“Maribel's Miraculous Mixtures sits in a narrow lane of the market district under a crooked sign shaped like a bubbling alembic. Shelves of labeled vials climb from floor to ceiling and the air smells of citrus peels, crushed mint, and a tang of ozone. The owner, Maribel Thistlewick, is a quick-witted rock gnome artificer in her late 40s who wears spectacles with extra lenses and a stained apron full of pockets. She hums while she works, remembers the face of every customer who ever bought a vial of courage, and keeps the rarest draughts behind an iron grate that requires not only coin but also a short conversation about intent. Maribel offers barter on a case-by-case basis, gives novice adventurers a free empty vial if they look trustworthy, and keeps a ledger with notes on local monster toxins. She dislikes selling to obvious brigands and will quietly refuse a sale if she thinks the potion will be used to cause needless harm.”