[Job Thread] Arysna Cream

by **Aoren** on August 19th, 2013, 3:33 am

1st of Summer 513 AV
Mid-Morning

“As I’m certain you’ve noticed it is most decidedly summer, Aoren. Do you know what that means?”

Aoren wiped the sweat from his brow as he entered the Stormhold Salves shop. He’d been out and about delivering orders for Mistress Sahfri Blackleaf all morning. A morning that was proving to be one the hottest that he’d seen in Syliras in years. He set the satchel used to carry the various ointments and poultices throughout the city on the countertop then accepted the cool glass of water that his employer offered him. He downed it in a matter of seconds.

“It’s time to find an ice reimancer?” Mistress Sahfri gave him a quiet smile at his poor joke.

“It means that the sun will be out more. People will be prompted to go outside more. People who spend a great deal of time out in the sun have a tendency to do what?” Aoren pondered for a moment as he set his glass down. He enjoyed working for Mistress Blackleaf a great deal. She always prompted him to use his brain whereas other people had a tendency to seek him out for his brawn. Not that he was uncomfortable with either it was simply that he preferred to have a balance of both.

“They burn.” She nodded and motioned for Aoren to follow her into the workroom with one of her many hands. He did so without hesitation. When he stepped into the room he was greeted by the sight of boiling potions and bubbling concoctions. If ever Aoren felt like a wizard it was when he stepped into the workroom of Stormhold Salves. People wouldn’t know it to look at him but he was a decently skilled mage capable of hurling bolts of lightning at those who aroused his ire. Of which there were very few indeed.

“Yes. People get sunburn. They also get heat exhaustion.” Sahfri walked over to where she kept her plethora of medicinal manuscripts. She pulled one of the heavy books from the shelf setting it gently on the table.

“Tell me, what plant is capable of alleviating heat exhaustion and sunburn?” She looked up from the book expectantly.

Shyke.

by **Aoren** on August 19th, 2013, 3:36 am

Mistress Blackleaf never asked a question to which she did not expect an answer. Aoren ran a hand through his hair as he sifted through what little knowledge regarding plants and herbs he had. His brow furrowed as he thought through his answer carefully.

“I am sorry, Mistress Blackleaf. I do not know.” She nodded patiently as if that were the answer she had indeed been waiting for.

“It was a trick question, Aoren.” He made a slight face. Aoren hated trick questions. They always made him feel incredibly stupid. Sahfri flipped through the pages of her manual then slid it across the table toward Aoren. He stepped closer to examine the contents of the pages.

“Arsyna Cream. This special ointment, made from a thick syrup found in the stems of various coastal plants, will soothe the pain of sun-burns and eases the symptoms of mild heat exposure.” He arched an eyebrow looking up from the book.

“I’ve never worked with plant sap before.” She nodded closing the book. She had no need for it. Sahfri Blackleaf had committed most of the text in her manuscripts to memory. Aoren leaned against the table observing his employer. No doubt she would quiz him on the instruments she used to craft this particular ointment.

“I will guide you through the necessary steps. This ointment is one of the things that goes quickly during the season. I expect you to keep at least half a dozen on the shelf at all times.” He nodded committing the instruction to memory. There were several medicines that were required to be on the shelves at all times as they were those treatments that were most commonly used in all of Syliras. He walked over to where Mistress Blackleaf set her assembled tools when she gestured for him to do so.

“Now then, the difference between creating a cream and a paste is in the frothiness of the mixture. A paste is thick and is slathered on top of the skin while a cream is rubbed into it.” Aoren listened carefully as he looked over the tools assembled in front of him.

“And how do I do that?” Sahfri motioned for him to begin preparing the philtering utensils while she explained.

“Water is the universal solvent for nearly everything an Apothecary mixes. It can dissolve, it can dilute, it can enhance and it can destroy a mixture in just the right measure. So naturally one would think it is used in this, would you not?” Aoren nodded. It was one of the few base components of nearly everything he’d ever made.

“Well, not today.”

by **Aoren** on August 19th, 2013, 3:37 am

The Drykas blinked at her. He was confused. He set an alembic over an unlit burner, readied his mortar and pestle, and grabbed an extra bowl for mixing.

“Then what will we use?” The shopkeeper smiled turning to go into the back but not where she kept the herbs. She went to the portion of the shop that served as her personal residence. He heard the sound of rummaging and his employer sifting through what sounded like her larder. When she returned she was holding…

“Milk and butter?” Aoren arched an eyebrow. They were going to use food to make medicine? Sahfri looked at him as if he’d asked the most obvious question that an apprentice could ever as in the history of asking questions.

“What else would you use to make cream?” She shook her head setting the confectionary delights on the worktable. “Because we boil, dilute and mix the two components with herbs whose functionality is to preserve the cream does not spoil quickly. One container will keep for the whole season but not much longer. By that time the entire contents are usually used up.”

Aoren just blinked at her. He was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that the shop had just gone from being Stormhold Salves to Stormhold Salivatorium. He smirked. Suddenly enamored with his own cleverness. That was quickly wiped off his face with a clearing of his throat when it was apparent Mistress Blackleaf was trying to get his attention.

“Umm…what was that?” She fixed him with a blank stare before shaking her head.

“What plants are involved in the process?” Aoren wracked his brain sifting through his highly limited encyclopedia of plant life and their medicinal purposes.

“W-well…there’s…umm…” He scratched his head for a moment trying very, very hard not to look like a complete dunderhead. “…there’s the Suvan Cattail. It grows in the swampy regions typically along rotten logs and near algae clogged areas.” She nodded her approval. Aoren heaved a small sigh of relief. He hated looking like an idiot.

“Good. Today however we will be using a variety of coastal plant life you might find in saltwater regions toward the ocean rather than riverbed plants. Now then, Aoren roll up those sleeves because we’ve got a lot to do.” Aoren ran a hand through his short-cropped hair. Did they ever?

Grabbing his tools he set to work. He was absolutely certain that his forearms would be cramped by the time they were done.

by **Radiant** on September 12th, 2013, 4:44 pm

njaa

Aoren :

Notes :

My radiance is not bright enough?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, beam me a PM and we can work it out.

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+2 XP
Socialization	+1 XP
Botany	+2 XP
Herbalism	+1 XP

Completed [Job Thread] Arysna Cream