How can you reliably get essence ?

[jeprira]

Hi everyone, I'm almost done with the game, and I have had a few of each of the essences.
However, I can't figure out how to reliably get these.
It looks like you have to keep killing everyone and hope that sometimes it will result in essence. I don't have real statistics, but it is less than 1 in 5.

It's a real drag to have to kill upwards of 10 enemies just to craft this or that.

I still have to see my first essence at a village trader btw.

Thanks!