As we all returned back to the familiar view of my new vehicle, its trailer unloaded as 6 basic sleeping spots had been set up with blankets and mats to sleep on. In the middle of them all a crackling fire sat, and while it wasn't rolling yet in a few minutes it would be going strong. As we all found seats on our various bed setups. As we did Kaelen pulled out the traveling rations that Selene had grabbed on the way back from the inn. Pulling them out there were a variety of nuts, dried berries, and bits of beef jerky. As all ate quietly Liora broke the silence.
"That trapdoor was a bit out of the way, may I ask how you found it?"
Thalia looked up and said.
"System"
Name: Thalia Platinum
Age: 39
Race: Dwarf
Class: Puppeteer LV. 5
XP: 8,512/9,000
HP: 18/18
Mana: 35/62
Stats:
Strength: 3
Dexterity: 11
Constitution: 10
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 28
Charisma: 10
Soul Skill:
Clairvoyant Puppet Show (D)
25 Mana Per Puppet
If Thalia possesses a puppet of recognisable likeness of a specific individual, the puppet will manonnet the exact movements and actions of the individual for 1 minute.
Skills:
Mana Strings (E)
5 Mana per 15ft
The Puppeteer creates mana strings from their fingertips, functioning like thin steel wires for control and manipulation. Up to 30 feet of these strings can be generated as an action, allowing the Puppeteer to tether to objects or creatures within range.
String Utilization (E)
Passive
The Puppeteer gains control over their strings, connecting to targets to effectively manipulate them or use their strings for grappling and positioning.
Marionetting Fingers (E)
10 MP
As a reaction or action, the Puppeteer can make an attempt to either move the target or redirect their attack to another target. This skill enhances the Puppeteer's battlefield control, allowing them to manipulate enemies effectively.
Vibration Sense (E)
Passive
The Puppeteer gains tremor sense within the range of their mana strings, allowing them to detect any movement or presence in the area their strings occupy. This enhances battlefield awareness, making it difficult for enemies to approach unnoticed.
Looking the skills over for a moment Thalia pointed down to her Vibration Sense(E) Skill.
"When I deploy my strings I am able to detect my surroundings with them. When I was gathering sticks for the fire earlier I was using my strings instead of running around looking. I detected a hollow spot underground, so I followed it where it led to a flight of stairs leading down. Does this answer your question?"
The way she said it wasn't accusatory or even mean. It was simple, matter of fact and… well, it was efficient. Liora seemed a bit flustered but before she could say anything else Jax cut in, as if trying to diffuse the situation.
"How are we doing guard shifts tonight?"
"Well since Aiden and Thalia were up all day driving and navigating, I would say they take the first shift so we can wake them up later in the morning, that way they are well rested for the drive tomorrow."
Kaelen suggested as he finished off his beef jerky and turned to his berries next. This worked well, I could keep an eye on Thalia and get some good sleep I thought as I quietly chewed on a cut of beef jerky.
"D-Do we have any way of knowing what to expect in the dungeon tomorrow?"
Selene asked, chewing on some cashews.
"I believe it will be related to the undead."
Thalia said, chiming in. We all turned a bit surprised as Liora rolled her eyes.
"How would you possibly know that, are you sure you didn't open the dungeon already?"
"It was because of the graves I saw underground, I believe that when the dungeon was formed it was formed with an item buried with someone who died. Thus, the inhabitants of the dungeon may be related to the undead."
We all took a moment to just stare at Thalia. How can you just say stuff like that so matter of factly. I thought as I tried to focus on eating dinner.
Conversation seemed to die after that as everyone wrapped up dinner and Thalia and I stayed up as the others went to bed, Liora giving me a meaningful look before pulling up her covers to sleep.
Taking the opportunity I pulled out 16 stalks of Amrans and 8 Cofrail and set them aside, reaching into my bag I pulled out my mortar and pestle as well as the small cauldron.
"Can you watch the camp for a moment? I'm grabbing sticks to make a spit."
I said as I stood up and made my way towards the forest. The night descended and less and less light could be used to see as I searched. It took a few minutes, but I gathered the sticks and bringing them back to camp and I started trying to make a makeshift spit.
"If you would like I can use my strings to tie it together for extra strength."
Thalia said, walking over to stand next to me. I took a moment, trying to see if there could be an ulterior motive, but after I couldn't think of any I nodded. Thalia sat down and started to make the strings from her fingers.
She sat quietly making strings and tying the ends together a spit was made, placing it over the fire with the cauldron. I was a bit surprised to see how dark the night became, the only light being the bits of color from the sky showing the outline of the trees, and the stars overhead. Our campfire acted almost like a beacon of light that made me a bit nervous. Trying to get my mind off of that, I started to grind up the Amrans and Cofrail as Thalia stared at me as I worked.
"Do… Do you need something?"
I asked, unsure of what else to do.
"I apologize, I have never seen alchemy being done before and am curious to see how it is done, may I ask what potion you are brewing at the moment?"
"Well since we're gonna be going into a dungeon tomorrow I figured I would make some healing potions."
"If it would not be too much trouble, could I attempt to make one?"
I was a bit surprised by the request. The others knew I did alchemy, but never showed an interest in it. A part of my mind tried to say she is buttering you up, don't let her, but another part said what's the harm in letting her try, you still have extra stalks. So I reached into my bag, grabbing one more stalk of each as I set them aside, making note that I only had 2 Amrans left and that I should restock. Reaching into my bag I pulled out the 6 vials of Liquid crystal I had prepared ahead of time, and 3 more empty Vials. Using my Liquid Crystal Consolidation(E) skill, I spent 30 mana to fill the other 3. I handed one over to Thalia as well as the two stalks.
"The first step for a basic healing potion are its 3 ingredients, those being 1 vails worth of Liquid Crystal, 2 Amrans, and 1 Cofrail. From there you must grind your herbal ingredients into a powder before adding them to the cauldron with liquid crystal and letting it heat for 30 minutes before cooling and bottling."
"This seems rather simple, may I ask why more people do not pursue alchemy. Making potions can be done with so few ingredients?"
"Well there are three reasons, the first is that unless you have the alchemist class you have to buy liquid crystal, and it can go bad if left for too long. The second is that while E rank potions are simple, but higher rank potions get more complex, I even heard that some B rank potions need other potions as an ingredient. The third reason is simply because it takes practice, so why would you buy liquid crystal, gather or buy the ingredients, and take time to practice the recipe when you can buy the potion already done for a few gold more."
As I finished adding the ingredients to the cauldron I handed the mortar and pestle to Thalia who began grinding at the herbs, and while I could see that her method was rather forceful and harsh, I didn't stop her. It was the way I learned, so I figured one or two failed batches would help her learn. As she finished mixing we had to wait for the cauldron to be done before she could add her batch in.
"Would you know how one descoveres potion recipes? It seems like there was a lot of trial and error."
At that I chuckled a bit, be it because for once I knew more and was teaching or not I turned and said.
"There was, but each herb has various things they can do even without being made into a potion. Take Amrans for example. They can be placed under a wrapping to stop infections and bleeding. Cofrail is known to be eaten to speed up the healing process. So while it was probably a lot of trial and error, the plants themselves give us little clues based on what they can do."
Thalia nodded as I poured the now completed healing potions into bottles and placed them along the side of my bag, now with 9 I was rather confident at attempting the dungeon. Thalia added in her grinded herbs and liquid crystal and started to stir, nonstop. A part of me wanted to say to let it settle, but I again stayed silent, letting experience be the teacher. As she finished instead of a simmering red liquid, the herbs and liquid crystal seemed to be refusing to mix. Thalia looked it over before turning to me.
"Why did it not work, did I do something wrong?"
I was a bit surprised by her question, I was expecting her to ask for more herbs to get another try, not about what she did wrong. The system window should have told her what she did wrong.
"Well, doesn't the system window tell you what steps went wrong?"
I asked, a bit surprised she hadn't read it over, but she shook her head.
"No system window appeared for me."
I got up and walked over to the wife, as I looked into the cauldron the window popped up.
Alchemy attempt - Basic Healing Potion(E)
-----------------------------------------
Attempt status - failed
Stage status
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Grinding - failed
Reason - chunks
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Heating - passed
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Mixing - failed
Reason - overmixed
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Thalia saw the window pop up and turned back to me.
"I believe the Alchemy attempt report may be something that happens for alchemists specifically."
"I think you may be on to something with that I said nodding."
The herbs were ruined so we tossed them out as well as poured the tainted liquid crystal out. We waited for another 2 hours, Thalia seeming satisfied with at least attempting did not ask to try again. We shook Liora and Kaelen awake for their shift once the fire started to die down signaling, we were done for the night. Liora woke up easy, sitting up stretching and starting to poke at the fire and add in sticks for her shift timer. Kaelen on the other hand had to have water from a canteen splashed on him before he woke up.
As Thalia and I sent to sleep on our mats I thought about Thalia's alchemy attempt. Honestly, I didn't think she was bad, weird sure, but not a bad person. If anything I was curious about what made Liora so on edge around her, but that could wait till the morning.