Labyrinth Materials 3 : Eyeslime
Labyrinth Materials
Eyeslime
Rarity - Common
Danger - Low
Eyeslime isn't a plant itself but the product of a moss commonly found in labyrinths. 'Weeping Widow Moss' is a bright white plant that grows in layers two and three of labyrinths that have concrete or porous stone walls and no natural lighting. These strange plants seem to use darkness instead of light to perform their equivalent of photosynthesis. And so when they're exposed to light they release a thick dark red slime to protect itself.
While weeping widow moss isn't useful for much, the slime it leaks has several powerful alchemical properties related to light. Unfortunately, they're impossible to farm without a decent magical source. In addition they do very poorly in areas that see light often, or have constant airflow. While the tower keeps a supply next to their slime generation facilities, the temperamental plants still die frequently.
As such harvesting the slime from labyrinths is a decently profitable job. Unlike the easy to gather plants and herbs that fill the first layer, Weeping Willow Moss requires a competent fighting group willing to delver deeper and search. Unique items like these are the bread and butter of mid tier delvers.
Are there different qualities in eyeslime? Yes! However none of that really matters for gathering. Eyeslime has to be processed to become useful, so if properly gathered there shouldn't be any difference in price between two vials.
Uses - Eyedrops, Lenses
Fakes - Rare
The most frequent use of eyeslime is in the production of eyedrops and lenses that allow people to see in the dark. When properly distilled and treated, the same process that allows the plant to photosynthesize with darkness allows people to see darkness instead of light. This vision allows people to navigate in labyrinths without giving their positions away with lanterns or spells. In fact some delver groups rely entirely on eyeslime gear and wind spells due to dangerous gases in certain areas of more hostile labyrinths.
The downside of such products is they make darkness into light, but also light into darkness. The most basic items make even weak moonlight into a serious issue. As such higher (and more expensive) refining and mixing methods are required for those who need to swap between dark and light areas, or who need to work in low light environments. Mid tier potions tend to have side effects like removing color, or limiting how far one's vision can go. Solutions that completely remove limitations are incredibly expensive.
There's more and more gear being produced taking advantage of eyeslime's properties. But it tends to be very expensive. Both for the quality of alchemy required, and the superior glasswork needed to make lenses that work for both light and darkness.
Eyeslime is very safe... because it requires a trained professional to work it into something useful. Don't just rub it in your eyes and expect to see in the dark! The best you'll get is gunk in your eyes.