexandria DGoose]

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

[Goose]

[Familiar]

Stage:

[Exceptionally Large Goose]

Master:

[Dreamrealm of Terogal]

Level 24

Description:

Geese are known as the most loving creatures in all the realms. Any rumors spread to disparage these honorable creatures will be met with a flurry of feathers and bill.

Affinities:

Fire

Nature

There were a few things to note. Her stage was at Exceptionally Large Goose, which was weird. Alex had started off as a Gosling, or a baby goose. She then became a Large Goose, and now an Exceptionally Large Goose. Since Miana had tamed the Marsh Wolves, marshlings had ridden them like horses. Judging by the size of those creatures, Tresk wasnt far away from riding atop Alex, which would be a nightmare on the battlefield. The goose had also expanded her affinities, taking up nature fully. It was almost at a point where she could control natural elements as easily as she could control fire.

Dinner was pleasant, though. Sarisa and Rowan prepared something Theo hadnt eaten in a while. They placed the plates on the table, revealing a meal of seared karatan steaks with a pile of karatan butter on top. As a side, they had prepared grilled greens that the alchemist wasnt familiar with. He cut into the steak, finding a cool pink center. The meat was so tender it seemed to melt in his mouth before he had to chew it, combining with the butter to create a distinctly rich flavor. The salt, pepper, and otherworldly spices atop the steak sent him over the edge. Those greens on the side didnt slack, either. They were a combination of asparagus and broccoli in flavor, providing a deep earthy offset to the richness of the steak.

Youve outdone yourself, Theo said, finding himself clearing away his plate for the first time in a long time.

All we need to do is serve him big slabs of meat, Sarisa said, chuckling from the other side of the table. And our boy will grow up big and strong.

They grow up so fast, Rowan said, wiping a fake tear from his eye.

Theo smiled back at them, unoffended by their prodding. Those around him went to significant efforts to get him to act as though he were actually the archduke of a rising nation. But he knew he could rely on them to correct him when he was being an idiot. Or too impulsive, compassionate, and so on. Even Alises pestering served a purpose and the alchemist would never discount it. Even if he was annoyed.

The rest of the meal went well. Theo watched as his friends ate, and engaged in friendly conversation about whatever was on their minds. Rowan wouldnt stop talking about his new love. The dining party groaned every time he brought some new facet of his girlfriend up. He reveled in each annoyed sound, basking in it like a lizard warming themselves on a hot rock.

Dusk fell over Broken Tusk by the time everyone was done with their meals. Theo and Tresk could have fallen into the Dreamwalk earlier, but they both enjoyed the friendly conversation. Even Alex tried to put her thoughts out there, but could only produce honks out loud. The marshling was happy to translate for her, adding every goofy remark the familiar had to add. But the night wore on, and the Tarahek headed upstairs to fall into their private dream.

Tresk had a thing for the mossy forest, dropping the party between those familiar trees. Theo had another location in mind, though. With a thought, he shifted the scene to represent the ruins of Vesta. The marshling scoffed, looking around as she shook her head.

Figured you wouldve brought us here. Is that the guy? The lich? she asked, looking at Theos approximation of the Wanderer.

Thats him, Theo said, walking over to poke the figure in the face. His skeletal body didnt move. And all his friends.

I dont care for this place, Alex said, honking her disapproval.

It was a grim place. The delightful sandy shore betrayed the level of destruction. But the Dreamwalk only went as far as Theo could remember from his position in the air. Everything after that was a hazy smear of gray and green. The alchemist shifted his thoughts, finding nothing to gain from the scene. He transported them to a mountain top near the eastern coastline of the continent. Tresk almost tumbled down the sheer drop, cursing as she adjusted her footing on the rocky surface. Although he had only seen it for a moment, Qavell was represented in as much detail as possible in the distance.

Wow. That was worth seeing, Tresk said, squinting into the distance. You think we can take that thing?

Theo had no impression of the floating city other than the brief visual. If there was a magical impression to be gleaned, he couldnt feel it. That was due to his lacking senses, or the effects of the potion. It was impossible to say. Thanks to that fact, he had no idea what they were up against. Only the hints he had been given informed their defensive plan.

We need to. But we dont have to stay here all night. Id rather go back to the forest.

Right? I love that place.

Theo nodded in approval, and the scene shifted back to the imagined forest. Tresk and Alex had a meeting in a clearing while he set his alchemy equipment up. They were working on combat synergy, highlighting each of their weaknesses to improve. Alex was great in the air, but the moment she landed she was useless. Tresk needed to strike from stealth, with poison on her weapons, otherwise she would need to retreat into the shadows. This meant that the goose was a distraction. And she was damn good at it.

They scampered away as Theo considered something Salire said. Potions with powerful effects were cool, but the little things mattered. Maybe more than the big things. The alchemist imagined a Flame Rose, a chair, and a table to work on. He deconstructed the rose, revealing the last two properties but leaving the hidden property for now. He inspected the rose.

[Flame Rose]

[Alchemy Ingredient]

Common

Rose enchanted with elemental fire. Grows near sources of flame, or fire-creating material.

Properties:

[Increase Strength] [Hauling] [Relentless]

Increase Strength was the property that produced Strength Potions, which made the rose a valuable reagent to grow. But Theo had never seen the Hauling or Relentless property on any other reagent. With a sweep of his hand, he generated some stills to create essence from the flower and got to work. The alchemist ground some imagined Flame Roses, then added Enchanted Water. He turned the heat on two stills, focusing on those two new properties for testing.

The plan was to create them as a second tier potion, not wanting to bother with a third tier for testing purposes. Second tier potions had become the baseline for everything, as they were easier to make and represented a better sample than the third tier. Theo waited around for his stills to finish. He could have forced his will on the Dreamwalk, completing them almost instantly, but the forest was pleasant. He watched the branches sway above him, not eager to do more work than he needed to. Things had felt like a grind lately, so he wanted to take it easy.

When the essence finished distilling, Theo imagined vials, catalysts, and more water for the next step. He started with the Hauling property, finding that the potion it created produced a tepid reaction. The resulting potion was a pale shade of red, bordering on pink. The alchemist inspected the potion.

[Potion of Hauling]

[Potion]

Common

Created by: Theo Spencer

Alignment:

Drogramath (Minor Bond)

Grade: Great Quality

Allows the imbiber to haul items with great ease.

Effect:

For the next hour, all items carried by hand will weigh a fourth less than normal.

This potion doesnt take into account the imbibers Strength attribute.

That was an interesting potion. It made sense that the Flame Rose would produce it, and perhaps some people in town would find a use for it. Even if some folks had an inventory power, this potion would have been useful when they were building the harbor. Those stone blocks were heavy as hell.

Theo turned his attention to the next potion, brewing it and finding the reaction to be more violent. The Relentless property created a less docile potion. The alchemist watched the reaction as it bubbled, some of the liquid foaming over the edge of the vial. When it calmed down, he leaned in to inspect the potion.

[Potion of Relentless]

[Potion]

Rare

Created by: Theo Spencer

Alignment:

Drogramath (Minor Bond)

Grade: Great Quality

The imbiber no longer feels pain or fatigue while under the effects of this potion.

Effect:

For the next thirty minutes, the imbiber no longer feels pain or fatigue.

The imbiber may overdraw their mana while under the effects of this potion, instead drawing from their health or stamina pool. The amount drawn from Health is 2:1, while Stamina is 3:1.

Theo nodded. Someone might have found that potion useful, but he didnt. He turned away from the table, happy enough to find one potion that was good. The alchemist joined with Alex and Tresk, once again facing down the horned snake.

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