Guild of Guilds.

Ragnir: (to everyone) "The cult doesn't know where the skull is, that should be good enough for now. We can escort the people out of here and come back when we are ready."

Tyr looks to Ragnir "They will probably move everything - maybe we should give them the stones. Let them walk back up stay safe and we take on the danger. The more we let this stay the more people will be imprisoned."

Hermenor agrees with Tyr: “There is no telling what might happen in this place while we are away escorting these people. The walk to the village and then back here will take days. There is also the giant under the above-ground lake issue...we are better off looking for that skull before we leave. Perhaps Tyr and I can go for a swim while Ragnir and Priton protect the villagers just in case?”

Ragnir: (to the party) "Sounds like a plan."

"That would work" Priton says to the group. "Alright everyone stay around here and wait while our group finishes up because some things here, if anyone sees anything let us know." Priton yells to the people around and he will start passing out the stuff from the chest and rations from the food crate while he looks around

Perception: 15

Tyr just looks at him "I'd prefer not to get wet - but if we really think this skull is that important I don't mind."

Hermenor ties a rope around his waist and gives the other end to Ragnir. He suggests Tyr does the same with Priton. Hermenor then blinks a few times to make sure his Elven darkvision is good to go and takes a dive into the pool, hoping to find the bottom.

Tyr just follows the actions of the man and hands the rope to to Prition "I hate this skull already." he says as he walks to the waters edge and dives in.

Tying off the ropes and diving in you are hit immediately with the frigid waters.  You body takes over and begin taking quick shallow breathes instinctively as the water rises and rises.  

Diving down into the waters below, the water is surprisingly clear.  Given that it’s in a cave and has all the sediment that should be there, it’s not murky.  Diving deeper and deeper into the abyss.  Passing by old stalagmites that never breach the surface.  An entire miniature mountain landscape completely hidden from above the surface.  You can see some small schools of fish dart away as you get near.  Short spongy vegetation covers the rocks and bottom of the floor down below.  And then... you feel a tug. The rope is too short.  Giving a quick glimpse of the surrounding area before breaking the surface for air.

Hermenor - 10  Tyr - 21

Out  of the corner of your eyes before you head up for the surface.  Both of you see a flap or wave of something down on the floor, just at the cusp of the end of your vision.  About another 40 feet away and all the way down to the bottom.  A cloth of some sort waving in the current.  You’ll have to find a way to either add to the rope or ditch them to be able to reach.  You both surface, taking a big gasp of air.

“Priton, Ragnir, do you have ropes of your own to add to the lengths we are currently using?”

Ragnir: (to the party) "I do."

Ragnir takes the rope out of his pack and hands it to Hermenor.

(Ragnir ties off the rope to the side that he is holding in order for Hermenor to swim back and forth)

with the extra slack to the line, Hermenor is able to swim deep enough to the object in the distant depths. There is the burlap sack swaying in the slight current and sitting right next to it is the black skull.  Even without any light source it seems to give a shimmer upon approach.  It’s an odd distortion to the what should be a matte black bone.  

Hermenor remains treading water to stay at the bottom of this lake.  The skull within reach.  Tyr a some 40 feet away looking down at his groupmate.

Tyr watches carefully keeping lookout should anything approach.

Hermenor grabs the burlap sack first, and then the skull. He is careful not to touch the skull directly. He then swims back to the surface, and with a nod, he makes sure Tyr is following close in case of trouble. 

If successful in reaching the surface with the skull, he asks the miners: “Have you seen anything akin to a lead box around here. I’d feel safer carrying this skull in something strong like that.”

Hermenor immediately takes 45 necrotic damage ... (just kidding)

Tugging the burlap sack free from being caught on a stalagmite, scooping up the black skull without touching it.

Hermenor and Tyr swim to the edge of the lake as the echoes of their strokes and splashing fill the cavern.  Standing up to the group as they await your approach.    They all murmur “Nothing like a lead box... there have been some wooden crates used to help get rid of some of the debris, they could be around here somewhere.”

Ragnir: (to the party) "Shouldn't we just try to destroy it like the rocks and pillars we've encountered?"

“We don’t know what it does. Perhaps the wise woman at the village does.”

"Agreed, let us bring it to the village to see if they know what to do with it." Pritons says as he gets up and starts gather his things

Tyr just looks at the skull "Honestly - I say we destroy it. Items that are usually being used by evil cults aren't the things to keep around."