A Friend and Anemone

A Friend or Anemone is a book recovered from the wreckage of Nevin's ship *Indulgence* in the Wavebreaker Reefs.

## Description

Purchased or otherwise acquired by Nevin prior to his decision to take up a fishing endeavour in the reefs to the south of the Penance Peninsula, A Friend or Anemone appears to be a beginner's guide type compendium to the various species of both floral and fauna found within the region.

## Reading

### Completed by Ashewan Norvegicus

The reefs around the Perianth Isles and the Corrogo Archipelago are filled with a plethora of life, vibrant, bold and varied. For those passing by, they can be a wondrous sight, though one undoubtedly filled with threats for the less wary. By contrast, with a little forethought, care and preparation, near anyone can find a lucrative life of subsistence from the reefs.

#### Flora

**Adamant Algae.** Proliferating like veins of purple-black in the deep recesses of rockbeds, Adamant Algae has fooled many a freediver into believing they have stumbled across a sunken deposit of the rare mineral ore of the same name. The narrow crevices that the algae typically blooms within are liable to trap unwary swimmers, and with those without means to breath underwater, such confinement may prove fatal.

**Crabpot Pitcher.** Lined with a digestive resin, Crabpot Pitchers bury much of their mass in the sand, acting as a pitfall for creatures scurrying across the seabed, before sealing shut to breakdown anything caught within over the course of the next few days. A cunning fisherman can utilise them as an organic trap for creatures, marking the presence of the Pitcher and returning to it every few hours to release anything caught within.

**Dancing Kelp.** Most plant life sways in the currents and waves, but Dancing Kelp truly cavorts back and forth, creating a mesmerising display that is utilised by numerous fish and crustacean species for cover from predators passing overhead and thus discovering a patch of Dancing Kelp may herald fertile lands for would-be fishermen. Caution however should be added, for Coral Drakes are also known to use the foliage for cover.

**Kraken Grass.** Forming vast meadows in shallow sandy beds around banks of reefs, Kraken Grass grows from a central rhizome into dozens of curled tentacle-like leaf blades. It is an important grazing ground for numerous species, including turtles, herbivorous fish and juvenile members of countless species. When Kraken Grass reached maturity, the leaf edges harden, and can be used to create woven baskets, furniture and other items similar to wicker on the surface.

**Sand Sifter.** A roaming vine, Sand Sifters do much as the name suggests, weaving across beds of sand and proliferating roots around mineral deposits and other sources of nutrition, such as the remains of other animals. Occasionally, they form nodules in their roots around substances they are unable to digest, and thus when exhumed from the sand may be found to have bushels of coins, gemstones or other misplaced treasures woven through their roots.

**Sugar Sap.** In truth an umbrella of numerous species of differing hues, Sugar Sap seaweed is a favourite of merfolk and sea elves alike, who use it to produce various rums and liquors. Depending on the colouration of the species, it is said that the alcohol takes on different subtle flavours, with yellow-hued Topaz Sugar Sap taking on sharp citrusy tones, grey-black Dusk Sugar Sap more akin to the bitterness of aniseed and red-pink Blushing Sugar Sap possessing a syrupy tartness similar to rhubarb.

#### Corals\*

\*not flora, as many folk mistakenly assume!

**Barrel Coral.** Roughly goblet-shaped, Barrel Corals come in a variety of sizes, but seem to filter the surrounding seawater, utilising the extracted minerals to give an intense salinity to their outer surface to dissuade colonisation by parasitic species. Coincidently, the filtered water is then stored within its hollow form, and thus can act as an unexpected but welcome supply of freshwater far from the shoreline.

**Crowned Majesty.** Extravagant and bold, Crowned Majesty is a branching stone coral with cylindrical branches that form arched crests from rocky outcrops, and thus easily imagined as similar in appearance to a crown. When polished, shards of Crowned Majesty can be highly decorative and is used frequently for handles and pommels for weaponry.

**Pinburn Coral.** Outwardly mundane, save a faint red stain-like mark at the end of each of its needle-like spines, Pinburn Coral produces a toxin that is described as an intense burning heat should exposure by injury occur. Due to the coral's predilection to otherwise blend into rocky ridges, caution must be followed to protect one self against harm, although there have been reports of sailors finding comfort on particularly cold nights by deliberately brushing against harvested Pinburn Corals, revelling in the warm tingling sensation evoked.

**Redhood Coral.** So named for their appearance, Redhood Coral form scarlet-tinged funnels that form the foundations for many other species of coral, as well as homes for floral and faunal life. The enamelled interior of the coral can be highly pearlescent, similar to that of an oyster, and thus highly sought after for sake of decorative artisan goods.

#### Fauna

**Banded Jellylure.** This large jellyfish-like creature does not drift listlessly in the ocean currents as other creature similar in appearance do, but instead dredges across rockpools, narrow reefs and other densely packed regions with trailing near-invisible tendrils that it baits with shiny pieces of shell and coral. In truth, this creature is an ooze, and thus best treated with caution if you don't want to be digested within its acidic dome-shaped bell.

**Coral Drake.** Possessing highly patterned and pigmented scales, Coral Drakes are an apex predator in most small reefs, with some limited control over their colouration to allow them to blend into surrounding anemones, corals, seaweeds and urchins. Armed with needle-like teeth and talons as well as a barbed stinger at the end of their slender tail, they are highly territorial and thus a threat to any unexpected individual.

**Eorr’s Ear.** Capable of growing up to two foot long, Eorr's Ear is a golden-hued sea snail that produce spiral shells that taper to a point. A voracious predator of corals and seastars, Eorr's Ear is also capable of ejecting a stream of water to propel itself from reef ridge to reef ridge. Naturally, when cleared of their contents, the shells are highly sought after by collectors.

**Lantern Star.** Faintly glowing with a warm bioluminescence, legends state that the first Lantern Stars were made when Aita wept upon the shores of Tourmalini'i, having witnessed the corruption of her creation by Ophidian to create the first Yuan-Ti. From the shores of Tvia Bay, Lantern Stars have proliferated, and can emit blinding flashes of light to confound predators and other dangers when threatened.

**Lobster Eel.** So named for the claw-like appendages on either side of its tapered jaw, the Lobster Eel is a voracious predator, and a continuous threat to freedivers that pursue it, believing it to be lobster caught out in the open. Several subvarieties exist, including ones with similar colourations to Sovereign Lobsters, so always check you can see the entirety of the lobster's tail before sweeping in for the catch - if you can't it may well be a predator lobster eel!

**Rosechest Crab.** Though slightly less so that the famous Sovereign Lobster, Rosechest Crabs are highly sought after by fisherfolk visiting Razorclaw Reef, owing to the delicate and flavourful meat obtainable from the species, particularly if caught shortly after moulting. Traditionally, the roe of Rosechest Crab is also sought after, and typically served alongside the cooked crab.

**Sovereign Lobster.** A rare delicacy, the capture of Sovereign Lobster is a dangerous task and frequently results in casualties owing to the remoteness of the Razorclaw Reef in which the species is found, and the predilection of the species to hide within underwater tunnels and cave networks. Capable of growing to a weight of fifty pounds and a length of two feet, they likewise possess a pair of exaggerated claws to defend themselves, as well as long filament-like antennae that extend backwards from its head over its thorax. As the lobster matures, the antennae increase in density, until it appears that the lobster possesses a flowing regal cape.

**Stalker Skate.** An ambush predator, Stalker Skates bury themselves within the sand, striking suddenly with the stingers upon their tail to stun their prey before rising up quickly with wide pectoral fins to snatch them up. Stalker Skates are surprisingly strong, and have from time to time been witnessed enveloping larger prey, or deliberately tangling themselves around fins and legs alike to prevent their escape.

**Tviatini Basilisk.** Native to Tvia Bay, Tviatini Basilisks are the aquatic relatives of the monstrosities that used to reside in large numbers along Trophy Hook. Coating themselves in a noxious mucus capable of stunning their prey, quick onset petrification follows shortly after. Despite this, a cunning hunter may choose to pursue Basilisks, hoping to harvest the glands responsible for the mucus’ production, a key ingredient in the production of Potions of Longevity.

**Ulua.** Capable of surviving in a variety of marine environments, Ulua are found from the estuary of the River Tvia to southern tip of Tyndian Headlands and the eastern edge of the Penance Peninsula, with several other similar species found elsewhere in the continent. A powerful predatory fish, they patrol above shallow reefs, hunting other fish, as well as crustaceans, cephalopods and molluscs, although ultimately falling foul to Coral Drakes, large shark species and juvenile dragon turtles.