Solo Which Plant is Which?

[Aidara]

Timestamp: 62nd of Fall, 512 AV
Where: The Enclave, The Unforgiving
Tagged: Aidara, solo.

The Enclave seemed like the best place to start. All her hours there as a teen, reading up on medicine and the healing arts hadn’t gone to waste, giving her a good foundation for which her skill as a Healer could be built upon. Though she had been out in the forest a couple times in search of different herbs, Addy really had no idea what she was doing when she was out there. Feeling as if she were trying to do step five before step one, the little woman made up her mind to take the time to do some research first.

Ducking through the doorway and out of the chill wind that blustered throughout the long corridors of the city, permeating even the inner warrens with it’s chill, the warmth of The Enclave greeted Addy like an old friend. Unfastening the cloak from her shoulders with numb fingers only barely beginning to tingle as the warmth spread through them, Addy nodded a silent hello to Kavisan, waving him back into his seet as the old man began to creek to his feet. “I know where I am going, Kavi, stay right there!” Turning it into a playful order, Addy smiled brightly at the librarian, who gave his own in return before returning to his ink stained notes.

Addy enjoyed the quiet of the place. More often than not, the Infirmary was equally as quiet, though rather than paired with the cozy, relaxed atmosphere of the Enclave, the Infirmary always held an underlying sense of urgency and discomfort. The little woman’s mind began to ease as she wandered throughout the stacks, nodding to the readers that relaxed in the scattered pieces of furniture.

Stumbling upon an unoccupied chair and table, Addy plopped down the pack she had been carrying, draping the cloak over the back of the chair, claiming the spot as hers. A normal day such as this, the weather less than ideal for being outside, would have found the place packed, open seating scarce that individuals would be forced to recline against the wall or any open space they could find.

“If anyone but me comes for my things, scream really loudly.” Tossing a wink at the young man who’d looked up from his book as she got herself settled, Addy left the stacks she’d been seated between and headed deeper into the Enclave; it was only luck that she knew where to find the herbalism books she sought, stumbling across more than one years and years ago when she was studying her medicine. Otherwise she would have been forced to search row by row until she found the books herself. Like Sira, Addy didn’t like to ask for help.

No more than half a bell later, Addy stumbled back to her seat with her arms brimming with books, dusty old tomes that looked as if they hadn’t been touched in months. There was more back on the shelves but the little healer had grabbed everything that she could carry, from what looked like a beginners guide to Herbalism to a huge book entitled “The Unabridged Encyclopedia of Kalean Plants.” Addy decided she was going to save that one for last, maybe to read before bed when she couldn’t sleep.

[Aidara]

Deciding to start with a smallish book entitled “Herbalism: The Basics” Addy opened the book on the table before her and pulled her newly bound journal, quill and ink from within her pack. The journal was balanced carefully on her knee as she began to scan the book, carefully taking notes when she found something useful. After all, she wasn’t a complete beginner and some of the basic’s were already known to her.

An Herbalists tools are almost as vital as the knowledge with which to use them. Practice might make perfect but perfection cannot be achieved without the correct preparation. Carefully labeling the top of her page, Addy pulled the book closer to her and began to copy down the list of supplies that the book suggested she not only familiarize herself with but purchase, if possible.

The Tools

• Mortar and Pestle- Preferably made of stone or metal, though wood can be used if there is an absence of the other materials. Make sure to have two wooden bowls in order to separate edible and inedible materials.
• Cheesecloth- Used for straining liquids of unwanted materials and also for making sachets.
• Kettle- The bigger, the better. To heat up large amounts of liquid for herbal teas and other drinks.
• Pots- Various sizes preferable. Used for heating and simmering mixtures.
• White Linen- For bandages (Check.)
• Jars- Or any other container of various sizes used for storage of herbs. Make sure to clearly label each container.
• Brazier- or any metal container to use for heating (Check.)
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Tea bags- pieces of canvas or another strong material that can withstand repeated use.

Checking off those materials already in her possession, Addy set her journal aside and continued to read, making note of those pages that detail the growing of herbs indoors. Without talking to anyone in the Hydroponic Gardens, she thought it best to leave that off her to-do list until she was sure she could acquire a place to grow.

Though the book seemed to focus on the herbalists growing their own herbs, Addy stopped flipping on a page entitled “Preparing the herbs”. “Finally, something useful.” Picking up her quill again, she began scribbling furiously.

Making an Infusion:

Defined: a liquid extract, such as tea, prepared by steeping or soaking. A drink or extract prepared by soaking the leaves of a plant in liquid.

By soaking the specific parts of the plant in water (hot, preferably) you can extract the properties you want out of the herb. Such medicinal infusions are usually used in teas. For normal infusions, the recipe is simply 16:1 of water to herb. It can differ depending on the measurement tool used, but the ratio should stay the same regardless of the batch size. How long the herb is left to steep depends on the particular plant but practice makes perfect. The average time is a bell.

Difficulty level: Easy

Making a Decoction:

This process is mostly the same as an infusion except the root or the bark of the herb or plant is being used. The herbalist should boil the herb in a covered pot to make sure that the oils don’t escape with the steam. This is very important. Allow the concoction to steep for at least half a bell.

Difficulty level: Easy

Making a Poultice:

Used to treat surface injuries such as a burn or skin irritation. Water should be boiled and poured on top of the herbs being used to treat the condition. Do not drown the herb in the water, as getting the plant completely wet will suffice. The point is to moisten the herb. Place the herbs between two pieces of linen or porous cloth.

Difficult level: Medium

Making an Ointment:

Ointments are usually made by mixing the herbs with some kind of fat (animal?). Heat the fat before adding the herbs. Make sure to properly grind up the herbs before adding them to the mixture and stir until the ointment is sufficiently spread with no clumps of herbs within the fat. Heat once more before it is allowed to cool. Strain the mixture using the same porous cloth or linen as in a poultice and store it carefully.

This save procedure can also be used to make salves. (Starred for further note)
Difficulty level: Medium

Making a Tincture:

Alcohol needed along with a jar that can be tightly sealed. Ratio of 1:2 :1 with herb, alcohol and water. After mixing, seal tightly and make sure to keep out of the light. Make sure to swirl the jar every so often so that the herb can be extracted properly. Takes almost an entire moon.

Difficulty level: Medium

(Application of Poultices already known.)


Making the final note for completion’s sake, Addy leaned back in her chair and gave her hand a break, shaking it out a bit as she rubbed the fingers where the quill had began to chafe. It was true, she did so little writing that even filling a few pages in her journal was taxing.

[Aidara]

“Herbal scents?” Setting her journal aside, Addy picked up the book from where it lay on the table, resting it on her knees and following the lines of cramped writing with the tip of her finger. Sure, she had heard of and even used a lot of the different methods of herbal medicine before even if she didn’t quite know how the salves and ointments had been prepared, but this? Never had she thought of using the herbs natural smells to help aid the healing process. So dependent on her Gnosis, Addy had skipped over a lot of the more beginner steps for the easier, faster use of her power.

“Aromatherapy is healing with the use of plant materials, oils and aromatic properties. This form of medicine can alter an individuals mind mood and even memory.” Reading aloud as if she couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing, Addy glanced up at the subtle clearing of a throat nearby. The man that she had joked with earlier still lounged in his chair, pointedly not looking at the little woman when she tried to make eye contact, simply lifting a finger to his lips in a shushing motion. “Sorry…” Came the whispered reply.

Reading further, Addy was able to deduce that while still beneficial to the patient, Aromatherapy was not quite the same as herbalism. They both used herbs, sure, but one method focused on external usage while the other mostly consisted of ingestion. Aromatherapy consisted mostly of the insoluble components of the plants in in much more concentrated doses. Scribbling a few lines of this in her journal, Addy flipped through the last few pages of the book and set it carefully to the side. Having as extensive a knowledge of medicine as she did, there was little that she could learn from a book about method and preparation. She watched Keah and Miquel do it enough that she could throw something together if need be. What Addy was really interested in was the actual gathering and preparing of the herbs themselves.

Picking up the large, dusty tome that she had planned on avoiding altogether, Addy opened the encyclopedia with a grunt and a thud as the thing fell open on the table. Quill and journal were gathered and flipped to a clean page, clearly labeling the top.

Harvesting Basics

Many things go into the harvesting of herbs, from the day that you pick to which part of the herb you need and which parts can be left behind. First and foremost the herbalist must know what they are looking for and bring along the proper equipment or storage containers.

Roots, flower, or leaves are all different parts of an herb that can be used. Herbs are not only used for medicinal purposes, but can also enhance the flavor of food or even provide sweet smelling concoctions for the home.

Lifting a brow, Addy starred this particular section, indicating that more research should be done on these alternative methods. Medicinal herbalism was her focus for the moment and she dared not let herself get off track.

Make sure to pick your herbs on dry days in the early afternoon or after night has fallen. Make sure that the dew or any other moisture has evaporated from the herb before picking. Cloudy days are also good for harvesting herbs.

Roots: Harvest the roots in the spring or fall before the ground hardens and freezes. Make sure to understand the type of plant that you are picking and what mature plants look like. First year plants are not as good for medicinal purposes as those allowed to mature for longer.

The more she read, the more Addy realized that she would probably have to find herself a space within the mountain that she could grow her own plants; it seemed much easier to be in control of what grew when rather than scampering all over the forest in pursuit of the perfect herb. That, and the forest was rather dirty and dangerous.

Harvest seeds when they turn brown. Make sure that they are brittle and crushable, as sometimes the insides can retain moisture and still be green and springy. Flowers and leaves, on the other hand, are to be harvested just prior to the flowers blooming. Any plant, flower, or seed that is wilted, yellowed, insect-ridden or rotten should be promptly discarded. Bark is to be harvested when the sap is running in the spring and fall seasons.

Make sure to handle all parts of the herb gently. Accidently crushing the leaves flowers roots or seeds could release precious oils or other important properties. It is also very important to be aware of where your herb is being picked. Remember that the soil can soak up a lot of bad things that can harm or otherwise pollute the herb. If there are animal droppings nearby or any kind of refuse or garbage, don’t harvest the herb.

Another important rule of thumb: Don’t pick ALL of the herb in the area. Leave some in the ground so that they may replenish and endure.

Turning a fresh page, Addy marked at the top “How to Harvest Herbs”

Tools: Shovel, sharp knife.

*Allow time after harvesting to process so herbs don’t wilt or lose vitality.

Roots need to be carefully removed from the ground and kept intact as much as possible. They then need to be cleaned completely of dirt and debris with any kind of hard bristle brush. Some prefer to cut the roots into smaller pieces to dry while others will leave the roots whole and dry them that way.

Leaves and flowers should be picked carefully to avoid breaking, creasing, crushing or otherwise damaging the leaf/flower. They can be stored in bundles, hung to dry or spread loosely over a clean surface. Drying should only be done in when the air is dry as well.

Bark should be peeled from the branches with the sharp knife in long thin strips. The strips are then later cut into smaller pieces. The most important part of the bark is the inner part but including the outer parts wont damage the specimen.

All herbs should always be dried in the direct sun, but left out there for too long the sun can damage the herb and strip if of the plants essential oils used in many medicines. Once dried, the herbs should be kept out of the sunlight and away from any moisture.

*Make sure to properly label all herbs to avoid confusion, contamination and worse.

Marking her place in the book, Addy capped her ink, stored her quill and journal and gathered up the books she had been reading. It took a chime or two of careful maneuvering to make it back to the refrense desk, the books tipped onto the tabletop with an apologetic smile. “I’ll need copies of these, please. Send them to the Aerie of Aidara and Sira when they are complete, please.” Giving the hapless librarian a wave, Addy donned her cloak, shouldered her pack and braced herself to step back out into the biting wind of Fall.

[Aidara]

It was only a few bells after nightfall when Addy had tucked herself back inside her cloak and, despite Sira’s claims that she enjoyed eliciting harm and discomfort upon herself, gathered up Ash and stepped out into the chill night. Her bondmate made sure to let her know that she would be in the aerie, warm and comfortable, awaiting her return. Addy left a few choice worse floating behind her as the door to their Aerie slammed closed.

Rather than go all the way down to the trees, Addy instead set their course for the Courtyard of the Sky. There was no way she was going to admit it to Sira now, but the night was just a little too cold for her to go that far from the city. She wanted to be able to run screaming into the nearest warm space if she so chose.

At least the hand inside the thick leather glove was warm, her thumb closed over the ling leather strips that hung from Ash’s ankles to keep him in place. Normally, Addy just let the eagle fly where ever he chose, simply sitting and keeping him company while making sure that no further harm befell him. Until this point, Addy considered the young owl still in recovery from his broken wing, deciding to strengthen the bond between she and her charge before beginning any training.

But tonight they were going to begin and Addy was a bit nervous. She had gotten some gear from Val, though she only brought the worn out lure with her. Already, Ash didn’t seem to like the fact that Addy kept him held down on her hand, which she tried to hold out to her side as steady as possible. The little owl kept swiveling his head to look at her, half opening his wings and beating them half heartedly as he strained against the jesses. “Just want a few more ticks, Ash…”

He didn’t seem to care, frustration taking over as he fully extended his wings, flapping vigorously and pulling against Addy’s arm as the tip of one wing repeatedly buffeted her in the face. Gritting her teeth and bearing with it, Addy quickened her pace as she took the last couple turns that lead her out into the Courtyard. And not a moment too soon, either, as Ash began to shriek at the top of his little lungs.

“Spoiled little…” Pacing to the middle of the Couryard, Addy loosened her grip on the jesses, dropping her arm and then quickly lifting it as she spurred Ash into flight. The owl didn’t need further suggestion, immediately taking off into the night sky, flying straight away from the little woman without any visible hesitation. Addy had expected the bird to fly away in defiance, and was prepared when he didn’t immediately return.

Settling herself down upon the chilled stonewall that encircled the Courtyard, Addy pulled out a worn leather hood from the pocket of her cloak, followed by a thick needle and thread. Although Val had told her that owls didn’t need to be hooded, Addy had agreed to repair the damage done to some of the Gatekeepers gear in exchange for his gift of the old, unused equipment she used to train Ash now.

“The best way to learn how things work and how to use them, my dear, is to build them yourself. Or, in this case, fix them.” The old man had intoned this with absolute sincerity as he shoved an armload of broken falconry equipment into her arms. While Addy couldn’t disagree, she didn’t look forward to the myriad of injuries she would sustain thanks to luck she had when using a needle; She had only stabbed her fingers a few times thus far, and yet phantom pains from the lase time she tried to sew made her hands ache prematurely. It was going to be a long night.

[Aidara]

It had to have been more than a bell later before Addy heard the distinctive rustling of wings overhead, signaling clearly the return of her avian friend. Knowing that it would be useless to try and pinpoint his location, her night vision simply too poor to pick out Ash’s black form against Leth’s black backdrop, the little healer took her threaded needle and carefully shoved the sharp tip back into the tough leather.

As she had predicted, the fingers of the hand holding the hood was peppered with beads of blood that swelled from dozens of pinpricks in her skin. She had little practice with this sort of sewing, always putting too much pressure behind her stitch and sending the sharp metal directly into her hand below. Those tiny finger covers that Addy had seen the seamstresses wearing had started to sound like a good investment at least a dozen poorly muffled yelps ago.

Tired of being ignored, Ash swooped down from where he circled above the Courtyard, alighting upon the wall near where his master sat, though still well out of reach. “Still mad at me, then?” Hearing the faint scraping of the leather strips tied to his ankles against the stone of the wall, Addy took the fidgeting movement as a yes. “We’re going to have to practice this, you know. All of the other birds will make fun of you if you aren’t trained up properly.” Never really sure whether the little owl could understand her or not, Addy had decided seasons ago not to let it bother her. Plus, it was much better than talking to ones self, even if the little creature never really held up his end of the conversation.

Setting the newly repaired hood aside, Addy stood and faced Ash, slipping the heavy leather glove onto her arm. All the little healer had to go off of was a few old and battered books in the Enclave and a few distracted bits of advice from Val on how to train the owl. The Gatekeeper had never trained an owl before and thought that there might be a different technique she might have to use in order to get any sort of cooperation out of the bird.

“Different sorts, they are.” The old man had said, nodding to the raptors that hung about on the rafters of his home above the gates. “The Falcons are different from the Hawks and so on. I will be of little help, missy.” Needless to say, Addy had left the gatehouse feeling a bit more frustrated than when she had entered. Apparently, this falconry thing was going to be harder than she thought.

Wetting her lips, Addy worked a sharp whistle from between them, holding out her arm to her side in an obvious and firm “come here” gesture. Ash, however, rotated his head completely away from the young woman and ruffled the feathers of his tail in response. Taking a deep breath and forcing the surge of frustration back with a slow exhalation, Addy closed her eyes, lowered her arm to her side and resettled her shoulders with a shake. Apparently even animal children were petulant.

The process was repeated only half a chime later, the whistle slicing through the air as her arm raised quickly in order to receive what she hoped would be a landing eagle. Ash, however, lifted a wing and began worrying at a feather that stuck at an odd angle, completely ignoring Addy as he tried to tug it free. Waiting until she saw the feather drift to the stones beside him, Addy took a couple steps closer to the little owl and yet again whistled and raised her arm.

Ignored.

Growling in pure frustration, unable to keep it restrained any longer, Addy pursed her lips, let loose a long, shrill and high pitched sound, very different from the short burst of air she had sent through her teeth before. Ash’s head jerked upwards and the little bird instinctively turned towards where Addy stood. His wide amber eyes blinked once, twice, three times before his head cocked ever so slightly to the side, and the little woman couldn’t help but feel like her avian charge was looking at her like she was making a complete fool of herself.

Trying to push away the negative thoughts, Addy focused on the fact that she had, at least, gotten his attention. Keeping eye contact, Addy pointedly raised her arm once more and, managing to keep her voice steady and as sweet as she could manage with only the barest hit of a firm order to her words, whispered. “Ash. Here.”

Her heart beat painfully in her chest a handful of times before the little owl made even the slightest move, shuffling so that he completely faced her and spreading his wings slightly. Stopping before extending them fully for flight, Ash tilted his head to the other side; he couldn’t have more clearly asked, “Are you sure?” without speaking the words. A single, firm movement of her arm, extending it further from her body and lifting it high to receive him, Addy kept eye contact and tried to keep all emotion from her face.

It seemed like forever passed between one tick and the next as Ash spread his wings, hopped twice and threw himself into the air, speeding up again only when the little sootwing shot through the air between them, wings flared and talons extended as he honed in on her arm. Taken off guard by the way time seemed to slow and then speed up, Addy wasn’t ready when the owl hooked his talons into the thick fabric of the glove, stopping his flight short as he dug in and hung on. Unprepared for the landing impact of even such a small owl, Addy rocked backwards a step before she managed to brace her arm, drawing it inwards towards herself as Ash settled his wings at his side, turning his head towards her for the barest of moments before he returned to the preening of his wings.

Elated by her small victory, Addy tried to keep her thoughts positive even though she was sure that Ash had simply been humoring her. However, ending on a good note was far preferable to ending on a bad one. Though they had hardly gotten any work in, Addy felt in her bones that this was the most cooperation she was going to elicit from the ornery owl.

With a slightly lifted heart and with a comfortable aerie and warm blankets to look forward too, Addy gathered her things, sent Ash back up into the inky night and turned towards home.

[Warhawk]

Aidara

Skill

+5 Herbalism
+3 Sewing
+4 Reading
+3 Falconry

Lore

*Tools of the trade: Herbalism
*How to prepare Herbs
*The Idea of Aromatherapy
*Harvesting Basics
*The pain of a seamstress
*Trying to cox a bird

Notes:

Cool thread, I really enjoyed the way you wrote out the research by instead of just writing what you were reading, but instead putting down what was being learned as notes. Very awesome

If you have any questions, concerns, or anything else feel free you send me a PM