Dracon Blood kills plants, but what about Dracon Sweat? (Grishin)

Theying · September 15, 2007, 05:15 PM

Month of Immanis in Spring of Era XIV (PF)

The rumours were out there. There had been an official announcement. Theying had every reason to expect people to ask about free training, but it rarely happened. It was quite odd, but apparently most locals just didn't see themselves as herbalists.

Still, the Blue Dolphin was open and those who were interested trickled in now and again. This was, actually, a good time for someone to volenteer. He could use the help in the garden to get everything planted and set up. It wasn't fun to work by himself.

Grishin · September 17, 2007, 01:56 AM

Grishin walked in to the Blue Dolphin, ducking a little as he walked through the doorway. He was exceptionally tall, even for a Dracon, and he found that few entrances could properly accommodate his height.

"Serale, I heard you were offering some free training in herbalism? I've a bit of an interest myself, being something of a novice herbologist. Would you mind teaching me? Supposing you're the herbalist Theying and not his shopkeep." Grishin grinned awkwardly, which was never a good thing considering every time he smile he showed large, pointy teeth that looked very much blood stained.

Theying · September 18, 2007, 12:19 AM

The young human was a little uncertain around Dracons. He had little prior experience with members of that particular race. But this fellow seemed amicable enough, it didn't do to treat people unkindly for such a non-issue. Besides, if there was any real danger Theying wasn't exactly underarmed for such a situation.

"Yes, I am Theying," the master herbalist replied. "And I don't see why I shouldn't teach you, although I would like to know why you are interested in herbalism. Doesn't the study and cataloging of herbs keep you busy enough? I found that I just don't have the personality for the development of new herbs."

Yeah, he didn't quite have the stomach for trial-and-error testing on living creatures. The failures would wear on him, much like the handful of deaths he caused in the Prime area still troubled him even though they were eras in the past at this point. Yes, he had never actually violated any laws and they had always been self-defense or in the defense of others, but that didn't quite make things all fine in his own mind. Finding that wedding ring on the body of that one man still chaffed badly.

Grishin · September 20, 2007, 06:18 AM

Grishin had to be honest that the studying and researching of plants hadn't been all he'd thought it to be cracked up to. Still, he was sure that eventually he might stumble across something very valuable and worth growing for a profit. Nobody would be telling a lie to say that the Dracon cared about making a profit. He hadn't been a mercenary for so long just to kill people - although that had it's perks for him.

"To be honest with you, studying plants wasn't all I thought it to be at first. Besides, there's something to be learnt about how to study a plant from learning about how to apply it and prepare it in a very practical way that herbalism itself offers."

Theying · September 20, 2007, 05:04 PM

Theying nodded, he wouldn't have gotten nearly as far if he had went out and learned herbology. It was the hands-on part that got him really excited about the skill. But, this was pretty much just formalities at this point.

"Fine," the short human stated. "So, why don't we just get started. Are there any herbs or methods that you are particularly interested in? You wouldn't happen to have a variety of herbs you would like to learn more about the practical application of?"

Grishin · September 21, 2007, 04:11 AM

Grishin shrugged, "Well I've studied the entire plant guide. Most of it seems to be for healing purposes. I'd like to learn something beyond that. Poisons, antidotes, physical enhancers. Teach me...anything. What would you teach anybody else? Teach me that."

A bit of him was specifically interested in poisons and antidotes but that wasn't the only sphere of herbalism. He wanted to know everything. There was profit to be had in diversity.

Theying · September 21, 2007, 05:30 PM

OOC: So is this still Basic, or is this Intermediate Herbalism?

IC: "I don't have many of those here with me," Theying answered quite truthfully. "They are generally harder to come by than most. I can, however teach you the proper methods to prepare them without actually using that herb. If I have a chance after that then I could take you and Adamnen out looking for them. Would that be acceptable?"

He was almost ready to start it just took him a bit really figure out what he needed to do.

Grishin · September 22, 2007, 06:12 AM

OOC: Oooh...well...Grishin does possess the knowledge of what would normally be taught in Basic Herbalism essentially...but his training is technically in Herbology...and besides don't have that pesky extra xp needed...I'll ask Striker if we can/should make the exception and then I'll let you know but for now let's just move ahead as though it's basic. Maybe it's best to simply assume that he'll pick it all up a bit quicker because of his knowledge of the 'theory'.

IC: "Learning the methods is exactly what I'm interested in. So we can get started on that...and maybe...I'm a bit ashamed to admit this...but maybe some of the tools and implements of the craft. I learned a great deal about many documented plants and the theory of how to prepare them but nothing practical to the craft. Nothing about the tools or the actual processes."

It was true, his entire previous training had consisted of taking down notes on the locations, seasons, attributes, names, and methods of preparation for the entire plant guide. He knew that but nothing truly practical.

Theying · September 28, 2007, 10:41 AM

OOC: Technically, herbalism and herbology are different fascets of the same skill. It's just that one focuses largely on the development of new herbs and new uses for existing herbs and the other is more interested in pratical application. So, it could go either way, I'd ask.

IC:
Theying nodded, that's what normally happened to those who studied herbology. They went into pratical things quite slowly, but then again they did focus on things such as breeding and techniques for developing new uses that weren't trial and error with people's lives. He unconciously shivered at the cost in life that the human would cause if he tried to develop another new herb. He had been forced to in order to combat the Feeble Pox. Those people wouldn't have survived anyways, but he had always felt that the partial cure he managed to develop simply wasn't worth it.

"Ok," Theying said, shaking himself a bit. "A herbalist needs a Mortar and Pestle, which is little more than a ceramic or stone bowl and heavy stick. This is used for bruising, pounding, and grinding. Things that need to be reduced to a fine powder are most commonly done this way. You also need a pot. Boiling is a common method of separating the wanted essence of a plant from the pulp. Small pots are necessary for a wide variety of different kinds of herbs. It should be made from pig iron or a cheap steel, other metals occasionally interact with herbs in dangerous ways. Often times a strainer or filter is required. There is often a need to refine concoctions or to remove excess litter and pulp. Filters are the best way to do this. Again, this should be made from pig iron or cheap steel for the same reasons as the pot. Finally, a knife or dagger is a necessity. The ability to cut off unneeded parts of a herb, gain access to the interior of a plant structure, and reduce the size of pieces of a herb are all very important to a herbalist. While other cutting blades could be used, a specialized knife or a higher quality dagger is a piece of equipment that a herbalist cannot go without.

"Please, bear in mind that you will require other, specialized items now and then, but you can do most things with just these."

Grishin · September 29, 2007, 05:14 PM

Grishin made a mental checklist of things he'd have to buy: a mortar and pestle, a pig iron pot, a pig iron strainer and/or filter, and a cutting knife. The processes were simple enough. Use the knife to remove excess or unwanted bits of a herb - he knew well enough that the right dose was essential. Boil a plant for the essence desired and use the filter to mix out any litter or pulp. The bit about the pig iron interested him though.

"So if you took a herb like bluestar or dynaxia - which cause vomiting and weakness - and increased the dosage a bit and then boiled it in a copper or standard steel pot with a strainer of the same metal...you could end up with quite the nasty poison, couldn't you?" It was something of a hypothetical question with a very likely answer of, 'yes' but it was still one that Grishin wanted to entertain...and more importantly explore.

"Well, with that little bit out of the way, what's next?" Grishin had always been extremely eager to learn. All knowledge could make the difference between living and dying.

Theying · September 30, 2007, 03:56 PM

Theying eyebrows knit at that inquiry. Quite frankly it wasn't quite expecting that sort of question, but he did have an answer. Although, the master herbalist was somewhat uncomfortable in doing so.

"Well, too much of anything is poisonous," Theying answered. "An overdose of anything is likely to have serious negative side effects. There are a number of herbs that act as poisons on their own, but the really effective kinds are a mix of two different herbs that interact with each other in dangerous ways. Or you can simply use tools made of copper or another reactive metal and see what kills rather than helps."

Theying sighed, he learned that element of herbalism becuase it was very, very useful. He didn't exactly enjoy teaching it, though. While it frustrated him that herbalism was so connected to healing, he didn't want it to be associated with poisoning instead.

He felt the need to ask, "Why are you learning herbalism, again?"

Grishin · October 2, 2007, 11:40 PM

Grishin shrugged, "To expand my knowledge, to become a better herbologist. I intend to home grow some herbs for my own personal uses and I need to know how to properly do that. Herbology is a part of herbalism but very different, it's a bit more theoretical and a bit less practical. Like making a sword instead of using it."

Grishin wasn't necessarily a sinister individual, but he was a bit derranged by bloodlust.

Theying · October 6, 2007, 03:37 PM

Theying sighed once again, he was beginning to have some reservations about all of this. He simply did not want to be indirectly responsible for the deaths of a many individuals. At the same time he also really did not want to be involved with encouraging the misuse of herbalism.

Oh, well, he had to deal with that later. There was nothing wrong with covering the basics of preparation. "So, are you familiar with the bruising of leaves?" The master herbalist inquired.

Grishin · October 11, 2007, 05:17 AM

Grishin scratched at a dry scale - he was beginning the process of shedding. His free hand waved around in the air a bit as he answered somewhat dismissively.

"No, not really, but I figure it's got to do with pounding on them with the pestel right?" The idea seemed to make enough sense to Grishin, whether or not he was correct he wasn't entirely concerned. He had come under the idea that he knew quite a bit about a lot of things. He figured since he had a bit more of an extensive education than most that he was better than they were. It was an inevitable extension of him being phsyically superior to almost every other creature he had ever encountered.