Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[OGRE MAGE]

Wots Wiv Der Island?
Waterday, 10th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Warm, Sunny, Buggy

The mighty paladin Crestbrook appears perplexed when the unmoving figure doesn't instantly surrender to him. He backtracks towards the others again, letting them know that he suspects the dark figure might be a trap.

Maag and Alordan stay put, searching the area visually and listening for anything coming their way. Maag doesn't pick up on any nearby movement, and the grunting noise that he heard earlier is no longer present either.

The jungle remains still, with only the normal sounds of nature and the lapping waves behind them soothing the adventurers ears. The figure still doesn't move, reassuring the half-orc that his statue theory may be accurate.

Actions?

Maag 12/12
Alordan 17/18
Sir Crestbrook 11/11

[kruk]

Sir Crestbrook studies listens and continues to stare at the large figure. Something is not right... He then takes out his bow and readies an arrow, then aims it at the figure. IN THE NAME OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE SEVEN SILVER CIRCLES...SHOW YOURSELF!! FRIEND OR FOE!. The paladin flicks his hair back and prepares to fire YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS TO ANSWER. IF NOT, FEEL THE WRATH OF MY BOW!!

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag considers trying to creep stealthily toward the figure but looks around at all the bushes and undergrowth and gives up on the stealthy part. Instead he does his best to move slowly, and as quietly as he can, around to the left and two or three trees closer to the figure. He hopes that Sir Crestbrook's ruckus will distract any potential threats.

Remembering all the spiders from his previous adventure, and their habit of dropping from above, he scans each tree for unpleasant surprises before standing under it.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan considers the bravery of this new fellow but wonders how long this Crestbook is going to survive on the island... he waits to see what he does next...

[OGRE MAGE]

Wots Wiv Der Island?
Waterday, 10th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Warm, Sunny, Buggy

Crestbrook starts to yell at the figure in the jungle, threatening to shoot it from a distance. Maag and Alordan wince from the loud taunts, never before hearing a holy warrior threaten to shoot at something if it didn't respond to demands.

The ranger stays where he is, waiting to see what the paladin will do next. Magg uses the yelling as a distraction and moves forward and to the west. He keeps a close eye on the empty vines and branches above his head as he advances, but he doesn't spot much difference in the mannerisms of the lone figure.

There is no response or any movement from the dark shape. The normal noises of the jungle seem to fade a little bit once the yelling starts.

Actions?

Maag 12/12
Alordan 17/18
Sir Crestbrook 11/11

[Jernau35]

Maag

Still watching out for threats from above, Maag tries to move to a spot with a better view of the figure. He tries to balance his need to see better against the possibility of being hit by a stray arrow. Sir Chrestbrook?, he thinks to himself More like Sir Bleedin' Crazy. Once Maag gets a bit closer, he tries to put himself behind a tree again, this time out of the paladin's line of fire.

[kruk]

Sir Chrestbook stands down from his threat. He replaces his bow and equips his sword again.
I'm...not familiar with...wilderness tactics...I shall take advice from the two of you as to what
we should do from her on out. He takes cover behind a tree right behind the half-orc and waits.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan sees that the large figure hasn't moved. He will slowly approach to get a better look at it weapons ready. As the chance allows, he will share stories of his harrowing encounters in just the few weeks they have been on the island - acid beetles, smuggler gangs, and huge sea trolls that devour people in a single bite.

"Your bravery is commendable, sir, however caution is advisable in this dangerous place."

[OGRE MAGE]

Wots Wiv Der Island?
Waterday, 10th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Warm, Sunny, Buggy

Sir Crestbrook realizes this might not be the best place for his usual heroic verbosity, so he backs down, allowing his comrades to take the lead.

Alordan mentions a few of the unpleasant encounters he has experienced so far as the trio cautiously and quietly approach the stationary figure with their weapons at the ready. No trap or ambush is sprung and the normal sounds of the jungle slowly begin to return.

Once close enough to see it better, they find that the “figure” does indeed appear to be a stone statue. It is humanoid, about 9 feet tall, dirty, weathered, and partially covered with branches and vines. Though the body is clearly human, it’s head appears bovine, with thick protruding bulls horns draped with stringy green vines from the surrounding trees. A huge double bladed ax is held in the statues right hand.

From this position, the party can see another stone outcropping towards the central portion of the island, the same direction they heard the grunting noises earlier.

Actions?

Maag 12/12
Alordan 17/18
Sir Crestbrook 11/11

[ravenn4544]

Alordan will take some time to cut away the vines and see if any other features or clues can be gained from the statue.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag looks around for a long broken branch to try and sweep the vines and branches away. Once he sees Alordan step up to statue, he abandons his search and steps back with his sword ready.

Maag signals to Sir Chrestbrook that he should watch Alordan and the statue, while Maag remains where he is and continues to scan their surroundings for anything lurking there.

[kruk]

The paladin nods in approval at Maag's signal and moves closer to Alordan, turning around every so often to check the path the three had used to get here. Sword and shield are equipped and ready to be used if necessary.

[OGRE MAGE]

Wots Wiv Der Island?
Waterday, 10th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Warm, Sunny, Buggy

Carefully clearing the vines and branches away from the tall statue, the trio finds that it does indeed represent the form of a roaring minotaur. The beast stands there looking over the island to the south with its huge ax still clenched tightly in one hand. The statue is clearly weathered and appears to have been here for some time.

A quick inspection of the strange stone guardian doesn't reveal any hidden secrets or other curiosities, though a nest of normal centipedes is found on the ground, nestled in between the statues thick legs.

Actions?

Maag 12/12
Alordan 17/18
Sir Crestbrook 11/11

[ravenn4544]

Alordan drops his arms and stares quietly and the statue as it dawns on him what they will likely find on the island. "I think we're gonna need a bigger party.."

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Wot for? It's just a sta...." Maag goes quiet as the copper piece finally drops. The jungle, scary before for the city boy, is now very scary indeed.

"We need to get back to der boat faster dan a rabbit on a promise", he whispers. "But quietly. Der bloody fings could be anywhere between 'ere and der".

[kruk]

The paladin glares at the statue with pure hatred. What foul evil is this? I look forward to the day that I can sink my blade into it's chest for the killing blow! He does a reverse pivot on the heels of his boots and flicks his hair back at the same time. With his chest puffed out and his head held high, He then follows the others back to the boat.

[OGRE MAGE]

Wots Wiv Der Island?
Waterday, 10th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Sunny, Buggy

The mere sight of the uncovered minotaur statue is enough to cause the group to rethink their position. Agreeing that they should go recruit a few more hands for this excursion, they quickly turn and head back to the boat still waiting for them on cat turd beach.

The fishermen chuckle when the trio arrives back so soon. They shove off again with great haste as the 3 men board their small craft.

"Geez! That was kinda quick. You fellas musta seen sumthin pretty nasty if it scared you away that fast. You wanna talk about it while we head back to town?"

Actions?

Maag 12/12
Alordan 17/18
Sir Crestbrook 11/11

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag catches his breath, glad to see the island receding. "Well, we 'eard a noise of sumfin' big out der. Den we found a statue. It was a big bloke wiv a bull's 'ead." He nods over at Alordan. "Dat's when 'e said 'We gotta get more 'elp'. An' I realized 'e thought dat der big thing makin' all der noise was a big bull-man".

"An' we do need more 'elp. 'specially if der's more dan one of dem!"

[ravenn4544]

Alordan nods "It would be wise to be cautious before setting out further into the island. It was successful, though, to see what we are likely dealing with. I hadn't thought there'd be more than one...."

[OGRE MAGE]

Wots Wiv Der Island?
Waterday, 10th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Sunny, Buggy

Pete nods and rows hard while Joe continues chatting up the adventurers.

"Yup. Folks say that anyone who has gone out to that island don't come back. We figured you guys were just scouting it out for now and would be returning with a few more friends."

The boat seems plenty seaworthy and would definitely fit a few more members and their gear.

"We'd be happy to bring you guys back out there again, if youd be needin another ride. Might even give you a break on the price this time, since yer repeat customers and all."

The dinghy keeps its distance from the huge dwarf ship still anchored a ways off shore before finally pulling back into the floating bamboo dock at Beachtown.

"Ya think yee'd be goin back out there yet today? Plenty of daylight left for an afternoon romp, eh?"

Actions?

Maag 12/12
Alordan 17/18
Sir Crestbrook 11/11