There are four base colors in our world: black, white, yellow, and red. Together, these four hues represent the base steps of alchemy- nigredo, albedo, citrinitas, and rubedo.

In times ancient and forgotten, a massive reservoir of these four colors existed in each corner of the earth. Like pools of chaos they surged, brimming with power and life. From each of these brightly-hued depths did an egg arise, containing a Mystic Monkey of incredible potential.

In the glittery depths of a packed snowdrift, a strange gibbon hatched from an egg made of white stone- the youngest and weakest of all four. Born to a notably frail composition, she devoted herself to the pursuit of alchemy, in time becoming a master apothecary.

Even now does she dutifully tend to her craft, grinding a collection of dried berries to dust from within her little log cabin. The wood walls provide a decent measure of protection from the storm raging outside, and several little gibbons have clustered to keep warm in front of the fireplace.

The gibbon doesn’t look up, focused only on the pestle in her hand- even as your shivering form draws nearer. It does not matter to her that you broke in, nor that you gorged your empty stomach on her food reserves. Nor that you crumped like paper onto her bed and slept there through the night. Or that the storm has effectively trapped the two of you together for what may well come or be days, or weeks.

All that matters… is perfecting her craft.