I met an enchanter the other turn. He was a thin, wiry fellow, with pale skin and dark hair which smelled of sandalwood.
We just happened to pass one another in the dark forest, though it seemed that he had just come from somewhere less hospitable. Regardless, he greeted me with a wide grin.
"Greetings. I hope the turn finds you well.", he offered.
"Smiling, I returned his greeting.
"Greetings to you, well met."
We stood there a split-marc, both smiling at one another before the gentleman flicked his brown eyes about, as though checking if anyone else were in the area.
Then, with a conspiratorial grin, he motioned for me to come closer.
"You seem like the trustworthy sort. I've got a little secret I would like to share with you."
Intrigued, I approached, settling less than an arm's length from the stranger.
The enchanter reached within the folds of his robes and drew out an envelope.
"This is a highly guarded secret that I have managed to acquire. I have gone through great pains, with significant risk to myself to gain the knowledge contained in this envelope. I have made copies and have been distributing this knowledge throughout Valorn to break this secret wide open. Will you aid me in exposing the information in this envelope?"
I regarded him skeptically for a split-marc, before asking.
"If you have gone through so much trouble to gain this knowledge, then why would you risk passing this on to a complete stranger?"
The enchanter grinned and simply shrugged.
"BECAUSE you are a stranger. I need assistance distributing this information, and it is better to deal with adventurers with whom I have no prior affiliation."
Tentatively, I accepted the envelope and stuffed it deep within my pack.
"How shall I disseminate this knowledge?", I asked finally.
"Just make copies and hand them to any tavern owners you may come across. You may also give it to any interested adventurer.", he answered simply before leaving me with a grin.
After he had gone, curiosity got the better of me. I fished the envelope from my pack and opened it, reading the contents therein.
What I read was astonishing. There, laid out in detail were instructions on how to assemble a still and the recipe for hollowshine.