1: A few stones! Roll 1d4 to see how many you find in this cave!
As much as he was hesitant to take Noah out only due to liking to get away on his own, it was rather nice to feel a sense of competition with something that didn't involve sheer strength and beating someone to a pulp. It was something he actually had a leg up in, and he was happy to actually feel like he was winning in a self-imposed contest.
Despite the large cave size, it wasn't as large inside as he hoped. The entrance started to turn into a very narrow cave and after looking around the small room, he managed to collect just a few stones.
It was better than nothing, and much better than something dangerous.
The water was cool and he was thankful that the island meant that they had cool tropical waters all the time. Sure, he missed snow, ice skating, and ice fishing, but being able to swim whenever you wanted was a nice plus.
He moved on to another cave and was really starting to feel it in his arms and legs. Moving around underwater with a bag of rocks was strength training as it used your entire body to move. He probably wouldn't be able to do too many more caves after this.
5: A bunch of stones! Roll 1d10 to see how many you find in this cave!
All that swimming and he only managed to find two stones. It went into the bag and he adjusted the strap to move it to his other arm and secure it in place. Who would have thought rock diving would be a thing on this island - but it was a nice sort of training. He at least liked to think that way.
Melvin moved to another cave, rising up and starting to move closer and closer to Noah again. He wanted to circle around the man but still allow him room and caves to explore. If he didn't, the poor hunter would find them all cleared out. It was also important if Noah got tired or attacked. The danger in the caves was one thing, but it was another story swimming back up to the surface.
3: A nice amount of stones! Roll 1d8 to see how many you find in this cave!
He was wondering if he was starting to backtrack over Noah's cave as he went into one that seemed already cleared out. He did find one stone near the entrance and picked it up before swimming back out and decided to try one level above.
7: The mermaids guarded several large, dark caves that are now open to explore. Hundreds to thin, snake-like tendrils shoot out from the darkness. Roll 1d12 to see how much damage they do!
He didn't know what the tendrils attached to and really didn't want to see the thing in all its entirety either. All he knew was that the tendrils were almost like the guard dogs for mermaids and when a place seemed too safe, they came.
It was a good thing he lingered by the mouth of the cave before diving right inside, and he managed to pull himself free and away from the tendrils before they even got a solid grip. Still stung though.
Rubbing his arms from where the tendrils grabbed, he slowly swam into the next gave and waited by the mouth for a while longer before he was sure nothing was moving inside. Sure it was vacant, he went inside.
The mermaids who had guarded this cave had left him a nice pile of stones hidden beside some normal coral and a few bones. Brushing the bones aside, which were from various sea life and not people, he pocketed them and swam back out. His bag was nearly full. Just a few more and he would feel done. There would be no way that Noah could get this many, he was sure.
He'd won.
It was never a contest.
Just let me have this one. Okay?
Okay, but only because you seem to really need it.
The next cave was small and slender, and only allowed him just a little bit of wiggle room for himself and his tank. It was an uncomfortable cave and one he probably shouldn't have gone into, but it did allow him enough room to turn around and swim out without hitting the walls.
It was a good thing he wasn't claustrophobic. The darkness inside, however, was unnerving. He took out his flashlight and looked around.
