Nymph interlude (Afina)

[Ebiris]

Places of power on Ooze, same criteria as used previously with Smoke and Ice. Using greater heroism and library bonus so...

[18:45] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+42+15 planes, +2 more if Bubbles aids well
[18:45] <Rei-chan> Ebiris rolled : 1d20+42+15 planes, +2 more if Bubbles aids well --> [ 1d20=8 ]{65}

[Anastasia]

Bubbles aids, she has ranks in K:P so she can't fail the roll. 67 total.

The simple truth is that there's little scholarship on Ooze. Few wish to go and few of those that go care to come back and write of it. That leads to a problem, that the places of power within it are largely unexplored and unknown to non natives. The best you find is the following.

- Bwimb (or Bwimb II sometimes, it varies) is the Archomental of Ooze. A he or she (details vary) that rules over the plane from the Fortress of Bwimb.

- There's rumors of some sort of gem nexus deep in Ooze. Blue gemstones and little else is known.

- It's said a powerful fiend once set up a realm in Ooze. Details are lost, but the name remains: The Slime Lair.

---

After several hours, "I think you need a more direct source," Bubbles remarks, stretching and yawning.

[Ebiris]

"It's so strange. I know ooze creatures are really popular with wizards - we even have one who joined up with all those inferno oozes right here in Aurora. The plane itself must be truly horrible to have so little scholarship on it. Do you think I should just visit Bwimb? Maybe they'll be grateful for the interest?" Afina says closing up another unhelpful book.

[Anastasia]

"That may be your best move," Bubbles says, "As for the rest, well, you'll understand once you've visited."

[Ebiris]

"I suppose so," Afina goes to put the book away on its shelf before going back to the table they were at. "What's a good gift for an ooze archomental?"

[Anastasia]

"I don't have the foggiest," Bubbles admits freely, "Oozes don't wear clothes, do they?"

[Ebiris]

"Can't imagine it would work well," Afina agrees. She could ask Morniel, maybe? He's been around, he might know. "I think I'll try asking Morniel," she decides, leading Bubbles out of the library before calling, "Elena?"

[Anastasia]

Elena appears, dressed up like a maid. "Hi!" she waves, "Morniel's in his quarters, getting ready to leave. If you watch to catch him, you need to hurry."

[Ebiris]

"Can you ask him to wait for us then?" Afina asks, "It'll only be a quick consultation. Also don't wear that where Jaela can see," she gives some advice regarding the maid costume before taking a portal to the floor Morniel lives on.

[Anastasia]

"Right!" Elena's gone and you catch up to Morniel. He lets you into his quarters. "Afina, how can I help you." He then smiles and takes Bubble's hand, gently kissing it, "Lady Bubbles, I believe? I have heard of you but not yet met you in person."

"Thank you," Bubbles smiles back, meeting his gaze, "Afina spoke well of you."

[Ebiris]

"It's that breadth of knowledge for people all over the planes that I need," Afina says, not minding if Morniel's showing some courtly flattery to Bubbles. Even if it was more than that, she's not possessive. "I'm intending to visit Ooze, specifically its Archomental Bwimb. Such a visit necessitates bringing a gift, but I'm unsure what an ooze would want. Do you have any advice for me?"

[Anastasia]

"Bwimb or Bwimb II?" Morniel asks as Bubbles takes a seat.

"I saw them used interchangeably," Bubbles says, "Darling, that was rather vexing, since no one really agreed."

"It is said that Bwimb died, but that's not true. He spawned a child, both are Archomentals. Bwimb skews towards evil while Bwimb II does not. They do not get along, but cooperate nonetheless." Coughing into his hand, "I will not lie to you, Afina. Ooze is a miserable place. Bwimb's nature is predatory, he likes weapons, even if he ends up dissolving them in his own acids. Bwimb II is painfully lonely. I've heard from her few intelligent servants that she's manage to wretch conversations out of Jubilex out of sheer, lonely persistence. If you meet her, your own presence is more than enough of a gift."

[Ebiris]

"Ahhh, I just took the varying names and genders as representing the amorphous nature of ooze," Afina admits. "In that case Bwimb II sounds better for visiting, but I take it she resides somewhere other than the Fortress of Bwimb?"

[Anastasia]

"No, she lives there," Morniel says, "They're father and child, even if they do not get along. Therein lies another danger. You may well encounter both, and it is difficult to find the one you wish before finding the other." He sits back, steepling his hands together, "Be completely warded against acid. Bwimb II routinely hugs people who come to visit her, but she is a giant ooze of incredibly powerful acid. She regrets it deeply once she calms down, but in her excitement she's slain more than one visitor."

[Ebiris]

Annoyingly her affinity for earth doesn't come with any protection against acid. "I may have to ask your assistance for a spell before I leave then, Bubbles," she asks the nymph who can at least contribute that way even if she's too weak-stomached to come along in person. "That being the case I'll prepare gifts for both Archomentals so as not to cause offense. It sounds as if they're rather laid back about protocol though, so I can just go directly to the fortress and present myself?"