Episode Four – Treasure Is, Is Treasure Does.

Borkum and Hawk Tuah score their first find. But, finding treasure is easy on the Arcane Isles. Its keeping it that is the hard part.

The Arcane Isles

Dive into the enchanting world of Eric J. Wynn with the "Arcane Isles: Borkum the Battler" podcast, a Dungeons & Dragons inspired audio adventure available at ArcaneIsles.com. Join us on a first-person journey through a richly imagined realm where magic and mystery meet. Each episode, narrated by characters from the Arcane Isles, brings to life thrilling tales of valor, sorcery, and intrigue. Whether you're a seasoned D&D enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of fantasy role-playing, Borkum the Battler offers an immersive experience into a fantastical narrative. Tune in and become part of the adventure that unfolds within the Arcane Isles, where every corner holds a new challenge, and the fate of the world rests in the hands of heroes like never before. 

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Transcript

Chapter 4 – Treasure Is, Is Treasure Does.

The water serpent lay still, its massive form half-submerged in the churning stream. The chamber gradually returned to its eerie silence, save for the gentle trickling of water and our labored breaths. 

Hawk Tuah and I exchanged a look of relief and accomplishment. "That was... something," I said, catching my breath.

"It certainly was," Hawk Tuah replied, her eyes flicking back to the now lifeless serpent. "But where there's a guardian, there's often something worth guarding."

I glanced at the stream, where the serpent had emerged from. The water was still murky from the battle, but the idea of hidden treasure glimmered in my mind. "You think there might be something down there?"

Hawk Tuah nodded thoughtfully. "It’s likely. These ancient places often have hidden treasures, and this serpent was clearly here for a reason. Unfortunately, I’m not much of a swimmer," she admitted, a bit sheepishly. "Water and I don’t get along well."

I chuckled. "So, you’re saying I should take a dip and see what’s down there? Sounds like a plan, as long as there aren’t any more serpents waiting for a snack."

She grinned, her eyes sparkling with both amusement and anticipation. "If you’re willing to take the plunge, I’ll keep watch from up here. If anything moves, I’ll let you know.

I took off my armor and boots, preparing for the dive. The water was cold as I waded in, and I took a deep breath before submerging. The underwater world was dark and murky, the visibility poor, but I could just make out the outlines of rocks and debris scattered across the streambed.

Carefully, I swam deeper, my fingers brushing against the rough stone walls. I searched through the silt and rubble, feeling for anything unusual. Just as I was about to come up for air, my hand closed around something metallic.

I surfaced, gasping for breath and holding up my prize. “Found something!” I called out, swimming back to the edge where Hawk Tuah waited.

She leaned forward, her eyes wide with excitement. “What is it?”

I clambered out of the water, revealing a small, ornate chest, encrusted with jewels and covered in intricate carvings. “Looks promising, doesn’t it?”

Hawk Tuah examined the chest, a smile spreading across her face. “Very promising. Let’s open it and see what our serpent friend was guarding.”

We pried the chest open, revealing a cache of glittering treasures inside. There were gold coins, gemstones, and a few ancient artifacts that looked both valuable and significant. Among them was a beautifully crafted amulet, which Hawk Tuah picked up and inspected closely.

“This is incredible,” she said, turning the amulet over in her hands. “These artifacts are worth a fortune. And this amulet… it looks like it might have some magical properties.”

I grinned, feeling a surge of excitement. “Well, it looks like our risky swim paid off. And no more serpents, thankfully.”

She laughed, tucking the amulet away. “Indeed. Great job, Borkum. I guess it’s a good thing one of us can swim. This treasure will definitely help fund our future adventures.”

We gathered up the rest of the treasures and secured them in our packs. With the serpent defeated and the treasure found, we felt a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. The ruins still held many secrets, and we were ready to uncover them together.

As we made our way back through the chamber, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of camaraderie with Hawk Tuah. We were a team, facing dangers and discovering wonders side by side.

“Next time, I’ll be sure to look before I leap,” I said with a laugh.

Hawk Tuah smirked. “And I’ll make sure to keep you out of trouble. We make a good team, Borkum. Let’s see what other adventures await us in these ruins.”

With the serpent defeated and the treasure safely stowed, Hawk Tuah and I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The air in the ruins was thick with the promise of further discoveries, and despite our recent brush with danger, we were eager to press on.

The stone walls, adorned with intricate carvings and faded murals, whispered stories of a long-lost civilization. The atmosphere was charged with a palpable sense of history and mystery.

“Keep an eye out for anything unusual,” Hawk Tuah said, her voice echoing slightly in the narrow passage. “If that serpent was guarding something, there’s bound to be more.”

I nodded, my senses heightened and alert. The torchlight flickered, casting eerie shadows that danced along the walls. Each step we took seemed to echo with the footsteps of those who had come before us, long forgotten in the annals of time.

We passed through several chambers, some filled with broken pottery and decaying tapestries, others empty save for the ever-present dust and cobwebs. The further we ventured, the more the air seemed to hum with latent energy.

As we turned a corner, Hawk Tuah let out a whistle. Hawk Tuah’s eyes narrowed. “Looks like we found something,” she said, approaching the wall.

Upon closer inspection, we noticed a faint outline of a doorway, cleverly concealed by the carvings. Hawk Tuah ran her fingers along the edges, searching for a mechanism. “These ruins are full of hidden passages. There’s bound to be a way to open this.”

I joined the search, and after a few moments, I felt a slight give in one of the stones. “Here,” I said, pressing firmly. The stone clicked into place, and with a grinding sound, the wall slid open to reveal a hidden chamber.

The chamber was larger than the others we had seen, its walls lined with shelves that held ancient scrolls and artifacts. In the center stood a pedestal, upon which rested an ornate chest, much larger and more elaborate than the one we had found earlier.

“This looks promising,” I said, stepping forward. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come with another guardian.”

Hawk Tuah nodded, her eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. “Be careful. There could be traps.”

With cautious steps, we approached the chest. Hawk Tuah knelt beside it, examining the intricate lock. “It’s enchanted,” she said, her voice filled with awe. “This must hold something very valuable.”

As we deliberated on how to open the chest, the air around us grew colder. A low, rumbling growl emanated from the shadows, and from the corner of the room, a pair of glowing eyes appeared. A massive, spectral beast, its form shifting and ethereal, emerged from the darkness.

“So much for no guardian,” I muttered, drawing my sword.

Hawk Tuah stood, her staff at the ready. “Stay sharp, Borkum. This is no ordinary creature.”

The beast lunged, and we scattered. Hawk Tuah chanted an incantation, her staff glowing with a brilliant light that seemed to agitate the spectral guardian.

I circled around, looking for an opening. The creature’s movements were fluid and unpredictable, making it difficult to anticipate its attacks. Hawk Tuah’s magic flared, creating bursts of light that temporarily disoriented the beast.

“Now, Borkum!” she shouted. “Go for the chest!”

I dashed forward, reaching the chest as the creature roared in anger. My hands moved quickly, guided by some instinctive understanding. The lock clicked open, and I threw the lid back, revealing a dazzling array of treasures—gold, jewels, and a strange, glowing orb that pulsed with energy.

The moment the chest was opened, the spectral beast let out a final, ear-piercing scream before dissipating into thin air. The room grew silent once more, save for our ragged breaths.

As we paused to catch our breath and adjust our packs, I turned to Hawk Tuah, my curiosity piqued and my nerves still tingling from the encounter. “Hawk,” I began, shaking my head in disbelief, “what the heck was that thing?”

Hawk Tuah paused, clearly taken aback by the question. She opened her mouth to respond, then hesitated, her brow furrowing in thought. “That… that was… well,” she stammered, clearly struggling to find the right words, “it was definitely some kind of… spectral guardian?”

I raised an eyebrow. “A spectral guardian? That sounds like something out of a bedtime story. I mean, it was there, but also not there. And those eyes—what was with those eyes?”

She sighed, shaking her head in frustration. “I know, Borkum. It’s hard to explain. These ruins are filled with ancient magic, and sometimes that magic manifests in ways we don’t fully understand. That creature was… it was like a spirit, bound to protect the treasure.”

I stared at her, my expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. “So, it was a ghost?”

“Sort of,” she replied, her eyes narrowing as she tried to articulate the inexplicable. “But not just a ghost. It had substance, a presence. It was as if it existed in both this world and another, bound to its duty by some ancient enchantment.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, despite the lingering tension. “You know, Hawk, for someone who’s usually so sure of herself, you’re really struggling with this one.”

She laughed too, the sound easing the remnants of our fear. “Well, Borkum, not everything has a clear explanation. Especially in a place like this. Sometimes, we just have to accept that there are things beyond our understanding.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of camaraderie in our shared bewilderment. “Fair enough. I suppose the important thing is that we survived.

Hawk Tuah’s expression softened, a smile playing on her lips. “Exactly. We faced something extraordinary and lived to tell the tale. And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll figure out exactly what that creature was.”

I grinned, adjusting my pack and glancing up at the sky where Skyclaw circled. “As long as there aren’t any more of those things waiting for us, I’m happy to keep searching.”

“Agreed,” she said, her eyes shining with determination. “Let’s get these treasures back to Port Azure and figure out our next move.”