The waves crash against the bow of the ship. On the deck of your ship, your crew are busy attending to their duties. The sky is clear, for now, as storm clouds are visible to your south.
In your hands, you clutch the treasure map. You can barely see the outline of the island, as the blood has now dried into the paper. However, by matching it to the navigation table, you think you can find the hourglass. Merrick swears he has told you everything, but you still think he is hiding something.
Will you [[check the navigation table | navigation table]] or [[continue to interrogate Merrick | Interrogate Merrick]]?You walk down the steps into the hull, and remove a lit candle from its holder. Shining the candle over the map, you notice two islands that could resemble the treasure map. Buccaneer bay, directly towards the storm, while Canon Cove requires maneuvering north through the shipwreck pass, full of jagged rocks.
Will you change course to [[Buccaneer Bay | Sail to BB]] or [[Canon Cove | Sail to CC]]?
You walk down the steps into the hull. The room is dim, only illuminated by the cannon holes. In the corner of a lone cell, Merrick the traitor leans against the bars. Days of travel in the cell has left him malnourished and weak, but what else would a mutineer deserve.
"Merrick, ye still have matters to attend to," you call out. The crew grows restless, as the days of plunder are long behind us now. I ask, and answer true, where be the crimson hourglass?"
"I've given you all I have" he responded weakly.
"It is in your best interest to oblige me, or I will give you no quarter" you reply.
[[Hit him | Hit him]]
[[Leave him in his cell | Leave]]
[[Bribe Merrick | Bribe]]
THUD!
"You are in great fortune that we do not lower the plank. Now, where is the hourglass?"
Merrick groans, but does not answer nor make any attempt to flee.
[[Hit him again | Hit Him again]]
[[Leave him in his cell | Leave]]
You turn away from the traitor, and move towards the navigation table. "When we have the hourglass, expect to meet Davy Jones. Your good name is no longer present on this here ship."
With only a slight grimmace of pain, Merrick disappears back into the depths of the ship.
[[Go to the navigation table | navigation table]]THUD!
A cut opens from his lip, and bruising can be seen on his face.
"I've told you everything! I swear!" he yelps.
Merrick has betrayed you once, and his deception has proven him untrustworthy. You know he is hiding something more, but the fond memories of your crewmate still linger.
Will you [[ Leave | Leave]], or [[Pull out your cutlass | Cutlass]]?
"Merrick, you leave me no choice," whispering as you unsheath your cutlass, the glint of the metal shining in the damp cell. A piercing sound can be heard echoing throughout the hull.
"Fine! You win! The cadets we plundered the map from spoke of One-Eyed Bill being captured outside of Cannon Cove! If it is anywhere, that's where it is! Please don't hurt me anymore..."
[[Leave him in his cell | Sail to CC]]
"You dog," you proclaim. "Fine, we will share the spoils if ye answer true. You still have quite the name on this ship, and what was damaged can be restored."
Merrick hesitates for a moment.
"Cannon Cove," he whispers. "The cadets we plundered the map from spoke of One-Eyed Bill being captured outside of Cannon Cove. If it is anywhere, that's where it is."
You reply, "ye best be sure now. The crew has come too far for any more... disappointment."
You turn away, and walk towards the navigation table.
[[Sail to Cannon Cove | Sail to CC]]"You are correct, lad," you reply. "The course through shipwreck pass is too trecherous for our weary crew. We will continue on the open sea, and make northwest."
"Aye, captain" he responds.
As you turn towards the bow, an uneasy feeling catches you in your stomach. Have you made a serious mistake? Shoving it down, you return to your quarters.
Several moments later, panacked crew can be heard running about. "Captain!" one of them calls. You leave your room, and head towards the commotion. Walking towards the edge of the ship, you are able to see it. It is massive, larger than three men, and approaching in the horizon. You pull out your spyglass, and know right away what it is. It is grey and scarred, and one of the most feared mysteries in all the seven seas.
"Megalodon!" A crew member screams.
Time is of the essence, as almost no one has lived to tell the tale of such an encounter. Thinking quick, you must either [[stay and fight the shark, | Fight the Megalodon]] or [[turn the ship and flee. | run]]
Approaching Shipwreck Pass, the looming danger is constant. Rocks poke out of the sea at every angle, and you know there are even more below the water line.
After several sharp turns, you come face to face with a massive spike of stone. There is no way around it, your Brigantine is too large to avoid damage! You don't have much time, but there is enough time to make a decision.
With enough experience, the crew can use the mounted harpoons to pull your ship away from danger.
[[Harpoon the furthest rock to pull your ship | Harpoon rock]]
"Men, ready your battle stations!" You say, hoping to rally your crew. "We must fight it head on. Be fearless ye scurvy dogs!"
You can tell your words have little effect to curve their fear. However, your crew begin to pour into the hull to load the cannons.
[[Fire the cannons | Cannons]] "Quickly! We must turn the sails starboard! We must flee!"
The crew rapidly begins pulling the tethers and ropes to change course. The ship begins to move, but the wind dies down. No one can save you now.
Several meters out, the behemoth surfaces, and there is only one thought. Fear.
The shark opens its maw, and charges directly into your ship. Debris flies everywhere, and you fall to the deck. The boat completely spins, and now faces directly towards open water. Rising from the chaos, you see your crew in the water, and nearly half of your ship missing.
There is no time. The few beginning planks begin to crumble and sink into the ocean. However, one last ray of hope survives: the lifeboats. Unharmed by the shark, several have already been knocked loose.
[[Abandon ship! | Abandon ship (Life boats)]]"FIRE!" You scream at your crew. In the blink of an eye, your crew unloads everything it has towards the approaching behemoth. Crashing sounds of water and flesh can be heard, but the shark continues on. Closer and closer, you begin to fear for your life.
"AGAIN!" A voice proclaims. Later, you realize this was your own voice acting without your knowledge. Before the cannons are fired, the megalodon surfaces and opens its maw. With a mouth as large as your mast, any damage would be catastrophic. The approaching devistation makes it only a few meters from your ship before the second barrage of cannons fire into it's mouth. Your boat shutters, and the shark disappears into the water.
Your boat is too well equiped for an easy lunch. Making your way up to the top of the ship, pools of blood linger around the hull. In the distance, the fin receeds slowly into the horizon.
Your crew cheers, but you know how close this could have been. Not many have ever lived to see what you witnessed. With a few deep breaths, you look towards your heading. As the sun begins to set, Cannon Cove is visible on the horizon.
[[Sail to Cannon Cove | Land at CC ]]After anchoring nearby off shore, you and your crew paddle the lifeboats to shore. Washing upon a new island is an indescribable feeling, especially when the fruits of your plunder are near.
Pulling out the blood-stained treasure map, you can make out an X near the coast. After searching tirelessly, you discover an ancient looking tomb. Whoever built this died centuries ago, but it seems One Eyed Bill found it and made it his resting place. After fidgeting with several levers outside the tomb, the massive stone door lifts up to reveal the treasure inside.
[[Search the tomb of One Eyed Bill | Tomb]]
"Harpoons right!" you yell. Within a second, several crewmembers are firing away at the nearest stone, and several make contact. The harpoons begin to reel in, and you barely make it! However, your ship is too heavy to avoid the rock all together. If only you had a sloop.
You scrape across the rock, and several holes open up below deck. Water begins to pour in, but this is nothing your crew hasn't experienced before.
After several minor repairs to your ship, Cannon cove is in sight.
[[Sail to Cannon Cove | Land at CC ]]
"Everyone! Abandon ship!" You scream. Like mice scurrying away from danger, your crew launches themselves into the cold water to make way for the lifeboats. You dive headfirst into the ocean, and find yourself pulled onto the deck of your only hope.
"What now, captain?" Your crewmate says to you. With no remnants of your brigantine remaining, you begin to collect yourself. Nearly half of your crew is missing, but a few lifeboats remain.
Looking towards the horizon, you see [[Cannon Cove | Land at CC (Exhausted)]] in the distance.
Exhausted from paddling miles to shore, your crew finally arive at Cannon Cove. Holding the blood-stained map in your hands, you notice an X marked near the shore. After searching the shore for hours, you finally stumble upon the tomb of One Eyed Bill. After fidgeting with several levers outside, a massive stone door opens wide. Piles of golden doubloons lay along the floor, and many other treasures are visible inside. In the center of the tomb, Bill's skeleton lays, clutching his most prized possession: the Crimson Hourglass.
Upon seeing the hourglass, you and your crew heedlessly charge in. Too exhausted to think, they begin to leap towards the golden piles. You have seen these piles before, and know their worth. You are after the hourglass, something that will grant even more booty.
Walking up the steps, you retrieve the hourglass from Bill's clutches. The greedy skeleton tries to hold on, but the dead are no match for the living on the seas. As your crew swims through the piles of gold, you hear a shifting noise and look up. Dust falls from the ceiling, and a loud banging noise is heard. Following the path of moving dust, you notice a contraption set to the door, and you instantly recognize what it is.
The door will fall, and you and your crew will be trapped in the tomb. With little time to think, will you [[jump through the door and abandon your crew, | Leave (Alone)]] or [[wait behind, and let your crew run ahead of you? | Stay in tomb]]
Piles and piles of doubloons are stacked all around, and coffers sorround a center pedistal.
"Avast! The tomb of Bill lays untouched!" A crewmember says.
"Look at all the booty! Captain, we made it!" Another said.
However, you know that many secrets likely lay inside. "Wait!" you yell. "Boobytraps are here, I sense. We must act carefully to remain on two feet!"
One false move could end your voyage hear and now. Will you venture in alone, saving your crew? Or will you potentially doom your crew, but retrieve the hourglass alive?
[[Order crew to leave the tomb | Retrieve alone]]
[[Send crew to grab the hourglass | send crew]]Your loyalty to your crew outweighs your desire for the hourglass. As you enter the tomb, you take every step with extreme care. On your tip toes, you avoid every piece of gold laying accross the floor, and make your way to the middle pedistle. As you ascend the steps, the body of One Eyed Bill lays before you. In his hands, the glow of crimson shines into your eyes.
Here it lies. The Crimson Hourglass. Slowly, you begin to peel the hourglass away from Bill's skeleton, but his greedy hands fight to keep it with him.
With a final pull, the hourglass comes free. Your crew looks on, concerned and worried.
Nothing happens, and your selflessness has paid off. Instantly, you turn around and make your way out of the cave.
[[Leave the cave | Leave with crew]]The hourglass is only steps away, and you didn't bring such a large crew if some were not expendable.
"Retrieve the hourglass ye dogs!" You say.
Without hesitation, your crew charges in. Some head for the gold, but a few of your most trusted fight with with One Eyed Bill's skeleton.
"Captain! We have the hourglass!" A crewmember yells. He holds the treasure high, and the light of the crimson sand shines throughout the tomb.
"Bring it here!" You respond. As he begins to run out of the tomb, the others stay behind and swim through the golden piles of booty. Suddenly, the stone door collapses, and traps everyone inside. However, with a final heave, your loyal crewmember throughs the hourglass through the door, and it lands softly in the sorrounding sands. With no other choice, you pick up the hourglass, and run towards the door.
[[Leave crew behind | Leave (Alone)]]The greed of the hourglass has infected you. The door slams shut, and the shock nearly sends you flying.
No noise can be heard from inside the tomb. If your crew is still there, there is not much you can do to help.
Suddenly, cannon fire can be heard off in the distance, and a terrible reality hits you. Several spanish ships lay on the horizon, pumping cannon after cannon into your brigantine. Already damaged from the pass, it begins to sink. Before you know it, all that can be seen is your jolly roger sinking into the sea.
Out of options, you must make a decision. There is no time to save your crew, and only a little time to save yourself. If you present the Hourglass, the spanish might let you live. After all, they are more forgiving than other buccaneers. But after all you have gone through, everyone you have already lost, is that even an option? Will you [[hide from the approaching navy | hide]] or [[surrender | The end (Surrender)]]?Now on the shore of Cannon Cove, you look off into the horizon. Your voyage has finally paid off.
"Captain, what about the rest of the booty?" A crewmember asks.
"Fool!" You respond. "Booby traps lay in that tomb. With this here Hourglass, we will be able to get more than any tomb can hold!"
You make your way to the life rafts, and begin to set out on your next adventure.
The end!You have come too far to give up now. Looking around, your options seem limited. The rowboats are out of the question, as the navy will spot it instantly. However, debris from the island could act as a makeshift raft. Alternatively, you could stay on the island, and pray that the Spanish do not find you. Will you [[swim out to sea on driftwood,| Swim to sea]] or [[hide in the nearby bushes | Hide in bushes]]?In the end, your only hope is surrendering to the spanish. There is no point in fighting, as they vastly outnumber you. Exhaustion begins to set in, and defeat is imminent.
As you hand over the hourglass, the prize of your entire voyage, what hurts most isn't the failure to achieve riches.
Your last thought before being dragged away towards spanish ships are of your crew, many of whom lay within the tomb of One Eyed Bill.
The end. Your choice has payed off, for now. Swimming out into the ocean, your piece of driftwood is the only thing keeping you afloat. Back on the island, you see the spaniards swarming the island.
Now, your goals have changed. You have retrieved the hourglass, but at what cost? Survival is now your only goal, as most sailor's will not make it without fresh water and food, sorrounded by ocean.
As you lay on your raft, exhausted, you feel the pulse of the hourglass, and the crimson sand inside shines over you.
The end. "Mateys!" You yell. "Back away from the door!"
Briefly looking up from their spoils, they notice the fear in your face and back away quickly. Suddenly, sand falls from the ceiling, and with one swift motion, the stone door drops and seals you inside. Smoke billows up from the ground, and your shaken crew begins to look up. As panic begins to set in, you look around for anything that can set you free. After all, you've come this far, and have the hourglass in hand, what is another setback to your voyage?
"Captain! What do we do now!" A crewmember calls out.
Thinking, you can think of only two options. Firstly, [[rally your crew | lift]] and lift the stone door, and secondly, try to [[dig a tunnell | crawl]] beneath the tomb.
"Ye dogs must dig! Tunnel through the sand" You exclaim, clutching the hourglass.
Using fingernails, cutlasses, and pieces of debris, your crew begins to tunnel underneath the door. Luckily, the tomb was built ages ago, and whoever designed it did not plan for such decay of the ground.
As the tunnel gets deeper, you begin to see light pour in from the other end.
"Captain, we have made it through!" The frontman says.
"Make way! Get through the tunnel before this damned door drops further!" You exclaim.
One by one, your crew pours into the tunnel, leaving the wretched Bill in his tomb, without his prized treasure.
[[Leave with crew | Leave with crew (exhausted)]]Exhausted, you and your remaining crew gather themselves and walk towards the beach. However, dispair is immedietely felt. A lone spanish ship sits on the horizon, approaching Cannon Cove. Your crew looks around, worried, and desperately needing guidance.
You, however, are experienced in the laws of the sea. Where they might see an inevitable defeat, you see a way off this island.
"Alas! There be our ticket off this shore!" You call out. "Gather yourselfs, today, we make our final stand for what we have earned!"
After cheering from your crew, it is time to take the fight to the spanish.
[[Fight the Spanish | (The end) Fight!!]]
Swimming out into the water, you prepare to board the lone ship. Off the side of the galleon, a lone lader hangs in the water. Quietly, you and your men begin to ascend the ladder, ready to take the ship by force.
Appearing on deck, you are ready to fight tooth and nail. The spanish don't give up easily, and have been a pesky opponent during your time as a buccaneer. However, what you see shocks you.
The galleon is empty. Not a soul in sight. Could this be the doing of the hourglass? Or just spanish trickery?
After searching far and wide, you and your crew venture into the hull, expecting ambush. Shining a light into the dim cavaty, another light shines back at you. Standing at the navigation table, Merrick the supposed mutineer, looks up at you. He bows, and promptly bestows the ship to your control.
Maybe the hourglass is more than just fine treasure.
The end. Walking up to the steps, the sea breeze begins to pick up. The storm is approaching, and you best not take any chances.
"CREW!" You yell to those on deck. "Make way for Canon Cove! Make way for the Hourglass!"
Your crew gives a mighty yell, and immedietly begin to change direction. Frantic footsteps can be heard throughout the boad. The sails shift, and the brigantine begins to turn.
Sliding down from the crow's nest, your navigator rushes to you. He looks concerned, as the treck to Cannon Cove is trecherous.
"Captain!" He says. "What be your decision for ship wreck pass? Many a crew have found themselves stranded there."
He is correct. Shipwreck pass is no path for inexperienced sailors, and you must have an obedient crew to survive. The decision falls on you, but there is another way to the island, but it will take longer to get there. Will you [[sail around shipwreck pass | Around SP]] or [[sail through shipwreck pass | Through SP]]?
Thinking quickly, you find a group of bushes far enough from the tomb. This should do the place. You lay low to the ground, and can feel the hourglass pulsing against your chest.
The spaniards are now on the island, and you can hear there yelling approaching. From your view, the tomb is barely visible, but you can make out a sight of spaniards swarming the tomb. How did they know the location?
Now, footsteps are approaching you, and you fear you will be spotted. Before you know it, it's too late. The spanish have found your hiding spot, and you can only hope surrendering the hourglass will save your life.
[[Surrender | The end (Surrender)]]"Everyone! Lift the door!" You call out.
Grabbing various stones and metal, you manage to lodge them between the sand bank and the door. With enough leverage, the door is able to open enough to make space for a person to crawl through.
Quickly, you crawl underneath the door, but halfway through, you notice something is wrong. The giant stone door begins to creak, and dust falls from above. Throwing the hourglass first, you manage to pull yourself out.
However, the stone and metal wedges used begin to creak. One by one, the tools begin to snap in half.
[[Leave | Leave (Alone)]]
The storm is violent. Waves crash on all sides, and heavy rain pours down. However, you and your crew are experienced, and know how to get out.
"Sail to the heart of the storm ye lubbars! No storm can beat us!" You call out.
Frantic movement. Rapid, spiratic, shuffling of feet. After what seems like hours, you finally make it to the heart of the storm. Inside, it is almost peaceful. Light rain, and sunshine, can be seen pouring through above you.
You decide it is best to wait this storm out.
As you order the anchor to be dropped, you notice something is awry. It feels off. A dead silence enters the air, and all the rain stops.
In the distance, you can see a lone island, likely Buccaneer Bay.
[[Sail to Buccaneer Bay | Kraken]]
As the storm begins to die out, the looming silence of the sea remains. In your years of plunder, you have never heard this silence before. Something is wrong. It is too quiet.
Suddenly, a thud rocks your ship. The sails are raised, the anchor down, so it is not a sand bank or other rock. Inspecting the hull of the ship, no holes are present.
You make your way up the deck, and watch as tenticles begin to creep up the side of the hull. Every sailor knows what is next, and there is no escaping.
"KRAKEN!" You scream.
But it is too late. The slow creeping tenticles begin to rapidly ascend, and they quickly smother your entire ship. With a sharp crack, the hull splits open, you watch as the ship is slowly swallowed by the beast.
The hunt for the Hourglass has ended, and the kraken made quick work of your ship.
The end--try again.