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.