HSI: The Island

Day 2 - 8:00AM to 12:00 noon
You push and slash your way through the thick vines, ferns and flowering bushes that crowd the space between the trees. Halor continues to focus on the path ahead and checks higher ground whenever he can. Finally, the sky breaks through the heavy canopy and the trees begin to thin. The group climbs to the top of a ridge and you look out over the expanse of a once beautiful city of palaces, sculptures and other buildings. Standing at the highest point in the city is a massive building topped by a large domed tower.

The city now lies in ruins. The encroaching jungle works to reclaim the remnants of the visible buildings. The sea has swallowed much of the lower quarters. A massive wall of smooth white stone, some thirty feet tall surrounds the coastal resort, though it has collapsed in many areas. Long stretches of wall still stand, untouched by time but for the vines that curl and blossom in their joints.

"Look!" Gonnar says with uncharacteristic excitement edging his gruff voice. "Look at this place! The buildings, the statues!" Clapping several of his companions heartily on the back, he grins wolfishly. "Untold riches, there could be, here!"

Gwydion looks up from his latest find to gawk at the city before them. "Untold knowledge and dangers too." His tone is dark but his eyes are bright with excitement. "Is that really a ship at the base of the city?" He asks as though not trusting his eyes.

Mauve's jaw drops at the sight. There would have to be some good loot in that city somewhere unless it was already picked clean.

"Of course Gwydion, the good and the bad." When she hears him mention a ship she grimaces and scans the city, her eyes finally landing on the very ship Gwydion sees.

"You are right. It does look like a ship. What an amazing place. I never would have imagined a city like this here of all places. Can anyone see any movement among the ruins?"

"I'll be damned," Fafnir says, unironically. "Wait, are you all seeing this? I'm not just having heatstroke, right? There's really giant stone boobs and everything?"

"Yes! Gonnar exclaims. "Giant ones, Fafnir, bigger than your mother’s!"

Grinning, the desertlander points. "Look at that one, pleasuring herself! What kind of place was this!?"

You stand at the top of a cliff overlooking the ruins of the city (top left of the map). From this vantage point, you can see most of the city, and out onto the endless sea. Gwydion is the first to note the ship anchored about a half mile off-shore, but Mauve quickly points it out as well. There appears to be no movement on the deck, but it's hard to judge from this distance. If there is a ship's boat moored near the ruins, it is not visible from this vantage point.

Staring down the cliff to the jungle below is unnerving for those bothered by heights. The trees are at least a hundred feet down and makes the climb down almost impossible without proper rigging. It appears that moving up the mountain and through the jungle will bring you to the wall surrounding the top of the ruins. Another option is to make your way down the mountainside and head for the beach. Neither way appears faster, nor less dangerous. The smooth stone wall has collapsed in many places. Entry into the city is just as likely from either direction.

Halor stands with the others, mouth agape in wonder. "Hells scorned," he says finally, "That is a sight to see. I've heard stories of old that speak of such construction, the work of the gods themselves if those tales are to be believed. But this...seeing such immense wonders with mine own eyes, it is beyond my ken." His grin grows wide. "Giant tits, giant cities, GIANT treasure! And if we're lucky: giants themselves - I've always dreamt of fighting a giant."

He looks over the cliffside and purses his lips. "I'm thinking it might be wise to make our way back down to the beach and follow it toward the city."

"I am full agreement with climbing down and coming around from the beach side. Less so on hoping to fight a giant." Gwydion smirks.

Mauve ignores the crass comments from the men. She won't give them the satisfaction, but secretly she is giggling inside. Men and boobs. What was it about them that captivated them so? She didn't notice any male statues much to her disappointment and voiced her concerns on that very topic.

"What kind of place? A place that caters to men's desires and ignores women, that's what. I see no naked men of stone anywhere. It's not right," she says with feigned righteous indignation.

"You think it wise do you Halor? Well, we best get going then."

Halor's face turns red for a moment, "Well, er, yeah. Wise, I mean, more so than scaling the cliff. If we are to approach the city at all, I mean." He clears his throat.

"I do not think this place ignores women!" Gonnar comments, fully not understanding what Griffin means. "They were idolized here! Their treasures worshipped! Look at that one — and that one! This place was a celebration of women!"

Regarding the approach, the tribesman shrugs his muscular shoulders. "Beach works. Or straight down. Approach would be less obvious that way. Remember we heard music coming from here."

Fafnir is impressed with Gonnar's comment about his mother's tits. He roars with laughter, slapping his leg as he tries to regain composure.

"Hey guys, I guess we'd better be on the watch for BOOBY traps down there! Bwahaha!"

When he sees Mauve's reaction, he gives a half-assed attempt to smarten up. "*cough* *cough* Yeah, seriously, there might be traps down there! Anyway, you all see that boat too, right? What do think about going to meet them? Maybe you can kill their captain too, Mauve!"

"There is nothing for me to appreciate is all I'm saying, Gonnar, as she glares at Fafnir. Getting serious she assesses the situation and manner of approach while she twirls a red braid around her forefinger.

"I say we investigate the vessel and go by way of the beach."