Lore 113 - Grahm’s Secret
I have a new fable from the pub as of last night. This rather joyous patron insisted on telling me a story told to him as a child. As a connoisseur of legends, whether myth or fact, I was of course obliged to listen to the man. Transcribed below is our conversation.
The man held his flagon up to his mouth. “A fantastic bit of narrative here.” he said with now wet lips. Excited, he brought his cup down to the table with a thud. His eyes widened in sudden regret as most patrons quickly and haphazardly turned our way. One man actually fell out of his chair during the procession.
“My apologies men. That was… much louder than I meant it to be. Please. Continue with your various, lush activities.” Everyone slowly turned back around. The man that fell picked up his chair swearing he had lost a fortnight off his life.
Composed again, the man began his story. “There once lived a traveling doctor by the name of Dr. Frinickle Grahm. Interesting name right?. He would go town to town, in this rickety arse wagon, selling vigor enhancing elixirs. Guaranteeing that with this elixir, you could overpower any living creature, beast or man. He would set up shop in the town center and demonstrate feats of strength as proof of his elixir's workings. For his final demonstration, he would pick the largest man in the village and challenge them to an arm wrestling match. Now, this doctor was by no means the epitome of man. He was a scrawny little fella. Still. He would run in place, roll up his sleeve, and completely demolished men twice his size!”
“So… the elixir actually gave one enhanced strength?”
“Ha. Nope. Not at all. Well… Ok. It kinda did.”
“Ok. This is rich. His elixir's prime ingredient was that of the orich plant up from the forest. It’s a foul stench. He would mask it with various herbs for the elixir, but once down the hatch, one’s very perspiration would reek. The simple act of sweating created a stench so foul that none could hold out long when near it.”
“So the running in place?”
“Yep. He simply built up a bit of sweat. His opponent would always start to wretch from the start of the arm wrestling contest. Caught off guard, they always lost.”
“That is… quite a story. How did the good doctor not lose his lunch from the smell?”
“Eh, your own brand never affects you the same as others I suppose? All I know is this, he would sell crates of the stuff and leave town as quickly as he arrived.”
The man barked with laughter then returned to his drink. I simply was left wondering if any of Grahm’s elixirs were left on the mountain.
- Xavier
A simple, yet inquisitive traveler
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