Catching the tail end of the conversation regarding the Skull Cave, Rain squeezed the water from her shirt tails and spied Flynn by the rail, seemingly ready to dive into the water.
"Flynn, hold. If we are to search the cave, we do so together. Do not swim out there, alone. We can take a boat to the shore when the time comes. Let us make plan before rushing headlong."
Seijiro moves to stand by Rain's side to support her statement... "Ran-san's right, we should make a plan and all go together."
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As you prepare to leave, Sandara says she will signal if the ship is being attacked and needs help by ringing the ship's bell loudly three times. She will follow up with two rings if it is a false alarm and they do not require assistance.
You easily make your way to very small beach nestled up against the cliff. The cliff is quite easy to climb as it has lots of handholds and footholds. The wind whistles along the cliff face and provides a nice breeze from the heat of the afternoon. Sea birds and nesting mothers scatter as you ascend, giving you ample opportunity to pick up a few eggs for your supper if you'd like. The mouth of the skull is not a cave, you can now see, but a shallow crevasse with a large quantity of what looks like pyrite in the back. This must be the glint of gold you saw.
There are two caves above you, the "eyes" of the skull.
Seijiro taps Adular and Rain and collects his potions back since they weren't needed, stashing them in his pouch. He will wear the haversack in case treasure IS found, and will be wearing his "normal" gear, but leaving unnecessary stuff in his cabin Tomo will be nearby, climbing on his own up the side of the cliff, hopping from cliff-face to Seijiro's shoulder and back again at odd random moments.
Seijiro is cautious of potential traps in and around the caves:
Adular feels the tap on the shoulder, grins and hands it back over, "Part of me was hoping you'd forget it, but thanks again Seijiro. I'm glad I didn't need it."
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Variel followed rain and Adular out in the boat to ensure their safety. With nothing found he helps them into the boat for the trip back to the ship. Once there he joins in the conversation about the cave and nods his agreement with Flynn that that is the next logical place to go. Disappearing for a moment Variel heads to his cabin to divest himself of unneeded gear and double checks to make sure he has the bag of holding emptied with him. He also keeps his clothing to a minimum wearing pants and his shirt with his armor over top. Cutlass and both daggers are along as well as his potions and spell component pouch. He places the bottle of air in his belt pouch but leaves his hat on his bed. As an after thought he grabs the deep platinum amulet and hangs it around his neck. If the Sahuagin were attracted to it then he would gladly be their target.
Once his preparations were complete Variel joins the rest of the officers and Amen-set to search th cliff. The climb was fairly easy (take 10) for Variel but he stopped periodically to make sure that Dhaavan did not run into any problems.
Aid climb
At Jiro's tap on her shoulder, she shook herself out of her reverie and apologised, "I meant to give this back as soon as I was deckside. My apologies, and, again, thank you.", handing over the invisibility potion to the kitsune.
Already having two of her weapons on her person (magical pike and cutlass) and feeling they were sufficient enough, Rain collected her pack and only the most essential of items (her potions, food and water, rope, Svingli's Eye), so as to not burden herself for the climb ahead of them. She wore her Mithral shirt, the tricorne and amulet (+2 natural Armour). She asked Neko if she wanted to join her or remain on the ship and allowed the cat to make up her own mind (as she generally did).
At the base of the cliff, she used the ready hand and foot holds to easily climb the side, aiding anyone who had a harder time up the incline. She kept her eyes peeled for anything strange, noteworthy or threatening.
Imm, We check the map to see if there is any indication on the map of which eye looks like the symbol or if the king is missing an eye. Otherwise, lets do the left eye? unless one looks more heavily trafficked, as checked by someone with perception?
Dhaavan puts on his adventuring cloths, throws his shield-cloak over his shoulders, and checks his magical items, spell components, his wrist-sheaths and daggers, and pulls his hat down over his other headgear before setting off for the boat.
Gy-uuull climbing Dhaavan mumbles as he starts up the rock-face
after two false-starts Dhaavan is able to climb up with the assistance of the Elves Thank you both, quite kindly, gotta figure out a spell for that too
when entering, DHaavan grabs the hem of his cloak, letting it harden into a shield for protection if they are surprised, while Jak keeps a weather eye out
hp:32 (Str6 due to 1 damage)
AC 15, touch 12, ff 13
Adular is not a good climber, so he switches to his leather armor after tucking his magic breast plate into his bag of holding and will take near the last of those going up. He'll also have a rope hooked around him if anyone else is hooked to one, the better to keep from plummeting to death. And is very grateful for the help.
"Damn..."
He struggles and tries again
The next time, he gets it, "whew. I'll never make rigger, but I got there at least."
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The climb started out slow and tedious as both Dhaavan and Adular had trouble initially. However once Rain lead the way and Variel helped from the back they were able to make headway. Slow and steady guys, no rush. that rock there is loose so don't put your weight on it. Shift your foot to the outcropping there and you will be able to boost yourself up into the first cave.
"Good advice."
A narrow earthen opening ascends into the cliff above. The cave mouth is a tight fit behind the screening vines and roots, but it looks accessible with a little effort. The tunnel climbs to a point just below the island’s surface. Sunlight filters faintly through a rent in the earth above, where a gargantuan tree grows down into the rocky soil, its prodigious root system blocking any further progress ahead. The fissures
and crevices in the bark of the tree’s trunk, just visible at the roof of the tunnel, vaguely resemble a wrinkled human visage with a craggy crown upon its brow, while the spread of roots below seems like the hoary growth of an ancient beard.
Adular wipes the sweat from his brow when he joins the others top side.
Watch where you're walking idiot Jack whispers to his sorcerous perch. Eyes up, what's with the skull there?
Dhaavan glances where Jack is looking and suspiciously on it, and on the face, just in case.
Mindful of her tread and carefully examining the roots, Rain made a discovery and informed the others,
"Look, here, a skull and its eye sockets are pointed down at the rocky soil."
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After it is pointed out to Variel he too sees the skull. Strange that it would be in that position. Buried treasure perhaps or something more devious?
Looking up at the rent in the ceiling with the shaft of light shining down Variel looks at Dhaavan. Would you send Jack up to see what is directly above us. I assume a tree but there might be more to this up on top of everything. Either that or I can try and climb to the top and peer down.
I'll ask Jack to look, yea, Dhaavan says absently as he casts
jack: to take a look up top
Upon Variel's conjecture of it being something more sinister, Rain turned to Jiro and quietly asked the kitsune,
"Jiro, are you able to determine if this is a trap? I do not want to lead with the presumption that it is simply a clue to the treasure. "
Rain's eyes strayed to the very large tree growing down into rocky soil.
Seijiro attempts to discover if the skull is or leads to a trap.
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Jack finds out that...yep it's a tree.
Rain finds out that it is a Ceiba pentandra which is a tropical tree of the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae (previously separated in the family Bombacaceae), Kapok is the most used common name for the tree and may also refer to the cotton-like fluff obtained from its seed pods. The tree is cultivated for the seed fibre, particularly in south-east Asia, and is also known as the Java cotton, Java kapok, silk-cotton, Samauma, or ceiba. Kapok is the most used common name for the tree and may also refer to the cotton-like fluff obtained from its seed pods. The tree is cultivated for the seed fibre, particularly in south-east Asia, and is also known as the Java cotton, Java kapok, silk-cotton, Samauma, or ceiba.
Seijiro discovers that the devious skull dirt trap is...not a trap.
"Well the skull and the area on the ground that it is looking at are not traps... that's good news."
Shall we get a closer look at the skull? Dhaavan will examine it closely to see if there are hints as to the reason it was so specifically placed
She recollected the tree readily enough and shared the lore with any who would listen,
"The common name for this tree is Kapok because of the the cotton-like fluff obtained from its seed pods. The tree is cultivated for the seed-fibre. I have heard that the silk-cotton can fetch a pretty coin or two." The last was something she remembered her grandfather telling her of privateers who hit ships carrying cotton and other commodities.
Jiro's voice suddenly cut through her thoughts as he declared the skull trap free.
Turning her eyes back to the skull among the roots, she attempted to recollect any knowledge/rumour of bones used as markers and positioned in such a manner.
To her companions, she merely reflected, "Look beneath the rocky soil. Such bones have been used to mark the location of buried objects."
Jiro sighs and rolls his eyes... "This is my fault... I am in charge of equipment after all and we came to find hidden treasure... I should have thought to bring a shovel or two. This won't happen again. I promise."
He gets down with his own dagger and aids Variel loosening earth and digging.
"eh, the idea eluded us all, don't be too hard on yourself. I could try to create water over it. Not sure if that would make the soil softer though as it looks to be pretty rocky to begin with."
After about a foot of digging you hit wood. It will not budge however if you try to lift it out. Almost as if it's set into the rock.
"Maybe we should dig outward now and try to find the edges of the wood." And he proceeds to do that... still keeping an eye out for traps.
Yep...it's set into the rock. Your may have to break through it.
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Dont worry about it Jiro. We will get there in time.
Once the wood is exposed and there is no latch that they can see Variel looks to Jiro, Watch out Jiro I am going to try and burst it open. If you have a rope to tie around me I would be greatful as I don't know what I underneath. once tied off and secure Variel will do what he can to break the wood.
Str check
"I don't have any rope... there was always plenty on board ship, never thought to have my own. Hope someone else has one." He looks to the others.
Adular nods, and throws one end of a silk rope down "Pure silk, that rope is. Cost me a pretty penny, but better than the regular stuff."
Variel leaps up into the air and with a crash, bursts through the wooden slats...and falls completely through into a chamber beyond. It drops thirty feet to the still, dark surface of water below. The broken remnants of a wooden platform and stair cling to the wall, but the structures themselves have long since rotted away and dropped into the inscrutable depths.
You all manage to catch your Captain before he hits the floor. There is a single dark exit leading off to the north.
Seijiro, not very strong, still lends his hand at catching Variel before he drops totally into the depths. He's glad he's wearing gloves to prevent rope burn. Looking down into the pit, he creates floating lights that illuminate the space (sla, dancing lights). "Looks like we've got a little underground complex here... " WHile others hold the rope, he climbs down and joins Variel, letting his lights float down the hallway to the north, illuminating it for a short distance.
"Captain, don't be dying now. I can't fix that yet," Adular says down the hole.
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As Variel burst through a loud shout erupted from him as he did not expect to go tumbling through. WHHHOOOOAAAAHHHH coming up short with a jerk Variel was glad he had the rope attached to him. Dangling there in the darkness he was glad Jiro cast light to be able to see.
Calling up to the others, Dont worry Adular I am good. There is a cave down here but it's mostly filled with water. There are also signs that a ladder and platform were here. That means that we are on the right path to finding this treasure. If don't see anything in this room yet but there is a passage to the north. Haul me up please and we can tie the rope off to the tree so we can all get down here.
As they stepped foot on the beach and Rain looked up the vine covered cliff-face, she turned to Neko,
"Perhaps it is better for you to stay down here, Neko, hidden on the beach, as lookout. If any danger comes, send me warning, and if there is much danger, do not linger and teleport back to the ship and be safe."
Neko sent back a swift broken telepathic message to her mistress, //Protect...Warn...Go.//
Rain hoped the golden cat would follow the instruction, but she was known to defer to her own judgement from time to time.
Neko watched her mistress climb the vines and was proud of her prowess.
Looking into the foliage and such by the base of the cliff, Neko searched for and found a suitable hiding place and waited.
Since Adular's rope was offered, Rain did not tender hers at the present time. They may have need of more than one rope in the cave soon enough.
When Variel burst through the wooden slats, she breathed in hard and gripped the rope tight, working with the others to keep him from dropping.
At the sound of his voice and assurances that he was uninjured, Rain began to help the others pull Variel up.
As he drew closer to the top, she murmured to him "Don't do that again", hoping he would understand her concern/meaning.
"And, if we require more rope, I brought some with me - silk like Adular's."
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Variel gives Rain a level look before he has to avert his gaze. I understand yet I can not in good conscience ask someone to do what I would not. Looking up he continues on, However in this situation I feel that Adular would be best to descend first. With the water down there he will be able to move and keep watch while the rest of us descend. How far underwater the path leads I don't know. It could only be a shallow area or end abruptly.
Upon Variel's words, Rain gave a brisk nod and mutely waited for the Besmaran priest to get into place as they tied the rope to the Kapok tree and tugged it to see if it would hold.
Ugh, climbing and swimming. sometimes i forget how much i hate both of those, Careful Cap'n. Dhaavan also a little light along their path. Whatcha see down there Jack?
The tunnel moves off for about 30 feet before the roof begins to swoop down, towards the water. It continues sloping down until it meets the water. In it appears that this cave system is a network of underwater tunnels.
Adular gets in position, "Ready when you folks are I suppose. Don't worry Captain, I'm really getting to enjoy this vest"
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Variel nods to Adular to descend, Jiro is down there already with a light as well. The path seems to dip underwater. Once Jiro and you give the all clear that there are no traps then we will join you below. witht eh rope tied off we can easily climb back up if we need to. Stay within sight of each other and don't go too far.
Providing the path is clear Variel will haul the rope up and offer to lower Dhaavan in the water and then Horatio.
Providing that Horation and Dhaavan go down before Variel and Rain, Variel will gather the rope up and turn towards Rain with a lecherous look on his face. Coming closer he whispers in her ear. At last we have some privacy without them or Neko around, before giving her a kiss on the ear and giving her a squeeze. How long before they start hollering for us to join them?