isleofavalon | Closed log for Jade Leech

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final fantasy xiv: emet-selch

Closed log for Jade Leech

🧙 WHO: Emet-Selch and Jade
⚔️️ WHAT: An old man and a mushroom nerd walk into a store--
🕒 WHEN: Sometime in July
🗺️ WHERE: Camelot
⚠️ WARNINGS: None

The small tinkling bell announces his entrance. The horticulturist's store is, as always, slightly humid with a pervasive aroma of earth. Very few visit at this early hour, but Emet-Selch has a particular need for something and he cannot entrust the task to a third party.

He doesn't spare much of a look towards whoever else is in the store - only takes a cursory look around to orient himself before heading over to the section where a variety of mushrooms are on display, locked inside a case by necessity. It wouldn't do for stray hands to grab something poisonous after all. Emet-Selch pulls out a small notebook and flips through the pages, consulting his notes. Which one did he need again...?

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Jade has enough money saved up that he's decided to buy a few things for one of his many terrarium projects. Some various odds and ends to supplement what he already has in his newest build. But first, he decides to go and see the mushrooms as always.

There might be something new and even if there isn't, it never hurts to browse. Though when Jade sees another tall gentleman also perusing the same spot he can't help but try and glance at his notebook. No matter what, Jade always likes to gather whatever info is possible.

"Is there something in particular you are looking for? Or are you just here to appreciate them like I am?"

The pages that Emet-Selch's notebook is open to feature a rather precise cross-section of some type of fungus, with neat annotations in a smaller hand that may be more difficult to read without standing right next to him. He lowers the book slightly when addressed.

"I'm an alchemist. Fungi are surprisingly vital to many potions, even discounting their common presence in poisons."

He glances back to the case with a mild frown. "'Tis difficult to know how they may affect the brew ahead of time however. Alchemy is a surprisingly subtle art."

Jade avoided craning his head to look closer at the notebook, even though the pictures were intriguing.

"Unfortunately, I do not have access to Alchemy, but I do have knowledge of Green Magic and in particular many different fungi. And I have a friend that is well versed in Alchemy, so maybe I can offer some expertise, depending on what it is you are trying to achieve."

He also had some experience from back home, even if the discipline was different in Avalon. But some skills were universal.

His brow furrows. He consults his book again, affording Jade the chance to glance at the meticulous diagrams as he flips through pages. Many of those depicted can be found in the Dusklight Forest.

"That is part of the conundrum I face," he admits. "I had hoped that hearing of the effects of these other mushrooms from the worker here would inspire me."

He has spotted the one he came in specifically for by now, but there is much and more to learn about the rest. Being a cautious, sensible man, he isn't about to put random ones in his mouth and hope for the best.

"Have you studied this realm's fungi extensively?" he asks.

Jade nodded at that, his eyes lighting on those pages again and had to resist the urge to just... take the book from him. The diagrams were that good though.

"Yes, I have. At least as much as any visitor to this land can claim to. But it is an interest of mine, both here and back home. I have a strong interest in land plants and fungi, as well as Magical Pharmacology, as it is practiced back home. So perhaps I could offer some insight?"

"Well, in that case..." He thinks for a moment then continues, "I'd like to create something that induces lucid dreaming in sleep. My first thought was to use fungi with mildly hallucinogenic properties but that may backfire spectacularly."

Inducing dreamless sleep surely isn't uncommon. But giving on the ability to dictate their dreams? He hasn't yet seen anyone attempt it.

"Ah yes, you need to balance that carefully. There are some varieties that can indeed put you in a heightened state and I have heard a few claims of lucid dreaming being achieved..." Jade stepped away to look over a few varieties to see if they had the one he was thinking of.

"Wh is it you want to achieve such an effect though? Merely for play? Healing or something else?" The purpose would shape the result.

He catches himself staring at the back of their head, wondering where he has seen them before. That hair colour isn't common after all.

Distractedly, he replies, "So that those who suffer nightmares are afforded some control over their dreams."

He HAS seen this boy before somewhere. Where...? Ah. That village of mushroom people. When he had been a shoebill. He grimaces. Best not to mention it, he thinks. They wouldn't recognise him anyway.

"You are not seeking to keep them from dreaming or rather remembering their dreams?" The distinction was important. "Though I would say you would want to avoid anything that would aggravate one's nightmares. It can be an unfortunate side effect of sleep aids for someone people."

If asked, he probably wouldn't have remembered encountering a shoebill, though Floyd had mentioned something about such a bird. He does notice the look on the gentleman's face though. "I take it you wanted a more affirmative answer?"

He realises he's still frowning and shakes his head, smoothing his expression over. "No, 'tis not that. I did not expect this to be so easy of course."

Stepping a little closer to the mushroom display himself, he casts his eye over the samples.

"If I wanted to make the dreamer forget or keep them from dreaming at all, I would not need to bother making it lucid. That said...nightmares are indeed what I hope to solve with this potion." He glances at the boy, gesturing with his free hand as he talks. "Whilst it is easy to simply erase a nightmare, I believe there could be some benefit to allowing dreamers to direct the nightmare's narrative. Averting a terrible end, rescuing that which they thought they could not save, and so on. It could be a source of catharsis."

Jade lets the moment pass, deciding not to pry, instead mentally filing it away for later.

"That sounds rather specific, if I may say," Jade said as he tilted his head, glancing at the display, and then gestured towards a particular specimen. "I have heard good things about that one," he said as he pointed towards a mushroom that looked deceptively simple in appearance, save for a purplish sheen. "Of course, it depends on the one dreamer too. They have to be aware they are in such a state in the first place."

"I find approaching potion-making with a clear goal in mind helps to create the final product." He quickly flips through his notes. It isn't one he has written down yet - not a surprise considering these pages are from his foray into Dusklight. This species might be in a book back at his shop. "I suppose you have a point. It would be a waste to have them dream without realising they could change aught."

For his own use, that would not be an issue. With others, however... "Have you never had bad dreams before, boy?"

"Of course, though one should always be willing to innovate when it comes to brewing something."

He's looking at a few others, trying to think of what might work best here. Back home it would have been easier since Jade knows or at least has heard of most varieties that would have such an effect.

"But of course I have. I just do not let them trouble me overly much." Well okay, the ones where he falls forever can just fuck off. Really anything in the heights-related category can do that. "Though I can admit there are a few things that leave me rattled on occasion." Sometimes there are memories of Azul's over blot back home. And there was that attack by those knights here. Things like that do gnaw in the back of his mind.

"I would think it strange if you did not have one or two troubling dreams. In my experience, those who are troubled by nothing are some of the most depraved." He smiles faintly at the younger man. "Perhaps if I am successful in making this potion, you would like one for yourself? A token of gratitude for your help today."

And a practical test subject too - not that he would ever give someone a potion that didn't work or would endanger them. Just like medicine, however, sometimes these things simply affect different people in different ways.

One could also say the wicked never rest but...

"Oh, I would appreciate a sample of it very much. I am curious as to watch the results would be and honestly, the conversation has been most engaging." Mushrooms and potionology are two interests of his and maybe Jade could replicate the formula or modify it in the future if he chose to do so.

"Even if it doesn't succeed, I would like to know what problems you encounter. And if you wish, I could ask my friend, Azul, what he might think about the endeavor. He is quite knowledgeable about that sort of thing."

That gets Emet-Selch to crack a very rare smile. A small one, but a smile nonetheless.

"Wonderful. Other minds can offer perspectives on a problem one may have never considered otherwise. I would welcome any input your friend may have. If I could have your name...?"

He pulls out his communication device, only to pause. "Ah, I neglected to introduce myself, didn't I? You may call me Emet-Selch."

Jade pulls out his own device, smiling right back because he has bee enjoying this. "Ah, Jade Leech is the name. It is a pleasure, Emet-Selch, Sir."

The name did seem familiar if he recalled. One Jade had seen around the network. "I will also say that if you ever wish to contact me, Azul Ashengrotto, or my brother, Floyd will also know how to find me." Well, Floyd might be the less dependable option.

"Here with your brother are you? How fortunate." More than fortunate. Having familiar faces around does help in settling in, he muses.

After trading contact details, he gives the other man a cordial nod. "Well then, I'll see about finding the shopkeep so I can purchase this fungus. I shall be in touch."

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Closed log for Jade Leech

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sorry about the wait, xiv updated!

no sweat! I hope you're enjoying it!

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