Because Heroics Don't Have to Be Big and Loud and Dramatic

[drehnifusbahi]

Here's a face that hasn't been seen around the Nexus in quite some time - since the mass de-aging event, in fact. But that's long since passed, and the Dragonborn is back to his usual self, if a little more warmly dressed in deference to the autumn chill. (Armor without true sleeves is perfectly fine for Snow Elves, not so much for southborn Imperials.)

He's currently seated at a Convenient Nexus Table&trade, on which he's set up his alchemy equipment. There's a satchel full of ingredients on the bench-like seat beside him, which he dips into every now and again, grinding and blending and decanting in fluid, repetitive movements. He works steadily for a while, by all appearances absorbed in his task, churning out potions to cure disease, along with more general healing potions.

After a certain point, though, he sits back, idly rubbing feeling back into hands that are starting to cramp. "I can't promise they'll be entirely effective against diseases that aren't actually of Tamriel," he says, addressing the Plaza at large, "But I've potions of Healing and Cure Disease, for any who need them, and also a healing spell I could try."

[So, as stated, Van's brewed up some healing potions and is also willing to make with the Healing Hands for anyone who spoke to -or just got too close to- Rotund'jere. But it'd be a little boring if he could just fix it all in one go, right? So to make this a little more interesting, and avoid god-modding on my part, I figured we could let the RNG decide how effective his attempts are or aren't on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being 100% healed and 1 being a complete failure.]

Comments

[courtofmurk]

"Good, good." She takes no notice of his shock, head tilting at the ingredients laid out for preparation. "You must be an able one, to have found your way here. It has been long since we have seen mortal alchemy. Long from our perspective, that is. Hmm. Let me see... ashes of Bal-spawn, and..."

She cocks her head at some of the powdered mudcrab chitin, blinking rapidly. "The shell of a mortal sea-beast? How curious."

[drehnifusbahi]

In an odd way, that actually helps, in that it buys him a few moments to work past the shock and recover his somewhat scrambled wits.

"A mudcrab, yes. When combined, they form the base for a potion that can cure any disease." Though you'd never think it to look at them... but her earlier words register then, and he takes the opportunity to ask a question of his own.

"Have you been here a terribly long time, then?"

[courtofmurk]

"Disease? Ah, yes." She snaps up a fragment of shell delicately and crunches it in her beak, head tilting in thought.

"Not here, no. I am Magister of the Blackfeather Court. Our home lies in another realm, the Evergloam, and few mortals visit us." She looks up at Vanyel closely. "But then, even you are not wholly mortal, either."

[drehnifusbahi]

He just keeps working and makes no move to stop her; he has enough chitin that he's not fussed over the loss of one small piece.

The name 'Blackfeather Court' doesn't ring any bells, 'Evergloam' certainly does. Raised as he was by priestesses, he got a very thorough education regarding Daedric Princes and why he shouldn't trifle with them.

So the glance he shoots her before he replies is assessing now in a way it wasn't before. "No, I suppose I'm not."

[courtofmurk]

His assessment is returned in kind by the bird - though by now Vanyel can guess that she only has so much in common with the ordinary birds of Tamriel.

"And why are you making so many elixirs all alike? You doubt their efficacy? You mean to exchange them for gold?" She's been watching for a while, though she sees no importance in saying so.

[drehnifusbahi]

He can indeed, and guess from that comment that she's probably been watching for at least a little while, given that he just sold all the complete potions he had.

"A man's arrived recently who can make people sick with his very presence," he replies. "I thought I'd hand these around to try and counter his magic." He sees little point trying to lie; a servant of Nocturnal isn't likely to care what he does or doesn't do to someone who falls more under Peryite or Namira's sphere of influence.

[courtofmurk]

"So you want to test your skill against his power, yes?" Vanyel guesses right: she seems merely curious about the possible conflict. It's questionable if she'd interfere even if he was up against a servant of Nocturnal, but there's even less concern for those allied with other Princes. "An odd choice of weapon for one like you."

[drehnifusbahi]

"There's magic at work here that prevents anyone from actively attacking another, whatever their intention," which rules out most of his usual means of of dealing with threats. "So I can't move against him as directly as I might like. But I can't let him just do as he likes, either."

For much the same reasons he couldn't have let Alduin do as he liked, or Harkon. Not least is the distinctly dragonish one that slips out before he can stop himself. "This place, these people... nust dii." They're mine.

[courtofmurk]

She tilts her head, clearly considering his words. The dovahzul seems neither to surprise nor confuse her, and she confirms her understanding when she comments, "A large realm to claim for one so small. How well do you know the planes of Oblivion?"

[drehnifusbahi]

He shrugs, the movement kept slight so as not to disrupt his work too much. It's a little silly, he knows, to think any one person or being could claim the Nexus in its entirety - but feelings are rarely logical. He knows that better than most.

"Not very well at all."

[courtofmurk]

"Then perhaps we can reach a bargain. I know the plants and the creatures of many other planes, their properties and dispositions. Less of the mortal things we have found here. I offer an exchange."

[drehnifusbahi]

His thirst for knowledge has ever been his greatest weakness. Case in point: even though he knows this is probably not a good idea, he eyes the raven thoughtfully, curiosity piqued. "Knowledge for knowledge?"

[courtofmurk]

"A reasonable bargain, yes?" She bobs her head, eyeing him right back. She seems sincere - well, disinterested in lying, at least, and why should she bother to trick him?

But still, it's wise to be wary with a daedric creature.

[drehnifusbahi]

That, admittedly, is the only reason he's even considering it in the first place - no matter how he turns it over in his mind, he just can't see what she could possibly stand to gain by tricking him.

"Very reasonable indeed," he agrees.

[courtofmurk]

"You accept the terms, then?" She hops closer, bright eyes looking up at him. Apparently she needs to hear it, for the bargain to truly be sealed. Though whether Vanyel is confident that's something he wants...

[drehnifusbahi]

He's not entirely confident it's what he wants, actually, but his curiosity outweighs his caution this time around. He nods, and then just in case that isn't enough to seal the deal adds, "Yes, I do."