ENT: Exploring the watery cave

[dmw71]

"To the ship." Caelvanna agrees, then pauses: "Just gonna leave that thing here?" she asks, indicating the giant crab.

[Alethan]

"To the ship." Caelvanna agrees, then pauses: "Just gonna leave that thing here?" she asks, indicating the giant crab.

Bog replies,"Not even I can carry that by myself. I say we bring this other stuff back to the camp, then come back with others to get the crab and the rest of the crates. Hopefully we can bring back a light source to check out the lair further."

[tkrexx]

The Druid nods at the decision to return to the camp. I would prefer not to harm the young, Emm remarks, But clearly there is more to be found in that cave. This may not be a popular suggestion, but perhaps we could offer this kill to the Great Owl as tribute, if she would have it. Taking another look at the enormous crustacean, she adds, If she can carry it...

[Alethan]

The Druid nods at the decision to return to the camp. I would prefer not to harm the young, Emm remarks, But clearly there is more to be found in that cave. This may not be a popular suggestion, but perhaps we could offer this kill to the Great Owl as tribute, if she would have it. Taking another look at the enormous crustacean, she adds, If she can carry it...

"Hmmm...",Bog thinks for a moment before adding, "What if we offer her the big claw? That would be sommit she could carry off on her own. Then we could all partake of the feast."

[tkrexx]

Emm raises her eyebrows in a thoughtful expression. The idea might work!

[dmw71]

Warm thoughts of eating well-cooked fish aboard the Seahawk brings a rare smile to Caelvanna's face. 'The absolute best part about being on a boat' she thinks to herself. Her mind races with wondrous thoughts about what prepared crab must taste like and she tunes out her companions; allowing them to debate the merit of offering their crustacean kill to the crazy bird.

While she doesn't voice her thoughts, she secretly hopes the entire kill isn't sacrificed.

[Alethan]

do we even have enough butter on the ship for this honkin' big crab???

[Argennian]

~ Bogdan emerges from his swim in the crab den, and with a crate that looks identical to the one that went missing. He informs Emm and Caelvanna of what he saw down there and recommends they head back with what they have presently.

The other two island scouts agree, so the half-orc dons his banded mail and collects his gear. The small but heavy chest is moved off the ledge and placed into the re-serviced skiff, which still floats nearby, along with the crate Bogdan recovered from down in the crab tunnel.

As they prepare to head back out, Caelvanna starts a conversation about the giant crab lying there in the middle of the cave passage and what they should do with it. Bog points out that the three of them probably couldn't heft the giant crustacean's dead weight alone, and are probably better off getting some additional help from the ship to do so. Emm offers her thoughts on the creature's young in the underwater den below, and their potential future in regards to their next interaction. She also suggests that perhaps the mighty beast's carcass be offered as a meal tribute to the Giant Owl.
Bog considers the dead crab's huge bulk and heavy weight and suggests that there is more than enough to go around for a potential upcoming feast of sorts. It's big pincher looks to make a more manageable gift to fly off with to the big man. Emm nods in a manner to suggest that the proposed compromise isn't a bad idea at all whilst Caelvanna begins licking her lips with hungry eyes in anticipation of their upcoming seafood menu special! The half-orc fighter and young druidess see her detached, dreamy look as she considers more surf than turf in her future. They share a look and mutual smile in supposition with what the Wild elf must be thinking about.

With the chest and crate loaded up, the trio push the waterlogged dingy around the dead crab's giant bulk lying in the middle of the cave passage and make their way back out to the sunlight. They blink their eyes to help them adjust to the brightness and consider the short route around the rocky shore back to where the inlet begins. The foliage reaches down to and hangs over the waterline going that way but it is not far to get back and perhaps even shallow enough by the shore to simply walk their find back around to the ship.


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Actions?

Questions?


OOC: Okay, gents. We're finally back to normal service here. Apols for my delay and appreciations again for everyone's patience. Go ahead and declare any actions or statements and we'll move things back to the other thread when you get back to the hidden cove and meet up with the others.

I'm going to get the southern trail thread caught up as well and then make a post in the About the Ship & Cove thread when the party is all back together. As previously promised, I'll get the encounters and relevant experience notated and we'll move things forward. Well done in there, you three!

TOD: @ 11:05am of Day 1


HPs/Status: Bog 23/28 ; Caelvanna 25/25 ; Emm 10/10
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – spear ; Caelvanna – torch/short sword (arrows fired: 0) ; Emm – spear/SC (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location At the entrance of the watery cave: Bogdan , Caelvanna , Emm

[Alethan]

Once they are in the bright sun, Bog examines the chest more closely. Is it locked? What kind of condition is the wood in?

"Let's get this stuff back to the ship. I bet me left hand we can just walk the skill along the shore line back to the ship."

[Alethan]

Before they leave the cave, Bog asks Emm, "If we leave your owl friend her offering, do you know how to contact her to come get it, before some other island animal does? If so, we should do that now. Better to do so before many people want to help us make such decisions..."

[tkrexx]

No, Emm responds thoughtfully, But she indicated she would return this evening. If our shipmates' can lug the carcass to the beach-head for a feast, we'll simply save the large claw for her there. At least her young will not go hungry. As she prepares to assist Bog in towing the skiff toward the open water, she glances back at the crab. The crew may need to disassemble the creature before hauling it...

[Argennian]

~ Bogdan and Emm walk the waterlogged skiff out of the cave and to the left, discussing the logistics behind the delivery of tonight's proposed meal. Caelvanna puts the torch out and tosses it in the bottom of the rowboat before reequipping her bow and looking all about for trouble.

The shoreline is still shallow here but after about another twenty feet or so, it starts to get deeper. All along this shoreline, the big bushes and small trees are thick and hang way out over the water. You stop about thirty feet south of the cave entrance to assess the deeper water ahead. You can no longer hear voices or the usual sounds of construction, just the waves and surf. Must be lunch break?

You know that it can't be far now but in order to get the small re-serviced skiff and it's cargo back to camp, you'll likely have to float it around the brush for a distance no more than 60, maybe 70 feet.
"I'm not getting wet like you two!" Caelvanna opines as she slings her bow and jumps in the boat. It sags a bit in the rear but takes her weight and lets in no more water. She grabs an oar and smiles. "Hmm, don't think it would handle the weight. You two better hang onto the sides then..."

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OOC: ok then gents, let's move this over to the About the Ship & Cove thread here: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=1576#p59563

Once they are in the bright sun, Bog examines the chest more closely. Is it locked? What kind of condition is the wood in? ...

OOC: The small chest is locked, internally on the lid just like the one you found up in the clearing by the rat cave. It looks to have been down in that cave for a long time, as it's covered with muck and has a permanently damp look to it. But it is sturdy and appears solid, so you think the contents might not be compromised. It is heavy though, just like the last one.

[Argennian]

~ The party heads into the northern treeline along the main game trail and away from the beach HQ at the hidden cove. Other than getting slightly damp from contact with the accumulated dew on leaves and branches and having insects the size of small fruit buzzing about and scampering away from them, nothing else bars or surprises their progress. The wet, floral aromas are pleasant, and much milder in comparison to the evening ones. Birds and other unknown island denizens sing their morning songs in the distance. Within a matter of moments, the team makes it the 80 or so feet and out of the damp brambles to arrive in a small clearing.

The more-open than usual area here is only about ten feet in diameter but reveals a clear opening to the early morning sky above through the thick floral canopy. The main path continues ahead to the northeast, somewhat along the base of the cliff as previous, but is intersected by another game trail here. The new path runs westward towards the beach to the left and towards the base of the cliff and some thick bushes to the right.

The party makes a left and takes the trail that leads west. They travel another 50 yards or so, having to crouch very low at times to pass under thick branches and brambles, before breaking out into a small clearing of high grass. The game trail proceeds through the middle of the small 20 foot-wide by 30 foot long meadow and to the edge of what looks like a small bluff at the waters edge. The sound of the waves lapping against the shore emanate from ahead and below them. Bogdan, Caelvanna and Emm can also see another small game trail near the center of the small clearing that heads back northward into the brush and thick undergrowth.

Moving out of the clearing past a thicket of brush and bramble, the trail leads downward about twenty feet and then turns left, heading west again and descending down towards the water. The path appears to follow the northernmost edge of the clearing and bluff where they just were and arrives at the shore, where it splits into two directions.

To the left, through a clump of tall ferns, the trail appears to lead to what can now be seen as the entrance of a small cave or grotto. It is well hidden due all the low-hanging trees and brush and appears to be about 20 feet across and approximately 7-8 feet tall at center. The tide is out again and the water is not very deep here, perhaps only a few feet at most. A look just above the entrance of this hidden tunnel indicates the edge of the small bluff they just descended from. To the right, the game trail proceeds along the shoreline in a mostly northern direction. Other than the bootprints left previously by Bog, Caelvanna and Emm, there are some small animal tracks present.


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OOC: ok guys, need to confirm WIH (Weapons in Hand) and give me a generic marching order when moving out from here and when traveling from point to point. Please also confirm locations for your character while in searching/exploring mode.

TOD: 7:35am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)

HPs/Status: Bog 28/28 ; Caelvanna 25/25 ; Emm 10/10 , Lauranna 9/9 ; Ulrich 16/16
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – spear/back-up spears ; Caelvanna – bow/short sword (arrows fired: 0) ; Emm – spear/SC ; Lauranna - SC/short sword ; Ulrich – mace/SC (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location At the shoreline by the entrance to the watery cave: Bogdan , Caelvanna , Emm , Lauranna , Ulrich

[dmw71]

Caelvanna grips her short bow and nocks an arrow. She continuously scans the surrounding areas and will serve as a lookout from her current position, providing coverage for those that advance to explore the hidden cave.

[Alethan]

Though he feels much more comfortable with his sword in-hand while he goes underwater, he will use the fine Karagonian spear as a weapon, as it will probably work better. But until he goes underwater, and after he resurfaces, he will rely upon his longsword.

"Are you sure you want to stay out here," Bog asks Caelvanna. "After I check out the hole, we're gonna see what is further back in the cave. Not sure what we'll find yet."

Once they get to the hole, Bogdan will strip off his armour, take up the coin with the Continual Light spell on it (after someone else gets a torch lit, of course), the two small sacks (one with chum and one empty), and one of the spears, swallow one dose of the Underwater Breathing potion, and then slip under the water.

Once underwater, he'll go down to the bottom and then move into the tunnel. Once he sees where the Giant Crab youths are, he'll start spreading chum along one side of the floor of the tunnel to attract them to it and then swim above them to get back to the end of the lair to see what else he can see...

[dmw71]

"Ah," Caelvanna snorts. "The coverage I'll provide will be until the last person reaches the cave."

"I'll follow everyone else in." she clarifies.

[Alethan]

"Ah," Caelvanna snorts. "The coverage I'll provide will be until the last person reaches the cave."

"I'll follow everyone else in." she clarifies.

Ah, sorry! Misunderstood your intentions!

[Argennian]

~ Caelvanna's finger remains at the ready on her bowstring trigger while her sharp, Wild elf eyes search the immediate area for any signs of danger or trouble. She sees none and all is quiet. After confirming the plan with the party, Bogdan prepares to lead the others into the watery cave towards ledge and crab hole within.

They step off the shore and into about a foot and a half of cold sea water. They enter the watery cave and make it in about 10 feet, waiting for their eyes to adjust to the darker environ inside when a large ripple emanating from within arrives and passes them. They sense movement and can tell there is something in the cave ahead of them. A partially submerged shape begins to approach slowly out of the darkness. Judging by the outline and the size of the ripples, it's got to be fairly big...


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Actions?

Questions?


TOD: 7:35am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)

HPs/Status: Bog 28/28 ; Caelvanna 25/25 ; Emm 10/10 , Lauranna 9/9 ; Ulrich 16/16
WIH (primary/secondary): Bog – spear/back-up spears ; Caelvanna – bow/short sword (arrows fired: 0) ; Emm – spear/SC ; Lauranna - SC/short sword ; Ulrich – mace/SC (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location About 10 feet in from the entrance to the watery cave: Bogdan , Caelvanna , Emm , Lauranna , Ulrich

[Alethan]

"Bah..." mutters Bogdan, "It's the mate..."

He draws his sword and braces his shield. For half a second, he ponders a few more days of steamed crab legs for dinner, then he sets his back foot and prepares for another fight.

[Nuke66]

Lauranna steps into the water holding her short sword ready to defend herself. She is in awe of the surroundings, this being her first foray into the island. "Holy Crap" she mutters when the ripples appear.