The water and currents are warm this far south in the Realms as you enter the water.  The sea floor is sandy and soft to the touch with very little cover for 50 feet around you.  The lagoon is about 20 feet deep under the Shoalrider's keel.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 17:19, Tue 02 Jan 2007.

Varul decends into the warm water in relishes the feel of the rejuvenating sea water on and in him. He looks at the Capn and says "Shall we head on out."

A large shark wanders its way through the lagoon and approaches the captain who calls to it in Aquan.  He then turns to Varul and says, "Yes.  We should go slowly though to give the other team time to make it through the jungle terrain.  Also we don't want to run into any surprises on the way ourselves.  Are you going to be able to swim in that armor of yours?"

In Aquan Varul greets the shark. He then glances at you, "Armor? Oh my armor....I cannot even tell I wear any once in the water." He smiles to be back at home and away from the alien environment of the surface at its painful air.

OOC: You have to remember I am of the sea as is all my equipment.
      And his shield is in his haversack (if that is what you are referring too)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:24, Sat 09 Dec 2006.

The captain shrugs and begins to shift his shape into a medium shark.  Once the transformation is complete he swims with his animal companion and heads towards the mouth of the lagoon.  "Let's see how much mischief we can cause today, shall we?"

You never knew a shark could almost grin.....

Vraul smiles and easily follows after the Capn. He is happy to be back in his element.

Once around the edge of the protected inlet and lagoon and into the open sea the sea floor terrain changes from sandy to a more rocky outcropping terrain with the depth varying between 80 to 150 ft.  You can see waves and surf crashing above you into the rock wall cliff of the coast on your right.  To the left you see the beginings of a corral reef, but it's fairly far off.

You have about a 2 mile swim to get to the pirate cave entrance.  Along the way you do notice a few ship wrecks on the ocean floor as well the expected predators and sea life; the occasion shark and octopus and a variety of fish and plant life.

OOC: Roll a spot, listen, and initiative check for me

Varul joyful swims through the depths of the water...only using the surge and currenmts when it will increase his speed.

Spot: 8
Listen: 9
Initiative: 5

OOC: Ha! lets see you beat those rolls.

As you make your way down the coast line the captain periodically talks with the animal life in the area; picking up information here and there of what is up ahead of you.  You pass over several small shipwrecks overgrown with algea and other small critters as if they have been there a long time and the sea life was making use of their new homes.

Several sharks, barracuda, and eels swim by during these conversations.  A couple of times the captain appears concerned and surprised.  He then turns to Varul saying,  <aquan>"Be on your guard, Varul.  According to the animals in the area there appears to be some sea hags about as well as a large octopus preying about in area."</aquan>

You do notice the occasional depression in the rock cliff wall that may be a submerged cave entrance, but you are not certain without a closer look.

The captain then flinches suddenly.  <aquan>"Did you see that?  Over there on the high part of that corral reef over there.  Something reflected the sunlight for an instant."</aquan>

Varul readies his heavy underwater crossbow and is ready to produce his trident. He says <aquan>"I saw nothing reflected the sunlight...only down there..what looks like a cave entrance. Should I go check out the flash of light...it may be a large fish."</aquan>

<aquan>"Check out the reflection of light.  If it's a gem stone then collect it in a separate bag and look for more of them.  Sea hags will use them to spy the area around their territory and lairs.  It would be better if they did not know we are in the area.  Also keep a look out for that octopus.  If we can convince it to help us it would make a great distraction for when we enter the pirate cave.</aquan>

<aquan>"Aye , aye. I shall check out the reflection of light."</aquan> Vraul responds and swims ofto check out the flash. If it is a gem he will do as instructed. But he is wary, for he knows predators are everywhere.

As you swim over to the high point of the reef you see a school of small fish swimming in a tight circle above a part of the reef.  As you approach them you notice the gem stone (about an inch in diameter) the captain was talking about lodged in rock to take advantage of the 360 degree view of the area.  You are basically on top of a large underwater hill or mountain with a panoramic view.

Just on the other side of this hill and gem stone you look down into a deep underwater canyon that you don't see the bottom of and light seems to be absorbed by the blackness of its depths.

Vraul will take out an empty bag and then place it over the gem. He will then pry the gem out and manuver it to the bottom of the sack.

He does not turn his back to the depths. Since the school of fish in a tight circle usually indicates danger. He keeps a careful watch out while he works.

With his strength Varul can dislodge the gem without too much effort.  Once Varul finishes putting the gem in his sack the swarm of fish swim around him quickly a few times and then swim off on their merry way.

The captain and his large shark companion continue to slowly swim along their base course.  There are also 3 additional sharks swimming lazily behind them.  An eel about 60 ft from you and between you and the captain seems to float on the next ridge of corral as if waiting for you...

Varul will put the sack away and head off toward the Capn..but not straight for him so as to go over the eel. But at a vector in front of him so as to meet him where he will be,so a 45 degree angel in front of him and away from the reef where the eel is at.

Vraul stays aware of what is around him. Crossbow ready.

As Varul makes his way back to the captain the captain and his entourage adjust course a little to link up with Varul.

The Captain replies, <aquan>"Any problems?  Did you get it?  Good.  If you see any more we should pick them up and collect them for later, so we can wipe out their nest later.  We do not want a sea hag or hags living this area.  That's all we need is is someone who can control the weather operating in the area on a regular basis and destroying ships in the process."</aquan>
This message was last edited by the player at 23:27, Fri 15 Dec 2006.

<aquan>"Aye , aye Capn. I shall gather all I see. And look forward to fighting the hags...we do not need our air breathing friends harmed by them."</aquan> Vraul responds as he follows his Capn, yet looking for more gems used by the  hags.

The rest of the journey is fairly uneventful.  The captain seems to somehow befriend every animal creature in the reef and gets them to scout the area ahead of you for you.  They even find four more gems along the way and point them out to you.

You also eventually come across that large octopus hiding along the sea floor in the reef and the captain is able to persuade it to change hunting grounds for a while; the captain showing it the way to plentiful food.

Varul obediently and quietly follows along.

OOC: Hmm, is a large octopus an aberation ...LoL

Sorry... No such luck. 8~}

The captain make his way to the sea cave entrance.  As you swim up to the rock cliff face it appears that the entrance has an illusion spell concealing the cave entrance.

The captain's shark fin passes through the illusion to show where it is and communicates this to the animals that have followed you up to this point.  The octopus and sharks each in turn test the barrier in there own way.  The octopus eagerly makes its way inside looking for food....

The captain holds back before entering and says.  <aquan>"Let's see if we can get those sea hags to do some of our dirty work for us, shall we.  Varul, take out one of those gem stones we collected and destroy it.  It should get the attention of the sea hags quite nicely.  Then place another gem stone half in and half out of the illusion concealing the cave entrance, so the hags can figure out where we have gone."</aquan>

"<aquan>Yes sir! Right away."</aquan> Vraul says with a big smile. Loving how willy his Capn is. He takes out one stone and places it on a stone, takes another and crushes it between them. Once the first gem is broken he will take out a second and place it so it straddles the illusionary wall as ordered.

"<aquan>Sir! Shall we move out of the way and give the hags a wide bearth?"</aquan> Vraul ask?

It takes a bit of doing(even for Varul strength), but Varul is eventually able to break the gem stone.  On the final smash of the stone Varul could almost hear a very low sound like a high pitched scream coming from the gem.  As he places the second gem in the location specified by the captain for an instant Varul sees the image of an eye within the gem looking about...

Varil swims off and down behind a rock or reef as soon as the eye apears.

<aquan>"You wont be able to hide forever, Varul.  Besides we want them to follow us inside and I can't maintain this form for too much longer.  Let's see if we can't infiltrate inside for now and gather more information."


He then swims through the illusion into the pirate's cave...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:34, Fri 22 Dec 2006.

<aquan>"I was hopen they would pass us by and enter the cave system,"</aquan> Vraul says. <aquan>"But that is why yer the Capn...ye got the brains."</aquan>finsihes as he follows the Capn and swims through the illusionary wall.

Each square is 20"x20"

As the captain and Varul enter the cave entrance they see the above area.  If it wasn't for the fact that you are in an underground cave the scene before would be the same as any busy dock area of a city's harbor.  There is a ship on both sides of each dock.  The ships on the left side of the map appear to be captured vessals being repaired and rerigged for sea.  The ships on the right side of the map each have a dragon figurehead on the bow of the ship; each a different dragon color (red, blue, white, black, green).

Varul nods at the Capn to let him know he see's all the ships. But he wants to make sure they are the only ones under the water...so he checks that area with a quick scan to make sure.
[Private to DM Songwind: Spot: 15]

The huge octopus, the captain, and his animal companion make their way towards the nearest ship dock area on the left side of the map.

There are 5 medium sharks and a huge octopus now in the area underwater.  The depth of the cavern underwater varies from 30ft-50ft and is a solid rock bottom with the occasional algea and barnicals on the sea floor.  There is a spring in the upper right corner of the water area on the map that causes a gentle current out the way you came.

There does not appear to be any other living things under the water.

Once he is sure of his findings, Varul will follow after his Capn. He looks to see what his orders are. he knows his companions are on the way via the surface. And the hags should be here soon.

The captain talks with the octopus for a few moments; motioning towards the nearest left dock area and cave wall.  The octopus slowly drifts that way and the captain motions Varul up to him....

OOC: give me a Profession(sailor) check
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Tue 26 Dec 2006.

<aquan>"We'll move to the second dock area and wait for our friend ", as me motions towards the octopus, "to create a distraction for us and then see about getting out of the water and blending in with the crowd.  I want us to act as comrads in arms and not as me being your superior.  We'll find the prisoner area and see if we can enlist more allies in wiping out this haven of scum.  We will need all the help we can get with what appears to be five raiding ships, about 150+ pirates to man them.  We will have our work cut out for us.  I hope the other group wrecks enough havoc to keep the pirates confused and off balanced."</aquan>

The captain then makes his way to the second dock area under the water and begins to shift his shape back into a human form.  He swims under the dock near support column and pokes his head through the surface of the water; listening and waiting for the right moment to climb up on the dock....

Varul swims over to the Capn and listens. He replies with an afirmative and waits for a chance to blend in.

Profession (sailor) check: 20

The five dragon figurehead ships are known as the "Sea Dragon's Brotherhood".  A group of pirate captains working together as a group and responsible for many raids on costal towns and merchant vessals in this area.

The light(fireworks) display two nights ago on the horizon was probable a Sea Dragon attack on a merchant convey.  It would explain all of the captured ships in the cave harbor and was probably a very good reason for the attack.

You also know that the figureheads are animated objects that actually use the breathe weapon of its dragon type.

These are not amateurs....

Varul whispers to the Capn, <Aquan>"You do know that them figureheads on der ships are animated objects that actually use the breathe weapon of its dragon type. And we should look to make sure I am not the only of my species in their groups.</aquan> Varul says with caution.

The captain and Varul begin to hear sqweaks of surprise and splashes coming from the other docking area.  You begin to notice several of the medium sharks that followed you into the cavern and the captain's animal companion start heading in the direction of the splashing noise.

It turns out that the octopus is snaring people from the dock and causeway, dragging them underwater, and either eating them itself or drowning them for the sharks to finish off.  The scent of blood in the water begins to be more pronounced as time passes....

Eventually, someone raises an alarm and men with weapons begin to start showing up and attacking the octopus' tentacles....

The dock above the heads of the captain and Varul become active with activity, but soon becomes quiet as the deckhands move to deal with the octopus....

"Slow and steady now.  Let's make our move.  Once we are top let's make it appear we're joining the pirate's to defeat the octopus.  Eventually I want to make our way to the cave passage on the left side on the cavern.  That's probably where any prisoners would be held since it's the closest area to the repair ships.  The pirates probably off loaded them there once the captured ship made it here."

The captain slowly peeks over the rim of the dock to see if anyone is paying attention to them and climbs up the onto the end of the dock.  He then waits for Varul to catch up with him and makes his way down the dock towards the crowd....

"Yes sir," Vraul says making a trident appear in his hands as soon as he is out of the water. Its not to hard to look like a pirate since he is a sailor and a race most fear. "Ready when you are." vraul says as he starts to move toward the crowd.

As the captain and Varul make their way to the end of the dock they can see other people, probably pirates, rushing to the scene of the tentacle attacks.

You notice small pockets of people trying to get organized to make a more effective attack against the octopus' attacks while the octopus drags 8-10 people at a time into the water to drown and eaten either by the sharks or the octopus itself.  The pirates in the immediate area appear to be more carpenters and shipwrights repair the damaged captured vessels and not very well armed.

OOC: make a spot and initiative checks at this point.

Spot: 13
Init.: 3

The octopus is making a great distraction for you and allows Varul and the Captain to slip by the press of pirates trying to kill the octopus down the causeway wall out of the reach of the octopus' tentacles.  With the atmosphere of panic and fear slowly changing to determination and anger pirates soon arrive with ranged weapons (crossbows and bows) in the area to stop the octopus.  They begin to attack; letting fly a hail of arrows and bolts into the air to land in the water and the submerged creature.  The octopus makes 2-3 more rounds of attacks and then retreats to the submerged cavern floor; eating its fine catch of meat.  The sharks also dine of drowned pirates currently in the water; leaving a blotchy red spot of blood and human remains in the water.

You notice as you move along the causway wall south on the map to the cave entrance there the double doors along that wall are half open; giving you a view of barrels, lumber, bundles, and chests in what appears to be a warehouse/storage room.  This is probably where materials are stored for repairing captured ships.

The captain and Varul make it to the southwestern cave entrance without too much trouble.  The groups of pirates in the immediate area start breaking up; going back to their duties...

OOC: Just let me know if you intend an attack.  Another spot check please.

Varul moves in and sees if he can blend in by mending a sail or what ever is available, unless the captain says or motions otherwise.
OOC: Varul unless found out or ordered, is waiting for the Hags to attack before he gives himself away..He wants ever pirate busy....

Spot: 9

Each square is 5"x5"

As the captain and Varul enter the southwestern cave entrance it becomes appearant that the captain's hunch was correct.  This area is being used as a prison for people from the captured ships to be ransomed or sold into slavery.  There are three main holding areas: one for officers, one for crewmen, and one for passengers.

There is a door in the south wall of the cavern complex.

As the excitement of the octopus out in the main sea area subsides about 10-20 pirates make their way into this area; resuming chores they were performing like feeding the prisoners.

OOC: make a bluff and disguise check

Bluff: 9
Disguise: 7

If it looks like someone will point him out or say somethng Vraul will growl in his commanding manner, "Wut yer looking at ya swabbies. The excitment is over....now back to work. Now!"

Intimidate: 21
 

The captain takes note of the pirates returning to their duties in the area.  As the two of you walk deeper into the prison area you notice a door in the south wall.

The captain taps Varul on the arm and makes his way towards this door.  He then turns to Varul to make conversation and make it appear as a captain is talking with his first mate to the others around him, "You know.  We may need to recruit more men for the ship in order to handle that much cargo." as he waves in the general direction of the prison cells and the prisoners.  "How much to you wager they will bring in Calishan's markets?  We do have all those mouths to feed you know."

As he approaches the door the captain whispers to Varul, "Shut the door as soon as we are inside."  The door opens with a waif of a man coming out without paying much attention to where he was going.  He appears nervous about something and runs into the captain on his way out the door.  "Watch where you're going, runt!", the captain exclaims and pushes the man back into the room.

This south room in the prison area is an interrogation/torture room.  There is a foul odor to old dried blood, urine, death that permeates throughout the room.  There are currently 5 pirates and two prisoners plus Captain Clarke and Varul in this room.

One prisoner on a rack being stretched.  The other is tied up in a chair while three pirates beat him up and work him over.  One man is off to the side getting some water from a bucket.  The last pirate is the one that ran into Captain Clarke and is not lying on the floor in front of the captain.  The commotion at the door brings a pause to everyone in the room and a moment of attention to the captain and Varul....

After closing the door to this room behind them, "Yer don't run inta me Capn like that ya hear swabbie," Vraul roars at the man on the floor.

Intimidate: 16
This message was last edited by the player at 22:38, Wed 10 Jan 2007.

As Varul dresses down the pirate that was knocked down to the floor Captain Clarke turns to his left towards the man getting a drink from the bucket and whispers to Varul out of the corner of his mouth as he walks towards the man.  "No pirate leaves this room alive."

Vraul waits until the Capn makes his move. When he does he will thrust the trident through the pirate that is near him and prone.

As he approaches the pirate drinking water from the bucket he draws his scimitar and attacks the man outright without saying a word.

The sword stroke takes him in the chest; opening a gaping hole to appear.  Shock and determination registering in the pirate's eyes.  "Since you are the one in charge and responsible for this one's actions."  Referring to the pirate who ran into him at the door.

"It wuz dis scum dat ran inta ya," Vraul says as he strikes his trident down onto the prone pirate's chest and hopefully through it.
[Private to DM Songwind: Good thing he has -4 to his AC, I still may miss with 2nd blow :(

Attack: 20  Damage: 17
Attack: 10  Damage: 12
]

"You wont be bothering anyone anymore."  The captain's next swing dispatches the pirate as he falls to the floor; blood running out of his wounds.

The captain then turns to the other three pirates in the room around the prisoner in the chair and moves to engage them...

Varul's weapon thrust through the prone pirate pins him to the floor.  The pirate with surprise and horror in his eyes grabs the trident and tries to wrestle the weapon out of Varul's grasp without success.  The second thrust finishes him off as his last gurgling breathe leaves his dying body.

"Anyone else got any problems here," Vraul snarls as he moves toward the next pirate.

If any speak in the negative or make any move Vraul charges them.[Private to DM Songwind:
Charge Attack: 21  Damage: 12
Init. if needed again: 4  (LoL)]

Varul's charge at one of the remaining pirates knocks the pirate unconscious and back a few feet.  The captain moves to cut off any escape from the room and engages one of the pirates, but misses on the initial slash of his scimitar....

Seeing that they were in grave danger of being killed the two remain pirates begin shouting an alarm and try to make their way to the door.

"Yuz would have lived if ye followed orders. But being as you are yella belly screamers," Vraul growls as he charges one of those trying to escape.[Private to DM Songwind:
Attack:  18 Damage: 17 ]

Varul's second charge across the room dispatches another pirate before he is able to reach the door.  The last pirate pulls up short as the hulking brute of Varul's size blocks the doorway and tries to hit Varul with a hammer swing.  However the blow skips off Varul's armor; a look of shock in the pirate's eyes as he realizes his end is coming.

Seeing the first mate deal with the escaping foes quite well the captain makes his way to the man tied up in the chair and begins to untie him.

"You would dare hit me," Vraul roars as he thrust his trident into the last conscience pirate. If the pirate falls Vraul will carry all the bodies to one cell and through them in. He will look at the Capn when he picks up the unconscience pirate and look quiziclly at the Capn. Wondering if he should kill them. But if they are bleading, he will not bind them. He will let them bleed and through them heavily onto the bodies of the dead.

[Private to DM Songwind:
Attack: 28
Damage: 18]

The remaining pirate falls dead in a heap at Varul's feet.

There are some grate covers over what appears to be a sewer drain of some kind within the room...

VArul makes sure the door is closed and barred. He then moves over to check out the grates as he ask, "What now Capn? Ya gonna releases these here that were prisoners...perhaps sum in cell or chain obly were only here on temporary punishment."

OOC: He examines the grates and sewer. Seeing if they are secured or trapped. (What size is the opening once the grate is removed?)

The grates are 3ftx3ft in size and made out of cast iron.  There does appear to be a sewer system below the grates to take waste and trash somewhere away from here.

"What do you think, Erik?  Should I let you go or leave you here to rot?" The captain says with a grin to the man in the chair.

He turns towards Varul saying, "Make sure you search each body for any information.  The pirate I attacked first is probably the head jailor so look for some keys to the cells outside.  Then see if the bodies will fit down those grates over there."

Vraul almost laughs...he had the same thought about the grates. Vraul moves over and examines each and every body. Being thorough, he will actually take off boots and clothes check the items before he dumps them in the sewer system and follow it with the now nude bodies. If he finds the keys he will immediatly hand them to the Capn.

As Captain Clarke unties the man in the chair Erik replies, "We wouldn't want that on your conscience, now would we."  The man's wounds begin to heal right before your eyes as each rope knot is untied.  Soon all over his wounds are healed and stands before Captain Clarke; shaking hands with a grin.  "It's good to see you old friend."

Vraul looks over as the man says old friend with  a raised eyebrow but says nothing. He does not recognize him and he has been with the Capn for years. He tunrs back to doing his job.

As Varul searchs the pirates they do not have much on them.  Each has a coin purse with 2-5 copper coins in it, a well used dagger, and their clothes.

The pirate the captain killed first also has a ring of keys and cutlass.

Vraul looks up, offers the keys to the Capn and the cutless to Eric. The rest goes into the sewers.

As Varul disposes of the dead pirates Erik comments, "You might as well dispatch the lad hanging on the rack there too while you're at it.  He is a pirate and was caught stealing booty from his shipmates."

Varul looks at the Capn for confirmation. And if he gets it, he will dispatch the shackled pirate.

The captain nods his head in response.

Varul disposes of the shackled pirate and returns to his Captains side.

"Varul, This is Erik Hardy; an old friend of mine.  He's a mercenary and hired man for the trading guild we work for on occasion.  Although I am surprised to see you here, Erik, to see you here in this place.  Knowing you could have left at any time." 

"It is good to meet a friend of the Capn," Varul says then ask. "Why are you here?"

Erik shrugs at Captain Clarke's comment.  "Only because I don't really know where here is and don't have a means of getting home.  I'm only one man after all.  I could take out a lot of these pirates, but would fail in the end due to sheer numbers.  There's at least 200 pirates based here in this cavern complex between the pirate crews and support staff.

As for how I got here the ship I was travelling on was attacked by these pirates 2 nights ago and was brought here.  They believe I have knowledge that would interest them or is valuable enough to sell."

"There is less then 200 pirates now," Varul grins. "Not sure how many the sharks and octupus killed...Shall we continue to reduce their numbers?" He ask ready to get moving.

Varul's work, like many of his ilk, was nasty, brutish, and short.  Nearly a score died facing him, and while many of his companions fell, Varul was able to claim the interior of the lair as the rest of his mates penetrated past the larger group of pirates above the water...

The rest is history, as the defeat of the slavers prompted the Black, and the drake, in turn, destroyed their ship...