Well, thats actually maybe three saying bundled into one, but nothing could be truer regarding this quest I have taken on. From the book of Winged Alchemy recipes, I had selected one that would grant angelic wings, not fully understanding at the time I decided to do this the daunting quest I had set out on.
This entry is a chronicle of the trials and triumphs I faced through the first stage of the Angelic Quest step, Inizio.
The day had started out very pleasant. The classes I teach had gone without incident, and I had left the academy on time (for once) and with very little grading to do. The grading tonight consisted of only one pop quiz (Yes, I am guilty of being one of those teachers) on listing the ingredients for the Dozhdiliqi potion. Luckily for me, its one of the easier potions with just five ingredients needed, three vials of earthworm slime, one Juncus seed, ten jars of rain water, two branches that had been struck by lightning, and one jar of rainforest mud. I got the grading done in less than one hour. Smiling, I packed the quizzes away. I have such bright students. All of them passed.
Now with some free time on my hands, I decided to take my first step with crafting those alchemy wings. I pulled the Wing Recipe Book, and selected the Inizio scroll. The ancient parchment broke form the book, and I held it in my hands. Slowly I read the ingredients;
One Blessed Stellarite, Five Bags of Petals, Five Chicken Fletchings, Five Anycolor Dyes, One Angelic Collar, One Angel's Sweat, One Sacred Key, and Two Thousand Gold. Not too daunting, I thought.
I went to my ingredient room and after searching I found the stellarite, the key, and one of the chicken fletchings I needed. Sighing to myself, I knew I needed to barter for the other ingredients. I then went to my bedroom and placed the scroll on my desk. I grabbed my gold pouch (carefully calculating the gold that was needed) since sadly I had little time to make or collect my own components. I dressed in my most impressive hat and cape, and then set out for the Market of Magic.
The Market of Magic is a fascinating place, full of witches, mages and alchemists (etc.) Here you can find and purchase any item for potions, spells, alchemy, etc, as well as wands, garments, objects, books/scrolls, the list goes on and on. You also find the very colorful vendors who haggle and barter, trade and lure with their fantastical objects.
I looked around and my eyes instantly landed on a very stylish hat. I wanted it, but knew my funds were limited, so I resisted the temptations from the wizard who was trying his hardest to lure me over. I made beeline to a witch who specializes in plant cultivations. I knew she would have plenty of bags of petals, and she did. She smiled often as we haggled the prices for the five bags I needed. Once we reached the agreed on price, I had my bags of petals, and my gold pouch was lighter.
Next, I needed four chicken fletchings, which surprisingly enough, are fairly common in many potions and alchemy recipes. I went to my usual vendor, and older woman who dabbles in voodoo. Since I had brought from her before, I knew her pricing and made the trade. Man, my gold was depleting fast.
Now came the Anycolour dyes. I knew they would be the priciest to purchase, so I shopped around until I found a nice alchemist who was selling. She had exactly the amount I needed, and since I was buying in bulk, she gave me discount. We made the trade and my gold was almost all gone now. However, I still needed that collar and the vial of Angel's Sweat.
I searched the Market all over that angels sweat. No luck. I was just about to give up when a breeze blew a scent of apple cinnamon goodness my way. Lured by the amazing smell, I let me nose lead me to a stand I had never visited before. The vendor was a chatty fellow, who kept going on about his wares and products. He seemed nice enough and all, so I decided to purchase one of his spell books (a lovely red bound tome) as well as placing an order for one of his beds he was selling (to be delivered no later than next week). As I was paying, he handed me a box. Curiously, I looked at him. He explained that with each purchase of an angelic bed, he was giving a bonus item; One Jar of Angels Sweat. I was elated! One more ingredient crossed off my list.
Now i just needed the angelic collar. I headed to a stand I knew would have it. Luckily for me, the collar was on sale, so I purchased two (in the event that I wanted to craft some more wings).
At this point, my hands were full and my gold pouch was empty, so I slowly headed home ready to work. I collected the remaining ingredients and the scroll and headed up to my alchemy tower.
My cauldron warmed and the needed gold was melted. Slowly I added the components. A white vapor emitted and then a flash of light. I peered down in the cauldron and pulled out another scroll……
Scratching my head, I read it.
Angelic Quest Due, it said:
Ingredients needed; Ten Sea Salt, Ten Salt, Ten Willow Bark, One Angelic Camosole, and One Angelic Imp Potion, 5 thousand gold.
I smiled, round two here I come! (My wallet is going to hate me)
Signing off, Atori the Mage
