Walking in Balance (3/4)

A faint smile crosses her face when she sees the recipe in your hands.

You remind me of someone I used to know. Same restless energy.

Good. This recipe has been refined over generations - passed down, corrected, improved.

She takes it carefully, examining the faded ink and worn paper.

Much better than my crude field methods. Now you have everything you need to make your first Scorpion Sting Tonic.

Are you ready to brew?

Emma looks up from her work, recognizing you immediately.

The market vendor near the north entrance has the tonic recipe. Should cost you a few caps.

She pauses.

If you're short, vendors always need firewood. But bring me that recipe when you have it.

You've done well. Most newcomers take much longer to adapt to this.

She gestures at the ingredients you've gathered.

Now we have the materials, but out here, knowledge matters as much as what you can hold in your hands.

The local market has a recipe for this tonic - been refined over generations by people who knew what they were doing. Better than the rough version I could teach you.

She meets your eyes.

Worth investing in, if you plan to stay in the region. The difference between my method and theirs might be the difference between surviving poison and not.

She absently touches the faded recipe book at her workstation.

Market's just past the communal area. Vendor near the north entrance usually keeps the common recipes in stock.