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Low Tides May Reveal Wreckage of Karrn ‘Tribute Fleet’  REKKENMARK—Unusually low tides next month might expose the sunken ships that once carried Khorvaire’s greatest treasures to Karrn the Conqueror, an academy scholar said on Zor.
Jarragan ir’Krannau, a “historical astronomer” affiliated with Rekkenmark Academy’s Karrn Studies program, said the northern shore of Karrnath could briefly experience minus tides of 10 feet to 20 feet. And along the eastern shore of Karrn Bay, known for its tidal surges, the waters might recede even further.
The minus tide might reveal more than a dozen galleys that sunk in a sudden storm in –980 YK. The ships were part of the “Tribute Fleet” that brought gold, jewels and dragonshards from various regional warlords to Karrn the Conqueror, ir’Krannau said.
The minus tide may attract some fortune hunters, ir’Krannau said, but the remote, dangerous terrain near the wreckage site would make a treasure-seeking expedition difficult.
“There’s also no guarantee—someone may have already plundered the ships,” he said. “And the records from the time aren’t clear on whether the fleet was inbound or outbound when it sank.”
Regardless of what’s in the hold, careful study of the tribute fleet represents a treasure-trove of historical lore for scholars, ir’Krannau said. Shipwrecks in northern waters tend to be well-preserved, so scholars will get a glimpse at life aboard Karrn’s navy two millennia ago.
“At the academy, we glory in every detail about Karrn’s land campaigns, but his naval efforts have always been in the background,” he said.
A team of Rekkenmark Academy scholars leaves next week for the Karrn Bay coastline, ir’Krannau said. When the tidal outflow reveals the ships, the scholars will learn as much as they can before the waters reclaim the tribute fleet.
About the Author
David Noonan is a designer/developer for Wizards of the Coast. Before coming to Wizards, he was a daily newspaper reporter in Washington state. Apparently the city hall beat is good practice for an Eberron campaign.
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