The next day, after a night of restless contemplation, I decided to visit both guilds, hoping to understand which would better align with my goals. We started with the Apothecaries' Guild. Inside, the air was heavy with the scent of dried herbs, and shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of all shapes and sizes. The members here wore robes decorated with patterns of vines, and each person I passed seemed to be deep in concentration.
I approached a young man busy grinding herbs in a mortar. "I'm here to inquire about membership," I said, feeling slightly self-conscious under his curious gaze.
He sized me up before leading me to a woman seated behind a large desk. She was older, her hair streaked with gray, and her eyes were sharp with wisdom and caution.
"I am Alara, head of membership for the Apothecaries' Guild. Why should we consider you?" she asked, her tone neutral but expectant.
Taking a breath, I explained my understanding of plant compounds, specifically how some "useless" plants, if processed differently, could be turned into powerful remedies. I described some of the medicinal plants I'd gathered during my journey here, ones the people around me had thought were worthless. To my surprise, her eyes brightened.
"Interesting," she murmured, nodding thoughtfully. "We could put your knowledge to the test. If you can produce a useful tincture from common herbs within the next day, then we may consider your membership."
Thanking her, I left with a mixture of excitement and pressure. I had only one chance, and I needed to prove my knowledge held value.