Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[wolfpack]

Well then the cave it is

[ravenn4544]

Alordan eyes the cave and watches it for several minutes before proceeding. If no danger is evident, he will circle the area and look for additional clues and tracks. He also compares the tracks to the feet of the minotaur statues to see if they compare to whats on the ground.

"How do you fight a creature that can turn you to stone?"

[Storm11]

Saracen snorts and grins with that grimace he does so creepily. From behind! he says with a short laugh.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan just glances back at Saracen and thinks it would be a great idea if he were to roll around on Cat Turd Beach for a while....

[Storm11]

[OGRE MAGE]

Welcome To Minotaur Island
Freeday, 12th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Warm, Misty, Buggy

The ranger in the group continues looking at the ground. There he finds even more of the cloven hoof prints. Comparing them to the statues they have found so far, Alordan definitely finds them to be a possible match.

Maag deduces that the statues aren't really on bases and seem a bit too lifelike to be actual works of art, even for someone who really liked minotaurs. Lerrick points out that she noticed what might be a cave in the area of the circular stones, so the group moves closer still.

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The only entrance they see that leads into the center of the circle stands in between two huge vertical stones, topped by another. The stone doorway is flanked by 2 more of the bull man statues, each of them engaged in a different position and expression. Risking a peek beyond the doorway from a distance, more of the large stone statues can be seen spread around the inner portion of the circular stones. The cave mouth that Lerrick saw from above is visible as well.

Actions?

map:

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squares are 10' here

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Maag
Alordan
Sir Crestbrook
Gramble
Lerrick
Saracen

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag surveys the clearing for a moment then turns to the others."I reckon dey must have sent der 'DANGER: Enter dis Highly Dangerous area at yer own risk' sign off to be cleaned".

"I can fink of two ways to do dis. Either some or all of us jus' go straight in an' see wot 'appens." Maag makes a face at the thought of that, which surprises those in the party who thought he couldn't actually get any uglier.

"Or we can sneak around der edge without goin' in. If we go right, dey might be expectin' dat. If we go left, we might suprise 'em. But we got further to run away".

"Mind you, I'm not sure we can sneak anywhere in dis jungle". He looks at the group of armor-clad adventurers and sniffs. "Yer about as quiet as a fart in a graveyard".

[kruk]

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

Maag

"I can fink of two ways to do dis. Either some or all of us jus' go straight in an' see wot 'appens." Maag makes a face at the thought of that, which surprises those in the party who thought he couldn't actually get any uglier..[/dialog]

The bold paladin stands. LET ME LEAD THE WAY! THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO DO THIS!! For dramatic effect, he thrusts his sword high into the air, keeping the pose much longer than necessary.


Lerrick

The cleric rolls her eyes and sighs deeply to let the paladin know that she is totally annoyed with him.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan is happy to let the enthusiastic paladin lead the way...

"We may also consider exploring the island together first and make sure nothing is out here waiting for us if we have to leave the cave in a hurry.."

[wolfpack]

Gramble raises an eyebrow at crestbrooks theatrics.

so you gonna float in or are your feet gonna start moving.

[Storm11]

Alordan is happy to let the enthusiastic paladin lead the way...

"We may also consider exploring the island together first and make sure nothing is out here waiting for us if we have to leave the cave in a hurry.."

Saracen nods at the ranger’s Wise words. It would be prudent to ensure our way back to the beach is not going to be met with danger, given that a quick escape will likely mean we are already likely to be injured and in danger! There is no real time coming constraint on our mission is there?

[OGRE MAGE]

Welcome To Minotaur Island
Freeday, 12th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Warm, Misty, Buggy

Alordan suggests the party take the time to circumnavigate the rock structure, so they can eliminate any threats that might be lurking out in the jungle. More fruit trees and other growing edibles are found around the rocky structure, along with more hoof prints, but the group doesn't run into any trouble. The natural rock walls of the circular structure are quite large and high, allowing no other passage into the center of the structure other than the one lintel doorway they found. (unless someone were willing to climb over any of the rocks, of course)

Once assembled at the doorway again, the party moves inside, finding that some of these huge rocks seem to be natural formations, while others appear to have been dragged into place to fortify the massive circle of stone. There is a large rock close to the center of the circle with a smaller rock pulled up to it, giving you the impression of a makeshift table and chair. The "table" rock appears to have been used recently as what looks like blood and possibly bits of meat still remain on its surface. The bugs and flies seem to be having a feast on the discarded treat at the moment.

Scanning around the rest of the area reveals even more of the bullman statues, if that's what they really are. These appear much the same as the ones you've seen already, with more strange natural looking poses and expressions from each of them. At the very back of the circle, behind the table, there is some debris and other items next to what looks like natural bedding. Large leaves, moss, and palm fronds are piled in an area that covers about 5' x 10' of the rocky area. The whole place smells of rotting meat, horrible body odor, and fresh manure. There are no sounds to speak of, other than the natural noises of the jungle.

The dark cave opening looms straight ahead, no light or sound emanates from it.

Actions?

map:

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Maag
Alordan
Sir Crestbrook
Gramble
Lerrick
Saracen

[Storm11]

Saracen looks at the statues of the bullmen. Are they all looking in the same direction, or carrying on about their tasks, or stylised in some way?

The holy champion will stay by the entrance keeping watch, bow and arrow knocked, in case further investigation leads to trouble.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan considers the cave entrance and will lay the net out in front of the opening and string out a line that he can pull and then covers it up with debris from the area. Embracing his paranoia he'll also set up a trip wire across the entrance so if they need to they can trip up any creature and buy a few seconds of time.

[Jernau35]

Maag

"First rule of not gettin' killed:" Maag mutters to himself. "Don't stick around to get killed." He decides to take a leaf out of Lerrick's book and get up off the ground. He walks over to the rocks on the right, about halfway between the entrance and the first statue, and takes a quick look for cracks and crevices. Then, sheathing his sword, he hoists himself up to the top.

Climb Walls (90%) [1d100] = 53

Once there, he looks down on the others. "Anybody else wanna be up 'ere?"

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric moves to the rocks and climbs them to join Maag.


Sir Crestbrook

The paladin moves up towards the entrance as well, with his gaze fixed on the entrance.

[wolfpack]

Gramble watches everyone doing everything but go into the cave, shrugs his shoulders, and goes into the cave

[OGRE MAGE]

Welcome To Minotaur Island
Freeday, 12th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Warm, Misty, Buggy

Saracen looks closer at the statues. These are not covered with vegetation like the others were. Each of them are in different positions and wear varying expressions on their faces. Some of them appear to be in distress. Whoever sculpted these must have had an unhealthy obsession with sneaking up on minotaur's. The holy warrior stays near the entrance to guard against invasion there.

Maag climbs up on one of the nearby rocks, elevating himself about 10 feet above the others. Lerrick tries to join her friend, but finds climbing the rocks nearly impossible compared to the trees she has climbed already. She struggles to get to the height of the half-orc. Maag looks down, enticing the others to join him aloft, when he sees a strange brown hairy mass hiding behind an outcrop of rock above the cave opening, about 30 feet or so from his position.

Alordan walks over to the cave opening, dragging his enormous net along and attempting to lay it out in front of the dark entrance. Sir Crestbrook follows closely behind, staring into the black cave mouth and wondering what manner of evil must live inside. Gramble sees little effective action from the others, so he decides to go ahead and enter the cave. That's when all hell suddenly breaks lose.

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From a hidden position in the rocks above the cave mouth, a huge, living bullman leaps down into the circular clearing. He lands in front of the three at the cave and swings his massive double bladed ax in an arc over his head as he lands, slicing into the ranger trying to straighten out his net on the ground. The surprise blow nearly knocks the unsuspecting outdoorsman to his knees, slicing deeply into his side. 7 dam

Actions!

map:

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Maag 12/12
Alordan 11/18
Sir Crestbrook 11/11
Gramble 16/16
Lerrick 11/11 4/4 1st
Saracen 30/30 4/4 1st 1/1 2nd

[ravenn4544]

Alordan reels from the attack but is not surprised, really. Why WOULDN'T they get attacked here, when the least expect it?!?!

He returns the strike with a blow from his new sword from the village!

Long Sword Attack [1d20] = 16 (THACO=18)

Long Sword Damage(+1 str) = S/M: [1d8+1] = 8+1 = 9 / L: [1d12+1] = 9+1 = 10


OOC: it's a cool new sword, but not sure if it has any other properties - maybe i'll find out! Also, if a minotaur is considered a 'giant' class, it would be another +3hps of damage

[wolfpack]

As a smile splits his lips Gramble bellows

Face me beast!

as he swings his massive 2 handed axe.

[1d20+3] = 19+3 = 22

I think Minotaur are considered large size creatures right

[3d6+4] = 13+4 = 17