[Abe Sargent]

(I use Grand Hunt)

Amongst the foliage you recognise some Alether plants. Their usually shiny orange berries have become spoiled by excessive rainfall and most of the ones you find are dull brown and mildewed. You are able to gather a handful that has not been spoiled, enough for one dose. When swallowed before combat, Alether will increase your COMBAT SKILL by 2 for the duration of the combat.

You keep the Alether Berries in your jacket pocket. Make a note of them and their effect in the margin of your Action Chart as they do not take up any space in your backpack.

( I take them!)

You scan the darkened countryside and detect a highway less than a mile away to the east. The city of Dwala lies north-east of your present location.

(Highway)

ou trudge across waterlogged grassland to reach the muddy highway. This road connects Dwala with the coastal port of Czantai to the south. Its surface is deeply rutted, a consequence of the heavy wagons that travel this trade road every day. Approaching from the south you see a covered wagon drawn by four horses. Glowing latticed lanterns hang from its four corners and the blue and gold emblem of the port of Czantai is displayed on both sides of its canvas roof.

(Let the wagon pass)

Frequent bolts of lightning illuminate the muddy highway as you trudge the final mile to Dwala’s south gate. Upon arriving at the gate, a guard steps from his sentry post and demands you pay the night entry toll. Passage in and out of the city is free during the hours of daylight, but after dark a toll of 20 Ren (2 Gold Crowns) is imposed on all non-residents wishing to enter, and 10 Ren (1 Gold Crown) on all those wanting to leave.

(I have 24 crowns)

The guard pockets your crown, but he does not step aside to allow you to pass through the gate. He looks you up and down and then tells you to pull back the hood of your oilskin rain cape.

(I use Assimilance)

You use your Grand Master Discipline to alter your facial features so that you look like a Chai native. The guard is now satisfied that you are not a foreign agent, possibly on a mission of murder or sabotage, and he steps aside and allows you to pass through the south gate.

Beyond the South Gate is a large flagstoned plaza, bordered by several shops that sell clothing, groceries, fine art, curios and musical instruments. At the centre of the plaza stands a marble statue of Khea-khan Zha-zhing, Lao Tin’s father, surrounded by a pool of crystal clear water. Most of the shops are closing for the night and their owners are pulling down the shutters on their windows and front doors, but there is one that is still open for business. It is located close to the South Gate and the sign above the door says Pau Ping’s Potions and Lotions. There are three streets which converge at the plaza: Drauzhi Street, South Avenue and N’kow Lane.

(Potions and Lotions!)

This shop is run by Pau Ping, an old apothecary who has lived in Dwala all his life. He greets you with a broad smile when you walk through his door. Pau Ping buys, sells, and prepares all manner of potions and healing medicaments. He invites you to browse his shelves. Most of his wares are ointments for soothing aching muscles and treating minor skin complaints, but there are a few potions among them that are of interest:

Oxydine: 40 Ren (4 Gold Crowns). Restores 2 ENDURANCE when swallowed at any time. It also cures Korovax infections.
Laumspur: 50 Ren (5 Gold Crowns). Restores 4 ENDURANCE when swallowed after combat.
Alether: 60 Ren (6 Gold Crowns). Adds 2 COMBAT SKILL for the duration of one combat.
Malavan: 60 Ren (6 Gold Crowns). Increases the effect of Mindblast, Psi-surge, and Kai-surge by adding 2 COMBAT SKILL for the duration of one combat.

You may buy any of the potions listed above for the price indicated. They are all Backpack Items that will take up one space in your backpack.

Pau Ping buys potions, but he will only pay you 20 Ren (2 Gold Crowns) for each one, no matter how much it may have cost you to acquire them. However, he will make an exception for some Karmo. He has a customer who will pay a high price for this potion. If you have a potion of Karmo and are prepared to sell it to Pau Ping, he will pay you 200 Ren (20 Gold Crowns) for it.

If you buy or sell any potions while you are here, Pau Ping will gladly tell you where the Tower of Ishir is located (turn to 180). If you do not, Pau Ping shakes his head and politely asks you to leave as he is about to close his shop for the night.

You bid him good night and return to the plaza to consider which street you should take.

(I buy a 2nd Laumspur pot and have 19 cash left)