01. video.

[feintofhart]

[ The video flicks on to show one Claude von Riegan, having dispensed with his usual fineries of billowing fabrics and elaborate capes to more simple fare, simply a loose white linen shirt and brown trousers, seated at the desk of what looks to be an incredibly cluttered shop. Herbs hang from strings from the ceilings, the dark, burnished wood of the shelves covered in various dusty jars filled with strange liquids and ground plants and all manner of things; what little table space is not covered in these mystery jars is instead covered in stacks of books and parchment strewn about. It is, as some may be able to recognize, Aldrip's apothecary. ]

Hey, everyone. For as long as I've been here, I don't think I've ever properly introduced myself... so allow me to make up for lost time. My name is Claude von Riegan, and I've been here for, oh... three, four months? Longer than I thought I'd be stuck here, to be honest. But I've got more than simple introductions on my mind today.

[ He reaches into one of the jars and plucks out a few herbs, adding it to whatever concoction is in his mortar and pestle, the grinding of stone against stone a low, pleasant sound. ]

I'm sure you've all noticed that our humble hosts have been disappearing, one after the other. [ He holds up a paper, noting a date and time that has already passed, an invitation to meet with Those Who Were. ] This seems to be the culprit -- someone sending them missives, telling them to meet with their gods, or holy figures, or whatever else you'd like to call them. Something worth investigating, I think.

[ He pauses, putting a pinch of some other spice into his bowl. ]

But in the meantime, they've left their businesses behind. So I've gone ahead and temporarily commandeered the apothecary until they return. It's too important an institution to leave empty, and besides, this place could do with some organization. And some good dusting. And, frankly, some revamped bookkeeping, because it's just in shambles.

The thing is, though, is that my own knowledge of herbalism is confined to my own world -- and it's specialized knowledge, at that. So if you know anything about it, or know of anything I ought to be stocking, that you might be needing, do me a favour and let me know. [ He licks the tip of his pinky, dips it into his concoction, and licks it off, only to shudder in revulsion. ] Eurgh, that's nasty.

[ He clears his throat. ]

Or, of course, you can help me search for our missing persons. I haven't had much luck, but hey! Maybe you will.

Comments

[weenwoon]

Mayhap something to help one relax? I've a friend who could really use that.

[ He grins mischievously. Something about his manner suggests that the friend in question might find these attempts to relax them meddling. ]

Now, that herbology field trip sounds interesting! Would you believe that my occupation has me cataloguing all manner of items? We could create a small compendium of things we find, so that the knowledge is preserved. In case... you or I disappear.

[feintofhart]

Heh. I think all of us know someone who could use a little relaxing. I've had people ask for things we can smoke already, but that much I need to do some more digging around for. For now, we're stuck with things to steep and to smell, which isn't too shabby.

[ But has a nice cup of chamomile tea really worked on anyone? ]

Leaving a record of our findings behind is a great idea, though! Not just for herbology -- for anything else that we may discover along the way. I'm particularly interested in the haunted forest, too. The locals here are too frightened to step foot in it, which means there might be all kinds of treasures there that they haven't even discovered yet.

sorry for late, job search ate two weeks of my life o(--(

[weenwoon]

A haunted forest, you say? A location in need of exploration and mayhap some heroics, if I've ever heard of one! I would love to come... ah, but I must clarify that I am no great warrior or mage, myself. But I think I do know someone who should be a wonderful fit for that kind of adventure. May I ask if you've any prowess with a weapon?

no worries at all, and apologies in return!!

[feintofhart]

Well, they say it's haunted, but I have my doubts! I've been in and out of it a few times now. It's creepy for sure, but no ghost spottings so far.

[ He sounds a little disappointed, in fact. ]

I'm pretty damn good with a bow, if I do say so myself, and am more than happy to act as escort.

tis the season (of being busy and tired) :')

[weenwoon]

[ Count Hythlodaeus in for being disappointed about no ghosts. He would love to see those! ]

Ah, a fellow archer! Then mayhap between the two of us we could have our own outing safely enough.

[ Didn't he just say he's not good with weapons? Yes. He's just Like That. Don't worry about it. ]

When you say the forest is creepy, what exactly does that entail? Gloomy, low visibility, few signs of other living creatures?

[feintofhart]

If you're an archer too, then don't sell yourself short! Us archers are capable of a lot more than some of the bruisers might think, you know. As for the forest itself... well, a lot of it is just because of the stories around it. A dark and gloomy forest will always seem a little darker and a little gloomier after listening to a bunch of ghost stories.

There's also... something strange in there. Some bunker. I haven't dared get close to it.