This is Medicine [Any Sanc Staff]

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

44th Winter 511AV

Disappointment came in many forms for Serrif. Sometimes it was trusting in someone and they let you down…or sometimes it was when you expected something grandeur and instead got something far from it. A library. When Serrif thought of a library he though of the medical library on Mura. Sprawling shelves full of all kinds of books from floor to ceiling. Endless possibilities written by people form all over at all kinds of time periods. He expected to find tall shelves that maybe not even he could reach the top of with knowledge both common and arcane. He had high expectations and when he walked to the supposed library in the Sanctuary he found himself less then impressed. There was a single shelf with what appeared to be only a smattering of books on it, in all less then ten.

But even with this disheartening experience there was still hope. Just because they did not keep a well stocked library did not mean they lacked medicinal knowledge. It just meant that they lacked the time to do a proper job of recording everything that was done. They were on the cutting knifes edge of medicine here. Trying new things and learning by doing. It seemed they didn’t have the time needed to jot down everything in detail. Which meant this was indeed a very busy place. Again meaning further that he would have the chance of knowing what it was like to be part of a well oiled machine. He, like any part of the machine, would have to find his place among the other moving parts. A skill he wasn’t to sure of right now.

With a sigh he figured it would likely be best for him to just go to the laboratory and see what was available there. Maybe the glassware and other such allotments would be more impressive than this. If not, he would have to do something about that. There wasn’t much of a way he could practice medicine and herbalism if he didn’t have any of the needed gear to do so. There were certain things he did need to practice efficiently. He had gotten used to Lym’s lab and all of the amenities it provided him; and again he needed to make note that not everywhere was as funded as the Opal Order. So he put off hope for a little bit while he entered the lab. And his hopes raised.

It seemed there was a decent amount of coin invested in this area. There were all kinds of glassware, all of which he was familiar with the uses of. Lym had schooled him well in the uses of all the different glassware as well as how to keep them and clean them. So with a nod to himself he looked around and started memorizing the layout of the lab. He could imagine that he would likely be spending a good amount of time here among the glassware doing all kinds of things. From brewing medicine to researching new things as well. But he imagined there would be less research and more practical application here. This was after all an entity out to make coin unlike the Opal Order. Here the focus was on practicality, research could be done but likely would be conducted on his own time and with permission from Kavala as well.

He took a seat in a chair and glanced about. He could work well here indeed. It was more than enough for him to make a name for himself here. And definitely enough for him to prove his usefulness to the owner of this establishment. With a nod he figured he’s best start making himself busy somehow. This was his department of understanding, he didn’t know much about horses, dogs, falcons, or raptors. What he understood was herbalism, the mixing and creating of medicines especially from these mixtures. He understood how glassware worked, now to manipulate it and furthermore how to use these skills to help heal those that needed it the most. He could be useful here if given the opportunity. That was all he needed.

[Kavala]

He would be wrong in his assumption that everything Sanctuary did was out to make money. If that was the case, then Kavala's coffers would be full and the facility would be a lot smaller. Instead, she poured every dime back into the estate and into making the place as top notch as it could be.

But just because she studied horses, medicine, and kelvics didn't mean she knew much about humans. Truth be told she knew even less about Serrif whom she only knew as Tizack from before. And so while he was here she carefully kept an eye on him and tended to make sure she showed up when he was out and about doing something. She kept waiting for him to ask her for a job, being more than willing to put him on the payroll, but he hadn't. He really hadn't asked her for anything, which she thought was strange. At first she'd thought he was here for other reasons other than what he claimed the Opal Order wanted. But as time passed she was starting to think that was indeed all he wanted.

But still she kept an eye on him, uncertain really, how much he knew about her, them, in the past and how that related to the now.

When she saw him slip into the Philtering lab, she quietly followed. They were between clients, with Kavala's only scheduled appointment relating to a deerstalker that an Akalak was having trouble getting with puppies. She'd agreed to do a thorough exam of the bitch later in the afternoon when the man dropped by after his volunteer duty. But until then, she had free time.

So she slipped in after Serrif, studied him from the doorway, and causally asked... "So, you know anything about philtering? We installed this with a meaning to use it, but we only make medicines at the current time here. It's where all our mixing is done. You're welcome to use it if you'd like, though I must ask that you replace any ingredients you use." She said, again knowing some of their stockpile was of precious valuable incredients she'd traded hard for.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

It was apparent how much ,money she poured back into this place. The wide span of herbs and such all over. She had to go to great lengths to get these herbs; trading with races he had never had interactions with before. He looked around at all of the things sprawled around. He could conduct all kinds of studies here. It wasn’t Lym’s lab, no; it was Kavala’s. Even then it was more than adequate for mixing medicines and studying what was still left unstudied.

Kavala’s entrance was a little unexpected but at the same time welcome. Most of all he was her guest still; he wouldn’t ask her for work. He didn’t find it his place to ask anything of her. He would do work, study and be part of this Sanctuary. But as far as having an official job…he wasn’t sure if he would fit yet. He nodded at her words.

“I know a fair amount, more than the essentials but far less than the Konti who trained me. “ He admitted, that left a good amount of room for interpretation. However; he was exhibiting the excitement of a skilled philterer as he looked across the glassware and herbs.

“I would be afraid to use some of these ingredients, I honestly wouldn’t know where to get any more. I would need to study any literature on these items. I know a decent amount; but some of these I have never seen before. And I wouldn’t know how to use them correctly.” Sometimes it was more important to know you didn’t know something than to pretend you did.

“There are some things you don’t just mess around with if you are missing context” Something Lym had told him from nearly the beginning of their time together.

It was true; she had acquired a good amount of supplies here. Herbs and ingredients he had never seen before or even heard mentioned were organized about very carefully. He hadn’t learned her system for this yet but he was sure he would pick up on it fast enough. He had with Lym, although Lym’s lab was more organized chaos at times. But here, this lab seemed used but it lacked the same lived in feeling that Lym’s had. This helped him realize that in a way Kavala might be propositioning him to take a position here. Maybe that they were looking for a philterer. Someone with appropriate skills and such.

“Yes, I know a good amount about philtering, medicine and herbalism.” Simply put given the previous statements. But he was downplaying his own skill some. He knew more than a good amount.

But he wouldn’t admit he was anything more than decent. Because he knew lives would hang in the balance of his skills. HIS skills were what would determine the difference between life and death. There was a thin veneer between life and death; and there were times when passing between one and the other didn’t take much. And it was a constant fight to keep someone on the side of life away from the ushering hands of Dira. Hands he swore he had felt himself several times; gently pulling him away to death.

“I could help with those medicines.” He offered almost as if he was going to let her test drive his skill sets; put him through the motions.

[Kavala]

Kavala had studied in Mura and seen the classrooms and labs there. She was sure her poor excuse of a lab didn't excite Serrif much but it was indeed hers and the Sanctuary needed it.

"I realize its nothing like what Mura has... but I'm not city funded." She said, smiling to herself as if it were a personal joke. Sure she was city funded, but for a whole different line of work. Kavala chuckled and then glanced around. "I don't mind explaining the system to you here." She added, turning a half circle and starting over by the stairway. "Clean glassware and supplies go here along with tools not commonly used. Everything is cleaned after each use regardless, even if its just to hold water. I demand absolute cleanliness in here because it is after all a lab." She said, moving on.

"Anyone who works here needs to keep notes. Most notes are recorded in this small library of recipes and journals. Each one has each individuals name on it... Raiha, Rath, Aweston, anyone... there's blank writing journals in the bottom shelf if you want to start your own. Pen and ink are here." She added, pointing out the storage.

Then she moved to a series of cabinets that seemed filled with chemicals and raw components. "These are our supplies. Everything here is really carefully guarded against cross contamination. No double dipping with tongs or pipettes. Just use them once then discard them because it keeps you from mixing up materials and contaminating supplies." Kavala said, moving on to point out stored herbs, beeswax, and all kinds of simple ingredients.

She even had a huge supply of vials and jars and small cream containers that were obviously new or newly cleaned awaiting being filled and passed on to a client. "All the completed medicines and things like lotions, tinctures, balms etc are all stored out in the clinic in the area for that. We make something here, and once its done it goes out right away and isn't left here to be mixed up as a component. Everything is clearly labeled and stored in air-tight containers with dates placed on them with a grease pencil so you can always know how fresh stuff is. There's also a list by the door. If you use something, and its almost out, write it on the list so when we go foraging or to town for supplies we can pick up more." Kavala said helpfully then moved to the set of distillers and the weights and measures sitting on the counter.

"This always sits here. Keep it clean. And we have a stormgem torch if you need anything heated fast." Kavala added, then paused to let him take it all in and ask any questions he might have.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

“Sometimes It matters not what you have but how you use it.” He smiled some as he looked around. This lab was more than adequate for any studies or such that he wanted to do. He was here to learn, and Kavala knew more about her lab than he did.

She laid out the lab for him not in great detail but enough for him to get a general understanding of how this place was laid out and what the rules of her lab were. She had a few things here that he had never heard of or used. He would have to get instruction on them later in order to use them effectively. It was good to hear she stressed cleanliness; he believed especially in her situation this was very important. Life saving medicines would be made here and mistakes couldn’t be made, nor could cross contamination. A careful eye to keeping things clean would have to be kept.

He nodded as she pointed to the blank journal, “I will keep a record along with everyone else; and make a copy for my own use as well.” It was more for the Opal Orders use back on Mura but he assumed they would make a copy for him of anything they decided to use.

He listened carefully to how the process of creating medicine and distributing it was carried out. If there was any job for him here at the sanctuary it would be making medicines. His mind laid out the process step at a time. Make it, label it, seal it, send it to the clinic. The process was simplistic and direct, very similar to the process in Lym’s lab. Although sometimes she kept some made medicines around for experimentation later. But here, practicality was obviously more important than experimentation. He was in the front lines now, this was what Lym had been training him for.

“I would like to know how to use the stormgem torch eventually. But that will come with time.” He stood and looked around unsure how to proceed at first but with a smile on his face. He would learn much here, and it would indeed all be practical knowledge which he could really use.

This was when he made his first unofficial move to becoming part of the staff…it wasn’t much of a commitment now. But it was a step in the right direction; a step that felt right for now. Even though he was still a little unsure of it in his mind. But he was going to help the Sanctuary out and this was just one way to do so. His hands picked up the blank book and then with very gentle strokes wrote his name along it just like the others had done with the books they had claimed. He looked as his written name for a few moments, this was one of the few times he had written his own name…and it felt…different.

He looked at his written name for a few moments almost awkwardly before speaking almost below his breath. “Feels different seeing it written.” He set the book so the ink could dry and then put back the supplies where they belonged carefully. It was the truth, no matter how many times he wrote it the name still felt odd.

[Kavala]

"It should feel good, Serrif. It is the only thing you can leave behind you when you die, your knowledge, that is. The written word is that powerful. With your work here, if all you did was make medicine and never taught or took notes, how will people be able to duplicate what you've already perfected?" The konti said, looking thoughtful. She continued to lightly pace around the room, touching the glassware, the books, and even the already set up apparatus. It was like she loved the place, considered it a sentient creature , and treated it as such.

"What did you want to work on first? I have a list of things we are running low on tacked up to the cabinet here. You can pick any project off the list or work on something independently so long as there aren't any high priority items ahead of it. High priority are circled. When they have a line ran through them, it means they have been refilled or made."
She walked over and showed him the list.

There was a wide assortment of things on the list from burn salves to cleaning agents to cleanse the stallions sheaths to hair repair and many many lotions for face, hands, and body skin. There were even some unique things on the list like lip balms to ward against frostbite and windburn relief cream. "Pick one Serrif, and I'll help you get started." Kavala urged.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

“Good and yet different.” Writing his own name still seemed foreign to him, maybe because it was an assumed name that he horridly pieced together. At first he stuck to his story only because he didn’t want to be perceived as a liar. Irony was on an island of all seers they likely knew his name no matter what he told them; another reason he was glad Kavala was marked by Rak’keli and not Avalis.

“I agree, knowledge is indeed very important to the progression of ideas. That is why I intend on leaving plenty of it behind.” His realized that the work he left behind would aid others behind him; hence helping progression of medicine. Even his unfinished works could be seen to be important at some point in someone’s life. Helping them solve a problem they were not able to for whatever reason.

But this train of thought was diverted and taken toward the list that Kavala had posted. She ran through the rules and what she expected of him and he merely nodded indicating he understood what she spoke of. There were some things that were important; he believed if Kavala took the time to explain it then it deserved his attention. His emerald eyes scanned the list trying to pick out something he could likely aid with.

He was proficient, but being that Kavala had likely ran this place all by herself before now he was likely no match for her. Yes, he had formal schooling but that really meant little, it was the practicality of the teachings that would aid him here. Principals learned while aiding Lym would be what meant the most to him. With a nod he picked off something.

“This right here.” He placed a finger on the list next to cleansing agents. “They sound important, let’s start there.” He suggested as he then switched over to aid Kavala. He wasn’t sure what she really had in store for him; but he had worked in a lab for nearly a year with a Konti before. So he was used to being an aid to a much more skillful master.

[Kavala]

When Serrif picked the cleaning agents, Kavala chuckled. "You would pick the smelliest jobs wouldn't you?" She asked, laughing and then pulling down a notebook that had notes on cleaners in it. "Well, here at Sanctuary we use three things to clean with. We use Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Lemons. The lemons are easily enough acquired at the market along with the Vinegar. The Bluevein Winery supplies all of that for Riverfall. But the problem is we need Baking Soda. Now you can buy that at the market too, but we truthfully have all the raw ingredients here to make it by philtering. Do you know how?" She paused, wondering. Then smiled, and pulled down a large glass jar, almost as large as her, and sat it on the counter. "Mare's urine, distilled, has a high amount of ammonia which we need to make the baking soda. It's a little gross, but you can also make it from feces too but it takes longer and involves dissolving the solids." Kavala said softly.

"Baking Soda comes from philtering using a double difuse partical distilling process. You'll need three things.. .salt, the ammonia, and powdered limestone. I already have some ground up." She moved to fetch both the salt and the powdered limestone. "You can make it without ammonia but then the byproduct is so acidic that it its useless and won't do what we need it to do. So when you add ammonia it calms the philter and makes it more stable and it turns out neutral and won't burn any body parts when its touched or ingested." She added, then turned to the glasswork and showed him how to set up the burners and double rising filtering diffusers to get the boil he needed.

"Basically, Serrif, what happens is the reaction is carried out by passing concentrated salt water through the two glass diffusers. In the first, ammonia bubbles up through the brine and is absorbed by it. Then we carry it back around, do it again, in the second defuser, and the gas that you can't breath in the second boiling flask that the limestone causes that bubbles up through the brine and precipitates the baking soda. So you keep making the precipitate. It takes almost a whole day to do it, but its tremendously cheaper than going to the market to get it. This setup, with this jar of ammonia and the salt and limestone we have on hand can make probably a pound of baking soda. Go on.. give it a try." She said, double checking the glasswork set up and giving him quick directions on ratios in each boiling flask, and let him work.

"

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

“Just because it is smelly doesn’t make it any less important.” He said as he smiled and then continued to listen very carefully to what Kavala said.

He pulled his own book from the shelf and set it open and then began writing carefully in it. The notes would be almost haphazard but it was important to make good notes else you leave anything ambiguous for those that tried to follow in your footsteps. That could leave to tragedy. He wrote fast, leaving out erroneous details. He would have time if he wanted to fill it all in later. But now it was important if not critical to just get the ideas down so he could have the knowledge locked away in this book. He quickly jotted it down making very sure to look up and pay very careful measured attention to Kavala between pen strokes.

Cleaning elements. Vinegar, Baking Soda and Lemon.

“I’m unfamiliar with the process of making baking soda. Please elaborate.” He would take notes on the topic and expound more as he actually did the process afterward. As a kind of debriefing really.

Baking Soda
Ingredients
Salt ammonia powered limestone
Method double distilling process
Ammonia can come from distilled horse urine or likely other large cattle
Cautions
Ammonia is needed to made the mixture more basic instead of acidic
Gas during the process needs to be contained

Time
Almost a full day

Process

He decided to leave the process empty until he actually completed the process fully. He found it was good to actually do the process before taking notes on it, that way you could be precise in what you did and clean it all up in a way that was easily explainable.. So now it was up to him and his skills to get the objective achieved. Something he didn’t mind, it was much like being in Lym’s lab really. She explained thins then left him to his own devices. He had paid very careful attention to everything; he knew the smallest of things made the largest of difference. Another one of the many lessons Lym had taught him. Little changes here compounded down the line.

Every little bit off you were only multiplied tenfold by the time you reached the end; where you ended up with something far from what you intended. Which meant sometimes you made a bunk healing mixture but in the more delicate procedures it could mean you made a poison instead…or maybe a hallucinogen either way you ended up with something that would not heal at all; but would maim.

He noted the ratios she laid out in his book as well making quick notes in the margins of the book along with the agents. He would have to clean this all up later but he knew that would come later. Right now he needed to perform. Carefully he measured out liquids and poured them into the appropriate glassware so he could get the process started. He did so before heating any of the glassware to prevent any of it from breaking. If it isn’t filled heat will destroy the glassware he could hear Lym’s voice reminding him. He imagined that voice would likely never go away. He had been schooled in such things in Mura. And he knew these lessons would come in handy. And they were.

Gently he brought the mixtures to the specified heats and the process started almost all by itself. He would need to add more of everything as the process moved along but that would come with time. He kept the materials handy and used a smaller flask to fetsh the distilled urine from the rather large glassware Kavala had gotten off of the shelf. He couldn’t just pour it into the glassware from the piece it was in. There was far too much of it. The other agents were easy enough to put in but again each needed it’s own smaller piece of glassware so that more agents could be added in easily.

His attention was fixed on this process, he hadn’t seen it before so he needed to pay very careful attention so that he could make good mental notes and later physical notes about what was going on here. There was all kinds of things about this process that was good for him to see. It was an easy setup and would save the Sanctuary a fair amount of coin. Also, if it all fell through he could make some and undersell the competition at the market and maybe make some money for the Sanctuary itself.

“Interesting process, I’ve done things like this before. But every glasswork is a living breathing animal. Each different from the other.”

[Kavala]

About ten chimes into the philtering process, Kavala had a bandanna out and covering her nose and mouth. One of the drawbacks of having a lab beneath the ground was that there were no windows to open. Having one this deep in the cliff would be more like a shaft and unnecessary really for this sort of thing could be done above ground when those facilities were ready. But until then, they had to use the lab for the really stinky jobs and this was one of those.

Kavala coughed, handed Serrif his own bandanna, and then got to work on the next few things on the list. Serrif would be babysitting the baking soda production all day, so there was plenty of time between him adding ingredients to teach him a little more about other things they used around The Sanctuary. She checked her list of needed things and nodded. "Burn remedies" where next on the list.

"Ready to make some burn remedies while we wait for this to percipiate? Your going to keep needing to add ingredients, and pause it to remove the percipitate when it gets too full, but otherwise we'll have time to make some burn remedies to keep on hand." Kavala said, looking around, as if in search of something.

"What do you know of burns and the uses of ingredients to sooth them?" She asked, pulling forth another notebook that had the words "The Sanctuary Remedies Kept On Hand" Marked on its spine. She laid it out, flipped to the section on burns, and waited.