GLOGtober '23 - 4: Theory of P-ooze-tions

 GLOGtober '23 prompts can be found here.

 

Theory of pOozetions

Nicknamed p-ooze-tions by apprentices, this name for Distilled Jellies has unfortunately entered the vernacular. What distinguishes a potion or oil from a distilled jelly are a number of things, namely the use of those creatures commonly categories as Slimes or Oozes in the brewing process. While in a potion ingredients are mixed by hand or with the help of alchemical equipment, distilled jellies use a preexisting natural framework to blend the desired effect, namely the biology of Oozes.

To understand this process we must understand the biology of Oozes. While the common variety of ooze is a simple minded creature focused on survival, one must ensure they work with a proper ooze and not one of the new synthetic spawns. Most oozes, deriving from a prime ooze, slowly consume and grow in size until they split into two or more new oozes, repeating the process. Notes indicate that the form and nature of these creatures can vary over time, leading to new “bloodlines” of these creatures.

It should be noted however that under recent studies published in Kirinth this last century, reliable methods for mixing of oozes has become possible. By slowly blending two oozes together under the right conditions a new hybrid ooze can be created. While the research indicates strong future growth in the field of múxasology, it also has allowed for the spawning of the field of Distilled Jellies.

Via the works of Crivelli of Norn the creation of a neutral vessel ooze are possible, a nearly transparent creature of neutral gelatin. These oozes can be injected with other substances, slowly melding into the gelatin of the creature. If the substance is properly infusing with the ooze then the creature becomes of that material, and as it continues to grow its gelatin continues to produce the injected substance.

Applications of Crivelli’s neutral vessel ooze are vast, though as Crivelli herself claims, “Nothing will surpass the candy ooze, my eternal fountain of sweets”. Reports also indicate a popularity for honey oozes and wine oozes. So long as the ooze is fed, it will continue to produce endless sweet or intoxicating jelly, though for now the growth rate is below sustainable rates. This, combined with the difficulty in creating a neutral vessel ooze and highly volume of acidic byproducts, puts strong limits on the wide spread use of these creatures.

The true pinnacle of this process is however obviously the potion ooze. By injecting a neutral vessel ooze with the indicated potion and several other alchemical blends, the ooze gelatin can take on the properties of the potion. We have finally arrived at the foundations of Distilled Jellies.

While having an ooze that can hypothetically process raw biological matter into healing gelatin is a wonderful prospect, it merely scratches the surface of Distilled Jellies. By carefully blending small portions of oozes in controlled alchemical environments it is possible to create hybrid potions in ways that sidestep several challenges in traditional alchemy when combining potions. Whole new branches of potions and oils are being discovered under the umbrella of Distilled Jellies.

Some alchemists working in this field have even started infusing the oozes themselves with the ingredients for their potions, blending together to make the ooze potions via alchemy rather than injection, claiming it leads to far more potent results.

A small note has been appended by a second author:

With everything Distilled Jellies grants the alchemist, you should still be careful when exposed to this untested science. In case you are not an alchemist, you should be warned about the dangers of mixing potions together. While the processes used often limits or prevents these dangers, they are not impossible. Several people have reportedly melted when drinking from an ill prepared batch. Remember, these are still oozes you are consuming, which is usually safe in small proportions. As well, the oozes used in the process are still oozes, not merely some alchemical concoction. One ooze being used to create greater protection potions broke free and was a nightmare to harm due to the nature of its alchemical enhancement.

1d10 alchemical oozes:

1. Candy ooze: Crivelli’s creation, usually appearing as an ooze made of pastel colors, often with a sweet flavor. Lemon based candies usually work best for this process.

2. Mind Probe Ooze: Only one of these has been found, and appears to be a combination of thought detection and minor illusionary magic. The disturbing little creature will pick up on the surface thoughts of those near it, projecting them via illusions for others to see. No one has claimed ownership of the experiment, though it has already caught the attention of The Magisterium and The Watchers of Dawn.

3. Sunlit Ooze: Injecting enough liquid sunlight into an ooze and you get the perfect creature for destroying vampires. Unfortunately it is also so bright that anyone that looks at these creatures are blinded. Originally they were slaked for destruction before some blind monks took them in.

4. Vacuum Ooze: It’s believed this creature came about by combining a multitude of teleportation and extra dimensional effects within a single ooze. What instead occurred was a small localized planar collapse, a void that continually pulls in matter around it. By the time it was caught and destroyed the creature had learned to open and close this “mouth”, devouring those around it.

5. Mimic ooze: Believed to be the combination of a potion of charm and a potion of disguise self, this ooze has been observed luring in prey with the charm while posing as a person or object. Some theorize this sort of ooze might be the origins of mimics, though likely using a potion of shape changing.

6. Combustion ooze: Someone was clearly trying to make some sort of bomb ooze and we ended up with this monster. A combination of alchemist’s fire and fire resistance elixir, alongside a fireball leads to this jelly which is constantly exploding. Thankfully all escaped specimens have been caught, but it’s dreaded what might occur if a wild population were to set itself up.

7. Saint Ooze: Nicknamed Saint Oozes, these creatures are imbued with as much restorative and healing magic as is safely possible. How exactly they’re made and kept stable is unknown, but current theories involve holy water and angel’s blood. Several churches have decried the use of holy magic within an ooze.

8. Sail Ooze: These slimes were made by mixing a potion of levitation and gust of wind, likely in an attempt to jury rig a flying potion. Unfortunately the oozes quickly learned how to use their new movement and escaped. These Sail Oozes as they’ve been called spread themselves thin like a sheet to catch the wind. They’re quick to spread and are now a fact of life in Kirinth unless some major extermination effort is put in place. They certainly seem to be helping with the pigeon problem at least.

9. Regenerative Ooze: With the potential medical applications of Distilled Jellies being so obvious, some have tried creating regenerative oozes to restore limbs and missing body parts. By concentrating multiple regenerative potions together, this oozes restores missing body mass at an incredible rate. These two parts quickly form independent oozes. Not only does this make it impossible to gather small enough samples for medical application, but given the right circumstances could have an explosion in population.

10. Power Word Ooze: These oozes kept being reported around Kirinth, and analysis indicates they’re a vessel for Power Word Kill. Thankfully none of them can talk – yet.

 

GLOGtober '23 - 2: She Who Sings in Reed and Rush

GLOGtober '23 prompts can be found here.

 

She Who Sings in Reed and Rush

Lake Dallieun is caught in the minds the people of Poltan, sitting right next to the modern capital of Sarcens. Many a painting captures the glimmering surface of lake, appearing in the backgrounds of royal portraits across generations of Poltanish Kings. Numerous castles and villages line the shores, and stories across the world frame the lake as places that heroes rise and villains are slain. Perhaps most famous is The Cathedral Mireaus (Mir-os), dedicated to The Mother Current, Vasobus. Her priests claim Dallieun as her respite, a blessing to mortals for their faith.

Few however remember the old faith that claims the glimmering waters, She Who Sings in Reed & Rush. Her followers are scattered around Lake Dallieun, but are a small faith compared to the churches of the land. While they are often not rooted out and slain, they are a patchwork faith. Many teach of forgiveness and acceptance, and often hold an oath of non-violence. Others teach of the cycles of life, one that one cannot escape no matter how strongly they fight it. Followers can are often found in those whole live on the lake shore, but also in doctors and wise-folk.

1d12 Events & Rumors:

1. A mother has recently lost her son in battle and can’t get over her grief. She needs reeds gathered to weave a basket to carry his sword and helmet into the lake, however bandits are said to patrol the lake’s edge.

2. A bard challenged The Songstress, claiming they were a better singer. When their boat returned from the fog all that was found was a broken violin and a dog sized cricket.

3. This is the third time in a month a fisher has been found hung from a tree, suspended by a long bone hook through their neck. Locals whisper of the vengeance of The Songstress.

4. Rush lamps are the new craze among nobility wanting “to live a simple life, just like the peasants”. Already old beds along Lake Dallieun are being yanked up to fill this need. Followers whisper than unless this stops soon She Who Sings will have her vengeance.

5. A local priest has declared that She Who Sings is but a misinterpretation of The Mother Current and has begun tearing down shrines. This isn’t the first time this has happened, but tensions are already mounting quickly.

6. The village elder has begun to preach that the afterlife The Churches promise is a lie, that all flow on the endless river that circles the cosmos, returning to the world each time born anew. This particular heresy is too much for The Churches to tolerate.

7. A child was found floating in a basket among the reeds. Was this the fault of loveless parents, or the next prophet of The Songstress?

8. They say that if you can catch She Who Sings she will take a memory too painful for you, in exchange for bearing the memory of another.

9. Rumors have spread that if you wander the reeds alone in the dark under the light of the full moon then The Songstress will guide your love from a past life, to reunite again and again. Seems like an easy way to get people out and alone in the dark.

10. After the loss of all seven of his sons in a single battle their father was seen weeping on the lake shore each night, begging for them to come back to him. A week ago a rogue wave suddenly spewed a literal swarm of fish onto shore all around him, worth a small fortune. Now everyone who has ever suffered even a minor inconvenience is down by the water, begging for restitution.

11. A small conclave has formed up, nicknamed The Water Bearers by the locals. Having taken a vow of poverty and non-violence this community works to produce and give out holy water made from the lake in an effort to fight undead.

12. The palace of She Who Sings sits at the bottom of Lake Dallieun, but should one of pure heart sail the lake it shall rise from the deep to greet them.