Apothecary Shop - Experiments

Nicolaus carefully selected a gourd shaped glass Cucurbit from amongst the glass, copper and earthenware ceramic versions that were artfully arranged on a shelf. For condensation/sublimation he considered a suitable Alembic. As he wanted to draw a considerable amount out of the original mixture, he lightly ran his fingers over the rounded, cylindrical, beaked, or bulbous glass heads in thought, before settling on one. He joined the two together using a sticky mixture of lute and the gourd-like vessel was nestled in a bed of sand. He then added the liquid from one of the vials recently supplied by Sir Zane, to the cucurbit and lit a small brazier to supply heat for the distillation process. Nicolaus carefully handled a small bellows, fanning oxygen into a small fire under the vessel. As the liquid boiled and evaporated, it condensed in the alembic, and the distillate was then directed out of the alembic’s beak and into a glass flask separating substances into their purest forms.

Drop by drop the process proceeded to an answer. In this case the golden and pink viscous liquid known as Felfar was indeed composed of the same mysterious sap he had been studying, honey and some other organic compound he could not, as yet, identify.

As Tolan returned from taking the guards their meal, Nicolaus raised a hand. "Tolan... I have a number of errands for you to see to with dispatch. Firstly, find Alexis Greyriver and see this letter put into her hands." He gestured to a wax sealed letter leaning against a pot on the table.

"Secondly see this letter to Sir Zane regarding the passing Jyin, I have also amended it with my findings regarding the vials he sent me and their composition and the belated discover of a antidote for the poison used."

"Thirdly, this letter is to be given to Arbiter Voah."

"Lastly take these instruction to the Blacksmith and a quality Leatherworker."

"Do not tarry, once you return we have further testing to do. Such that I will need your direct assistance."

After Tolan was gone and the door once again secured, Nicolaus looked around the workshop. There was much to do, many things to prepare for the storm he felt to come. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. Then began to collect material from the shelves and drawers and lay them out.