Mink Oil

## Description

Mink oil is typically used for leather footwear and other garments as a means of waterproofing and providing additional flexibility as well as minor color and wear restoration. However, mink oil sourced from The Backrooms can have some astounding effects. These effects have been proven to be extremely useful by groups and wonderers alike, with some even seeing it as a necessary tool to have on at all times. While some do claim it to be an overall negative and swear by avoiding it, this has not stopped mink oil from becoming a highly sought-after commodity, despite the mild controversy. Mink oil is most famously used as a tool to assist wonderers and miners pass through Level 7.

Mink oil is carried by wonderers in it's original tin, but is traded by weight in ounces.

## Identification

Mink oil can be most easily identified by the small round metal tin it's typically encased in, and the oil itself can be identified from it's distinct musky odor, thick oily texture, and translucent-yellow color. Tins are typically blue and of the "Cavalier" brand, though other tins such as those from the "Scout Boot Care" brand, which has a dark black tin. Some tins may have no label at all, however. If mink oil is left out or not cared for properly, it may go bad. This is indicated by a very odorous musk that is immediately detectable. This does not affect the oil's anomalous effects, but it will not smell like standard mink oil.

## Usage and/or Effects

Mink oil is applied as a thin membrane across the entire surface area of skin desired for it's effects. Mink oil is not to be over-applied, as greater application does not lead to greater or longer-lasting effects. The effects of mink oil last about 30-80 hours depending on the location applied. Effects on hands and feet tend to last the longest, whereas effects applied to the abdomen or shoulders tend not to last nearly as long.

The effects on human skin are as follows:

1. Skin becomes 26-47% more resistant to stab-piercings.
2. Skin becomes 31-64% more resistant to slashes and cuts.
3. Skin becomes more resistant to temperature changes - able to resist frostbite at 32°F (0°C) for up to (at least) 1268% longer than average, as well as remaining unburned under open flame for up to (at least) 640% longer, as determined by M.E.G.
4. Skin becomes noticeably smooth, hydrated, and oily.
5. Skin-stealers will likely behave more aggressively towards the user.

## Locations

Mink oil was originally found on Level 1, where it is most commonly found individually in random crates. New tins are a rare find, however. Mink oil can also be found sparsely in various barns across Level 35, interestingly. Mink oil was also located in extremely few number randomly on Level 5, Level 19, Level 71, and Level 120. Mink oil can also be found on sublevel Level 1.8.

Mink oil can also be bought or traded. Mink oil is typically very expensive, and a mere 10 ounces can be enough to trade an entire functioning firearm for, however, mink oil that has gone bad is typically a lot less pricy at the cost of it smelling. Mink oil is most widely traded on Level 1, The Hub, as well as any Commercium Foundation Trade Station and Level 1883.

## Reports & Theories

* Some believe that mink oil causes skin-stealers to hunt more aggressively due to it's ability to make skin tougher, which perhaps causes them to see you more as a threat. This theory has faced major criticism from The Commercium Foundation.
* Some believe mink oil may cause skin to perhaps become more appealing to skin stealers, as the skin is of higher quality.
* A common myth is that skin stealers may be attracted by the smell of mink oil, but this has been thoroughly debunked as no behavior difference has been observed between interactions with Skin Stealers and wonderers that have had both new and bad mink oil. However, the distinctive smell does make wonderers easier to track in general.
* Some believe mink oil is bad luck, and could potentially doom those that use it.
* Some believe finding mink oil on Level 1 is a sign of good luck on your travels.
* It's hypothesized that mink oil in the backrooms does not actually come from the fat of minks.

## Trivia

* Most mink oil in The Backrooms is sourced from only three palettes of them found on Level 1, however, these mere three palettes totaled over 105,000 tins of Mink Oil.
* Over a palette of mink oil exists as stockpile at an undisclosed M.E.G. base, the rest has made it's way into the general trade circulation.
* The Commercium Foundation has slowly amassed a larger stockpile of mink oil than M.E.G. of the time of writing.
* M.E.G. continues testing with mink oil to this day, but disallows any of their infantry to use it or have it applied it despite the apparent benefits.
* Empty tins make for excellent air-tight storage.