Worries of a Carpenter

Brought low by muscle pain... I'm a failure as a carpenter. Can you go to Rinde and get me some medicine for the pain? You know where Rinde is, right? Go out the castle gate, not on the side facing the Karek Swampland, the other one. Then you follow the Serena Coast until you reach town. Simple as that.

Ow ow ow... Blast it all!

Someone... Is anybody there? Can somebody...help me...

Huh? Is something wrong?

Finally, a good Samaritan! Listen, young fella, my name is Ketchem. I'm a carpenter. 'Cept right now I can barely move... The pain... Normally I'd say I'm in good shape, wouldn't make it very far in this trade if I wasn't. But for some reason, my legs are killing me! It hurts when I try to move around, and my walking speed's down to a snail's pace.

Ow ow ow!

I was meant to be helping with repairs to the castle, but I'm no good in this condition.

Would you be a pal and go get me something to dull the pain?

Geez, you must have been working really hard. You should take better care of yourself. I'll go get you some medicine, just stay here and rest a while.

Thanks, man. I won't forget this. I have to get back to work soon, my professional pride is on the line. There's a healer in Rinde who makes the kind of salve I need. Tell her I sent you, she'll put it on my tab. You're still young. It shouldn't take you long to get to Rinde and back. You know where Rinde is, right? Go out the castle gate, not on the side facing the Karek Swampland, the other one. Then you follow the Serena Coast until you reach the town. Simple as that.

Are you the town healer? A carpenter from Unigan said you might have some medicine to soothe the pain in his legs...

I get a lot of requests like that these days. Aren't there any decent healers in Unigan? Give me a minute...

Here you go. Tell your friend to rub this onto his legs. It takes some time to work, but once it kicks in, he'll be right as rain.

It's slow-acting, huh? I guess that means Ketchem'll have to rest a little bit longer.

Oh, this is for Ketchem? He's a regular around here. Knowing him, he's probably going a little crazy not being able to get back to work.

Ho ho, sounds like him. In that case, there is a way to enhance this salve. If fused with sicklegrass from the Serena Coast, it'll take effect a lot faster.

That sounds complicated...

It's easy enough if you know how. Bring me the grass and I'll see what I can do.

Sure. Getting back to work as soon as possible might be the best thing to get Ketchem in a good mood again.

Splendid, you got the materials we need. Now, watch and be amazed.

Sounds good.

First we mash this into a paste... Then blend it with the other... Make sure not to let it get lumpy...

...And, ta-da! Alchemy like this never ceases to move me. Can I keep some of the finished product for myself?

Alchemy my foot, you just mixed them together.

Just my little joke. When you see Ketchem, remind him he's got a tab that needs paying. I hope he's not going to overdo things again.

Thanks. I'll take it to him right now.

Oooh, the pain... Ah, hey there, young fella. You sure took your time.

You should be grateful, I had to go find some extra components to power up this salve. Here you go.

Thanks, buddy! I'll put it on now!

Whoooa! What the heck is this stuff? It feels like all my pain vanished in the wink of an eye!

I'm gonna go for a jog!

Wow, she wasn't kidding about the "fast-acting" part...

Oh, hey, you're back.

Woo-wee! Nothing like that feeling of the wind in your hair. No one's gonna stop me now!

......

Phew, I'm working up a great sweat.

That's, uh...great.

Time to get back to work. Gotta make up for all that lost time. Thanks again, fella!

No problem. Listen, I know the repair works are important, but don't push yourself too hard, all right?

I get what you're saying, but a big job like this is the stuff of dreams! I've never taken on a project of this scale before. I'm rushed off my feet, but loving every minute of it.

If only I had him here with me... Heh, guess that's just wishful thinking.

Who do you mean?

Just talking to myself, don't you worry about it. Take care of yourself.

Yeah... Good luck with everything. Don't work too hard. Aaand he's gone...