Flashback Planning for the Future

[Vypec]

3rd of Summer, 515 A.V. Vypec hadn't really known what possessed him to buy the seeds now in his hands. He had bought three small packages of what the peddler had said were rare plants not easily found in Riverfall. She had smiled at him when he paused on his wandering a about the market to take interest in her wares. It was second nature for even the least experienced Riverfallian to take interest in gardening. the upkeep of one's personal and public gardens was a strong point of respect within the city. They valued their plant life greatly, as it was hard to grow much on the side of a cliff. When Vypec approached she had gone directly for the seeds, knowing her mark was enticed. "These are very rare, good sir. They are but three plants, most valuable to a warrior such as yourself." She raised her eyebrows conspiratorially. Vypec smirked at her, folding his arms a cross his chest, instantly on the guard against falsehood now. She had overstepped in her eagerness. "And what could a warrior like me possibly want with some seeds? Do they inspire great strength when I eat them, hmm? Will they sprout swords from their branches instead of fruit?" He chuckled at his own humor. The woman had grinned gleefully, her mouth wrinkled and sly. "No, they will help you kill your enemies. If you aren't interested in that then I need not bother you..." She closed her gnarled fingers around the small cloth sacks. Vypec was indeed enticed though. He waved a hand. "Please, explain." He said, frowning down at her hand. "These are rare plants whose properties are, when used correctly, devastating to those who happen to ingest them." With her words she opened her palm. The dark meaning behind them seemed somehow out of place in the otherwise bright market. Did this woman make this claim to every passing Akalak in the hopes that one would find it appealing. Vypec was not so sure he could trust her so readily. The woman had nothing but her words to back her claim up. "Prove your words are not false then." Vypec, thinking about dabbling in the cowards' weapon?! Vypal sounded positively gleeful. The shock in his voice was real as well. "These ones," she held up a pale white cloth and handed it to him. Inside, he found five small black seeds, long and ominous. "Are for a low growing, unremarkable looking shrub whose roots can steal the balance and finesse from an enemy with a simple thrust of your blade." She mimicked a stabbing motion. Vypec took a step back, glancing down at the seeds. Oh that sounds quite entertaining, Vy. "These little beauties." She held out a black bag, chuckling to herself. "These are called Assassin Vines for a reason. They strip the strength from your victims." She placed the bag delicately in his hands. The second bag was filled with five pale brown seeds. Vypec pulled one out to examine it. But the woman seemed to want to forge on, not giving him time to think about declining the offer. "These last ones, they're the real prize." She held up her final bag, one of dark brown cloth. She pulled one of the seeds from the bag and held it up for both of them to admire together. "What is it?" Vypec could not help himself. He leant in to look at the seed. "This is the a species of small Syliran tree. It grows in the dense forests of the north." She said with clear, if theatrical, reverence. "With the roots of this tree you can make the Bloodroot poison." Her voice was hushed now. Vypec frowned at the small yellowish seeds. "And what does the Bloodroot poison do?" He asked. He had to admit, his knowledge of poisons was next to nothing. The idea of having such primal weapons growing in his garden did excite him in a dark and disturbing way. He felt a closeness to his brother Vypal in that moment. Disturbing, indeed. I think we should buy them. How much are they? Vypal said, taking great pleasure in his brother's line of thought. 696 words

[Vypec]

The merchant woman grinned, knowing she had Vypec on the hook. "Well Bloodroot, bloodroot will give you a leg up in whatever..." She eyed his sword for pointed moment. "Well, I'm sure you can think of your own uses for that sort of thing." Her reassuring smile made Vypec uncomfortable. Her glee at the suffering of these perceived enemies unsettled him, though not enough not to buy the seeds. He may need this kind of tool in his arsenal later on. In the end, after a bit of fierce bartering, Vypec succumbed to the merchant's price and left her there under the onslaught of Vypal's criticism of his minimal mercantile skills. The entire way back to their home Vypal and Vypec fought over the pricing and the potential of the plants. It descended into a bitter clash of insult and emotion. Vypec ended up walking most of the way back to his home in utter silence. Upon returning home he found another annoyance. He had no tools with which to dig holes to plant the seeds. He didn't not know how long seeds survived out of the ground, but he was sure he had time. The Akalak ended up scratching at the dirt with his bare hands, grimacing with the effort of moving the lower levels of harder packed earth. Vypec didn't;t know how deep to bury the seeds. Would they still be able to drink from the water if they were lower? Would it be safer to bury them lower? The Akalak decided to bury each a few inches deep, and water them right afterwards. With hands covered in dirt and clay, Vypec set each seed at the bottom of its respective hole. He used a booted foot to nudge the earth back over each, careful to place a small stone next to each so he remembered where to pour the water. The Akalak smeared a bit of dirt across his forehead as he wiped away the sweat with a grimy hand. That had been quite a physical task, he hadn't been expecting it. Vypec took a pull from his waterskin and raised it into the air. "Wysar, Akajia be praised." He said, thankful for being done with the dirty task finally. He let a bit of the water fall on each tiny mound. Soon, he hoped, he would see the sprouting green of his newly purchased plants. Vypec slumped down against his wood door, leaning back and staring down at the barren garden. He let the water slide coolly down his throat a few more times. The Akalak picked up a small handful of dirt. He rubbed the stuff between his fingers and sighed deeply. The Akalak sat there for a few more minutes, finishing the waterskin before struggling to his feet and going to clean up. LedgerThese seeds were payed for in Starting Package purchases, just wanted to show him planting them and tell the story of what they are.

[Konrad Venger]

Vypec XP: Socialization - 2 Investigation - 1 Gardening - 1 Lore: Riverfall: Gardening is a Point of Pride Demanding Proof after Bold Statements Poisons: Coward's Weapon, but Still Useful Not Much of a Gardener, Not Knowing How to Plant Additional: You planted the three sets of seeds, but because of Vypec's lack of knowledge on plants, gardening and botany, none of them grow to term and all are dead by the end of the season Click Me! : You assumed a little too much, here, Vypec. Poison-bearing plants and shrubs and trees CAN be purchased off a wagon on the streets of Riverfall, but you don't have the Skills or Lore to know them from dandelions. And if you don't have any follow up threads, with Vype learning how to tend to his seeds (which you actually admit to knowing nothing about, IC), nothing good will come of this. So I'm sorry, but no plants/poisons for you that season. If you want knowledge in Poisons, it's best to start with learning about them academically, then going to a philterers or a healers, start that way. It's a lot more sure to get the results you want. Throwing suspicious seeds into a hole - bear in mind, you didn't get "proof" they were legit; said "proof" was her telling you they were... which is not "proof" of anything - and watering them a little won't be enough. Oh, and please make sure you go back and edit your post in the Request Thread to reflect the fact this one is now done and dusted. PM me with any questions and later 'tater!