After getting a couple of cases of Red Wizard whiskey from one of the merchants, Ozzy took a look at his list.

stone bricks,mop bucket6 mixing barrelsbarrel of soy sauceassorted spices (50 lbs.)one whole heap each of:  onions  garlic  black peppercornsbrown sugar or honeytwo whole heaps of tomatoeshot peppers of the sort not eaten by humansa root cellarThe root cellar would be a couple of hours work once he got back.

That left the peppers and honey.

He asked around the keep.

One of the soldiers at the front gate stroked his chin and thought a bit, and then pointed at a small trail heading west into the forest.

"This is just a guess, but you might try the old dwarf that lives off that way a few miles.

He does a bit of prospecting in the river and has a mine somewhere out that-a-way.

He comes to town once or twice a year.

Picks up a bunch of the stuff you were shopping for today.

He talks a little about cooking, but what he calls food, we call catapult ammunition.

Three recruits tried his cooking once and it put them in the infirmary for a week.

"Ozzy figured it was worth a try.

Gustuvus let him put his wagon in a safe corner of the keep.

The path looked pretty narrow.

He purchased a large backpack in case he needed to carry anything back.

He was immediately glad he'd decided to leave the wagon.

The pathway started out as a single lane road, but soon came to a small stone bridge and continued on the other side as a very narrow path.

The bridge itself was interesting.

The stones were so tightly laid that he didn't think mortar was used.

Whoever made it knew his business.

The path itself was of packed clay, hard enough that he doubted any greenery could get a foothold.

He moved along it at a good pace as it wound through the trees and up into the low hills.

Coming out on top of a hill, he had a good look at he assumed was the dwarf's house.

It was built in the middle of a large meadow with a fast moving stream running through.

A waterwheel provided power to another building and was pumping water into an irrigation system.

Both buildings were surrounded by a huge garden.

Water from the stream was pumped into a raised stone canal, and the canal fed irrigation ditches that reached every bit of the farm.

It was a nifty set-up that saved a lot of time.

He'd have to mention it Billy.

A low rock wall surrounded the entire area of about four acres.

The pathway he was on eventually made it's way to a stone archway set in the wall, and then up to the house.

Ozzy headed down that way, moving at a slow walk.

He'd just gotten to the archway when the smell hit him.

Pungent and strong, his eyes started to water and it felt like any exposed skin was burning.

Through blurry eyes he tried to look at the crops.

An astounding amount of them were peppers.

Long, short, thick, fat, bright red and every other color, they were growing in nice compact rows.

As the wind shifted a bit and blew thier aroma towards him the burning on his skin got worse.

He took a few steps back and made sure not to wipe his eyes.

This was chemical warfare!The door of the house opened and a figure moved out.

The short and stocky figure was obviously a dwarf.

They were a set of black cloth pants and full sleeved shirt with a hood.

Leather gloves, goggles, and a red bushy beard left little skin showing.

Ozzy figured that's what it took to live here.

"You look halfway peaceable, so I won't shoot first.

But be careful of my garden, you crush one of the plants and you'll die screaming.

They're a bit potent this time of year.

What are you doing out here?"Ozzy raised both hands.

"Just came to talk and maybe trade or buy some peppers."The dwarf shook his head from side to side "Not selling any peppers.

You're after my seeds just like the last few fellows.

Now git before I put a bolt through your eye.""I don't care about the seeds.

I just need peppers for my barb-b-que pit.

Strip the seeds and sell me the hulls for all I care." After a bit of consideration, the dwarf nodded.

"No promises.

Come on up to the house, tell me what you're cooking and have a bowl of red.

Maybe we can work something out.

But you even look at me cross-eyed and you'll be out back pulling weeds until you die."Ozzy just nodded that he understood.

He took a deep breath, squinted, and quickly walked up to the house.

The dwarf held the door for him and closed it tight after entering.

The inside of the house was well-built, and quite cozy.

The woodwork of the cabinets and table gleamed.

A large black stove had a couple of copper pots cooking on it, and more hung from the walls.

Well oiled tools hung in various places.

Ozzy moved in and took a seat at the table.

The dwarf tossed back his hood and took off his goggles.

The crossbow got hung on the wall and he moved to the stove.

A copper ladle filled two large clay bowls with food that he placed before Ozzy and his spot at the other end of the table.

The smell coming from the bowl was rich and threatening.

It looked like chili.

A clay spoon and a large mug of beer joined each of the bubbling bowls.

"Eat up and tell me what you think."Ozzy took a large bite.

It was indeed chili.

Ground meat, tomatoes, garlic...a lot of garlic.

Other spices were there too, but the heat from the peppers was over-whelming.

It started slow, with just a hint of pain on his tongue and then it was like his whole mouth exploded.

Tears poured down his eyes and it was all he could do to take a sip of beer.

The beer didn't help a whole lot.

The dwarf was laughing.

"Just keep shoveling it down.

That pain is just the peppers getting acquainted with your taste buds." Or making war on them, Ozzy thought.

He shoveled down another couple of huge bites, nearly finishing the bowl.

It hit his stomach and the pain moved to other parts of his body.

He knew why the bastard used clay spoons and crockery; wood would be burning at this point, and metal dissolving.

He grabbed the tankard and finished the beer in one gulp.

The burning that started at his lips and went to his gut intensified.

He was sweating profusely and his heart was beating faster.

The dwarf took down a large bottle full of pink liquid and poured it into two large shot glasses.

He handed one to Ozzy.

"Here, a little strawberry surprise will take the sting off of things.

Bottoms up." He downed his own shot glass, and slammed it down on the table upside-down.

The glass felt cool in his hand like the promise of salvation.

He downed the glass and slammed it down to match the dwarf.

Then he choked and felt his heart stop.

"Shit, what the hell was that?" He was gasping, and pounding his chest, things were getting dizzy.

The dwarf smiled.

"Old family recipe.

190 proof corn alcohol with ghost pepper extract added for flavor."...."Strawberries?..."HA! Surprise! No strawberries."Ozzy sprawled in his chair, and swore that smoke was coming out of his mouth.

Probably his insides burning up.

It hurt to move at all and he was exhausted.

The dwarf came over and took his pulse.

"Damn son, you're running fast but strong as a horse.

Maybe you do want these for Bar-b-que.

That should have killed you dead." He stuck out his hand and Ozzy shook it.

"Welcome to the humble home of Makken of the Peppersmith Household.

"Ozzy could only croak out "I'm Ozzy."

You have lived through the traditional ritual of greeting among members of the FireEater Clan.

Granted, you cried like a runt kobold with his tail cut off, but at least you're still breathing.

You have gained the skill: Fire Eater.

This is a Primary Skill governed by CON.You have gained +50 CON experienceYou have gained +50 experience in Fire EaterYou gained a smidgeon of respect from Makken Peppersmith.