Black Goo (Eldritch Balm)

## Appearances

### 1st Appearance

During Session Zero, we are first introduced to the black goo when Optimal, Slayeh, Raina, and Cuddles ride the chariot. The chariot came to a sudden halt and we were flung forward. There was a mess outside in front of the carriage - **some kind of black goo** was spilled and some Quandrix students worked to clean it up. We heard a yell squeak from underneath our feet from the undercarriage. Optimal opens up the undercarriage to find Cuddles. We invite him to sit with us inside the carriage as we continue our ride.

### 2nd Appearance

After fighting the mimic in the Biblioplex, **a black liquid of sorts** splattered onto Afton and Sashura. Optimal inspected it to see if it's the same as before, but the check was unsuccessful. Mavinda Sharpbeak assured her it was some sort of substance rubbed onto the mimic and dismissed the incident.

Other NPCs present in the Biblioplex during this time include: Rosie, Conner

### 3rd Appearance

After the potion mishap during the Festival, we are able to knock Tater out: he spits out **black goo.** Later, Sashura reports this to the Dragonsguard.

Other NPCs present at the Festival include: Greta, Tater, Aurora, Professor Horatio, Presto Chango, and Hold Hammerhearth.

### 4th Appearance

After we passed first exams, we celebrated at the Firejolt. Some students racedfrogs (including Rampart and Greta). After the race, the frogs suddenly become huge and attack us. As they died, **black goo** seeped from their mouths. After the frogs are taken care of, Mavinda Sharpbeak and Alina Tanglewood (an elven woman who works behind the bar) show up. Optimal pointed out that this is the 4th time we've seen this goo - perhaps it's connected? Mavinda is quick to dismiss this idea and assumes it was a prank gone awry, but agrees to report it to the Dragonsguard.

Other NPCs present in the Firejolt during this time include: Rosie, Mina Lee, Rubina, Quentillious, Simon, Conner, Rampart, and Grayson. Only Ramphart and Grayson stay for the fight. The others either left earlier or ran when the frogs attacked.

## Taking Action

After the 4th appearance of black goo, Afton gathers some and performs some cursory tests with some cantrips (fire, ice, etc.). Slayeh's Vicsious Mockery has no effect. Optimal casts Druidcraft to create a flower in the goo: it promptly withers and dies. Nothing seems to diminish the size of the goo. He then goes to the Biblioplex and reaches out to his deity for help. He seems to have gotten a good response because later he asks Pringles about the black goo. He immediately identifies it as Eldritch Balm.

## Properties of Eldritch Balm

When Raina casts Detect Magic on the sample collected, she notes Transmutation and Necromantic magics.

According to Pringles, Eldritch Balm is found in the detention bog. ("No one likes to get detention.") This grows like wild in the detention bog. He says this sample is diluted - it’s inert. He said it messes with the mind. It’s a sap that grows from some trees - Pringles suggests we flag down Witherbloom folks who will know more. He doesn’t recommend going to the bog - you can get killed there. It gives off a lot of negative energy. This sample is different - it looks like someone has been messing with it. It grows from a particular tree. If you don’t go near it, it doesn’t do anything - anything that grows out of that tree becomes corrupted.

We talked to Professor Horatio, who notes that there is argosia oil in the black goo we found. Whoever is cultivating this goo, it is probably being done in the Sedgemoor. He suggests that we keep an eye out for clues.