Maag nods. "Yeah, I told dem dat if we did not come back in der day, den dey should leave. Den dey should look for a signal from us der next day."
"If we are all gonna go down to der beach to tell dem to go 'ome an' come back to tomorrow, we might as well just get in der boat an' go wiv 'em. Beats sleepin' on der floor in dis place."
I honestly can't decide which option is better:
1. The tunnel seems like the best place to hide. But if something comes down that elevator, it's a rat-trap.
2. I like the plan for the storage room. But it's close to that grotto room. What if there is something oozy or slimy in there? The portcullis wouldn't protect against that if it came calling.
3. Back to town yet again is a drag, and will cost more money to return here. It does have an upside that 1&2 don't though. With those options, we wake up, cast healing spells and carry on exploring with limited/no healing and our options to use other spells are curtailed. Town gives us the chance to fully heal up and have spell slots option for other choices. I guess the other downside is running the monster gauntlet to get back here again.
If we are going to stay in the dungeon, I'd prefer the tunnel, but I'd vote for the storage room. (I'm going to gamble there's nothing slimy or nasty)
Slowly Filling In The Blanks
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Warm, Humid
Maag bites into a wax lemon, finding the flavor very bland and the texture rather....waxy. Digging around nearby, he finds another piece of fruit from his bowl, this one a wax banana, though it is badly squashed into the stone floor and looks unappealing to taste.
Tlachtga assures Andron that the underground hallway would be easy to defend and a good place to rest as she kicks around in the wasteland of broken junk. She finds an area scattered with broken pottery and smashed china, proof that civilized beings might have dined here once, all of it now destroyed.
Gramble tosses his trophy head to Andron, the light spell cast upon it earlier still glowing brightly in the beasts eyes. The priest finds nothing obvious that stands out as particularly strange or different about it. Gramble goes back to searching, lifting up what looks like a smashed decorative pane, he finds a moldy velvet bag containing something odd. Inside is a fist sized, perfectly round stone sphere of a swirling, smokey grey color.
Andronichishche continues to opine over every detail he can think of regarding the contradicting letters, book, and notes they’ve found. The feeling that he might be the only one in the group overly concerned about any of it does cross his mind. Inquiring about the coins and things his friends are finding, he gets no reply.
Lerrick asks Maag to have a look at the scroll tube she found before letting Andron open it. Together the pair finds a copper bracelet or armband of some kind. Rescuing it from the rest of the garbage, they notice a strange circular diagram scratched into its wide surface. The scratches are clearly not part of its original make.
82C5E355-ADBE-48BF-AA44-B8847D31CBBF.jpeg (46.78 KiB) Viewed 532 times
Though they have only been back to the island for a few short hours now, Alordan reminds the others that if they intend to stay the night in here, they will need to make arrangements with their boatmen.
Actions?
map:
no change
Lerrick 1/11 0/4 1st (Light stone 40'r) Light:36 (on the eyes of Brutus)
Tlachtga 2/8 2/4 1st
Gramble 3/16
Maag 9/12
Alordan 12/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Andronichishche 3/6 0/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 0/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Deceased
Sir Crestbrook 0/11 LoH(Petrified and Broken in Melania’s bedroom)
Cu AC:3 0/13
Carucenus -5.5/10 message on tiny decorative box Mina's note Notes and other Bookkeeping:
Melania
You have been warned several times now about your unwillingness to remain in your designated location. Since you cannot control your desire to destroy my hard earned collection by turning them into useless statuary, you leave me little other choice but to relocate you somewhere safer.
Melaina
I have decided on a far more suitable spot for you to reside. There is a cave complex on the other side of the island that will suit your needs perfectly. It is an old experiment of mine, that never panned out the way that I had hoped. But there is a fresh water source inside and a magical summoning device of my own creation that should provide you with an endless supply of food. You will be relocated there as soon as I get it ready. I am still working on filling your request for companionship. As I told you before, they are extremely rare and nearly impossible to locate.
Bookkeeping:
01-05= The “Key”
06-10= Intact Copper Bowl of Wax Fruit (25gp)
11-15= Solid Copper Decorative Serving Tray (40gp)
16-20= Broken Cartouche
21-25=
26-30= Note About the Contacts
31-35= Moldy Sack of 254 Copper Coins
36-40=
41-45= Small Locked Chest
46-50= Grey Stone Sphere
51-55=
56=60=
61=65=
66-70= Ornate Latched Scroll Case
71-75= Copper Armband w/ Circular Diagram (20gp)
76-80= Fairy Tale Storybook
81-85= Hand Written Notes
86-90= Notes on Minotaur Summoning Dais
91-95= Small Wooden Puzzle Box
96-100=
Andronichishche picks up the copper bracelet and describes the etched symbol to the others. "Has anyone heard or seen of anything like this? Almost like it was scratched into the bracelet as a note. Could be some kind of compass reference?" He shrugs and carefully stows it into his pack for later transcription into his journal.
He then pulls the bovine head of Brutus from the sack and performs a short examination of its dead eyes. He doesn't appear surprised that they look normal, for a minotaur, but his brow furrows in thought for a moment all the same. He doesn't voice any concerns, however, just stows the massive head into the sack and returns it to Gramble.
Before resuming his search of a rather large pile of broken furniture, he notices the sack of copper coins Gramble found. He decides against disturbing the congenial fighter again and examines a coin from the sack himself. While turning it about in his hand he responds to Tlachtga over his shoulder, "It seems the consensus is to camp in the tunnel. With the minotaur that should have been summoned today unaccounted for, that would be safer than returning to the boat. Pete and Joe were instructed leave without us and look for smoke signals tomorrow if we failed to return today."
Normally, I'd say return to town, but we didn't encounter a minotaur outside, unlike the other three trips here. If one was summoned today and lurking outside, an ambush would be devastating in our condition. I was actually wanting to check the pool in the grotto next. We should be able to do so safely with a pole.
Andronichishche looks up to see what Gramble is holding. "Some kind of large marble sphere? It definitely did not radiate magic when I checked the room earlier. May I? He extends a hand to accept the sphere. Andron will examine it for any evidence of a seam or inscription. "It may be related to the diagram on the bracelet ... however, that suggests there are seven other spheres such as this. Perhaps part of an astronomical model? Another puzzle?"
"We could wedge sumfin under der elevator once we get down der. Make it slow down before it gets to der tunnel. Den we could shoot anybody in der legs before dey can get off."
Alordan keeps searching, and offers his viewpoint, "More puzzles. Maybe there are more puzzles beyond the door down below - I would bet that's where it is going to get more dangerous. Do we want to open that up being so down on strength?"
"Maag - i wouldn't mess with that elevator too much. It sounds like it was working hard when we went up before. If we damage it, we aren't getting done there - or back up - again...."
Andronichishche, not having seen the elevator in operation for himself, abstains from offering an opinion about it. He does look up from his searching, however, when Alordan mentions the locked door. "I agree, Mr. Alordan. I don't trust the intentions of this wizard. We should rest and heal our injuries before attempting to open it." He glances at the broken stone cartouche for several seconds. "I expect we'll encounter more danger beyond the portal ... Speaking of puzzles, may I examine the puzzle box you found?"
I believe we should head down to the lower level and get this over with. I feel that elevator has a finite amount of uses based on the snake I symbols that show up after each time we use it.
Andronichishche purses his lips and regards Lerrick thoughtfully. "We know the wizard was conducting some kind of experiment here, and I believe it's related to that ...". He points again at the stone cartouche, but refrains from elaborating. "If you had created something, perhaps something quite dangerous, where would you hide it?" He shifts his gaze to pointedly look at the floor. "I am still skeptical that the brass key we found is the proper key, either."
Andron relaxes his shoulders with a conciliatory smile. "It would seem, however, that we need to understand the elevator's operation. This is all moot if it ceases to function."
Slowly Filling In The Blanks
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Warm, Humid
Ever the quintessential multi-tasker, Andron looks over the copper armband, the severed head of the minotaur they killed a couple hours ago, and one of the coins Gramble found, all while also searching the remainder of the rubble strewn throughout the place. The coin is old and stamped on both sides. One side has the outline of what must be a wizards silhouette, complete with pointy hat and long flowing beard, while the other side is stamped with the clear common initials of SW.
The others in the group continue voicing their opinions about the stuff they are finding, finally agreeing to check out the elevator together and spending some time resting in the hall below. Out of all the searchers, this time only Tlachtga finds something other than more useless junk. She finds a piece of thick papyrus with a shopping list of 7 items recorded on it in dark ink. The list is written in the same strong male hand and reads as follows:
This is a list of the items you will be "protecting" for me in here. Please remember the terms of our earlier agreement before you get any ridiculous ideas to use any of these against me.
Chime of Serpent’s Desire
Protecting Egg
Withering Venom
Shedding Strike
Band of Fools
Green Manalishi
Dansden
Actions?
map:
no change
Lerrick 1/11 0/4 1st (Light stone 40'r) Light:36 (on the eyes of Brutus)
Tlachtga 2/8 2/4 1st
Gramble 3/16
Maag 9/12
Alordan 12/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Andronichishche 3/6 0/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 0/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Deceased
Sir Crestbrook 0/11 LoH(Petrified and Broken in Melania’s bedroom)
Cu AC:3 0/13
Carucenus -5.5/10 message on tiny decorative box Mina's note Notes and other Bookkeeping:
Melania
You have been warned several times now about your unwillingness to remain in your designated location. Since you cannot control your desire to destroy my hard earned collection by turning them into useless statuary, you leave me little other choice but to relocate you somewhere safer.
Melaina
I have decided on a far more suitable spot for you to reside. There is a cave complex on the other side of the island that will suit your needs perfectly. It is an old experiment of mine, that never panned out the way that I had hoped. But there is a fresh water source inside and a magical summoning device of my own creation that should provide you with an endless supply of food. You will be relocated there as soon as I get it ready. I am still working on filling your request for companionship. As I told you before, they are extremely rare and nearly impossible to locate.
Bookkeeping:
01-05= The “Key”
06-10= Intact Copper Bowl of Wax Fruit (25gp)
11-15= Solid Copper Decorative Serving Tray (40gp)
16-20= Broken Cartouche
21-25= List of 7 Unknown Items?
26-30= Note About the Contacts
31-35= Moldy Sack of 254 Copper Coins
36-40=
41-45= Small Locked Chest
46-50= Grey Stone Sphere
51-55=
56=60=
61=65=
66-70= Ornate Latched Scroll Case
71-75= Copper Armband w/ Circular Diagram (20gp)
76-80= Fairy Tale Storybook
81-85= Hand Written Notes
86-90= Notes on Minotaur Summoning Dais
91-95= Small Wooden Puzzle Box
96-100=
When he hears the list of protected objects, Maag floats a theory to the others. "A lot of those fings sound like sumfin' to do wiv a snake. An' der is a big snake eye lookin' out of der elevator. I reckon dey must be down in der treasure room down der."
Andronichishche describes the copper coin to the others. "Currency isn't one of my areas of study. I can't place the nation of origin to any of the Flanaess. The initials SW on the reverse is interesting, though. Reminiscent of the MS imprinted on Melania's forehead."
Andron accepts the parchment from Tlachtga and studies it while the others discuss the nature of the listed items. "A snake theme ...? Indeed." He stands silently for a minute as he integrates this new information.
He retrieves the story book with the colorful cover from his pack and rests one hand gently on the spine. "Cora implied the snake amulet was found on the mainland. I believe it was Melania who discovered it during her travels in early -captivity-. She wore the amulet and it converted her to a thrall of Apep, the serpent god, and eventually into a medusa. Unable to resist her new instincts, petrifying creatures with her deadly gaze, the wizard was forced to isolate her on this island segregated from his collection of minotaur. We know from the story she continued in her habit, turning many of his specimens into -useless statuary-. He then repurposed this complex for her to live in isolation, apparently under some formal agreement. I suspect the north half was for her to use. The south, separated by the secret doors, for Brutus; the last of the island's minotaur? He certainly provided her with the trappings of luxury and an endless supply of food and water. These items ... toys for her amusement? Something more? It's clear he did not need her to protect them. Almost certainly to satisfy one of her many demands."
He returns the book to his pack and carefully slides the parchment alongside it. "I agree that these items are likely secured in the vault. The medusa's magical wonders, as it were. She may have reneged on their agreement and eventually attempted to use them against the wizard ..."
He produces the now familiar bundle of notes and reads the third one in the stack to the group. After this, he trudges to another part of the room and stakes out a new area to search.
He looks up briefly at Maag, "Any luck with the scroll case Miss Lerrick found?"
Alordan keeps searching while Andron adds to the list of confusing things going on here. "If we are going to rest, there are other rooms in this place we can secure instead of going down the elevator - and who knows what else new is waiting down there. Or how many kobolds or killer trees are waiting..."
Slowly Filling In The Blanks
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Humid
After filling the others in on what he thinks has happened here, Andronichishche reads the next note in his stack out loud to the others, hoping some of his information sheds more light on their mystery.
Melania
I understand you aren’t happy with your new accommodations, but it is simply the best I can do for now. I think you will be much more at ease living here once I am able to fill your request for a mate. The reoccurring minotaur should provide you plenty of food and enough sport to keep you preoccupied while I search. Please remember that your captor was also once your savior, and that you wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for me. I know this isn’t an easy adjustment for you, but it must be preferable to the horrible death you would have endured without my aid.
While the party discusses, they continue searching the rubble, but only Tlachtga finds something of interest this time, a moist and mildewed crinkled up ball of parchment paper with the following note written in common.
My Darling Marquees
I know you like this place, but I am not about to spend the rest of my days preforming for this pompous bastard. We are getting out of here, and I think I finally figured out how. The ring of glass obelisks has something to do with the mobility of this place, so through them, there must be a way out. I know the colored stone spheres are the keys, all I need to do is figure out how they function. There must be a way to use the spheres to activate the obelisks, since the ones I have investigated don’t seem to do anything yet. Once I can figure out their secrets, I am hoping we will be able to go anywhere we want. I know you want to concentrate on making more eggs and raising new babies, but you cant expect me to be happy about bringing more of our kind into existence while we are all being held here against our will. We must find a way out!!! We can discuss this further once I've returned.
The area searched so far continues to grow, just like the searchers list of questions.
Actions?
map:
no change
Lerrick 1/11 0/4 1st (Light stone 40'r) Light:34 (on the eyes of Brutus)
Tlachtga 2/8 2/4 1st
Gramble 3/16
Maag 9/12
Alordan 12/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Andronichishche 3/6 0/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 0/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Deceased
Sir Crestbrook 0/11 LoH(Petrified and Broken in Melania’s bedroom)
Cu AC:3 0/13
Carucenus -5.5/10 message on tiny decorative box Mina's note Notes and other Bookkeeping:
Melania
You have been warned several times now about your unwillingness to remain in your designated location. Since you cannot control your desire to destroy my hard earned collection by turning them into useless statuary, you leave me little other choice but to relocate you somewhere safer.
Melaina
I have decided on a far more suitable spot for you to reside. There is a cave complex on the other side of the island that will suit your needs perfectly. It is an old experiment of mine, that never panned out the way that I had hoped. But there is a fresh water source inside and a magical summoning device of my own creation that should provide you with an endless supply of food. You will be relocated there as soon as I get it ready. I am still working on filling your request for companionship. As I told you before, they are extremely rare and nearly impossible to locate.
Melania
I understand you are not happy with your new accommodations, but it is simply the best I can do for now. I think you will be much more at ease living here once I am able to fill your request for a mate. The reoccurring minotaur should provide you plenty of food and enough sport to keep you preoccupied while I search. Please remember that your captor was also once your savior, and that you wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for me. I know this isn’t an easy adjustment for you, but it must be preferable to the horrible death you would have endured without my aid.
Bookkeeping:
01-05= The “Key”
06-10= Intact Copper Bowl of Wax Fruit (25gp)
11-15= Solid Copper Decorative Serving Tray (40gp)
16-20= Broken Cartouche
21-25= List of 7 Unknown Items
26-30= Note About the Contacts
31-35= Moldy Sack of 254 Copper Coins
36-40= Melania's Note About Escaping
41-45= Small Locked Chest
46-50= Grey Stone Sphere
51-55=
56=60=
61=65=
66-70= Ornate Latched Scroll Case
71-75= Copper Armband w/ Circular Diagram (20gp)
76-80= Fairy Tale Storybook
81-85= Hand Written Notes
86-90= Notes on Minotaur Summoning Dais
91-95= Small Wooden Puzzle Box
96-100=
This is a list of the items you will be "protecting" for me in here. Please remember the terms of our earlier agreement before you get any ridiculous ideas to use any of these against me.
Chime of Serpent’s Desire
Protecting Egg
Withering Venom
Shedding Strike
Band of Fools
Green Manalishi
Dansden
Marquees
I know you like this place, but I am not about to spend the rest of my days preforming for this pompous bastard. We are getting out of here, and I think I finally figured out how. The ring of glass obelisks have something to do with the mobility of this place, so through them, there must be a way out. I know the colored stone spheres are the keys, all I need to do is figure out how they function. There must be a way to use the spheres to activate the obelisks, since the ones I have investigated don’t seem to do anything yet. Once I can figure out their secrets, I am hoping we will be able to go anywhere we want. I know you want to concentrate on making more eggs and raising new babies, but you cant expect me to be happy about bringing more of our kind into existence while we are all being held here against our will. We must find a way out! We can discuss this further once I've returned.
