Excavation wrapup

[Stix]

A brief depiction of events we didn't get to. I've been having difficulty writing the whole spiel in one sitting, so I'll put it up here one layer of the plane at a time as I can get to it.

Olympus

• Piers sets the airboat off course by conjuring a gust of wind, then sends up a brief magical warning shot in the form of a fireball alongside it. The pirates think better of their raid, and go on their way.
  
• After some time in rough seas, the boats land on an enormous sandbar, where they are portaged with significant effort to a low stone wall. Following the wall leads to a great door, manned by a plate-armored Per (the guardians of the portals between Upper Planar layers). He demands that the group lighten their load, show an adventurous spirit, and pay respect to the spirits of the plane before moving on.
  
• The group makes camp for the night and begins to discuss their plan of action. The following morning, it is decided that they will find a remote spot on the sandbar and bury a portion of the Maundrells' funds and supplies, and some of the items recovered from the Bacchae. The "offering" is buried, left for someone else to find some day; now that the group is traveling with less, the persons and gear fit onto one boat, so the remaining crew is sent home.
  
• The Per is satisfied with this turn of events, and activates the portal to Ossa, the second layer.
  

[Stix]

Ossa

• Most of Ossa's blue-green sea is only about waist-deep. The boats run aground several times in shallows before progressing to smoother seas. After two weeks of sailing, the sea floor drops out from beneath as the boats cross a gorge of unfathomable size.
  
• Nineteen days into travel, both boats are struck from underneath by a series of small, fast-moving objects before slowing to a dead stop in the water. Twelve sea elf soldiers approach the boats and demand an explanation for everyone's being here, threatening to sink the craft.
  
• Everyone explains that they're here to map the sea floor, the rumored site of entry to a large complex of ruins; Nilou spins the tale of their trip through Olympus to better their impression. The sea elves warn of an escalating border skirmish with sahuagin, and offer to speak with their commanding officer to see if you can be allowed to continue. The boats stay put for the night.
  
• A lone sea elf approaches the boat at midnight, offering to quickly and quietly escort one person in to do the mapping. Vatndir volunteers, and the two of them plan to be back by sunrise. Neither returns.
  
• The crew waits until dusk the following day for Vatndir or any one of the sea elves to return. Piers and Robert abort this piece of the trip, turning the boats around to head toward their next stopping point.
  
• The boats cross the gorge after another ten days; another two days of sailing on shallow water ends in bringing the boats ashore on a small settled island (less than a mile across in any direction; home to three or four dozen souls, a small castle, a fishery, a farm, and a vineyard).
  
• The group disembarks and makes for the stone keep; there, they are introduced to Brels Darenn, the Godsman "lord" of the island and friend to the Maundrells. For the three-day stay, he pulls out all the stops to show top-shelf hospitality to his guests; their every whim is met.
  
• After resting on terra firma and resupplying, the group sets out once again -- except for Nilou, who remains behind to trade stories and further her art at Brels' urging.
  
• Piers, Robert, John, and Nuuko arrive on another enormous sandbar, where they gather all that they can carry and send the boats away. They press on toward the portal to Pelion, the third and bottom-most layer of Arborea.