Saad sighed inwardly, mentally preparing himself for the encounter with Drusilla. While making his way to her shop, he noticed that she was busy arguing with someone again. Did she just go around picking fights everywhere? Dealing with her wouldn't be easy with such a personality.
"Ah, you're here," she said without looking up. "Took you long enough. I don't have time to waste, so listen carefully. I need you to gather some rare herbs for me. I would do it myself, but my time is better spent working on my concoctions."
Saad was no longer taken aback by her directness and nodded. He was mentally prepared today, "It's nice to see you again, Drusilla." He smiled at her, but the young girl just huffed. He wondered how old Drusilla was. She looked around 13 to 14 or perhaps even 15, but to Saad, who was much older, she still looked like a child.
Saad's attempt to be polite and friendly seemed to have little effect on Drusilla's demeanor. She simply waved off his greeting and continued with her instructions.
"Enough with the pleasantries. I need you to collect more herbs and add them to my encyclopedia. These herbs can only be found in specific locations, and you'll need to be careful while gathering them. Here's a list of the some herbs and their locations. You might find other herbs nearby too." She handed him a crumpled piece of paper, along with the encyclopedia, her expression unyielding.
[You Familiarity with Drusilla is effecting the scenario.]
[The Quest has been updated!]
[Quest Hint]
[Herbs Collection]
[Blazing Petal] - Found near the Flame mines
[Stardew Lily] - Grows in the fields of Celestial Meadow
[Icevine Sprout] – Found near fresh water sources
[Sunfire Blossom] - Blooms during sunrise in the flame mines
[Twila] - Near the edge of the forest in south
Saad examined the list of herbs and their locations. Collecting these herbs seemed like a daunting task, especially for someone like him who had just started the game. However, the rewards were tempting, and he knew that it could be a valuable opportunity to gain experience points and improve his standing with Drusilla.
"Alright, I'll gather these herbs for you, Drusilla," Saad said with a sense of determination in his voice.
"Don't take too long. Time is of the essence," Drusilla replied, still not showing any signs of warmth.
Saad nodded and left her shop and took a moment to study the list of herbs and their locations. It seemed like he needed to visit multiple places to find all the required herbs. He marked all the destinations on the Seraphia map and decided to head to the nearest location. His aim was to first gather the herbs he had hints for and then he would go for the other ones. But seriously, he had not expected the familiarity to work like this. Ashen witch had helped him with his quest and now Drusilla had given hints even with her bad personality. Once again he felt like Alf had given him really good advice.
His first destination was the Flame Mines, where he hoped to find the elusive Blazing Petal. As he made his way there, he couldn't help but notice the impressive surroundings of Seraphia. The city was truly a wonder in the gaming world, and he was grateful to be part of it.
Upon reaching the Flame Mines, he carefully explored the area, searching for the Blazing Petal. It took him some time, but he finally spotted the unique red flower nestled near the entrance of the mines. With cautious hands, he picked the flower and held it close to the Encyclopedia and just like the other day, it got absorbed into the book and the information appeared on it. As Saad read the information out of curiosity, a message popped up.
[Your knowledge of herbs expands.]
The message reminded him about the one he had seen when Ashen witch had explained about the herbs. Could it be that reading about these herbs was also increasing his mastery of herbal knowledge. But even as he checked his character profile, he could see nothing there and sighed. For no there was no way for him to check the details but he knew that it couldn't be a bad thing.
Since sunfire blossom would be only showing itself during sunrise,he headed to the Celestial Meadow to find the Stardew Lily. The meadow was a vast expanse of beauty, and Saad marveled at the virtual landscapes. After some time, he located the vibrant blue lilies and added them.
The third herb, Icevine Sprout, required him to venture near fresh water sources. Saad found himself near a tranquil river, where the Icevine Sprout flourished on its banks. He was amazed at the level of detail in the game, making it feel almost like reality.
Finally, he set out near the edge of the forest in south and he realized the familiar direction. And as expected, the place was none other than the abandoned garden and Ashen witch's cottage.
Saad's heart raced as he realized the possible connection between Drusilla's herb quest and the Ashen Witch's garden. He couldn't ignore this serendipitous opportunity and decided to approach the mysterious figure. Her dark cloak billowed around her, adding an air of mystique, and her eyes seemed to pierce through the virtual reality itself.
Summoning his courage, Saad greeted the NPC, trying to sound more eloquent than he felt, "Greetings, madam! I see that you are working in your beautiful garden." He had decided to use the suggestion, hoping to engage her in conversation.
The Ashen Witch turned to see him, a pleased expression on her face. "You have come back, young one. You are such a dedicated one, aren't you?" Her tone carried warmth and familiarity, and Saad felt a connection forming.
"You seemed worried. What is troubling you?" Saad inquired, glancing at the suggestion box to customize his response. He was getting better at navigating conversations with NPCs.
The witch's gaze shifted, her demeanor taking on a more calculating air. "You seek a challenge, do you not?" she said in a voice that sent shivers down his spine. Today, she seemed different, and it intrigued him.
Cautiously, Saad nodded. "I suppose I do."
A faint smirk appeared on the witch's lips, and her gentle smile returned. "Good. I have a task for you, one that requires a steady hand and a brave heart. There's an old greenhouse not far from here, abandoned and overrun by creatures. I want you to clean it up. I don't have money to offer you yet, but the reward will still be worthwhile."
The unexpected quest surprised Saad, but the promise of a mysterious reward was too alluring to resist. Besides, he thought, this could also help him with Drusilla's quest.
"Alright, I accept your quest," Saad replied, feeling excitement and hope bubbling within him.
[The Abandoned Greenhouse]
The Ashen Witch has tasked you with cleaning up the abandoned greenhouse that has been left alone due to mysterious circumstances. Prove your worth, and you might gain an unexpected reward.
- Quest Details -
Clear the debris: 0/1
Difficulty: D
Rewards:
[Boon of the Ashen Witch]: Choose one reward of your desire
Experience points: +50
As Saad marveled at the generous experience points, the Ashen Witch extended her bony hand and gave him a key. The key was rusted, but he accepted it gratefully.
[You have acquired the Greenhouse Key.]
"You will find the greenhouse once you walk inside the forest. Just stay on the stone trail," the Ashen Witch advised, giving him a helpful hint. Saad appreciated her guidance, understanding that building familiarity with NPCs could be advantageous.
[You have received a hint. The map has been updated.]
He was determined to prove his worth and complete this task. After all, the reward of the Boon of the Ashen Witch sounded intriguing, and he was eager to see what choices it would offer.
"I'll do my best to clean up the greenhouse for you," Saad said earnestly, clutching the rusty key in his hand.
The witch nodded approvingly, her gaze still penetrating. "I have faith in your abilities. Now, go and make haste. The greenhouse has been abandoned for too long, and time is of the essence."
Saad nodded and turned to leave. As he stepped out of the garden, he couldn't help but think about the connection between the Ashen Witch's quest and Drusilla's encyclopedia quest. It seemed like there was more to this virtual world than he had initially thought.
He followed the hint given by the Ashen Witch and made his way towards the forest. The stone trail she mentioned was easy to spot, and he followed it deeper into the woods. The ambiance of the forest was beautifully crafted, with rays of virtual sunlight filtering through the trees.
After a short walk, Saad spotted an old, weather-worn greenhouse among the foliage. It had clearly seen better days, now overgrown with vines and covered in dust. Creatures scurried around the vicinity, evidence of the task ahead.