*spoilers all books* Dragon Haven, Enjoy it? Hate it?

[Lord Punctual]

I don't believe that the silver Skill-water is responsible for the acidic nature of the Rain Wild River. When Tarman runs aground at the junction of the Rain Wild River,of the two forks in the river, one is described as being wide, milky white, and clearly the source of the flood. This river is clearly the source of the acid in the river, and all of the characters, (except Tarman) believe that this is the Rain Wild River. I think that the acid in the water can be chalked up to regular volcanic activity. In volcanically active zones, sulfury (not a scientific term) gasses rising through ground water combine to form sulfuric acid ib the water, which gives the water a milky appearance. Also, it makes the water, you know, burny.

On the other hand, the other river is more shallow, clear, fresh, and full of life. Thymara is amazed to see frogs swimming in the water, because frogs, being thin-skinned amphibians, can't abide the corrosive water. When they travel up the river, the encounter more "normal" wildlife like frogs, small birds, and minnows, and the flora includes fragille things like rushes that don't grow in the rain Wild River. The dragons, although certainly not happy about spending all day and night standing in water, don't suffer the split claws and softening scales that they did in the main river. If this river were acidic, I don't think they would have survived. Even Tintaglia found that the water irritated her scales after brief exposure. Of course, the river was running more strongly white, then, after the earth quake that collapsed Frengong.

I do think that the silver water is responsible for the strangeness of the Rain Wilds. Here's how I think it works.

I think that the disaster that killed the Elderlings was period of geological turmoil. I think that the missing chunk of Kelsingra abruptly subsided. The silver water underlies, and is heavier than, regular water. When that chunk subsided and the river rushed in, the silver water was exposed and washed into the river. (I have a whole theory about the demise of the elderlings, and will post it elsewhere.) At first, it was a great amount, but over time it slowed to a trickle. Even this trickle was enough for Kettle and Verity to gain a skill-coating on their arms and hands. It is also enough to wash downriver and spread out into the low lying Rain Wilds, spreading strangeness as it goes.

Sorry for the choppiness, I'm typing one-handed today and it is surprisingly strenuous.