Kraven looks over the side of the boat at the water an the depth of where the city is, "Anyone have anything to help with the breathing part?"

Varlan looks down into the water, and raises the hood of his cloak. "Nothing that I can share," he says with a shrug.

He turns back to the mer-people, wondering if they have a solution.

Mist cocks an eyebrow and a hip.

"That seems mighty hospitable of yeh. D'ya invite everyone what's not Blag Risk down?"

He looks around to his companions and nods before turning back to Azel.

"Treatin' with merfolk ain't exactly high on our priority list but I s'pose this rock we're lookin' for could've just as easily fallen into your city as anywhere else 'round these parts so we might as well. Trouble is, many o' these fine folk 'ere don't fair so well underwater as some of us finer specimens." He smiles as he thumps his chest. "Have yeh any means of assistin' them what with the breathin' and the like?"

Jecob the water genasi can breathe water and swim easily, so he will not require aid.
But like Varlan, nothing he can share with the others.

With a sound of annoince "Yes well, of course you can't all breath underwater.  Well, how many?"  And she starts to dig into her saddle bag and starts to pull out Marlin Skirts for those who need them.  "And you said you were searching the area for wealth unclamed, this is our area, should you wish to have the blessing of the city then come with me, should you like to take chances on your own then by all means, I fo not have to hand these over."

Kuatho raises 4 hands, calling down to the merfolk and stepping forward, “I would gladly take one.   Thank you!  How ….. “ his antennae are flicking about madly, “how exciting!”  

You can tell by his animated movements that he’s happier than a June bug.  One excited Oahtu.  

Varlan lowers his hood, and steps forward taking one of the skirts. "One of these will save me considerable effort," he says with a slow bow.

Happy New Year all.

Azel and her guards take you all directly below the golden spire you saw earlier, which is revealed to be just the top-most point for a massive gold and pink palace in the center of a beautiful merfolk city. Spires reach out into the ocean and beautiful multicolored lights rise up from the city. The shining colors reflected from the top of the spire create golden rays that sit above the city, illuminating it during the day. From high above, the shape of the city comes into view: opalescent spires and brightly colored homes made from stone, coral, and shell spread out for miles. A massive trench borders the city to the north - a dark scar upon the ocean floor.

Azel talks while you are all swimming "Welcome to Tesora d'Mar! You have arrived during  the city’s annual Abysmo Festival. This tradition dates back to the founding of the settlement. It is a weeklong festival involving elaborate costumes, incredible seahorse races, and people from all streams of life.  The festival brings in a wealth of commerce, and its success is vital to Tesora d'Mar’s economy."

Azel guides the group to the entrance of the incredible palace. Dozens of merfolk and other sentient sea creatures excitedly swim through the area, watching merfolk jockeys mounted atop giant seahorses weave through the tangled city streets. Azel swiftly moves you through the crowds and toward the grand entrance of the palace. Vibrant, multicolored fish scales cover the floor in winding, intricate patterns. The pearly walls stretch up to a wide, decorated ceiling. Across the entire ceiling, a mural displays a beautiful merfolk woman in shining silver armor, riding a giant black seahorse. The merfolk queen heroically faces down a horde of horrifying demons, hurling a mighty sword - the legendary Brightscale - into their hearts. At the far end of the hall sits a large throne constructed from a massive oyster shell.

In the grand chamber, two merfolk are engaged in a fierce debate on the other end. (Azel points out who each one are) Regenta Pominguez is a resplendent merfolk wearing a fine cloak made from shark leather, with a silver crown atop her wavy red hair. The other is Mago Solarté, an aging merfolk wearing robes of knitted seaweed. His long green beard is tangled with small starfish and the tips of his fins have turned white from age. The two merfolk are both posturing and shouting, hurling rude insults at each other.  Azel loudly clears her throat to interrupt. Mago Solarté then storms out, exclaiming, “You’re putting the whole city at risk!”

"Your royal magisty might I introduce some people from the serface to you."  Azel.

Varlan closes his eyes in dread. The crew had whispered of Mist's fatuous ramblings in the past, but he had not believed them. Now he knew the truth but...he seemed to get away with it, and why stand in the line of fire if others were willing?

Kuatho wants to behave appropriately and show the proper etiquette, so his chitinous legs bend and he makes a bowing motion, eyes wide and taking it all in.  “Honored to meet you.  My name is Kuatho, and I am Oahtu.  I don’t think that anyone of my race has been here and able to see such wonders.  We are explorers…” and at this, he falls silent, waiting for someone else to talk, looking over at Mist.

Kraven thanks Azel and watches Kuatho and Varlen put the item on and then he copies what they do. He squawks in alarm as his lower half changes as he flops on the deck of the hip and using his feathered hands moves himself to the water and flops in. He takes him a moment to orient himself and then realizes swimming is a lot like flying and goes zooming around the ship while everyone else gets ready.

With a smile on his beak he follows after the others, keeping to the back and looking around at all the sights. Half way though the city he shakes his head in annoyance and then make a point to look for any signs of the crystal.

Perception: 21

Kraven hearing the conversation will look to see which way Mago leaves and will try and see what room he goes into.

As the moments pass and Mist seems once again to have dozed off, Varlan turns to the queen, bowing low.

"Majesty," he says with a flourish. "It is as my companion says: We are explorers and come to you as supplicants. We have been tasked with seeking a strange stone that fell from the sky not so long ago, and believe that a part of it may be nearby."

"It is our desire, with your permission, to seek it and our hope that you may have news of it."

He takes a piece of parchment from his pack and works quickly sketching out a remarkable likeness of the last fragment that they found, "It may look something like this."

(( If necessary, persuasion + guidance: 13, though he is not really trying to persuade so much as inform and cover for Mist's lapse ))

Mist scowls, seemingly unaware of the attention being thrown his direction, puts a hand to his stomach, and lets out a loud belch. Bubbles float up and out of sight.

"Finally," he says. "Divin' deep always gives me indigestion."

He looks around the room, going back over everything that had been said again in his head before navigating the interaction with the grace and ease of a steamroller.

"My friend here may consider 'imself a vitamin, yer queenship, but I'm no more a supplement than a starfish. Name's Mis'tuv. But the guy wearin' a fish for a cape's right 'bout one thing: We're lookin' for a rock what fell to the sea somewhere 'round these waters. Couple other places we've checked out had some strange happenin's goin' on tied to the stones. 'Ave you noticed any changes or odd occurrences of late? New folk or creatures in yer waters? Mutations? People behavin' in bizarre ways?"

He grins and poses with hands on hips.

"We got a bit o' experience dealin' w' such things, ya see."

Quote from Ereshion >>

Varlan closes his eyes in dread. The crew had whispered of Mist's fatuous ramblings in the past, but he had not believed them. Now he knew the truth but...he seemed to get away with it, and why stand in the line of fire if others were willing?

Jecob is a bit puzzled by the conversation going on. (Beyond trying to decipher what Mist is saying.)

When he signed on, he was content to know that they were adventurers, traveling over the seas to make discoveries, and was re-assured they weren't pirates.
Maybe he should have done more investigating, like what they are trying to discover. (What is this rock that they are so obsessed about?)

At least for now, best not to interfere with these negotiations by asking untimely questions.

(You all would know that you have all of the fragments and are currently looking for the star itself, I thought I said that a while back but it is more than probable that I didn't. 

Regenta Pominguez swims forward with a large smile on her face, "How exciting, but I am sorry I have no help to give to you.  You are welcome to search for the star all you wish.  But keep in mind that the true treasure of Tesora d'Mar are the memories made while visiting.  Especially now! We have just started our Abysmo Festival, so there are plenty of things to do, and see."

A fishfolk swims into the room, approaches Regenta Pominguez quietly and speaks with her then she continues to speak.  "I do have a very busy day ahead of me, please enjoy yourselves."  She then starts to swim away to a back door.

Azel bows as the Regenta leaves looks to you and says, "Well then behave yourselves, I would not want to see you again."

(we of course can retcon anything with Azel but Pominguez has left without giving us a chance to continue to talk.)

1

The astral compass leads you to the North Side of the city.

As you are on your way you go past an alley and 4 merrow push you all into the alley where there are 2 more merrow.  One of them speak up, "This is Marlobo territory, 50 gold each, for protection."

Kraven woudl have wanted to do an insight check on Regenta: 16

She is a refined stateswoman, and is really pleasantly surprised with you all.  She knows nothing of a “Fallen Star.” And does seem upset about the argument.

Quote from coachmanak >>

As you are on your way you go past an alley and 4 merrow push you all into the alley where there are 2 more merrow.  One of them speak up, "This is Marlobo territory, 50 gold each, for protection."

Jecob takes their words at face value (and is not being a smart-ass).

"I do not know why the 6 of you are so afraid that you are trying to hire us, but we are too busy at the moment, with personal business.
I am sure there are others in this city who would protect your group for 300 gold."

Kuatho chimes in along with Jecob, starts to do stretching exercises, kicks and punches as a demonstration, saying “You need our protection?  You wish to hire us?  I pack a powerful punch” he says enthusiastically.