OEH: Unfamiliar Waters

Post by Kelp on Jul 25, 2016

Kelp was anxious, he could smell blood in the water and that would attract sharptooths. He tried to send to the leader,

*I only want to help, the blood will attract sharptooths. You must get everyone into the boats quickly! May I approach your boat and come aboard? There is not much time.*

Kelp hoped his sending was true and clear to the leader. He started to swim towards the leader's boat with urgency, though still wary of these stranger's response to him. Obviously they were injured and suffering. Would they welcome him? He'd try and help them as best he could. What could one elf offer these people in the way of aid? In his mind's eye Kelp quickly reviewed the plants and animals he has seen in this area under water. Clams could be used to close wounds, there were also certain algae that could numb pain or clean a wound when applied to one. He had a few of these sea weeds in his carry net, his spear wedged between it and his back. As he neared the leader's boat, and asked to come aboard, one hand grasping the gunwale to lift himself out of the water and into the ocean going craft. He looked at the leader, one of his eyebrow raised in question. Would they accept him or spurn him?

"My name is Kelp. Please, let me help you!"


Post by Lord Tidas on Jul 26, 2016

As Tidas pulled the stranger elf out of the water and into the boat he just gazed down at him for a few seconds. He never thought they would encounter a lone elf out in open waters with no boat and no protection. Had the stranger been following for sometime or had their paths just crossed? So many things entered Tidas's mind.

With soul searching eyes Tidas scans the stranger very closely taking in ever inch of his strange appearance. Tidas finally responds. "I am called Lord Tidas by my people." "So Kelp where do you come from and why are you so far out to sea with no land in sight?" "Are you familiar with these waters?"


Post by Kelp on Jul 26, 2016

Kelp looks at Lord Tidas for a moment, replying to him, " I come from north of here a long way and a long time I have traveled alone. My tribe , an offshoot of a larger tribe fled from humans only to encounter them once again, and they were all slaughtered as far as I know. I have been alone for almost five eights of the turns. You and your tribe are the first of our kind I have seen in that time." Kelp chokes up a bit. "To know finally, that I am not the last of our kind." A few tears run down his pale greyish cheeks.

Reaching out a hand to touch Tidas' arm, and speaks, "I see and touch you with joy. Now, Lord Tidas, what wounds or needs do your people have? They MUST get into the boats. the blood your people have shed will attract many sharp tooths and quickly. They are not safe in the water."

Kelp looks around and spies a few dorsal fins of the dreaded predators circling the boats already. not yet close but too close for comfort. He points them out to Lord Tidas. He looks to the female elf nearby Tidas, sitting in the boat. He scans her face, she seems familiar. How does he know her? Her name flitters out of the grasp of his mind, teasingly. He looks back to Lord Tidas, expectantly, thinking this mystery can keep for now.


Post by Coralscar on Jul 27, 2016

Coralscar starts to shake with fear and loses her balance, she slips to her knees and strains to keep her eyes open. She doesn't like to cry or ask for help. She opens her mouth and closes it, it's a subtle action but if she were to look at herself from the outside she would be worried. A second time she opens her mouth, looking at Tidas, "Can't stay awake... I need help to stay awake." She croaked out. "Rattled head, I fear going to sleep"

Post by Kelp on Jul 28, 2016

Putting the mysteriously familiar elf maiden's identity aside, Kelp listen's to Tidas explain his tribe's situation. He hears a word he does not know, "Trolls" and wonders if they are a group of humans unknown to him.

Kelp hears a scream suddenly coming from another in their boat, as she falls overboard. Then next to him, Tidas falls to his knees in obvious distress. Torn with indecision Kelp doesn't know who to aid first. Then making his choice Kelp prepares to jump into the water to save the she-elf from drowning. Others in the boats have been busy tying what they can together to make a makeshift rope to toss out to her and hope that she can grab it and they can reel her in and rescue her. Kelp instead now moves to aid those in pulling her to safety, but before he can help do so, the unexpected happens. Several of the sharptooths are expelled from the water, and those on the boat are able to save the female elf. Those sharptooths plucked from the ocean sink below the choppy waves, now dead or dying. Mouths agape, He and Tidas look at one another, Kelp offering up these words, "Lord Tidas that was not of my doing."

Then the elf who seemed familiar to him, touched both Lord Tidas' and his arm, and he felt a tingle run up to his brain, a calmness over came him. He sensed a request for strength of sending he was not sure he was still able to provide, but he tried. Those in shock or panic regained their composure due to the magic of this hauntingly familiar elf. 'Who was she and how, why did he seem to know her?' He asked himself without success. Then she said, "Kelp? .... I knew a Kelp once....."

Kelp watched this familiar but yet unknown elf for a while trying to puzzle her out, as Lord Tidas busied himself behind Kelp. A sudden movement caught Kelp's eye. He turned to look and was stunned to see something akin to the little winged ones he had see years before near the cove beach, only this one had no wings but a fin down it's back.

"By the high ones, what is it?" Kelp asked quietly with awe and wonder in his voice. There followed a rapid exchange of talk between Tidas and this creature, ending with the demand for "wrapstuff" whatever that was? Tidas knew something that Kelp did not about this tiny creature, perhaps something that would help his people. Kelp slowly sat down in the boat adjusting his spear and carry net, totally captivated by this little being. Surprisingly it started to spit out what looked like fine silvery hair algae wrapping up some of the injured one by one. As the busy small thing did it's work moving from one seriously injured elf to another, Tidas spoke to those in the boat.

"Lace, Silvermoon and even you Kelp I know you come from other areas of the vast deep, we need to find land soon."

"Ah", thought Kelp, "names to go with new faces. Silvermoon and Lace, but which was which? Which was the one he seemed to know and be known by?" And then he focused on the request, where was there land?

"Lord Tidas, I m unsure of this immediate area. Other than that, I know there is land, a cove in fact that could harbor your boats. I passed several years back, I have been traveling slowly, meandering as I went. It might be closer than I remember. I am unsure how far away it is in straight distance by boat. It is towards sun goes up and towards the unmoving star." Kelp points north by north east. "I remember the fishing was good there. And I saw a few winged creatures similar to the one who is covering your people in..." and he stumbles over the unfamiliar word,"ropestuff?"

"I am good at hunting and gathering food from the sea. I am happy to gather what I can to help feed your people, if... it is possible, I would join your tribe? I have been parted from my tribe and alone far too long. I have some magic of my own, which is coralshaping." Kelp waits expectantly, hoping these tight knit strangers are in need enough to trust him to join them. That he has skills and magic they can use. As he talked Lord Tidas took his cloak and wrapped it around the injured elf who had fallen in the water earlier, warming her against shock.



Post by Silvermoon on Jul 29, 2016

Silvermoon smiled and send images to Lord Tidas. On her many journeys she had seen different places and she knew of several good coves to go to. One in particular, was accessible by water and land. To her it was the best option…. For now.
**This cove might be our best solution for the time being, there is a forest for who prefer the trees, it is surrounded by mountains and one mountain even reaches the salty waters in which the Wavedancers can live and that mountain might be good for the ones who feel more at home in the caves…..** Silvermoon locksend again to Lord Tidas. Not sure it would be his choice. **Three different areas, but close together…**

She then turned to the new elf. “You are a Coralshaper? I fear we don’t have many rockshapers left in our tribe, the Trolls knew who our Rockshapers were and they took them….. or killed who resisted too fierce…..” Tears whelled in her eyes at the memory of the ones she saw captured. “I know coral isn’t the same as rock, but if you are willing to try, many will appreciate your help. My name is Silvermoon by the way, I am a Treeshaper.” She smilled and offered her hands in greeting. “This is my dear friend Lace.”


Post by Lace on Jul 29, 2016

Lace was puzzled by the new elf and gazed at him… She heard Silvermoon introducing her and she blushed, because she had stared at him. “Greetings….. Kelp….. Oh Great Tides!!! You are Kelp! Brother to Wavecatcher!!! We… I thought you were killed by the Landers, the humans!!”


Post by Kelp on Jul 31, 2016

Looking to Silvermoon and taking her offered hands in friendship, Kelp stands and answers, "Yes, I am a coralshaper. I have never tried to shape rock before. I do not know if I can, though I willing to make an attempt at it." When you take Kelp's hands you can feel a roughness to the skin on the back of his hands, like that of the skin of a sharptooth.

Next he looks to Lace after Silvermoon makes her introduction to Kelp of Lace. Releasing Silvermoon's hands he offers his hands to Lace. He thinks to himself 'This is the one I seem to know and she knows me? How?'

He asks Lace the question that has been on his mind since he was helped into the boat by Lord Tidas. "Lace, you seem to know me? You seem familiar to me, but I don't seem to remember how or where we've met before?" Lace notices the roughness of the backs of his hands as well when she takes them in greeting. She might also notice an old scar on the left side of his head behind his ear.

Kelp hears Lace say, “Greetings….. Kelp….. Oh Great Tides!!! You are Kelp! Brother to Wavecatcher!!! We… I thought you were killed by the Landers, the humans!!”

"Yes, we were attacked by humans." He pauses as if trying to remember, his brow furrowed in confusion. In a quiet voice as if speaking to himself, "I have a brother?"

Before Lace can answer, Kelp releases her hands, turns and kneels as he retrieves his carry net. "You must all be hungry?" he asks of them, "Here I have some fish I caught earlier, and some sea lettuce I harvested. It is not much but it will feed a few of you. I can go back into the water and get more if needed." Kelp seems, nervous perhaps. No not nervous, maybe a bit overwhelmed. His hands seem to tremble as he removes the food items from his carry net and he turns to distribute them to those in the boat. He squats in the bottom of the boat his face turned down his transparent inner eyelids blinking rapidly. His breathing coming in short gasps. The fish and sea lettuce sprawled on the deck between his webbed hands bracing him against the slowly swaying deck.

"I... I can't..."

Post by Kimu + Cat bond Grandmother on Aug 2, 2016

Kimu was in the boats, Somehow, someone had managed to toss her into one in the madness to escape the Trolls. She was just waking up as Coralscar was moaning for help keeping awake. Kimu was in the same boat but the trolls had tossed her at her Daughter, she thinks and then last thing she recalls is pink sleeping dust knocking her out to Zonk-land.

When she realized Coralscar was gone and suddenly aware sharptooths were about, Kimu dove into the waters to protect her. Claws and teeth to the ready, since a blade was not going to cut as deep. While the others help Coarlscar into the boat again, Kimu is pushed aside by what felt like a wave. She looked around under the water realizing she will need air in a moment and saw Coralscar was gone. She listened and just as a Sharptooth headed back towards her, Kimu quickly climbed back into the boat for air. Her magic would not sooth any shark that tastes blood in the water. Fighting back was what was needed.

"Eh, Am still groggy, But at least Coralscare is safe." Kimu said taking off her turban to wring it out and put undid it to help put pressure on Coralscar's deepest wounds. It was a long cloth and so, it could wrap around the Lass several times till help arrived to do better for her.

**Tidas, I have pressure on coralscar's deep cuts, but I need help with her. Some of these are bad. I will stay with her. It was good you all got her back in the bouts when you did.** Kimu open sent to Tidas for all to hear close by. Kimu did not know how Coralscar arrived back to the boat and was glad she was safe for the time being.

Kimu appreciated the burst of adrenaline as it was starting to wake her up. "Coralscar, you gotta stay awake. I will look after you, best I can till we can get you healed up. Hang with me and know you are not alone." Kimu assured.

Holding the unwrapped turban on Coralscar, Kimu looked around. Where was Skorva?! ~**Tidas....**~ She calmly started seeing he was with head wound, not to shout in send, she lock-sent to him. ~**My daughter....I think...I think we left her. I don't smell her anywhere or see her. Not to burden you with worry, I just needed to share that so I won't worry. I trust...Hmm, if she is alive, she will be strong enough to survive. I have to believe that.**~ Kimu said. Tears welling in her eyes, and for one that never cries, this was a Mother's tears for her daughter. The mother and Daughter pair have never been too far from the other Skorva's whole life.


Post by Lord Tidas on Aug 2, 2016

Too much was going on at once as Tidas tried to clear his head. Tidas was confused as to why Kelp had suddenly flung himself from the boat and disappeared beneath the waves. What could have disturbed him so?

As Tidas looks up he sees chittersweet fly above the boat Moondove was located in. "Chittersweet Coralscar is in need of Wrapstuff. As Chitterswet obeys Tidas's command he replies to the locksend that he had receive from Kimu. *We must go back and try to save those we had to leave behind your daughter included. I have been hearing weak sendings from some survivors. We are too far away for me to determine which of our people are sending for help. We need to try and find land soon.*

Breaking away from the locksend Tidas sends to Silvermoon and returns the memories of land she had earlier sent him. Tidas had asked her earlier but with everything going on she was unable to reply.


Post by Silvermoon on Aug 3, 2016

Silvermoon had needed al her attention to fix the boat again. The wood was old, almost too old to float. **I am sorry Lord Tidas, I fear it will be too far. We need fresh water and food quickly. And we need time to heal our wounded.** Silvermoon shook her head, she tried to remember what she knew of the Vast Deep Water when she heard a bird shrieking.
"A bird! There you see it? You hear it? That means land must be close!" She screamed to the other boats. And she started looking.
**It must be a small island, maybe we can find rest and shelter there?** She locksended to Lord Tidas.


Post by Lace on Aug 3, 2016

Lace was shocked at Kelp's response. Where did he go? She started searching for him with her mind, feeling his spirit to be sure he was alright.

Locking onto his mind she sended to him. **Kelp? Are you alright? I feel your confussion, I am sorry, I don't want to force myself onto you, but your emotions and memories were too powerfull to block for me. Please, know you are with friends again, we might have answers for you.....**

Lace looked up at Lord Tidas. He was still a striking figure and she had admired his leadership. "I feel he is alright, but lost memories had hit him hard.... I wish for a way to help him, but I can't reach him, not just in mind, but in body as well...."

Post by Lace on Aug 8, 2016

Lace still looked for Kelp. **My friend, please come back. We have both been through so much, we need all the help we can get. I hope you will stay with us for some time..... it has been so long since I have seen someone of my tribe.**
She hoped Kelp was alright. She wanted to follow him, but she wasn't in condition to swim in the water.

When she heard Lord Tidas call for Current, she started smiling again, the great whale always put a smile on her face, it also gave peace to her heart at this moment.

*Lace? What happend to the newcomer? Where is he?* Silvermoon sended to her.
*I am not sure yet, I think he is fine. I don't sense danger from where he is.* Lace looked again, but he was too far down. *And you? Do you see anything?* She got no reply, but that could mean two things...


Post by Kelp on Aug 9, 2016

Kelp rose in the water column and as he did so he saw an unusual sight. Many large marine creatures were pushing or pulling the boats along. One large white whale, a few of the smaller wave dancers, and even several of the large leathery shelled shell-backs were helping. Kelp kept pace with the boats, but he lacked the speed to catch them up.

Lace had sent to him and he had sent back, but she might not have 'heard' him. Closer now he tried again an open sending so maybe more than she would understand his problem. **Lace, I am coming back to the boats, but they are too fast. I have food I am carrying which is slowing me down. Can the boats be slowed?**


Post by Lord Tidas on Aug 15, 2016

The daystar had lowered itself low in the sky. It seemed to hoover only inches above the vast deep water. Tidas knew that within a couple of hours the bright blue sky would fade to the darkness of night. If land wasn't found before nightfall he feared how many would perish during the night and he worried about Coralscar. "Chittersweet and One-Wing make Wrapstuff for Coralscar now. Her condition has not changed and she hasnt shown any signs of improvement."

The tiny preservers obey Tidas's command as he replies to Silvermoons locksend. *I also seem to make out unfamiliar shapes on the horizon but we're traveling directly into the sun so it's hard to be certain. Let's not say anything to the others just yet.*

Suddenly Pelicans fly over them from the direction of the sun. Tidas knew that birds of that size would not be too far away from land with the daystar so low in the sky.

The small group of boats that had been making steady speed suddenly stopped and the tiny creatures of the sea that had been aiding them disappeared beneath the gently rippling waves. Even Current could no longer be seen ahead of them. Where had they gone and why had they abandoned them?

Beneath the boats no one from above could see what was taking place. The WaveDancers, small whales and sea turtles had formed a huge circle around Current now in the center of the rotating sea creatures. Kelp that had been trying to keep up with the steady pace of the boats had finally caught up to the boats that for awhile had just barely remained in his sight. As he approached the boats he was the only one that was about to witness the miracle of birth at sea.


Post by Lace on Aug 18, 2016



*It is good to hear from you again! I was afraid you were too far behind. Can you see what is happening with our sea-friends? I think something special is happening!* Lace was so happy to hear Kelp again.

"Lord Tidas? We are slowing down.... I wish to go see what is happening." Lace didn't know what he wanted, because they needed to be together for safety, but Kelp was in the water too, she would be safe.
"Kelp should be joining us again by now, so I will be safe."
She waited for the answer, but started to take of her land-clothes and unbind her gills.

*Silvermoon, Kelp is alright. He has been alone for some time, he needs to adjust again to this many people. I will join him in the water, if Lord Tidas agrees.* She replied to her friend.

Post by Lace on Aug 25, 2016

Lace heard Kelp. Sea-urchins, those were delicious. **Thank you my friend, that is much needed food!** She greeted her friend and took over the urchins.

"WAIT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" She shouted at Lord Tidas, but she knew he wouldn't hear her. She shook her head in disbelief. **Kelp? What is happening? The animals have stopped and are acting strange....**
Suddenly Lord Tidas sended to all.



'A birth!! How wonderfull, this I have to see!' Lace looked at Kelp. "It has been a long time since I swam in the deep ocean, ever since I made Two Towers my home, will you guide me down?" Lace unwrapped her gills and took of her landclothes. Her spots were clearly seen because of the cold air.

She gracefully jumped in the water, the cold water felt refreshing and gently her gills made her adjust to the underwaterworld.


Post by Kelp on Aug 27, 2016

Kelp passed the urchins up to Lace, and was about to climb aboard when Lord Tidas sent to the lot of them. *My people everything is ok, Current is about to give birth.* Kelp felt honored to be considered one of 'His' people so quickly.

Lace looked at Kelp. "It has been a long time since I swam in the deep ocean, ever since I made Two Towers my home, will you guide me down?" Asked Lace of Kelp.

"Gladly, my friend." The more he interacted with Lace the more he remembered her. Flashes of being a young Pip, splashing and frolicking in the warm salty waters, learning how to self and coral shape from Snakeskin and Lace as his teachers, going out on hunting trips with his parents, Salt and Spray along with other Wave Dancers. As he watched Lace disrobed and dove into the water.

Kelp dove from the surface and followed her, spear at the ready in case any sharp-tooths decided to come in for an easy meal of the whale giving birth and her soon to be calf. Kelp had never seen such a thing before, though he had seen wave dancers giving birth and even was allowed to help once an elder mother who was having trouble due to her age. He had helped keep her near the surface, while Skimback the healer, helped ease her pain from the birth. Those had been happy times. Now to start making new happy memories. Kelp caught up to Lace and they swam towards the Mother-to-be and her entourage of attending marine creatures.


Post by Silvermoon on Aug 28, 2016

Silvermoon looked at the boat Lace was in and saw Kelp giving her something. Food? She started to like the man already. New to the group, but already thinking about what we need right now. She looked in the water
'Too bad there isn't a way to turn salt water into fresh water.' She thought to herself, 'but at least land is nearby!.'

Just before she could answer Lace she saw Tidas jump in the water, she stood up quickly, almost making her boat tumble and the others in her boats screamed suprised. "What is he thinking!! Does anyone know what is happening?" She looked at the others, but they were as suprised as her.....

In a groupsending Tidas explained what was happening. 'A birth? Current sure knew when to do this.' Silvermoon smiled. This might just be the one thing we needed. A happy event, a new cub to join the tribe.

**Lord Tidas, could you please share the birth with the ones who can't or aren't able to join you in this?**

Silvermoon saw Lace jump after Tidas and smiled. "Wouldn't it be great to join the Wavedancers? See the underwaterworld, meet new animalfriends and find plants to use for medicine or for food. Maybe even reshape some to create dwellings like our caves and trees?" The elves in her boat looked at her and shook their heads.
"Hahaha, you'll see! One day you will be as curious as me!"


Post by Lord Tidas on Sep 8, 2016

Tidas summoned the small gathering of his tribe folk that had decided to allow curiosity to get the best of them to join him inside the circle. There was so much movement now in the water he feared that Sharptooths would return and he did not want to be loosing anymore tribe mate anytime soon. Tidas knew that not everyone could join them so he sent out a visual sending so all could connect and enjoy the birth.

Current knew that it was time for her calf to be born so without warning she arched her back and her wonderful creation of life came into view. The elves just stared in amazement as the newborn calf swam around slowly at first and then picked up speed. Current swam underneath her newborn calf and gently nudged him upwards towards the waters surface. The elves still in the boats watched as Current and her newborn calf came to the surface. Both mother and child took in a deep breath of air and then sprayed water into the air as it fell upon those in the boats. The display had been enough for Tidas and his tribe members to forget their troubles almost completely but soon reality once again set in.

As Current and her the newborn calf swam out in front of the rest, the caravan of sea turtles and wavedancers followed their lead and the small boats full of precious cargo followed behind.

As Lord Tidas stood near the tip of the first boat he knew that within the hour the day star would completely vanish beneath the water and the darkness and cold would return and he feared that some would perish this night. His people had been given a valuable gift from the newcomer Kelp but they had been almost three days without fresh water. Suddenly Tidas felt a shiver as an unknown breeze blew what seemed right over his head. Why did he all of a sudden feel the need that they needed to change course just a little. Tidas sent to Current to change course as the small sails turned just enough to guide the small boats a little to the west.

Stars were already visible in the sky and last of the day stars light disappeared beneath the rippling waves. Tidas had given up hope of finding land before nightfall pulled his cloak tighter around his neck as the unknown breeze continued to hoover over them almost guiding them into the night. Without warning someone in the next boat shouted. "Land we've found land!"

Post by Lord Tidas on Sep 26, 2016

The small group worked hard racing against time to transport the wounded from the boats to a safe spot on the very small island. The wooded area of the island was higher up and it was a struggle as Tidas and the those able carried the wounded still in the safety of the preservers cocoons to the safety of the trees. Everyone pulled their weight to set up some primitive form of a camp. Firewood had already been gathered to build fires to help keep everyone warm.

Tidas knew that food was necessary for healing so he summoned the preservers to fly about the island to gather nuts and berries. Tidas had seen a few needle plants near where the boats had been pulled near the beach of the island. The plants stored their own water a valuable necessity that his weary tribe so desperately needed. He knew that with the aid of plantshapers the needle plants would provide more than enough. Each of the boats had already been equipped with touches that fisherman used to see at night while fishing. Once those were gathered a small group needed to search the island. The island was small but if there were any dangers on the island they must be discovered before he could rest that no further harm would come to his people while they rested.

As the small group explored the island no larger than a half a mile around discovered a small cave that was well hidden. Before entering the cave Tidas stopped the group. "We're not alone here, someone or something has been here recently."


Post by Silvermoon on Sep 30, 2016

Silvermoon worked her magic, tried to shape the old trees into a place for shelter, it was hard, the wood felt stubborn under her hands, but graduatly they bend to her will. It didn't look like much, but it would be enough to shield them from the sun, rain and wind.
She helped the others reach the shelter, made sure they were comfortable and returned to the beach. She overheard Kelp asking for a knife and gave hers to him. 'Water out of fish?' She knew of the plants holding water for the Dryseason, but this was new to her!

She stayed long enough to watch Kelp work. 'Amazing, how wonderous!' She then started to gather wood for the fire to keep everyone warm.


Post by Lace on Sep 30, 2016

Lace looked at Kelp. "I have heard of that, but I never guessed it to be true. Please show us." Silvermoon handed him a knife and stayed to watch as well.
She felt tired and useless. "I wish I could do something to help, but I fear that I am too tired to do something.... the swim underwater took more of me then expected. I am sorry."


Post by Kelp on Sep 30, 2016

Kelp took then knife and thanked Silvermoon to acknowledge he had control over it, "Thank you. Now, hold any fish like so. Make a cut from the top of the fish's head just before the top fin starts and cut down towards the eyes but not all the way to them. Then make a second cut at an angle closer to the mouth but above it. (About a 45 degree angle from the first cut.) Now remove the wedge piece, place the fish with the cut to your mouth, placing your lips over the cut, then hold the fish upside down while tilting your head back and suck the juice out." Kelp demonstrated each step slowly to those elves watching. Once finished draining the fish he smiled at those around him. "The flesh of the fish can be eaten still. But this is a way of staving off thirst when no other sweet water can be found."

Kelp passed the knife back to Silvermoon, and offered her one of his fish he had caught earlier. "Try", he said. Kelp then passed Lace a fish also and showed them both how to hold the slippery creature safely. Made easier by the fact these fish were already dead, but still fresh caught from the sea. Once each of them had successfully done the deed, Kelp retrieved the urchins, and looked along the high tide mark for a rounded egg sized rock to use as a hammer to open the urchins. Kelp deftly opened each urchin, and pointed out the edible parts to those elves watching. He took a token taste and passed one to Lace who he could see eyeing the delicacy. Kelp then took a piece of slightly dried seaweed and used it to chew on to clean his teeth and freshen his breath, and which he swallowed afterwards as it too was edible. "This sea weed is called elven moss, and has many uses. It can clean teeth, freshen breath, aids in digestion and helps strengthen the blood , it can be used to thicken soups, and when dried and ground to a powder can be used to help staunch blood loss from wounds. It grows on rock outcroppings in the tidal area. Unfortunately I do not have any prepared for such use." Looking up he noticed how many elves had gathered to listen to his sharing of knowledge, and he looked down in embarrassment at being the center of attention.