thebastion | Day 293

Who: Rob, anyone
When: Day 293
What: Rob's Alchemy skill has increased. Or just grab him to talk if you want.
Where: Anywhere in the Bastion
Format: Will match
Warnings: None

For Colin

Rob's been spending a lot of time in the laboratory area this past week. He told Colin what he was doing - trying to make an invisibility potion from various ingredients that Paarthurnax bought in preparation for learning to make healing potions - but he hasn't been offering updates on how that's been going. If asked he's been having trouble processing the plants into reagents correctly, along with a few minor issues with a brewing process that's beyond what he ever tried to do in science class.

Today though, while Colin's back is towards the stairs, Rob comes down as quietly as he can (and of course because he's trying to be quiet he's louder than he normally is) and approaches Colin from behind with an open bottle in his hand. Assuming Colin doesn't respond to his ~~incredibly obvious~~ approach, he'll cough loudly. Either way, as soon as Colin starts to turn his head during this process, Rob will quaff the contents of the bottle. When Colin's gaze finally passes over where Rob's standing, there won't be anyone visible. For the next 17 seconds. Homemade invisibility potions in Skyrim don't last very long.

For Paarthurnax

When Paarthurnax looks like he isn't busy with anything, Rob crosses the bridge to the Dragonfield and approaches him.

"Hey, uh, Paarthurnax? Can I show you something?"

For Everyone Else

There's a tough-looking long-haired man walking around in mammoth-hide sandals, cargo shorts, a tank top, and a rabbit skull and leg bones strung out on a necklace around his neck, the faint blue glow of a shard coming from each eye socket. He's clinking slightly as he walks, which may be related to the bulges in the cargo pockets of his shorts. Whether you've seen him around before or not, if you want to talk to him now's a perfect opportunity.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"No, here's fine."

There's a clinking sound as he produces a small bottle from his pocket. He removes the stopper, raises the bottle slightly like he's making a toast, and downs the contents.

And then he vanishes.

The small show- or rather lack of one- earns a low rumble of a laugh from deep inside Paarthurnax's throat.

"Well met. It seems that your studies have gone well."

"After a bunch of trial and error," Rob's voice says from nowhere. "It was harder to do than it sounded from reading. Are you able to see me at all? Colin can see my body heat, so it doesn't work on him."

"Unlike Colin, I see nothing." He could use one of the shouts, of course, but that's a unique situation. Paarthurnax just gives an approving nod. "You have done well, for learning on your own."

"Th-thanks?" Rob reappears, looking kind of awkward. Not only did he just get a complement, but he just got a complement from a dragon.

It's well earned, as far as Paarthurnax is concerned. "You will simply have to take care in keeping track of time. Such things do not last, after all." And it's awkward to get caught in the middle of a group of enemies you're trying to sneak past... to put it lightly.

He nods.

"Only 17 seconds at a time, but there's still a use for that. Or several of them, if you're willing to carry around a bunch. The books mention that Invisibility seems to be hard to put large durations on, though that story about the alchemist implies that some pretty ridiculous durations can be had, along with the effect not ending if you try and touch someone."

"There are old masters who have studied for decade for such things." A fond puff of air washes over Rob. "You have just begun. I am certain you will learn more, as you study and experiment."

He takes a half step back at the unexpected puff of air, unsure of its meaning but not wanting to lose his balance.

"Hopefully. There's a few potion effects that'd be useful for us to have around that I wanna learn to make. Most of them'll require ingredients we don't have yet though."

He reaches into his pocket again.

"But, uh, here."

He pulls out another potion, this one in a sturdier-looking bottle with a strip of mammoth-hide tied around its neck and formed into a loop large enough that Paar could use it to pick it up if he's careful, and offers it to Paar.

"I figure since I'm making these from things from your world, you should have one from the first batch." He shrugs slightly. "Something to add to your hoard."

There's another low chuckle, but Paarthurnax does his best to take the potion carefully. It's a bit of a feat, considering a dragon's jaws aren't exactly meant for this kind of thing, but thanks to the strip of hide Rob's included, it's manageable. Gently, he sets it to the side.

"You have my thanks. I shall take care to store it where it cannot be broken."

Rob does his best to hold the strip so that it's easiest for Paar to take. He looks slightly awkward at the thanks when it comes.

"I was wondering though, the Fundaments of Alchemy book mentions some plants that aren't in the Herbalist's Guide, and some of the plants it mentions that are have completely different effects. I'm guessing they were written in different regions and are talking about different varieties of the same plant? Do you happen to know the titles of any other alchemy books? Both on different regions' ingredients and on techniques? I'm thinking it might be useful to check out in the future."

It's been a while since he played Oblivion, and Morrowind even farther away, so a lot of details like that are escaping him.

Carefully, Paarthurnax goes through his memories. Having lived in Skyrim most of his long life, he's of course more familiar with their books than others. Still, he's certain he can recall if he delves through his thoughts.

"I believe there is a treatise on the use of calcinators... The Calcintator Treatise, geh. I am afraid the author escapes me in this moment. Ah." A pleased tone shifts through his voice. "Athyn Muendil wrote a tale, the Cake and the Diamond. It has been some time since I have read it last, but I believe it involves some talk of invisibility."

There are others, of course, but Vivic's sermons have always been somewhat difficult to parse for some. Later, perhaps he'll recommend them, but there's no need to rush such things.

Rob's pulled his datapad out and unrolled it, making a note of the titles and trying to remember what those books are about. From what he remembers he doesn't think that either of them are exactly what he's looking for, but it's not like he can say that.

"I'll have to check those out. Can you think of any others off the top of your head?"

Vivec's sermons are bad enough in the game. They'd probably be even more of a slog in their full versions.

Day 293

Old like Grandpadragon

Rude, empires have not risen and fallen just yet

Rob built a little Lego orc village and then it was taken apart. Doesn't that count?

Not quite, but A for effort

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