[Feysilvered Lenses] Research the Saltisle from books and scholarly materials

{if An Occultist = 1} The Cragged Librarian raises a bushy eyebrow, but your name is on the list and you may enter – sabbatical or no. {elseif Connected: The Dean’s Daughter = 6} The Sharp-nosed Librarian raises a thin eyebrow behind her thick glasses, but the Dean’s Daughter has been true to her word. You are a visiting scholar at Heron, and your name is on the list. The doors to the library are open to you. {elseif Connected: The Dean’s Daughter = 2} The Sharp-nosed Librarian raises a thin eyebrow behind her thick glasses, but the Dean’s Daughter has been true to her word. You are a visiting scholar at Heron, and your name is on the list. The doors to the library are open to you. {else} The general knowledge wing of the Imperial Library on Landweir Channel Lane, just off Basswood Boulevard, is open to the public every second day. You took an early cab down to the steel-clad building and entered through the rosewood and sandstone portal. An overworked librarian glares at you, but he does not stop you from walking inside. {endif}

You walk the shelves and collect books on geography, treatises on Imperialized cultures, and monographs on fishery and Fey biology.

A few hours pass

{if The Passage of Time > 95} Your Time in Barenhaven is running out {elseif The Passage of Time > 80} Your Time in Barenhaven is coming to a close {elseif The Passage of Time > 60} You have some Time left in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 50} Your Time in Barenhaven is half-way over {elseif The Passage of Time > 30} You have quite some Time left to spend in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 15} You have a lot of Time left to spend in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 5} Your Time in Barehaven has just begun {else} You are now spending Time in Barenhaven {endif}

The Saltisle is a flat piece of land, forever threatened by the swallowing Sea. Salt encrusts the sickly green of the dyke. A small village has grown on the crumbling sand. Their main industry is – unsurprisingly – fishing. Saltsoup is the main product, fish and seaweed cooked into a thick Seawater stew, popular as rations on long-distance journeys and during military campaigns.

There are descriptions of individual houses, of an abandoned church and the old pub rising from the central hill. Most of the residents live in huts, built from creaking Leviathan Bone and algaeous driftwood, only the shell of the church has been raised from coral and imported stone. All have some protection against the raging Sea; a secondary dyke, their own hill, or the main floor raised on stilts of steel or bone.

You are not surprised to find local legends concerned with fish and the Sea. Sacrifices and forbidden currents, these superstitions are common everywhere out on the half-civilized island surrounded by murderous waters. And the descriptions ring true. Something may lurk in the deep waters or creep into the shallows. You cannot be sure, but you can guard yourself. The locals will now, but they may be hesitant to talk. {if The Almost Bishop of Anceleisle = 1} You might even try prayer. {endif}

The dangers mentioned in the geographical survey are more tangible. There are times of high tide and certain flooding, avoidable with the barest smidgeon of foresight. You make a mental note to warn the crew.

But the Sea of Mists is ever treacherous. Sudden surges happen – and all you can do is keep watch for the early warning signs and run.

You have read about the Saltisle, about its dangers and wonders

You close the last book and take a last look over your notes. It is dark outside, and you are alone among the high shelves. The librarian nods at you as you leave and you step outside and breathe in the smoky, salty air.