Yet more hoarding (Surraruthru)

[Anastasia]

"I'll let you know," Balyss says, as you go off and wait.

The next day passes in hoarding. Surraruthru's currently enjoying all of his newfound wealth, Kascha taking an inventory of what is there. "Hmmm," she murmurs, "I really think you need more coins," she suggests, "Any good hoard's backbone is a great big pile of gold coins."

Meanwhile, the door to your room opens. Tannin strolls in, soaked and dripping. "Yo," he says, "Got what you were looking for."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru perks up at this.

"Ah, excellent! Thank you!"

[Anastasia]

"Oh, hi," Kascha perks up, "What is it?"

Tannin closes the door and sinks down, one knee cocked up and he rests. "So there I was, running away from a dire shark and avoiding small icebergs," he begins, "Have either of you ever heard of the Crystal Reef Sea?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Not immediately, but let me think a moment..."

[Anastasia]

K:P check, if that's what your fishing for.

[Iron Dragoon]

> roll 1d20+34 K:P
<Penuche> Rhaqa invokes Penuche's magic: < 51 > [d20=17]

[Anastasia]

Surraruthru recalls the Crystal Reef Sea. It's in the border area betweeen the Elemental Plane of Water and the Para-Elemental Plane Ice, on the Water side of it. Most of that endless expanse is stormy and miserable, mostly empty of life except for travelers. The Crystal Reef Sea is an exception, a thick, frozen jungle of massive tangles of kelp, free floating icebergs and masses of coral. Unlike most of Water, the Crystal Reef Sea is considerably filled with solid materials. Exploring it is akin to exploring a rather airy and passage-riddled cave system.

[Iron Dragoon]

"It's a border between Ice and Water. Unusually full of materials. Cave like, yes?"

[Anastasia]

"Sort of," Tannin says, "Colder than Water, nasty. Really tough critters there but there's lots of them. You didn't hear it from me, but all sorts of big and powerful sorts like to have hidden lairs there. Place is said to be big as some Prime worlds, yeah? One giant ecosystem full of creatures adapted to it. Elementals don't much like it there, either the cold or the water ones, nor do the marid. So there's a power vacuum no one ever really fills."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru nods.

"So the powerful things in the area amass treasure with virtually no interference. Did you find the locations of some?"

[Anastasia]

"Got one really promising lead," Tannin says, pausing to thwap the side of his head. Water from his ear on the other side squirts out, "Aaah, that's the stuff. So, couple hundred centuries ago or so, there was an extra ugly squabble for the Coral Throne. One of the contenders was a merchant princess who went by Argaba. Didn't work out for her, she ended up getting a shallow grave out of it. But when the new Padisha went to repossess the 'rebel's'," Here Tannin rolls his eyes, "Yeah, that Padisha was a hard-fried bitch, let me tell you. Thought Water was her oyster to plunder, ended up not lasting that long. Pissed off everyone, even managed to personally offend Istishia. Anyway, you can guess how that song and dance ended and they had a new Padisha soon after."

Tannin pauses to clear his throat, before snapping his fingers. "Can I trouble either of you for some water. You know how it is, all the water and not a drop to drink? Right now the water outside of Aurora's saltwater."

Kascha pauses, fishing out a cup and using a bit of magic to fill it. Tannin drinks deeply, "Thanks. Now anyway, upside to that whole thing is that merchant's holdings were raided, turns out all the wealth was gone, along with an offensive little note. Insulted the Padisha and told her she'd never find her treasure in the Crystal Reef Sea. Heard she never did and no one did. 'course, I actually know why. Argaba laid a curse on it so no native of Water or Ice could find the hideaway."

Tannin stops and finishes his water, "See where I'm going with this? Turns out I also got a good lead on where it is. Now it might already have been raided, but I figure it's our best chance to start with."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru nods eagerly.

"Yes, very good. You've lived up to your reputation. Kascha, do you wish to go? Should we take others?"

[Anastasia]

"I wish you well. I have a location to teleport to that should be close. Rest's on you," Tannin says, "You're aiming for the Icemast, a great pole of ice that's hundreds of feet long. It's as close to a local watering hole as there is. Thing is, the area's not long on anything like intelligent, civilized folks. So don't go expecting a town." Tannin says.

Kascha considers, "At least one more. Are you coming, Tannin?"

"Nope, had enough freezing water for now. See, on top of breathing water, make sure you can deal with the cold. Need to hear about the local conditions?" Tannin holds his glass out, Kascha filling it again.

"Please!" Kascha says, taking her book out and writing, "So Water's native conditions are dominant?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru listens intently, planning out what spells to memorize for the outing.

[Anastasia]

"Yeah. 'cept a few things. First off, it's cold. Cold enough to freeze a red dragon's nuts off," Tannin shivers, "Be at least resistant to cold, but those who can't be hurt by it are even better. Cold water gets you faster for hypothermia, you won't last long without magical protection. If you make it any colder, like with cold magic, the water affected with flash freeze solid. Actually not a bad thing if you use it to your advantage, the natives do. It'll catch you right in a block of ice and you'll be in trouble." Tannin remarks.

Kascha furiously scribbled away, nodding all the while.