Chapter 2.5: Drogramath Fermentation

Chapter 2.5: Drogramath Fermentation

Tresk grumbled about the rain in Theos mind. When questioned about the mattershe had always claimed to love the rainshe brushed it off. The [Drogramath Still] sputtered the last of its essence into a flask, a small run to test the properties of the [Growth Essence]. Hed already separated out the smallest amount of farm dirt, dropping a fraction of a unit of the essence on top. The explosion that resulted was sizable, especially considering the tight confines of the lab.

After removing the soot from his face, Theo approached the pile of dirt. Azrug didnt even come up to check on the alchemist, too used to the random explosions from within the building. An experimentation room would be helpful, but there was no sense in worrying about it now. There was something inside the dirt which reacted with the growth essence, which led him to the conclusion that it needed to be refined. The only example he had of essence refinement for large-scale applications was Pergs tannery solutions, but his intuition told him it wouldnt work.

Unsurprisingly, Basic Drogramath Alchemy didnt hold any answers for farming applications. There was a section related to elemental separations, but he couldnt read it yet. Theo reserved himself to studying the reagents themselves, namely the intact [Water Lily] that sat on his table. He moved in, almost pressing his nose against the plant to take in its scent, scanning across the dark green leaves and bright blue flowers. There was something in there that he couldnt understand lurking beneath the surface. He turned his attention to the pile of dirt.

With the farm dirt, he found a similar sensation. He concluded it was the contaminants, or rather the things that made the Zee grow. Tiny things that felt like properties in his mind, but not exactly that. He made a mental note. These were the elemental parts of all things. A realization struck him, a thought that he had before. Everything consisted of small amounts of stuff. He wasnt smart enough to know the science of it, but he knew that much from his time on Earth. The idea of extracting salt from salt-laden resources wasnt so far-fetched anymore.

Theo left the Newt and Demon, intending to walk through the rain and collect reagents. He inspected everything as he went, getting close to the trees that grew behind the lab and taking in their small properties. He was sure there was a proper word for it, but he couldnt think of what to call them. Everything had a distinct flavor in his mind. Trees were wet and rigid, whereas the dirt was teeming with something alive. The reagents that sprouted from the ground were entirely different, having a sort of electricity within them.

Magic, Theo said, plucking a [Spiny Swamp Thistle] from the ground. Theyve got a bunch of magic in them.

It wasnt much of a leap to assume that the alchemy reagents were made of magic, or at least had enough suffused through the plant matter to be noticeable. Hours passed with the alchemist stooping low to inspect plants, appreciating their properties. He gathered whole plants, instead of the useful parts for distillation. They fit in his inventory nicely, stacking the same way ingredients did. The rain let up for a moment and a window startled Theo.

[Drogramath Herbalism Core] receivedexperience (1%).

[Drogramath Herbalism Core] leveled up! Level 10.

Obtained free [Drogramath Herbalism] skill point for hitting level 10 with this core.

[Drogramath Herbalism Core] gained an additional skill slot!

[Drogramath Herbalism Core] gained an enhanced effect: +3 intelligence.

[Theo Spencer] leveled up! Level 10.

[Theo Spencer] received one free point.

[Theo Spencer] received one free skill point.

Theo collapsed to his knees, drawing a ragged gasp as a rush of power flooded through his body. He waited there for a long while, fearful of Drogramaths attention. But it never came. Unlike the [Drogramath Alchemy Core], the [Drogramath Herbalism Core] didnt draw the entitys ire. He rose to his feet, brushing the caked mud from his knees and grinning to himself. He spent his free attribute point on [Intelligence], bringing him to 14, although he didnt feel noticeably smarter. The alchemist started the walk back to his lab, rummaging through the short list of [Drogramath Herbalism] skills. One stood out over everything else. Hed leave his other free skill point for later.

[Drogramath Fermentation]

Herbalism Skill

Epic

Drogramath was fond of fermentation. Not only for the brewing of alcohol but also the strange effect it has on reagents.

Effect:

Fermentations you perform happen rapidly, compared to those without this skill.

Allows the modification of reagents to produce special modifier essences.

+1 Intelligence

The increase in intelligence was nice, but this would provide him with another way to experiment with new potions. He didnt know what modifier essences were, but he was certain that he wanted them. Theo bought the skill, equipping it in his herbalism core. A rush of knowledge filled his mind, sitting right on the edge. Like most information provided by his cores, it was just a whisper. The faint voice was a guide, not a solution.

Azrug greeted him as he entered, watching as Theo dropped some [Cleansing Scrub] on his head, and allowing him to retreat upstairs with little fuss. The alchemist plopped down in front of his copy of Basic Drogramath Alchemy and flicked through the pages. Something told him the book would contain all the information he needed. He was right. There was an extensive section on fermentation and the effects of the modifier essences. This part of the book once read like a series of choppy essays about nonsense, but now it was as clear as day.

The author was still vague in places, but it was enough to get started. Modifier essences werent traditional essences. An alchemist couldnt make potions from them, only apply them to existing potions. This form of the art was a delicate balance between effect and over reaction. He could create a modifier essence that would make a potion turn into smoke when the glassware was broken, blanketing an area with the effect of the potion. The important part was, this effect was at full strength for everyone who inhaled it.

The list of modifiers went on. A note from the author informed Theo that these were only a few of the effects he could produce, theorizing that there was no limit. There was a modifier that would turn his potions over a heal-over-time, or damage-over-time version without the need to find the specific essence. He could invert the effect of any potion, create area-of-effect potions, or even change the nature of the potion entirely. The section on nature-swapping potions was interesting. As Theo understood it, there were two kinds of potions. There could be more, but he knew of the drinkable kind, and the pour-over kind. The book detailed more natures.

Then there was the combination of modifiers. Theo was thankful that the book detailed this, as it was a dangerous practice. The example it gave was the combination of an area-of-effect modifier, and a monster identification modifier. An alchemist could toss a poison potion at their feet, a potion containing the area-of-effect modifier and the monster identification modifier, and only hit enemies. There were even details on how to apply two modifiers.

No, I dont imagine you would. Far too hot, Boral said. Alas, the allure of the dungeons is too great.

Indeed. Care to tell me about your people? Theo asked, always hungry for more information of those outside of Broken Tusk.

Boral raised a furry eyebrow, leaning over the counter as he collected his potions. Youre a curious one. Qavell knows us as the Toora, although that name is spoken with venom in the capital. In truth, we are wanderers. Nomads of the Gora Sat, World Spine as they call it. Mountains as far as the eye can see. Snow.

Boral let out a deep groan, rumbling through the shop.

Homesick? Azrug said, smiling.

Absolutely. Im exiled, but thats our way. When I return to the mountain with treasure, theyll accept me again, Boral said.

Youre an adventurer, Theo said, gesturing to the mans attire. I usually see adventurers in more armor. Is that a cultural thing?

Hardly, Boral said. The only reason I can stand this swamp is my cores. [Barbarian] and [Pugilist] grant me not only the ability to fight without armor but also without weapons.

Now thats a very interesting combination, Theo said, nodding to himself. Well, while youre in town let us know if you need anything else. Lodging is available at the Marsh Wolf Tavern. Try the soup.

I already found my room, Boral said, shrugging his massive shoulders. But this soup you speak of is not good.

Im afraid Xam might be slipping, Azrug said sheepishly. My sister runs the tavern, but I wont take offense. At least the beds are nice.

The beds are lovely, Boral said. Ill kill and eat my food tonight.

Stop by the adventurers guild, if you like. Aarok could always use muscle, Theo said.

I dont trust the adventurers guild, Boral said with a scowl.

Good news, ours is independent, Theo said. We hold no affiliation with the wider adventurers guilds in the kingdom.

Boral brightened up, his massive shoulders straightening. Is that so? Ive never heard of an independent adventurers guild.

Only the finest here in Broken Tusk, Azrug said.

Well, Im off, Boral said, turning and leaving without another world. The bell rang behind him, tinkling for a little longer than normal.

Ive never seen a Toora, Azrug said.

Id imagine theres a lot either of us have never seen, Theo said. Who is managing the housing project?

Ah, I think Im supposed to ask you about that, Azrug said, knitting his brows. Xam is managing the project, but shes just directing the laborers for the demolition. She wants you to take a look, make sure everything looks good.

Well, its a good chance to meet the carpenter, Theo said.

You havent met Sledge? Azrug said, laughing. Thats a shock.

Sledge? No, Ive seen the name on my mayor screen, though, Theo said.

Oh, youre going to like her, Azrug said. Real fiery person, that one.

Theo nodded, bidding farewell to the shop once again. He was intent on both meeting the carpenter, woodworker, whatever they liked to be called, and check on the housing project. He handed enough house seed cores over to give everyone a place to stay. Theyd be in far better conditions once they were all planted, no longer hunkering under leaky roofs and rotten walls.

The alchemist approached the area north of the Marsh Wolf Tavern, spotting signs of demolition immediately. There were already rows of houses arranged in a neat grid pattern, but a single building stood near the eastern side of the development. Piles of lumber betrayed it as the woodworkers shop, although hed never spotted it before. The sounds of handsaws chewing through wood, and the scent of freshly cut lumber assaulted him as he grew closer. A single Marshling woman stood out front, working with her strength to saw a piece of timber in half. She was quite powerful. Theo had to remind himself that size didnt mean strength.

Excuse me, Im looking for Sledge, Theo said, smiling at the woman. Sledge was the most Half-Ogre name hed ever heard. This assistant would fetch the woodworker in short order.

The Marshling looked up, scowling from her work. Youre looking for Sledge? Well, you found her. What dya expect, a hulking Half-Ogre? Well, Im what ya got.