#tad lahan

[gmajortom]

TAD D&D classes?

Oh buddy. You have no idea what you've just done

Warning: long post ahead

I'll start with Maomao because she is, in my opinion, the most difficult. For all that she'd love necromancy, I can't see her as a necromancy wizard- too much reading of things unrelated to her special interests, for one thing, and for another being a wizard in DnD is fuckin expensive. I don't think she'd be a spores druid either, because druids are generally pretty wise and spiritual which are two things Maomao definitely is not. Which leaves an Alchemist Artificer. That's an intelligence based class that's all about creating contraptions, poisons, and potions- in fact, at a certain level they gain immunity to the poisoned condition and resistance to poison and, I think, acid damage?? Idk I don't have the Player's Handbook in front of me. Anyways. High level Alchemist Artificers also gain access to the Raise Dead spell- which means that eventually, with enough experience and experimentation, Maomao would finally get a taste of some sweet sweet necromancy, despite all of Luomen's protestations.

Jinshi is a Glamour Bard- they're all about beauty and charisma and charming the hell out of people and acquiring secrets as they do so. But wait- there's more. Jinshi is way too fit and inclined towards masochism to simply be a bard; he's also a paladin. A palabard, if you will. Personally I see him as an Oath of Devotion Paladin, but I can also see him as an oath of the ancients, what with all that celestial nymph-like beauty. In any case, charisma is his main stat and he can be persuasive like nobody else when he wants to be, but he's also pretty intelligent and strong and, like any good paladin, prone to self-induced suffering.

Gaoshun I see as being an Oath of the Crown Paladin. They're particularly loyal, law-abiding, duty-bound, long-suffering, and as I've mentioned, all paladins are prone to a lil bit of self-flaggelation. Trust me, I've been playing a paladin for the past two years. In any case, Gaoshun, as Jinshi and the Emperor's attendant, has gotta be a) politically savvy and b) prime bodyguard material. A crown pally is both of those things.

Basen is a straight up Zealot Barbarian. Barbarians are known for their constitution and their strength, and Basen has plenty of both; when barbarian go into a rage they gain resistance to damage done by pretty much any kind of weapon, as well as resistance to falling damage. Zealots are sworn to a cause- in this case, protecting the moon prince (and later lady lishu). Zealots also get a feature at later levels called rage beyond death, which essentially allows them to stay up while raging even if they're at 0 hp and would otherwise be unconscious and making death saves.

My darling Shisui, my beloved bug lady Loulan, would be an Archfey Pact Warlock. I just feel it in my heart. Warlocks are high intelligence and high charisma- and the way she played everybody and helped orchestrate the downfall of the Shi clan screams having the balls and foresight necessary to create a pact with something as tricky and eldritch as an archfey. Also, what is a pixie if not a bug with humanoid features?

Suirei, methinks, would be a Grave Cleric. Clerics are typically healers, but grave clerics are especially good with spells related to death and undeath. One of the spells clerics get is Feign Death, which can put a willing creature into "a cataleptic state indistinguishable from death". Sounds pretty familiar. Moving on.

Lahan, unlike Maomao, does have the resources and patience for books to be a wizard- specifically, a Divination Wizard. Predictions of the future are based on statistics, and what are statistics if not some beautiful numbers?

Rikuson, my beloved, would be a Mastermind Rogue. Am I projecting one of my favorite classes on to him? Yes. Do I think it also fits him objectively? Also yes. Masterminds are really good at strategy, being cool under pressure, and they have excellent memories for voices and languages. Their best feature by far, however, is their ability to help someone as a bonus action, making them both lethal in combat AND a consistent support in battle.

Lihaku is a Champion Fighter. I feel like I don't need to elaborate on this.

Lakan, much like Lahan, would be a wizard- but a Conjuration Wizard. In DnD, not only is conjuration about literally summoning groups of creatures to fight for you, it's also about literally manipulating the field of battle. Also teleportation. Basically- you gotta be good at strategy to be a conjurer. Also full spellcasters are weak ass bitches who will go down from a single hit.

Finally, Luomen is another character I see as being multiclassed- specifically, a Life Cleric/Transmutation Wizard. Like I said earlier, clerics are typically healers- and a life cleric is like, THE healer. I threw in a transmuter multiclass because we KNOW he's studied, and transmuters in particular study alchemy. Clerics are supposed to be fairly charismatic and wizards are known for being extremely intelligent, and both clerics and wizards are supposed to have a good amount of wisdom- personally, I think that describes Luomen in a nutshell.

Anyways, if anybody else has thoughts or differing opinions or suggestions of what other characters who I didn't mention might be, I would love, love, LOVE to hear about them! Or if you just wanna talk about DnD or ask some clarifying questions, please feel free to hit me up :)

[fridaraph]

THE. APOTHECARY DIARIES CHAPTER 76

LAHAN IS FINALLY HERE. WE FINALLY GOT TO SEE HIM

[nejiisx]

[friedwizardwhispers]

This feels like a deep cut.

[dragonfairies]

I think I think about Lahan's Brother way more than I should. Like, on one hand, everyone deciding that your name is Lahan's Brother is a little sad. Everyone refusing to learn your name. On the other hand, it's kind of a compliment in that by refusing to use his name puts him in a similar situation as the imperial family, no one says their names as a form of respect.

[hekates-corner]

Apothecary Diaries | WN Translation | Arc 9 - Chapter 6

Hi, however you found this: Welcome!

For a number of reasons I ended up here - relaying all that happens in the chapters, playing wine-aunt, as I translate to the best of my abilities.

So, warning, all the spoilers are found below the cut. Want spoilers, but less? My dm's/asks are open.

If you're new, here's Chapter 1 - also, Chapter 5 which is the direct pre to this one | Masterlist here.

Enjoy!

Chapter 6 | Grasslands Pt. 2

After that, Maomao’s journey was peaceful (I’m not shitting you, that’s how the chapter starts xD)

We then get a bit of inner monologue about how she expected more insects.. however, Narrator-Mao explains that since it’s all grassland, there are quite a few - however, not in large numbers, at most she saw some jumping around from time to time.

She wonders if the fear was unfounded but more rationally speaking she’s relieved that there’s no locust damage in Saito(?).

By the time they arrive at the next resting place, they caught up with Lahan’s brother who’d been sent ahead. As he listens to what they just went through he goes pale, saying something along the lines of “Eh, is that true?” which Maomao, in her thoughts, sees overall as a normal reaction.

Narrator-Mao thinks back on how Chue reacted to the attack, realizing that her reaction was like she’s used to it or it’s at least in the “expected” range.

The party that had started the travel earlier consisted of one wagon, Lahan’s brother, two miliary officers - who looked like bodyguards -, three farmers - who seemed to be helpers - and two local guides.

Maomao doesn’t know how many people would be appropriate for her but she feels like two (Basen and Chue) are a lot. She then wonders if the original plan had been for one person not to be there - then remembers that she forgot to mention that they had no guide.

After the second break, it wasn’t long before they reached the village. There are houses centered around a flowing river and fields as well as trees can be seen around them. Unlike the mountains Maomao knows, the ones she spots here looks more like a raised grassland hills. (our girl and her sizes)

She wonders if the white dots she sees are sheep and that “the black thing could be a cow”. Based on the number of houses her guess is that the population is probably, at most, 300 people strong.

Like guessed by her, as they approach they’re greeted by sheep. Some are fluffy, while others aren’t after being sheared - they’re probably right in the middle of shearing season.

Even the kids appear to be hard workers, picking up sheep droppings and putting them in baskets - Basen(?) asks what that’s about and Maomao explains that it’s said to be used as fuel and is allegedly also good for spreading on the floor to keep it warm. Understandably Basen gives her a strange look, so instead of being silent she feels like adding a tad more.

Maomao then says shit(?) and Chue doesn’t miss a beat and just deadass goes “Huh, don’t you know? He’s my brother in law.” - Narrator-Mao takes note that Chue never seems to forget to provoke Basen and that her default standard when provoking him seems to be calling him “brother in law” as she does so.

The village is surrounded by a moat and a brick wall, judging by where the bandits appeared from they must come here from time to time.

Basen is then talking to someone at the entrance of the village, their messenger already seems to have arrived so they’re let in easily.

Apparently Chue called for one of their two guides - she’s smiling for some reason and Narrator-mao says that the guide is going increasingly pale.

A disturbing atmosphere can be felt around them. Behind Chue is one of the guards from the group that started travelling earlier. Chue keeps smiling and while the guide is calm, however you looked at it it seemed like she’d be lead away - Maomao then thinks “I see~”

She folds her arms as she keeps her eyes on where the guide will take Chue and Lahan’s brother is like “Hey, what was that?”. Maomao says that they probably want to haggle because they asked for a safe route yet the bandits were there.

Lahan-nii is like “Ah, but isn’t that just an excuse?”, Maomao says that it may be seen as a bit of an insult - but it seems like they’d paid extra for the route that they were specially taught about because it’s “so safe”. Lahan-nii says something along the lines of “You’re lying, right? I mean, the “roads” are nothing but grass, if you get deceived, you’re the fool.”

Narrator-Mao thinks that sure it’s bullshit, she’s just talking away anyway and as she does she hears footsteps approaching.

It’s Basen, who’s come to tell her that he heard the village chief will show her where to stay. Maomao’s like “Got it”, Lahan-nii says thank you and Narrator-Mao notes that while he’s treated roughly, he’s polite. He is the oldest son of a good family, so he probably has good manners.

Basen then looks at Lahan-nii and is like “Eh, right- By the way-..” pauses, then says “What should I call you?” Narrator-Mao’s like “even Basen doesn’t know his name” and Lahan-nii is like “Oh!”.

Lahan-nii is already all excited, but before he can get a word out Maomao goes “Lahan-nii’s fine”. She doesn’t miss a beat.

The poor guy goes “Hey!” while tapping Maomao’s shoulder with the back of his hand.

Basen basically says “Okay, Lahan-nii’s fine.” and Lahan’s brother yells “Hey, there?!” at Basen, completely forgetting his manners.

Maomao goes “Yes, he literally is Lahan’s older brother. I’m sure you know about Lakan, but his quirk isn’t so strong, he’s just a normal person so there’s no harm in him. As a potato farmer he’s an expert, so I’m leaving that to him.”

The brother then goes “Who’s normal! Who’s a farmer!” and Narrator-Mao thinks that if he’s not a farmer, then what is he? She wishes he could be a bit more proud of himself, given how much he was helping out with the giant potato field.

Basen then kinda backpaddles and goes “I understand. Since you’re a relative of Lakan-sama, you must be treated with respect.”

Maomao thinks that that’s a good point or that she likes that part - meanwhile her more honest narrator self is like “Well, all I can say is that the way he treats me is rather sloppy.”

The poor village chief then comes in with a shy “Uhm..”. He inquires if he can show Maomao around and she apologizes and says “please”. He looks relieved when they make their way to the village center.

He then tells her to use a specific house, which is a mobile tent as you’d expect to see from pastrolists. The chief goes about explaining that the tent was from people that used to live in the village a few years ago, but it’s still in use and heated. For women, the smaller tent beside it should be used.

When Maomao looks inside, it really is warm. The frame is built like a net and covered in wool felt. Inside there’s a carpet with a fireplace in the middle. There are no windows and the air seems a bit bad, but she notices a cylindrical pillar above the fireplace that seems to be used to let out the air. She also wonders if what’s piled beside the fireplace is the sheep dung that the kids were collecting earlier.

The carpet is carefully woven and showy - you can tell that even in rural areas they care about their guests.

The village chief then quietly says that he/they were saved just before the tent collapsed at one point - Maomao thinks that he must be talking about Rikuson. We then have Narrator-Mao wonder just what on earth Rikuson was up to, because he must have arrived only days prior.

She also tells us that the village chief with his dark/tan skin looks like an old man, but he’s sturdy on his feet. She’s not sure if it’s due to the heavy amount of sunlight that they age more or if, despite having settled down, since they’re wandering folk they may just have strong legs.

The man then says that it’s already late today, so he’ll go eat and rest if it's alright and that he’ll have a guard posted in front of the tent - Maomao says it is and then grabs her luggage before heading for the smaller tent.

When she takes of her shoes, she’s surprised at how soft the floor is - it seems that there are many layers of woolen blankets under the carpet. After taking off her fancy cloak, she ends up just laying down on the ground, sprawled out.

She then thinks “Ah, no..” - due to how warm it is in the tent and on the floor she almost dozed off.. but she jumps up and slaps her cheek (and here she goes judging her mans).

The next time she wakes up, Chue has just returned. She’s like “Well, Maomao-san, you seem to be feeling well.”, then narrows her eyes and also collapses onto the ground to roll around.

Maomao then ends up asking if she can check in with Chue for a second - she then goes over everything she was curious about in her mind to sum it up and somehow as she sorts her mindmaze she sits up straight, Chue follows, they end up sitting straight-backed facing one another.

Chue asks “Yes, yes, what is it Maomao-san?” as she usually does. Maomao accuses her of having been the one to incite the bandits, Chue’s expression doesn’t change at all as she asks what Maomao means by that.

Maomao admits that her phrasing was bad, so she restarts with saying that in other words bandits were assumed to be a problem. To lessen the actual damage, they were led to them, who were late arrivals - still, Chue’s expression doesn’t change at all.

Chue then asks something along the lines of what basis she has for that thought. This doesn’t seem like an attempt to annoy or embarrass Maomao, but Chue clearly enjoys listening to the answer.

Maomao goes about explaining that first of all, why were they split into an early starter group and a late starting one? Maybe they were thinking about her and wanted her travel to be as short as possible - which she can see based on the preparations they made.

However, even if they started at different times.. she thinks it’s unnatural that they had no guide with them, even though they had two hired.

Chue’s like “Huh?” and Narrator-Mao notes that while she’s good at looking at maps, if you’re visiting a new area it’s always better to have someone to guide you. The next part, I think, is her stating as narrator that someone, likely Basen, also seemed reluctant to take her with them (Not sure if her is referring to Chue or Maomao).

Second, she says, the cloak. Chue’s like “Didn’t you like it?” and Maomao’s like “It’s very warm and useful, but the one thing that caught my attention is how gorgeous it was.” Chue tries to play dense by going “What about gorgeous?” and Maomao looks at the cloak Chue was wearing.

She points out that Chue loves flashy things, so she thought if Chue had two, she’d pick the flashier one.. but she chose the plainer option. Chue takes on a playful tone as she says that sure, but she at least understands basic manners(?).

Maomao, however, argues that sure, but if she were to give Maomao something better - she thinks it would be the one given to her by the moon prince (the one gaoshun put on her ages ago where jinshi got jealous of him). She’s talked so much about the comfortable saddle that Maomao just expected it’s the same cloak, but it’s not, isn’t it?

Narrator-Mao specifies that the cloak she got felt really nice and the embroidery showed it was a fine piece of cloak.

She goes on to say that wearing something so pretty makes you like an advertisement for the fact that you’re a sitting duck ready for being hunted. That’s why Chue’s cloak is simple, because that way she’d come across as the maid of the lady.

Chue then starts chuckling, saying that from the beginning her position was that of Maomaos maid - to get them to attack Maomao she gave her a pretty cloak on purpose and put her in the later starting group for the same reason as well “Is that what you’re trying to say?”

But Maomao backpaddles enough to leave Chue blinking. “Instead of letting them aim for me, in my opinion, you allowed them to concentrate on one target to minimize the actual damage.”

She also says that, if they were to target the group in full, while their numbers would be larger, there were many more people involved that aren’t used to handling thieves - like herself, who would’ve likely gotten kidnapped for trying to pull a trick related to her work, or getting distracted by it.

The average looking Lahan-nii seems to be in good health - but he doesn’t seem like he’s used to fighting. He’d probably go timid/freeze like most people.

Maomao goes on with “If you split into two groups and let them believe the one with the least people has more money, they’ll aim for that. Two women and one man. Sure, Basen is a real monster, when it comes to his skills/strength, but he has a baby face and isn’t so tall for a military officer.”

Even thieves wouldn't expect that underneath the lid they opened they’d find a bear wearing human skin.

Chue then tries to argue that if Maomao’s hypothesis was correct, how would she lure out the thieves? However nice of a cloak Maomao was wearing, it seemed like they were ambushed - is that what’s coming next?

And Maomao’s like “That’s why you were talking with one of the guides earlier. Third: You only talked about the village with one guide.”

Maomao remembers the pale-faced guide.

Next she says that before the first team left, Chue must’ve talked with the two guides about different things. She showed one where the second team would use the waterhole. So the guide(?) could tell the bandits where to wait/take a break.. while simply pretending to check his map for their own resting place.

Narrator-Mao fills us in that she’s not sure how the guide communicated with the thieves, but that there must be a number of ways to do it.

Maomao adds that - yeah, from the beginning they hired a suspicious person who seemed to be connected to the thieves to act as a guide. Chue told everyone where to rest, confirmed where they would attack. That way, it was clear who was black or white, even though at times both guides were black. (sus is black, safe is white)

Chue doesn’t deny Maomao’s claims, instead she just says that it’s only one of the guides - the others identity is cleared.

Maomao then wonders if that’s Jinshis doing(?) aloud. Sure, she’d told him that if he uses her, he should do it properly - so it’s not like she hadn’t kinda expected stuff like this.

However, Chue argues that that’s not the case, it was her who prepared it all (esp the cloak) and Maomao’s like “Really?” and then as narrator adds that it must be unrelated then or that it’s a different story then.

Chue says that since Maomao’s smart, she’s in trouble now and Maomao replies with “I don’t know what you’re thinking, so I’m in trouble too” - they then both sigh.

Chue goes on to say that she has two requests, Maomao's like “What is it?”.

Number one is that “Chue is still cheerful, fun-loving” Chue and to please keep treating her as before - she pulls out the flags again.

Maomao honestly replies that she doesn't quite get it, but sure - then takes the flag, dangling it from her fingertips while wondering what to do with it.

But Chue reminds, she has one more request and asks if she can ask Maomao a question. Maomao's like “What is it?”...

Well, why didn't she think/believe that the cloak was a gift from Jinshi - it sounds like Chue's earnestly doubtful.

Maomao argues that, if Jinshi were to give her a gift, she thinks that it would be something appropriate. Sure, comfortable but also practical with less details.

Chue’s like “Is that what it was/is?” - Maomao says something along the lines of that it starts to look like it.

Narrator-Mao notes that Chue looks at her with an indescribable expression, but then she suddenly looks up.

From outside the tent they hear a woman apologize (the japanese phrase when they are trying to get into a place that's already being occupied) and Maomao's like “Please come in.” with the same return phrase. The blanket that serves as entrance then moves.

A middle-aged woman comes/looks inside, she apologizes again, holding reins in her hand. She then says that, as told, she prepared three goats and asks what she's to do with them now.

Chue thanks her, then says “Here's your payment”, luring her to grab the cash - Narrator-Mao thinks she must've asked for that before coming to the tent.

In her head Maomao wonders if Chue plans to take the goats with them but as narrator goes on that if you want to eat them, it's cheaper to turn them into meat - also there wouldn't be any need for three.

Chue holds onto the reins of the goats while fishing something out of her luggage, Maomao questions what's going on and Chue's like “It’s salt. Since there's no ocean/sea around here, salt is precious. Even goats love salt.” and Maomao's like “So, what are you gonna do?” because she honestly can't figure out Chue's intentions.

Chue laugh's.

“We'll negotiate. I'm a pacifist, so I'm trying to solve this peacefully. Maomao, please rest your tired body.”

Chue turns her back on Maomao, takes the goats and leaves.

| Notes | Chapter 7 is up | Masterlist

- The farm arc goes on past this - but grasslands ends here.

This was definitely a wild ride, to translate as well - no pun intended. The gist is that Chue used Maomao to lure out bandits by hiring a sus guide and a cleared guide.

I found nothing to indicate if Basen was part of the plot, or not - but I think that the line about him not wanting to have someone around might've been about Chue. Jinshi, allegedly, had no part in this at all.

If you'd like to get notified when new chapters drop, I'm open to sending dm's or tagging - just let me know!

[fridaraph]

The APOTHECARY DIARIES CHAPTER 76

Shisui doing Maomao’s hair for her is so cute and Maomao wearing Jinshi's hairpin 🥺🫶

[fridaraph]

OMGG HE LOOKS SO CUTE AND INNOCENT 😭

[fridaraph]

Maomao with Jinshi's hairpin 🫠🫶