Talk to Dercia

{If Talked to Dercia = 1}

You walk to Dercia the druid woman. She is a really odd sight, wearing all kinds of furs and animal bone accessories in a room full of elegantly dressed noble people.{if Elegance = 0} Except of course for you, who stands out just as much with no clothes at all...{endif}{if Pregnancy = 100} She is just the person you need in your state, you have to find a way to get rid of your pregnancy...{endif}

Lily: Good day, Dercia! My name is Lily, I was told by Baron George, that you are a druid who knows a lot about potions. I came here to know you better, if you have some time for me.

Dercia: Ah,{If Elegance = 0} the naked lady of the castle,{endif} welcome! I have a lot of time, do you have anything that would interest you specially? I know not only potions but spells and many other things too, if you dare to indulge yourself in my craft. A few dares, they fear for the wrath of their god.

Lily: {If Piety > 1}I am a religious woman, but I do not consider your practices condemned. We are all created by god and we shall return to him had we lived out our lives in accordance with his laws.{endif} I am interested in what things you do. Could you tell me more about yourself?

Dercia tells you how she became a druid, just like her family for many generations, she knows all about herbs, nature and spirits. She works as a physician and herbalist to Baron George and even to the king himself, should he call upon her services. She lives in a hut in a forest, sacrifices animals to the spirits to help her with the everyday life and hardships. She can cast curses or remove them, according to her. {If Piety > 1} You hardly believe in most of these thing, she looks just like a witch... But, a witch using her magic to do good to others isn't a witch is it?{endif} There is one topic that interests you the most, and that is sexual potions... Ones that can prevent pregnancy and those that can act as aphrodisiacs. You ask her to tell you more about them, but she refuses just yet.

Dercia: Now now, young lady... You have just got to speak to me the first time and you already want to dive to the bottom of things? I could spend weeks telling you my secrets, but we do not have that much time. I have other things to attend to right now, but come back an other day and we will discuss this further.

{endif}

{If Talked to Dercia = 2}

You return to know more about the things Dercia can produce. When she sees you coming she tells you to follow her outside of the banquet room.

Dercia: These things are not for others to hear.

When outside she starts talking more openly.

Dercia: So Lady Lily, what was it that you were mostly interested in? Last time we spoke you wanted to ask about the potions I make.{If Pregnancy = 100} I can see your little one has grown even since the last time I saw him...

Lily: Him...? How do you know he will be a boy?

Dercia: The spirits know far more than any mortal can... The child will be a boy, should you let him be born...{endif}

Lily: I am interested in your potions. They seem to be quite powerful... Do they really work?

Dercia: Oh my dear, of course they work! Never question the power nature can have. It can give and it can take away, but always at a price...

Lily: What price?

Dercia: Depending on what you want to achieve...

Lily: Let's say I am interested in pregnancy prevention... What would it cost?

Dercia: The potion itself is a hard one to make... The ancient peoples used the silphium plant from North Africa to prevent pregnancy. Nowadays it is almost extinct due to over usage. The many lustful mortals have made one of nature's most excellent plant extinct, because they could not keep their little sticks and holes in check... But some of these flowers have been preserved by those who really know their worth. I happen to grow a few, so I can make the potion work. A few drops of the potion will be enough to work, so you can use it multiply times. If you overdose, you will never be able to get impregnated.

Lily: Interesting. How about the aphrodisiac?

Dercia: Those potions are easy to make. Nature has gifted us with many plants and bugs that produce such effects. Some are lethal is consumed it too great amount... The trick is to find the optimal balance between great effect and ****. But I have made countless ones, it is hardly a problem any more. The same is true for this one, a few drops will do and don't overdo it! Otherwise you will die in minutes.

Lily: Any more?

Dercia: A few had to be sacrificed to find the right amount...

Lily: Really...?!

Dercia: Every breakthrough requires sacrifice. Nature is our guide and as I told you, it always asks for a price...

Lily: About the price... What would it be for these potions? Is it gold?

Dercia: Oh, you are way too naive my lady to think the spirits would have any need for your gold...

Lily: What do they ask for than?

Dercia: For the aphrodisiac to work, you are required to add the water of your fountain to the mixture.

Lily: The what...?

Dercia: The drops of tears from your lower spring.

Lily: Speak sense! I understand none of this!

Dercia: Oh damn you spoiled girl, your generation understands nothing of the higher levels of conversation... Your pussy juice, damn it! Do you understand what that means or do I have to point at it for you to be absolutely clear?

Lily: ... I get it...

Dercia: Good. Bring me some of that and I can make the potion.

Lily: What about the pregnancy prevention potion?

Dercia: That requires the white eggs of the blind snake.

Lily: Don't even start it again!

Dercia: Oh, that requires sperm! SPERM! Do you know what that is?

Lily: {if Sexperience > 0}Yes, I know... Why didn't you say that the first time?{endif}{If Sexperience = 0}Well... That doesn't bring it any closer... what is that?

Dercia: Girl, you haven't laid with a man before?

Lily: I did with my husband but... We did nothing except sleep...

Dercia: Than let me tell you how it works...

After you are told what sex actually means...

Lily: Oh my! People actually do such things?! But how an earth is that a good thing to do?!

Dercia: That is hardly my obligation to tell you, you will know when you see it.{endif}

She looks at you for a short time silently, than finishes:

Dercia: Now, that you know all you need to know about the ingredients from your part, let me know if you want me to do any or both of them. Decide now, because I won't be having much time to prepare any of them later.

{endif}