Chapter 1: One Part Silverleaf

As she did every morning, Mina woke just before the sun began to shine over the forest trees. With a mischievous grin, she whispered,

“I beat you to it, again,”

to the still-sleeping rooster at Stonefield Farm, who would not crow for another few minutes.

Mina quickly dressed, slipped into a simple linen robe, and tied back her wild purple hair with a black headband. She instinctively rubbed a thumb over the trinket hanging on her neck and felt a sense of both strength and serenity pass through her. Descending the handmade ladder rope from her loft to the main floor, she then made her way to the garden to pick a few vegetables.

The cool morning air reminded her that summer was gone and winter’s chill would soon arrive. She cherished the changing colors of the leaves but knew the hardships winter could bring. They would need to save money to purchase goods and food to sustain them through the cold months.

With practiced hands, Mina gathered plenty of okra, some potatoes, and a few roots from the garden. Okra was her favorite vegetable, and she loved experimenting with different dried seasonings she had made herself. She had once tried exotic spices at the Lion’s Pride Inn and longed to recreate that taste.

Placing the vegetables in her basket, she heard the distant rooster from Stonefield Farm finally crowing.

“About time, you lazy bird!”

Mina exclaimed with a playful chuckle.

Inside the house, Mina set up a large cast iron cauldron and filled it with water and a little broth. She added a few logs to the still-burning fireplace to keep the fire alive and then put the cauldron on the hook above the fire. Meanwhile, her father, Pulpo, had awakened and was engrossed in his work in the adjacent lab.

“Top of the morning, Pulpo,”

Mina greeted him, knowing he was so lost in his work that he wouldn’t hear her.

In the kitchen, Mina began chopping the vegetables. She cubed the potatoes, tossed in the whole okra pods, and finely chopped the roots. She also crushed a few herbs and reached for a jar of Murloc eyes. Adding a Goretusk Snout from a canned stash she had prepared in the summer, she wished she had vulture meat to make a proper Westfall Stew. She could not imagine traveling all the way to Westfall, so perhaps in the spring, a traveling butcher might pass through with the desired ingredient. She also made a mental note to hunt for rabbits to dry out before the game became scarce.

In the next room, Pulpo continued his work, his lab an impressive sight. As an alchemist, he had amassed an extensive collection of flasks, bottles, and elixirs. His library of recipes rivaled his knowledge and skill. He loved his work so much that he absentmindedly sang a song while he brewed:

One part Silverleaf Two parts `Bloom Mix with water To heal from doom

After concocting a large pot of potion, he leaned back, stroked his long white beard, and opened a book to study further. After a moment of consideration, he reached for a flask, ladled a dash of the liquid potion, and added a pinch of herbs. A small poof of smoke erupted, followed by a strong aroma. Smiling with satisfaction, Pulpo paused from his alchemical endeavors.

Suddenly realizing his daughter was beside him, Pulpo got up and gave her a warm morning hug.

“Good morning, my Daughter. I trust you slept well. Did the rooster wake you?”

Returning the embrace, Mina noticed that she now stood just a bit taller than her father. Pulpo, an average-sized gnome standing at three feet tall, had started to shrink with age. Mina, on the eve of turning 18, had recently caught up to his height over the summer.

“Pulpo, the Darkmoon Faire starts tomorrow,”

Mina announced with excitement.

She adored the Faire, with its array of people from faraway lands, enchanting music, delectable food, and captivating attire. She also knew it would be their best opportunity to make money before winter settled in.

Pulpo gave her a slightly worried look but mustered a cursory smile.

“Yes, dear! I have a batch of healing potions ready to be bottled that we can sell at the Faire! I do need to brew more Lion Strength…”

His voice trailed off as he pondered.

Mina knew that Elixir of Lion Strength was Pulpo’s most profitable potion. Whereas he could sell the healing potion for about 5 to 10 copper each, he could sell the Lion Strength for 10 silver each to aspiring adventurers. The winter months were tough on a duo that made their livelihood by selling herbs and potions, but if they could sell a batch or two, they would have enough to be comfortable through the cold months until the herbs sprouted back alive in the spring.

Pulpo continued,

“…but I am almost out of Silverleaf and Earthroot, which I will need to make my next batch.”

“Absolutely, with gears-a-turning, I can gather that for you, Pulpo! How much do you need?”

Mina replied confidently.

Having learned from an early age to be a skilled herbalist to assist her father, she knew the best locations for gathering herbs, how to pick them with care, and where to purchase supplies in Goldshire.

Considering her options, Mina decided that Crystal Lake would be her best bet. It was a 45-minute hike east and would take approximately an hour to find the desired plants. If she left now, she could easily be home before noon.

Gathering a few herbalism pouches—sturdy wool creations with the words “Pulpo’s Potions” sewn onto them—Mina mentally noted that they were starting to show signs of wear. She would need to patch them up during the winter. She also grabbed her annotated map of the forest, complete with her favorite herb collection spots. Although she knew the forest by heart, having her notes always brought her a sense of comfort.

With her hiking boots laced and a warm woolen tunic donned, Mina headed out the door. Just as she closed it behind her, she heard Pulpo’s voice calling out,

“By the Light, be safe, Pulmina.”