Spelunker's Nightmare

The thrill of exploration is what brought you down into these depths. Well, that and the lure of a solid gold treasure hoard. Your small band of archaeologists (treasure hunters) set out on what was to be your tenth expedition - exploring twists and tight tunnels, braving the claustrophobic environment to discover burial chambers and vaults left untouched for centuries.

Ground penetrating radar helped map out the large cave system you decided to explore, once you'd narrowed down the region. While the ancient text that you'd purchased in that shady auction pointed to a river valley in what is now known as Vietnam, it had been shockingly difficult to pinpoint exactly where the text was referring to.

Eventually you found yourselves around 30 miles away from Hang Son Doong - the largest cave in the world. Fortunately it was far enough from any of the main tourist destinations, though it was still rather difficult to get the equipment in and out without anyone getting suspicious to your motives.

Still, you managed to do it - a lengthy cave system that was not directly connected to the other caves in the region, and just a few fissures with which to grant you access down into the depths of the earth. The text had said that there was a vast treasure carried meticulously down into the cave system - a burial rite for one of the unknown rulers of the Funan kingdom. All that gold, simply buried in the earth. Impassively waiting for you to take it.

You entered the cave what feels like a lifetime ago. You made your way through tight passages, until you came upon a large room - a burial chamber, just as the text had said. You lined your pockets and your packs, making sure to leave enough room to make it back through the fissures, and headed out.

Only, you could not find your way out. You left the burial chamber behind, and the cave became a maze of tunnels - that you did not recognize. The maps you had made from the radar scans no longer match reality.

You're not sure when, but one of you noticed the gold you'd taken was whispering. Calling to you. Cursing your name. Cursing your trespass. Your theft. Soon after you saw them. Out of the corner of your eyes. Around the strange bends that had not been there before.

You've been down here over a day now, and you're running low on water - and more importantly on light. The batteries will run out eventually. You have to get out. Perhaps if you return what you've taken they'll let you go. It's your only shot.

Areas of Note: Cavern Tunnel, Cavern Cave, Cavern Tunnel again, That same tunnel from last time? How?

Goal: Find your way back to the burial chamber, return that which you have stolen, and pray that this place lets you leave.