Barnaby's Slick-Foot Oil

This vial can be thrown up to 30 feet (even if blocked by the target the splash effect will still have some effect) and causes difficult terrain in a 5 ft area around its target. Target makes a Dexterity Save (DC 14) or goes prone. If target attempts to move, it requires another Dexterity save to try and leave the area. It can also be used as a fuel/catalyst for fire- doubling the normal damage and increasing the fire damage duration for one additional turn. A version of this can be made with ground glass to also cause 1d6 piercing/slashing damage each time a target falls or when its attempt to clean off the oil.

Components: Animal fat/tallow, oil, soapwort or lye-ash water, slippery elm bark or flaxseed meal.

• • • Yield: 1 Standard Throwing Flask (approx. 4 oz)

    • Prep Time: 45 minutes

    • Shelf Life: Highly stable; will not separate or spoil even if left sitting in a warm tavern corner for months.

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz Rendered Animal Fat / Tallow (The slippery base; harvested from kitchen scraps or local butcher trimmings)

    • 1 oz Fish Oil or Neat's-Foot Oil (To keep the mixture fluid enough to spread instantly on impact without hardening)

    • 1 tbsp Soapwort Extract or Lye-ash Water (The surfactant / emulsifier that breaks surface tension)

    • 1 tsp Finely Ground Slippery Elm Bark or Flaxseed Meal (The thickening agent that creates a slick, viscous slime when exposed to moisture)

    • A pinch of Ground Glass (Optional additive if you like the smell of blood)

    Instructions

    1. Rendering the Base: In an old iron skillet over low heat, gently melt the rendered animal fat and tallow until it becomes a clear, liquid oil.

    2. Thinning the Oil: Slowly pour in the fish oil (or neat's-foot oil), stirring constantly. This prevents the tallow from solidifying into a hard candle wax when it hits cold stone or tavern floorboards.

    3. The Emulsifier: Stir in the soapwort extract (or lye-ash water). This forces the oil and water-soluble elements to bond, ensuring that the moment the flask breaks, the grease actively fights against being wiped away.

    4. The Slime Thickener: Whisk in the slippery elm bark meal. As it absorbs the oils and any ambient moisture on the ground, it swells into a treacherous, frictionless gel.

    5. The Trap: If you are feeling particularly nasty, toss in a pinch of ground glass to make sure anyone trying to catch their balance gets a nasty surprise. This oil is flamable, so if tossed with a spark you'll light them up as well.

    6. Bottling: Pour the warm, murky amber mixture into a standard throwing flask. Let it cool until it forms a thick, syrupy consistency that coats the inside glass. Cork tightly and seal with a simple twine wrap.

    Barnaby's Note: "Throw this at the threshold of a doorway or right under an opponent's boots. It doesn't hurt a fly, but try running across a slick of rendered tallow and elm bark without landing flat on your back. Works wonders on rowdy patrons and aggressive guards alike. If you really need to be nasty- toss it with some spark or brew it up with some ground glass bits in the mix."

Notes: Damage: Slashing, Vulnerability: Fire, Prone, Combat Potion