Under the Sea
by Heike Borchers (2019)
Genres: Fantasy

Deep under the sea lies the wreck of the sunken galleon Santa Tortosa. On your quest to find its treasure, you will discover uncharted places, learn new skills, and make scaly friends. But will the honorable Adventurers' Society appreciate your report when you return?

action: %
response: Under the Sea:
The Treasure of the Santa Tortosa

Some weeks ago at your Adventurers' Society back in London, Keira, the rather cute librarian, mentioned a rumour about a mysterious map buried on a tiny island with a single palm tree somewhere in the Caribbean. Supposedly, the map would lead to the treasure of the sunken galleon Santa Tortosa. After much research and a long journey, you have arrived on the island, and soon you will see whether those rumours were true. Either way, you will definitely have a good story to tell at the next Society meeting!

You are standing on a lonely beach in the shadow of a single palm tree. Little spots of sunlight are sparkling on the gently rolling waves. In the distance you hear some seagulls. A few steps to the south the ocean begins. Your ship has left, as your expedition team is on its way to other explorations, and will pick you up again afterwards.

Your custom-made scuba gear lies on top of the trunk it came in, close to the water. Its shiny brass helmet shows a reflection of yourself.

You can see a shovel here.

PS: If you are new to text adventures, enter GUIDE for help.
action: You take all
response: shovel: Taken.
scuba gear: As you prepare for your dive, you notice that the pressure gauge is missing. If you want to handle or wear the scuba gear you have to look for the pressure gauge first.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a shovel
your waterproof wristwatch (being worn)
action: You look at the watch
response: The wristwatch is clearly a modern piece of equipment that even serves as a small, steam-powered analytical engine.
action: About yourself
response: You are Professor Oliver von Bremen, a great adventurer and bon vivant. You were born into Lower-Saxony aristocracy, but have always found the marvels of modern science and engineering much more appealing than the tea party chitchat at court.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: On the lonely beach stands a single palm tree. Little spots of sunlight are sparkling on the gently rolling waves. In the distance you hear some seagulls. A few steps to the south the ocean begins. Your ship has left, as your expedition team is on its way to other explorations, and will pick you up again afterwards.

Your custom-made scuba gear lies on top of the trunk it came in, close to the water. Its shiny brass helmet shows a reflection of yourself.

You can see a trunk here.
action: You examine the tree
response: Investigation of the log reveals nothing interesting. But it definitely is a nice palm tree.
action: You examine the ocean
response: The ocean is calm, perfect for diving.
action: You look at the helmet
response: The brass helmet is part of the scuba gear. It looks big, but being custom-made, it fits you perfectly.
action: You open the trunk
response: The trunk is open.
action: You look in the trunk
response: The trunk is empty.
action: You move the trunk
response: Under the trunk, you discover the pressure gauge that fell off the scuba gear. You reconnect it, and your gear looks ready to wear now.
action: You take the gear
response: Taken.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
your scuba gear
a shovel
your waterproof wristwatch (being worn)
action: Go north
response: The terrain in that direction is impassable.
action: Dig
response: Where do you want to dig?
action: You dig in the sand
response: You dig aimlessly for a while without finding anything. The location does not seem to be specific enough to make the effort worthwhile.
action: Swim
response: You'll have to say which compass direction to go in.
action: You wear the gear
response: As you put on the scuba gear you hear a soft, friendly beep in your helmet. A text is projected into your visor:

Steam-Powered Analytical Mobile Engine version 42 ready. Enter
ANALYSE to request helpful suggestions from the system. Repeat for more in-depth analysis if needed. CAUTION: Analysis requires significant energy, so use your brains first. Thank you.
action: Go south
response: (first dropping the shovel)
Lagoon
The water is chest-deep and crystal clear. A school of fish is swimming close to the bottom. To the south, you can see the reef top beneath the water's surface. The beach lies to the north.

A glass jar is bobbing up and down on the waves. It seems to contain a piece of paper.
action: You take jar
response: As you take the jar, new text appears in your visor: New object detected. Enter INVENTORY to see list of all objects carried.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a glass jar (closed)
a piece of paper
your scuba gear (being worn)
your waterproof wristwatch (being worn)
action: You examine paper
response: The piece of paper inside the jar is crumpled. It seems to be a page torn out of a manual. To read it, you will have to open the jar.
action: You open the jar
response: Risk of object damage detected. Opening jar underwater likely to
soak contents. Open jar (yes/no)?
action: Go south
response: The reef top is teeming with life. Marine creatures in all shapes and colours are whizzing around. To the south the deep water shimmers in all shades of blue. To the east you see a coral forest. To the north lies the lagoon.

A snapper looks at you in an almost human way.
action: Go north
response: The water is chest-deep and crystal clear. A school of fish is swimming close to the bottom. To the south, you can see the reef top beneath the water's surface. The beach lies to the north.
action: You go to the north
response: On the lonely beach stands a single palm tree. Little spots of sunlight are sparkling on the gently rolling waves. In the distance you hear some seagulls. A few steps to the south the ocean begins. Your ship has left, as your expedition team is on its way to other explorations, and will pick you up again afterwards.

You can see a shovel and a trunk here.
action: You open the jar
response: You open the glass jar.
action: You read the paper
response: (first taking the piece of paper)
It looks like a laminated page torn out of a telegrapher's manual. It reads:

Length of a dot (short): one unit. Length of a dash (long): three units.

A  . -    B  - . . . C  - . - . D - . . E . F . . - . G - - . H . . . . I . . J . - - -   K - . -   L . - . . M - -   N - . O - - -   P . - - . Q - - . -   R . - . S . . . T -   U . . -   V . . . -   W . - -   X - . . -   Y - . - -   Z - - . .
action: You examine the sand
response: The beach consists of white sand, which owes its colour to pulverized pieces of dead coral.
action: You put the paper in the jar
response: You put the piece of paper into the glass jar.
action: You close jar
response: You close the glass jar.
action: You put the jar in the trunk
response: The trunk has gotten very sandy inside. Things you might want to put in there are safer elsewhere.
action: You look at the fish
response: The school of fish moves like a single unit as it searches the bottom for food.
action: Go south
response: The reef top is teeming with life. Marine creatures in all shapes and colours are whizzing around. To the south the deep water shimmers in all shades of blue. To the east you see a coral forest. To the north lies the lagoon.

A snapper looks at you in an almost human way.
action: You examine the snapper
response: The yellowtail snapper is a medium-sized fish with clear, silvery eyes. A bright yellow line covers its blue-ish body from the eyes to the deep-forked tail. You feel a strange urge to talk to the snapper.
action: You talk to the snapper
response: Upon hearing your words, the snapper blows a strange pattern of bubbles: "OOo  oOo  o  o  O  oo  Oo  OOo  ooo". Then it takes a bow as if introducing itself. What is the snapper trying to say?
action: You say the greetings to snapper
response: The snapper continues to communicate in Morse code, which you can decipher easily: "Wonderful! I got your language right."

The snapper explains that her name is Sabina, and that she is an ardent fighter for fish rights, famous for her motto "Don't give a damn about the law of the wild!" Sabina learned Morse code as a foreign language. She says:

"I could teach you some basic elements of the fish language so you can talk to other, less cosmopolitan members of our community here. But you have to do me a favour first. The newly discovered colour
poenk is the latest craze at the reef top. Seahorse Shantal
wears it all the time. Bring me something poenk, no matter what it is."
action: You go east
response: You hear another soft beep: another experimental function of your scuba gear! The text in your visor reads:

Body signals and visual analysis suggest accomplishment. Logging
for report to Adventurers' Society activated. Choose preferred report text:

(1) A spontaneous inspiration struck me as I was deciphering the bubble code.

(2) As an expert linguist, I ran a quick comparison between ten
exotic regional dialects, distilling their common quintessential structures, and applying them to an underwater culture. Many can recognize morse code, but only a man of science can put it into the appropriate context!

Which version of the story shall be logged?
action: 2
response: Version 2 logged.

A coral forest of vibrant colours stretches far ahead. The colony forms different levels, with small brain corals cowering close to the ground, and head-high staghorn corals towering over them. To the east you see something that looks like the entrance to a cave. To the south a soft glow illuminates the water. To the west lies the reef top.

Between the corals a huge, grey napoleonfish is lifting pieces of coral, obviously to exercise its bulking muscles.
action: You look at the napoleon
response: The napoleonfish is bigger than you, and heavily built. It sports the typical big hump on its forehead.
action: You look at the brain corals
response: As you look at the corals, you hear a soft beep, and text appears in your visor: Corals are marine invertebrates within the class
Anthozoa of the phylum Cnidaria.

Hidden underneath one coral you see a tube sponge.
action: You examine the sponge
response: The sponge consists of three cylindrical yellow tubes united at the base. Tube sponges can't talk. Therefore you'll never know that this is Tobias the tube sponge, a gentle soul who is secretly in love with the equally silent sea anemone Suzi growing just a few fin strokes away.
action: You go west
response: The reef top is teeming with life. Marine creatures in all shapes and colours are whizzing around. To the south the deep water shimmers in all shades of blue. To the east you see the coral forest. To the north lies the lagoon.
action: You ask Sabina about the poenk
response: "Poenk," Sabina replies, "is a brand new colour. It's all the rage down here now. It looks like a mix of purple, red and white."
action: You go east
response: A coral forest of vibrant colours stretches far ahead. The colony forms different levels, with small brain corals cowering close to the ground, and head-high staghorn corals towering over them. To the east you see something that looks like the entrance to a cave. To the south a soft glow illuminates the water. To the west lies the reef top.

The huge, grey napoleonfish with its large frame and bulking muscles is here, still exercising.
action: Go east
response: It is pitch dark and you can't see a thing. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
action: Go west
response: A coral forest of vibrant colours stretches far ahead. The colony forms different levels, with small brain corals cowering close to the ground, and head-high staghorn corals towering over them. To the east you see the entrance to the cave. To the south a soft glow illuminates the water. To the west lies the reef top.

The napoleonfish is here.
action: Pet sponge
response: Nothing happens.
action: Go south
response: You are in deep blue water. Here, in the dark ocean, you see a wreck: the sunken galleon Santa Tortosa. At the side of the wreck you see a hatchway. To the east seems to be a plankton rendezvous. To the north you can see the reef top.
action: You examine the galleon
response: The wreck of the Santa Tortosa towers over you. Its hull is overgrown with plants and corals. On one side of the sunken galleon you see a hatchway.
action: You look at the corals
response: The plants and corals grow on all parts of the wreck. They have transformed the old galleon into something new, and made it a part of the sea.
action: You look at the hatchway
response: Some planks got stuck in the frame of the hatchway. They would need to be pushed aside to enter.
action: You examine the planks
response: The planks are made of wood that has remained surprisingly solid underwater.
action: Go east
response: A beautiful glow illuminates a small part of the area. Patches of turqouise light sparkle in the blue water. The bioluminescent glow is caused by plankton. To the west you see deep blue water. To the north lies the coral forest.

You can see some plankton here.
action: You look at the plankton
response: As you look at the plankton, you hear a soft beep, and text appears in your visor: Plankton is a collection of diverse organisms that
live in large bodies of water and are unable to swim against a current. These organisms include bacteria, algae, protozoa, and drifting animals.
action: You get the plankton
response: You hold the plankton in your hand. Since you have to hold your fingers firmly closed, no light can emanate.
action: You go to the east
response: The terrain in that direction is impassable.
action: You go to the west
response: After a soft beep, a short text appears in your visor: Danger detected. Swimming around with the plankton in your clenched fist will cut it off from its water supply. Killing a simple life form before its next leap in evolution is discouraged.
action: You drop the plankton
response: Dropped.
action: You go north
response: A coral forest of vibrant colours stretches far ahead. The colony forms different levels, with small brain corals cowering close to the ground, and head-high staghorn corals towering over them. To the east you see the entrance to the cave. To the south a soft glow illuminates the water. To the west lies the reef top.

The napoleonfish is here.
action: Go south
response: You are in deep blue water. Here, in the dark ocean, you see a wreck: the sunken galleon Santa Tortosa. At the side of the wreck you see a hatchway. To the east lies the plankton rendezvous. To the north you can see the reef top.
action: Go east
response: A beautiful glow illuminates a small part of the area. Patches of turqouise light sparkle in the blue water. The bioluminescent glow is caused by plankton. To the west you see deep blue water. To the north lies the coral forest.

You can see some plankton here.
action: You put the plankton in the jar
response: You put the plankton into the glass jar. The jar now emanates a soft light.

Again, you hear a soft beep and see some projected text:

Body signals and visual analysis suggest accomplishment. Logging
for report to Adventurers' Society activated. Choose preferred report text:

(1) Seeing the beautiful underwater landscape in the soft light of
the plankton in the jar felt almost dreamlike. I wish the members of the Adventurers' Society could see it!

(2) Fashioning a lamp from plankton and a jar might seem like a
pretty straightforward idea. But gentlemen, have you ever tried to catch plankton in the tidal drift? This requires not only a quick brain but also quick reflexes!

Which version of the report shall be logged?
action: 1
response: Version 1 logged.
action: Go north
response: A coral forest of vibrant colours stretches far ahead. The colony forms different levels, with small brain corals cowering close to the ground, and head-high staghorn corals towering over them. To the east you see the entrance to the cave. To the south lies a plankton rendezvous. To the west lies the reef top.

The napoleonfish is here.
action: Go east
response: The soft bioluminescent plankton light reflects from the walls of a small cave. At one end, the tides have carved a narrow passage into the rock that is just wide enough to get through. The passage leads up. To the west lies the coral forest.
action: Go upwards
response: You arrive at the shore of a hidden island enclosed by high walls that look like the crater of an extinct volcano. Nature seems completely undisturbed here, as if nobody ever set foot on this shore before. The island is so small that you can see its entire perimeter from here. To the north lies a small forest. To the east you see a small meadow. A narrow passage in a submerged rock formation leads down.

As you step out of the water, your bulky suit makes you stumble, and you hear a splashing sound. A small metal rod got loose from your scuba gear and fell into the water. You'll really have to have a word with the Quartermaster!
action: You get the rod
response: Taken.
action: You examine it
response: The rod is a shiny, straight piece of metal. Fortunately, it doesn't seem to be required for the scuba gear to function.
action: You examine the scuba
response: Attached to a large brass helmet with a visor is a rubbery suit. The gear extracts oxygen from water, giving you plenty of time underwater. You remember the Quartermaster's smile when she told you that it included several other experimental features that would reveal themselves in time. A metal rod got loose, but fortunately it doesn't seem to be required for the scuba gear to function.
action: You go to the north
response: (first taking the scuba gear off)
(first dropping the scuba gear)
Small Forest
Beyond the edge of the forest, the vegetation first gets denser, then opens up to reveal a clearing. In the high canopy of the treetops, you hear the enchanting songs of exotic birds. To the south lies the shore.

There is a Beautyberry bush, carrying a single berry.

A small hogerbear is sitting on a tree stump in the clearing. The bear is wearing green dungarees and holds a triangle in its left paw. Occasionally, it attempts to strike the triangle with its right paw, but this produces no sound. The bear looks at you with a sad expression.
action: You look at the bush
response: The bush grows small and dense. It is the only one of its kind you have seen here.
action: You look at the berry
response: The berry has a colour of splendid purple. It looks juicy.
action: You look at the bear
response: The hogerbear is about the size of a child, and looks extremely cuddly. As you keep looking at the creature, your analytical engine completes a visual scan and informs you that hogerbears are a peaceful and rather musical species (with a questionable sense of fashion) that were thought to be long extinct.
action: You examine the triangle
response: The triangle is silver in colour and looks shiny in the sun. It is a little smaller than the instruments you remember from your school days.
action: You give the rod to bear
response: The hogerbear takes the metal rod, strikes it against the triangle, and listens to its beautiful chime. A happy expression spreads over the creature's face. It takes out a flat stone and hands it to you, apparently as a thank-you gift.

You have a flat stone.
action: You examine the stone
response: The flat stone is about the size of your palm. It seems to be a tool of some kind. Held in one hand, its bottom side, which is not covered by your fingers, looks scratched and worn.
action: You describe your surroundings
response: Beyond the edge of the forest, the vegetation first gets denser, then opens up to reveal a clearing. In the high canopy of the treetops, you hear the enchanting songs of exotic birds. To the south lies the shore.

The hogerbear sits on its stump, happily playing its triangle with the metal rod.
action: You listen
response: You hear nothing unexpected.
I beg your pardon?
action: You eat the berry
response: After a soft beep, text appears on your wristwatch: Colour
suggests that eating berry would endanger health status.
action: Go south
response: Again you hear a soft beep and see some projected text:

Body signals and visual analysis suggest accomplishment. Choose preferred report text:

(1) The hogerbear conveyed an inspiring impression of calmness and wisdom. If man and beast ever find a common language, we might be able to learn a lot from the hogerbears' culture.

(2) There it stood: a huge hogerbear, baring its razor-sharp
teeth, and displaying its menacing claws. A lesser man might have turned to run, but as a true adventurer, I just saw an opportunity to prove myself worthy.

Which version of the report do you want to log?
action: 1
response: Version 1 logged.

You arrive at the shore of a hidden island enclosed by high walls that look like the crater of an extinct volcano. The island is so small that you can see its entire perimeter from here. To the north lies the small forest. To the east you see a small meadow. A narrow passage in a submerged rock formation leads down.

You can see your scuba gear here.
action: Go east
response: Little snow sheep graze on a verdant pasture. The grass is speckled with ground cover plants in vivid colours. To the west lies the shore.

In the middle of the meadow lies a grindstone.

You can also see a daisy and a poppy here.
action: You examine the daisy
response: The daisy has a colour of pure white. It looks very fresh.
action: You look at the poppy
response: The poppy has a colour of bright red. It looks lush and succulent.
action: PUT BERRY, DAISY, POPPY ON GRINDSTONE
response: purple berry: Done.
daisy: (first taking the daisy)
Done.
poppy: (first taking the poppy)
Done.
action: Grind
response: With which tool do you want to grind?
action: Grind with stone
response: As it turns out, grinding is hard work, but after a few minutes, you produce some poenk liquid on the grindstone.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a flat stone
a glass jar (providing light and open)
some plankton
your waterproof wristwatch (being worn)
action: You examine the liquid
response: The liquid is of vivid poenk colour, a mix of purple, white, and red.
action: You put the liquid on stone
response: (first taking the poenk liquid)
You can't pick up the poenk liquid with your bare hands.
action: You put the liquid in the jar
response: You put the poenk liquid into the jar. Combined with the plankton, it emanates a soft poenk glow.
action: You go to the west
response: You arrive at the shore of a hidden island enclosed by high walls that look like the crater of an extinct volcano. The island is so small that you can see its entire perimeter from here. To the north lies the small forest. To the east you see the small meadow. A narrow passage in a submerged rock formation leads down.

You can see your scuba gear here.
action: You wear gear
response: (first taking the scuba gear)
You put on the scuba gear.
action: Go downwards
response: The soft bioluminescent plankton light reflects from the walls of a small cave. At one end, the tides have carved a narrow passage into the rock that is just wide enough to get through. The passage leads up. To the west lies the coral forest.
action: You go west
response: A coral forest of vibrant colours stretches far ahead. The colony forms different levels, with small brain corals cowering close to the ground, and head-high staghorn corals towering over them. To the east you see the entrance to the cave. To the south lies a plankton rendezvous. To the west lies the reef top.

The napoleonfish is here.
action: You give the jar to Sabina
response: Sabina is overjoyed: "Wonderful, now I have my own poenk accessory! Seahorse Shantal will be so jealous."

After Sabina has calmed down, which takes a while, she remembers her promise, and teaches you some basic elements of the fish language. Now you are able to communicate with other sea dwellers.
action: Go south
response: The reef top is teeming with life. Marine creatures in all shapes and colours are whizzing around. To the south the deep water shimmers in all shades of blue. To the east you see the coral forest. To the north lies the lagoon.

Sabina the snapper is here, happily playing with her jar of poenk liquid.
action: You talk to the napoleon
response: The napoleonfish looks at you with a grumpy expression: "As if we didn't have enough life forms in the sea talking all the time. But now that you have learned the fish language, I am sure you want something from me... so go ahead: Ask me to do something."
action: You follow you
response: The napoleonfish has better things to do.
action: You ask him to come with yourself
response: The napoleonfish frowns: "You're lucky that I'm fed up with these corals. Perhaps a quest offers a more interesting way to exercise my muscles. Lead the way, I will follow."
action: You go south
response: Again you hear a soft beep and see some projected text:

Body signals and visual analysis suggest accomplishment. Choose preferred report text:

(1) The napoleonfish acted grumpy, but it had a heart of gold. It agreed to follow me without demanding anything in return.

(2) I locked eyes with the gigantic napoleonfish and held its
gaze. Soon enough, the beast wavered and broke eye contact. Although brawny and larger than myself, it soon accepted me as its master, and followed me to do my bidding.

Which version of the story do you want to log?
action: 1
response: Version 1 logged.

Tiny stray patches of turquoise light are sparkling in the water, clearly the remains of a plankton light up. To the west you see deep blue water. To the north lies the coral forest.

The napoleonfish arrives with you.
action: Go west
response: You are in deep blue water. Here, in the dark ocean, you see a wreck: the sunken galleon Santa Tortosa. At the side of the wreck you see a hatchway. To the east lies the plankton rendezvous. To the north you can see the reef top.

The napoleonfish arrives from the east.

The napoleonfish looks at you, then at the surroundings: "This is a nice spot. I think I'll stay here for a while. Is there anything else in particular that you would like to ask me to do, before we go our separate ways?"
action: You ask the napoleon to push the planks
response: It almost seems as if the napoleonfish is grinning. "Ah, not strong enough, are you? Well, let's see���"
The napoleonfish pushes hard against the planks, muscles bulging. After a moment, the planks give way, and the hatchway is open. You can enter the wreck now.
action: You enter the wreck
response: You are in the former captain's cabin. Apart from an emblazoned wooden chest, the small room contains no furniture. The chest is guarded by a huge octopus. Exiting the wreck takes you back into the deep blue water.
action: You talk to the octopus
response: The huge octopus looks at you with mild regret. It says: "I can imagine why you came here. But to open the treasure chest of the Santa Tortosa, you have to give me the password first - and it changes with each adventurer who reaches me. I have been guarding this treasure for centuries. Until this day, only four brave heroes made it here, and tried to guess the password. But they all failed.

To the first one I said: 1. And he should have answered: 3.

To the second one I said: 2. And he should have answered: 3.

To the third one I said: 3. And he should have answered: 5.

To the fourth one I said: 4. And he should have answered: 4.

To you I say: 5. What is your answer?"
action: You say 4
response: The octopus looks surprised: "Very well, Human, that is the correct password. But the ancient rules dictate that you explain your choice to me, to show that you are truly worthy. So tell me, what did you have to do to find the password? Name at least one action you had to perform after we started talking. If you do not want to give the explanation right away, you can always come back to give your answer. I will await your return."
action: You say count
response: The huge octopus bends its tentacles in a congratulary gesture: "Courageous adventurer, you have indeed solved the riddle of the Santa Tortosa! I deem you worthy to finally open this chest that I have been guarding for centuries. Inside you will find a treasure fit for a king."
action: Open chest
response: You open the chest - and catch your breath. The chest is filled to the top with heavy gold coins and precious gemstones in all colours of the rainbow. You also notice a delicate locket that would make a nice thank-you present for Keira the cute librarian.
action: You get the chest
response: The octopus waves its tentacles: "Not so greedy, young adventurer. Rules dictate that you take the items one by one out of the chest."
action: You get the locket
response: You take the locket. At that moment, the treasure chest and all its remaining contents seem to lose their colour. Within seconds, they turn into dull, hard rock.

The octopus smiles faintly. "You have made your choice, and this reveals more about you than any riddle can. This is the true treasure of the Santa Tortosa. My task is complete, and I look forward to finally roaming the reefs again. You may exit now. Farewell!"
action: Exit
response: Again you hear a soft beep and see some projected text:

Body signals and visual analysis suggest accomplishment. Choose preferred report text for the Adventurers' Society:

(1) The dwellers of the sea are as calm and peaceful as the ocean.
The octopus sentinel stood its ground and guarded the treasure without harming or threatening me. When I found the password everything was as it was meant to be.

(2) Only the huge octopus stood between me and the treasure. This dreadful sentinel had guarded the chest for centuries; no living being had ever overcome it. Great courage and cunning were necessary to get past it and snatch the treasure out of its menacing tentacles!

Which version do you want to log?
action: 1
response: Version 1 logged.

You are in deep blue water. Here, in the dark ocean, you see a wreck: the sunken galleon Santa Tortosa. At the side of the wreck you see a hatchway. You can enter the wreck. To the east lies the plankton rendezvous. To the north you can see the reef top.

The napoleonfish is here.

After a soft beep, text appears in your visor:

Visual sensors suggesting treasure was found. Analytical engine
used 0 time(s). Ship has been called. Location tracking suggests to keep heading north to return to beach, where vessel will be
waiting.
action: Go north
response: The reef top is teeming with life. Marine creatures in all shapes and colours are whizzing around. To the south the deep water shimmers in all shades of blue. To the east you see the coral forest. To the north lies the lagoon.

Sabina the snapper is here, happily playing with her jar of poenk liquid.
action: You go north
response: On the lonely beach stands a single palm tree. Little spots of sunlight are sparkling on the gently rolling waves. In the distance you hear some seagulls. A few steps to the south the ocean begins. Your ship has returned, anchoring close to the lagoon. Your wristwatch displays a final message: BOARD vessel to return to London, report
to Adventurers' Society, and complete mission.

You can see a piece of paper, a shovel and a trunk here.
action: You dig under the tree
response: (first taking the shovel)
Under the palm tree you find an old wooden box. In the box you find a map.
action: You look at the map
response: (first taking the map)

The map looks battered and old. The writing has faded over the years, but it is still legible:

"Only a bold adventurer can find the treasure of the Santa Tortosa. But beware the mighty sentinel that guards it! If you dare, go south-south-south. Fortune and eternal truths await you at the end of your journey."
action: Board ship
response: Your journey home is pleasantly uneventful.

As soon as your feet touch British soil again, they take you to Keira the librarian, who is overjoyed at the beautiful locket you present to her. Giving the treasure away in this manner without appraisal of its monetary or historical value may not have been the best move for your career or financial situation, but it opens her heart to you, and you fall madly in love with each other.

When you return your scuba gear and wristwatch to the Quartermaster, she is both amazed at your intelligence and a little annoyed that you had no need at all to use her latest invention, the built-in analytical engine, for any clues.

Two weeks later, you receive a formal invitation letter to speak before your fellow members at the Adventurers' Society.

Your presentation amazes and excites the audience. When you finish your report, the applause is overwhelming.

Later, at the bar, you hear two esteemed members of the Society talking and praising both your courage and talent to spice up stories. They look forward to your future reports. If you continue to prove yourself, they might even consider proposing you for the Society's Hall of Fame. That is something you have been working towards for a long time!