The final book somehow ended up being the most interesting and compelling. Entitled “Introductions to Mixing”, I thought that it might help me stop getting so confused. That would certainly be useful, but hardly worth the effort of writing down. Turns out, I was very wrong.

  

  The concept of ‘mixing’ on Kyklos includes any act of combining any two or more components to a greater effect. Ironically, this skill also governs the reverse or separation of two or more components into their individual parts. Some more familiar, traditional examples of this include: cooking, compounding medicines, smelting, alchemy, weaponsmithing, or even crafting cocktails. However, these are all examples of later specialties. That said, mixing is Kyklos’ basic foundational skill for conceptually mixinging anything and everything together. Or, again, separating it back apart. Everything starts by mastering the basic mixing skill.

  Can I… mix? Hm.

  

  The most important first step is to secure a strong container. People use many different types, depending on what they aim to do later. An aspiring alchemist may use magically strengthened glass bottles and vials. A compounder most likely uses a mortar and pestle. However, the cook’s solution of a basic cast iron pot is usually best for most beginners. It’s easy to procure, strong enough to survive the after effects of most failures, and does the job well enough of holding a wide variety of ingredients while you mix them together.

  A pot? Did I happen to steal one of those? Poking around through the contents of all the big and little skins spread out on the rock, I specifically search for one of these “pots” while further mastering my discerning squint. However, after surveying everything, I’m left disappointed. I suppose none of these big ones were proper mixingers.

  About to rush back to the mud for more reading, it occurs to me that I forgot some bigger items not packed in the skins. Leaning against the wall, the curved wooden stick and the metal bubble beckon me. Squinting as hard as possible, I grab the stick and run my fingers up and down it carefully. This could hold or hang things along its non-skin string, but I don’t think that’s right. How would I do this mixing of things when they hang on a string?

  That only leaves the bubble. I sit beside it so as to more closely inspect. After rolling it over a few times, I recall that the bubble has a hole in it. This was how I wore it on my head on the way back. Running a finger along the walls inside the bubble, it scrapes a trail through a messy scum dried to its sides and base. Is this right? Wait, what was the young one doing with this again? He was propping it up above a fire and sticking that long wood inside. Was that mixing?!

  A tiny panel of light sprouted up in the corner of my vision. After reflexively reading it, I immediately bat it away with my hand. More important things to do right now!

  Turning my gaze back to the bubble, I continue to squint and think. Is this one of these pots? What is this?

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  At the thought, another light panel appears and centers itself on top of the metal bubble. It says that it’s a pot? I found it? What happened?

  Scratching my head, a sudden recollection of an excerpt from “Introduction to the Other World” comes back to me.

  

  Many skills have level milestones. When you achieve them, additional abilities will become available. Not all skills have them, but those that do tend to provide invaluable gains. Seek to read up on the major milestones for general skills so that you can prioritize these immediately. One of the most recommended is ‘appraisal’. At level 4, your status will now assist directly in identifying common objects. This will be critically useful for trade, negotiation, and simply not accidentally confusing poison for a healing potion.

  That sounds right. Checking my status, my appraisal song did just hit the level 4 that it mentions. Does that mean no more guessing at what most of these bits and odds are?

  That’s for later! Instead, I grab my new pot and quickly hop back into the mud to continue my mixing reading.

  

  Once you have secured your first container, the next step is to thoroughly clean it. Keeping your mixing container as clean as possible is crucial so that you don’t contaminate the components you are intentionally intending to mix.

  At first, I gag at the thought of cleaning anything. The big ones adore this cleanliness more than could possibly be considered healthy. Must I really do it too?

  A brief moment of concern later, it dawns on me that there’s probably more than one type of clean! Their clean is not our clean, and our clean is not theirs. If a place has become truly vile and repulsive, then what would my brothers do? They would use mud. Mud to loosen, mud to scrub, mud to remove, mud to protect, mud to shine, mud to add that wonderful muddy scent. How silly of me to forget!

  Repeatedly dipping the pot in the mud pool, I scrub it inside and out with my hands and claws, spic and span. Must get all that gunk out that the young one added. Even he seemed to hate it, so it can’t possibly be a good thing to keep. After completing the task, I inhale deeply over the pot’s opening and smile. The book was right! It’s so much better now.

  

  After your container is clean, just start mixing. Anything at all. Before the first level, both successes and failures will increase the status of your skill. It’s simply a matter of time and repetition before you succeed. After you achieve that, return to the text for next steps.

  Sounds easy enough. The first component is obviously mud. What else? I scan the room for options. Anything from the back skins should be out for now. I don’t want to accidentally destroy anything valuable. What else is in here? Rocks. Tree roots. Mold. Insects. Mushrooms. I think I saw a rat earlier?

  Settling for everything I can easily find in reach, I throw it all into the pot and vigorously mash and massage it together with my hands until it reaches a fairly homogenous consistency. Did that work? What is it?

  Hm, does that count as a success? It said to keep mixing no matter what, so I’ll keep throwing new things inside until something good results.