.... I eh. Believe someone cursed me or something.

Alright, then. *briefly looks over the covers, then randomly lifts up the third book and inspects it more closely* ..I'll have a look at them, but we gotta be sure no one else is watching. If they see us with stolen books, we're in BIG trouble.

I'm aware.
[ Picks up the remaining books and puts them away in le inventory. or thieving bag. Whatever, it's out of sight. ]

*carefully opens the book and briefly scans through the first few pages* Introduction, contents.. Hm. Poisons, toxics.
*stares at the contents page for another moment, then flips through a couple of chapters, occasionally reading bits for the next few minutes*
I think I may have.. *looks more closely, then shakes head* No, never mind.
Well, I'm not too sure about this one-- it does go over physical changes, but only as a result of mixtures and potions and stuff like that. And the language is really complicated.

.. Potions and stuff?

[ .. Thinking... while letting Tormod read. ]

Yeah. Combining certain ingredients with magic of sorts. I don't know much about how that works, but I'm sure that if this was caused by something you had to drink first, you would've known.

Well, it did happen overnight.. there might be a chance someone did this while I was fast asleep for once.

I suppose if you want me to, I could look further into it. I just wish it wasn't written in such complex language.. It's going to give me a real headache.

If you want to have the feeling of having accomplished something like reading that, go ahead.
[ Well that's one way of saying 'that'd be nice' but in this way that might fuel Tormod's ego so it sounds like a perfect way to phrase it. ]

.. At least we might have a lead now.
[ Smiles a little. ]

Oh, but it's not like I can't read it! It's just going to take some time-- Wait, let me show you. Here it says..
..Um.. Hang on, one moment..

I'll be patient.

*inspects the page closely, looking a little puzzled at first, then gradually less so*
.. Aha! Here it says that these potions, although rare, are used all across the continent. Mainly in the desert areas, though. Something about less drinks being available there, which makes it easier to trick someone into consuming it. I couldn't figure out what the last sentence meant, but it seems to be irrelevant.

See? I told you I could read it!

Ah, and something about the exact results of the potions..?

You said you'd be patient! I was just about to look for that.
*flips back to the contents and traces it down for any useful chapters, eventually finding something and opening the book at the matching page*
Effects.. Long and short term.. Okay, here it is!
..Potions will.. effect.. Um, potions will be put into effect when.. What kind of words are these?!

That's it! But now to decipher that.. think.. what kind of words could it be?

They'll be.. They are.. *narrows eyes, trying his best to translate the following words* .. Ah, blast it! These sentences are constructed in the least logical ways possible! How is this even fair?
*grumbles -- a little frustrated -- , then reads on, making a selection of the words he does recognise*
Alright, in this last sentence there's the word "contact". So there, we have "potions will be put into effect when..", then there's something about "a few hours", "alter" and finally it says "contact".

..I'm making a wild guess here, but the only conclusion I can draw from this is that certain potions may work upon contact as well, coming into effect within a few hours. And then they "alter". I have no clue how much of it is right, becuase I'm missing too much context. How's it sound to you?

It sounds like a clue.
Though.. the 'how to reverse' part is likely missing, hm..?

[ Because it just totally sounds like a situation where that's the case. ]

That part should be around the next chapter.
Don't you think we first have to be sure before we try anything, though? I do agree it sounds likely, although hexes or curses can have the exact same effect. What if we use the right solution for the wrong problem? Won't it make things worse?

.. Are solutions that dangerous?
... well, fine.
Then we should investigate the cause.

Well, I suppose they couldn't hurt you that badly. Better safe than sorry, though!
Can I have a look at the other books?

Sure. I just made a guess so I'm not sure if they're really that useful.

[ Takes the books out again. ]

Oh, we'll find that out shortly.
*selects a random one again and opens it, relieved to see it being written in a slightly easier way*
.. Wow, this looks like something about old legends! Interesting, but unless your face turned into some kind of mythical monster, I don't think this is what we'll need.
*switches it around for another one* Alright, and this one.. Hey, this is written only partly in the ancient tongue!
How about.. How about you scan this one while I check the last two? I mean, you can read, right?

I can.. pretend to.
I'll try..

[ Takes the book. ]

Just try and figure out what you can! Alright?
*takes up the two remaining books and looks through them silently, as to not distract Sothe from.. pretending to read*

[ Stares at the pages for a little while and just looks at several pages until a realization hits. ]

.. Tormod, some of this feels familiar.

Huh? It does?