Director's note
I do NOT mention that I am travelling with anyone long-term and phrase this exclusively as a selfish ask for my own future wellbeing
Octavius
Neris, while Savin rests, is there anything I could have done better when dressing his wound? I want to avoid hurting myself if I ever face a similar injury.
Savin sleeps nearby beneath a clean blanket, breathing steadily. Neris lowers the lamp beside him and folds fresh cloth across the table, turning the quiet room into a lesson.
Neris
You did the first important thing correctly: you stayed, found the bleeding, and applied steady pressure. Do not keep lifting cloth to inspect the wound. Add more over it if blood comes through.
Neris presses one folded cloth against another, then demonstrates how a supported limb can rest without twisting. Her movements are deliberate, easy to follow, and never hurried.
Neris
Position him so the wound is supported and his breathing is free. Watch for spreading blood, cold skin, confusion, or a weakening pulse. Those mean you stop experimenting and seek a healer.
She places a rolled blanket beneath the harmless practice bundle, then shifts it with two hands instead of one. Her gaze briefly settles on Octavius’s posture.
Neris
Protect your own body too. Kneel close, keep your back straight, and use both hands when you can. If pain, numbness, or weakness makes your grip unreliable, say so and let someone else take the pressure. Now, show me how you would place this cloth.
Neris leaves the folded cloth within reach and waits beside the sleeping Savin. The room remains warm and still, offering Octavius time to try the motion under her watch.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn a reliable emergency method for treating serious wounds
“I know some basic triage.." I explain, practicing the motion on myself as if needing to bind my own abdomen in such a way, checking back to her face to see if I've done it correctly. "But most of my knowledge is in basic herbal remedies. Clover root poultices, willow bark tea, cherry bark tea, comfrey, arrowroot. That kind of thing. Bumps and bruises, and maybe a little bit of sinew for a cut that needs a stitch or two...”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Medicine, rolled +3)
Octavius
I know basic triage. Most of my knowledge is herbal: clover root poultices, willow or cherry bark tea, comfrey, arrowroot, and a little sinew for cuts needing a stitch or two.
Octavius folds the cloth against his own abdomen and practices securing it, keeping the pressure even without restricting his breathing. He glances back to Neris for judgment.
Neris
That is a sound demonstration. Keep the lower edge broad, avoid binding so tightly that breath or circulation suffers, and anchor the wrap without knotting over the injury.
Neris watches the placement, then briefly checks Savin’s steady breathing beneath the clean blanket before returning her attention to Octavius’s hands.
Neris
Your remedies have their uses, though poultices must be clean and willow bark is for comfort, not a substitute for pressure or proper closure. Comfrey belongs after the wound is clean, never packed into it.
She nods toward the practice cloth, satisfied with the motion, and lets the lesson settle beside the sleeping patient’s quiet breaths.
Quest Complete
Learn a reliable emergency method for treating serious wounds
“I'm familiar with putting pressure on a bleeding wound... but something of this magnitude," I gesture towards the sleeping Savin, "At best I could stitch the gash closed-ISH, and use clover root to draw out the infection somewhat. Hopefully enough to reach a real healer. But what you do takes experience and skill. Please let me repay you for this strangers treatment. Do you need any supplies? I would be happy to hunt or forage for you if you need any supplies. I would not feel comfortable leaving until he is able to do so as well, so please let me add to your supplies. I know enough about plants to find anything you can name, even if I don't know all of it's -medicinal- uses, I know enough to recognize it's relatives and bring back the correct parts.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled -1)
Octavius
I know enough to apply pressure, but not enough to match your skill with an injury like Savin’s. Please let me repay you. Name any supplies you need, and I will hunt or forage for them. I know plants well enough to find the right relatives and parts, even when I do not know every medicinal use. I would rather remain until Savin can leave safely, for my own peace of mind.
Neris studies Octavius over the folded cloth, then glances toward Savin’s steady breathing. His offer meets no suspicion, only the practical calculation of a healer measuring supplies against another day of care.
Neris
Then I accept. You may forage under my direction while I keep Savin here. I need clean linen, yarrow, willow bark, honey, and fresh water. Bring only what you can identify confidently, and do not risk yourself for any single herb.
She gathers a small wicker basket and a stoppered flask, placing them beside the door. Her instructions are precise, turning repayment into useful work rather than an empty courtesy.
Neris
The stream lies east, and the wet ground beyond it holds yarrow. Willow grows along the bank. Stay within sight of the house if you can, and call before entering the deeper trees.
Neris returns to Savin, checking his pulse and the edge of his dressing. The wounded man remains asleep, his breathing even, while the basket waits ready for Octavius’s first errand.
✓ Quest Accepted
Gather Neris’s requested medical supplies
“I'm not sure what I can do about the clean linen beyond trading with the merchant who's cart brought Savin here, but the rest? I know willow, and I have seen several near here. Yarrow, however, is a plains plant. It won't be in the forest like this. If you tell me what you need it for, maybe I can think of an alternative?-what am I saying, you already know this" I chuckle at myself, realizing she was testing me. "Clean water I can do. Honey... I will try my best to avoid becoming your next patient from bee stings.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Survival, rolled +1)
Octavius
Yarrow is a plains plant, not a forest herb. If you tell me what you need it for, I may know an alternative. Clean linen will need trading, but I can gather willow and water. Honey I will seek, though I hope not to become your next patient from bee stings.
Neris
You are right about the yarrow. Willow bark is for comfort, honey for the throat and wound care once the skin has closed, and clean water is never wasted. Take no foolish risk for any of them.
Octavius takes the wicker basket Neris provided and fills her stoppered flask at the clear stream. Along its bank he identifies sound willow branches and strips only what he can spare without damaging the trees.
Beyond the stream, the forest floor offers no yarrow, but Octavius finds clean broadleaf plants suitable for Neris’s stated purpose and gathers them separately, carefully marked by memory and place.
Near a sunlit break, bees work a hollow branch heavy with honey. Octavius waits, uses smoke from damp tinder rather than bare hands, and collects a modest sealed portion without being stung.
He returns to the healer’s house with the basket holding willow bark for pain, witch-hazel for clotting, and honey, while the flask carries fresh water. Clean linen remains the one supply requiring trade.
Neris
Excellent work, and no swelling from bee stings. These substitutes will serve where yarrow would not, and the water is clean. We can discuss linen after Savin is stable.
+ New Item Acquired
willow bark
+ New Item Acquired
forest leaves
+ New Item Acquired
honey
+ New Item Acquired
fresh water
“Will sir Edrin agree to 'trade' with me for some clean linen as well, if I promise to provide and cook a fat bird stuffed with grape leaves and hay for roasting at one of our stops along the way?”
YES, AND MORE (VeryLikely, rolled 2)
Octavius
Edrin, would you trade me clean linen? I will provide and cook a fat bird stuffed with grape leaves and hay for roasting at a stop. It is an investment in my future wellbeing, and yours need not enter the bargain.
Edrin looks from Octavius to the basket of willow bark and honey, then reaches beneath the cart’s seat. His weathered face settles into amused approval.
Edrin Vale
Aye, I will trade. A fat bird prepared properly is worth more than linen, and I have a clean spare roll in my stock besides.
He produces a tightly wrapped length of linen, then adds a second folded piece from his peddler’s goods. The extra cloth is broad enough for a fresh dressing or a sling.
Neris
That will do more good than a feast delayed by pride. Keep both pieces dry, and I will put the cleanest one to work when Savin wakes.
Neris accepts the linen with a grateful nod and sets it beside Savin’s bed. Edrin keeps the spare folded over his arm, already treating the promised roast as a fair bargain.
“Sir Edrin, do not think this is me shirking my promise..." I say to him with a bow of gratitude that bends my spine not my hip, "Lady Neris, may I add to my repayment of your stores by offering the same promise to you of something delicious to eat tonight that I will cook for all of us?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +0)
Octavius
Sir Edrin, do not think this is me shirking my promise. Lady Neris, may I add to my repayment by offering you something delicious to eat tonight, cooked for all of us?
Octavius bows from the spine, carefully keeping the motion clear of his hip. Edrin’s spare linen remains folded over his arm, while Neris looks from the grateful gesture to the quiet patient.
Edrin Vale
Aye, I know the difference between shirking and making a sensible bargain. Keep your promise to yourself, and let the meal be your thanks rather than another debt.
Neris
I accept, Octavius. Something warm and nourishing will serve better than ceremony, and I will be glad to share it once Savin is settled.
Neris sets the fresh linen beside Savin’s bed and gives Octavius a practical nod. Edrin’s amusement softens into approval, and the house gains the promise of an evening meal.
Neris
If you are choosing the dish, choose one that leaves you time to keep watch and check the patient. Gratitude should feed us, not exhaust the cook.
Edrin Vale
And I will see that the bargain’s supplies are fairly measured. A warm supper, clean linen, and a living patient make a sound day’s accounting.
“Then I will find our supper and then some." I say, heading out and already checking my bow to be ready for the hunt. I plan to not just bring home meat enough to share, but a few tubers and grasses to use as seasoning and filling additions. Maybe a pouch full of grass onions, some peppery watercress, and sweet hay to stuff the birds cavity with when I find a pair of grouse that startle explosively out from under a stick I kicked towards them with bow ready. Bringing the two fat birds back with a satchel full of vegetable seasonings, I include a small portion of salt summoned with my Talent magic. "Will this do for supper?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Survival, rolled +1)
Octavius
Then I will find our supper and then some.
Octavius checks his enchanted bow and heads into the forest. Two grouse burst from beneath a kicked stick, and his ready shot brings both down cleanly. He gathers tubers, sweet hay, grass onions, peppery watercress, and other useful greens, then summons a small portion of salt into his satchel.
He returns with the two fat birds and the gathered seasonings, leaving the forest quiet behind him. Inside the healer’s house, Savin still sleeps beneath his clean blanket while Neris keeps watch over him.
Octavius
Will this do for supper?
Neris
It will do very well. The meat will restore strength, and the greens will make a proper meal rather than mere thanks. Leave enough time to cook without neglecting Savin.
Edrin Vale
Aye, that is more than enough for a generous supper. I will prepare the fire and see what pot suits the birds, while you decide how best to season them.
Neris accepts the satchel and inspects the gathered plants without disturbing the sleeping patient. Edrin carries the birds toward the cooking place, and the house fills with the promise of a warm meal.
Quest Complete
Gather Neris’s requested medical supplies
Skill Upgrade: Medicine Mediocre→Fair
“Healer Neris," I ask, while helping Edrin pluck the birds. If she declines, I will save them for myself, but as they are part of her payment for the treatment of Savin, I will not mention that unless she declines their use. "Would you like to keep the feathers?"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +0)
Octavius joins Edrin beside the cooking place, plucking the grouse with careful fingers. The loosened feathers gather in a clean cloth rather than scattering into the hearth.
Octavius
Healer Neris, would you like to keep the feathers? They may prove useful, and I would be glad to count them toward my payment.
Edrin separates the down from the longer flight feathers and folds each kind into the cloth. Neris steps from the house, leaving Savin resting safely inside.
Neris
I would. Clean feathers are useful for dressing small bundles, dusting powders, and kindling. Keep them for me, and I will count that thoughtful addition with the supplies.
Neris accepts the cloth when Edrin ties it shut, inspecting the feathers without finding blood or dampness among them. Her practical approval makes the offered payment concrete.
Edrin Vale
Aye, there is value in every part of a bird when the right person knows how to use it.
The last feathers come free, leaving both birds ready for the pot. Neris carries her bundle inside, while Edrin reaches for the herbs and Octavius can begin seasoning.
“"Then they are yours." I answer matter-of-factly, not at all surprised by it. I would've been more surprised if she declined them. I lift both birds and look to healer Neris. "My lady, is there a refuse place where I can put the offal, and rinse the bodies before stuffing them?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Crafting, rolled +1)
Octavius
Then they are yours. My lady, is there a refuse place where I can put the offal, and rinse the bodies before stuffing them?
Neris
There is a covered pit behind the shed for refuse. Use the rain barrel beside it for rinsing, and keep the offal away from the well.
Octavius carries both plucked grouse to the rear of the shed. Edrin clears a workboard while Neris points out the pit and checks that its cover is secure.
With his knife, Octavius opens each bird cleanly, removes the offal without fouling the flesh, and deposits it in the covered pit. He rinses both bodies thoroughly.
Neris
That is well done. Dry them before seasoning, or the herbs will slide away and the skins will steam instead of taking color.
Octavius drains the grouse, pats them dry with clean cloth, and lays them open on the board. Their cavities are ready for the gathered greens and herbs.
“Do you have any advice?" I ask lady Neris, as anyone with basic experience in medicines knows how to influence taste with just as much nuance. "I planned to stuff the cavity with the onions, grape leaves, and sweet-hay, with some salt on the skin to help it crisp. Would you add anything I've missed?”
SUCCESS (Legendary Crafting, rolled -1)
Octavius
Do you have any advice? I planned to stuff the cavity with onions, grape leaves, and sweet hay, with salt on the skin to help it crisp. Would you add anything I’ve missed?
Neris examines the prepared grouse and the gathered ingredients, then gestures for Octavius to keep the birds open on the board. Her approval is practical, not performative.
Neris
Your plan is sound. Salt the skin lightly, but season the cavity too. Add the watercress and a little crushed onion there, then use the grape leaves as a moist wrapping inside the bird.
She separates a small handful of watercress, pinches the tender leaves from their tougher stems, and arranges the ingredients in the order they should enter the cavity.
Neris
Use the sweet hay sparingly for its scent, and keep it away from the hottest part of the fire. Tie the legs if you can, so the filling stays put and the breast cooks evenly.
Neris hands Octavius the chosen greens and watches as he layers onion, watercress, grape leaves, and a modest twist of hay into each cavity. The method is clear, and the supper is ready for the fire.