Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[wolfpack]

Tlachtga

"Perhaps we should behead the Minotaur since magic is involved."

At this Gramble swings LaBrys over his head and brings it down on the minotaurs neck splashing blood all over crestwood.

[Storm11]

Saracen cuts off the horns of the beast as he did before, as soon as the head is severed. Hoping to make plaques for his divination magic as soon as he has won down time.

Seeing the hooves of the Minotaur his hands begin to sweat and he begins to wipe them vigorously on his robes over and over, his face pale.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan shrugs at Andron, "Not sure if it was the same or not - but we certainly walked into that ambush the same." Pointing at the pieces of the minotaur with a nod, he adds, "I don't suppose anyone will be resurrecting that one any time soon.."

To the group, he notes, "The net I had left here is gone and it looks like it was dragged into the cave. Whether the same creature there, or something else, let's keep an eye both below and above us for any cunning tricks... speaking of which, do we explore the island first or into the caves?"

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"My magic is somewhat depleted and more useful outside then in the cave I suspect. Perhaps now is a good time to enter the cave since we don't need to rest yet."

"Cu, Trobhad!" Tlachtga pets her companion and rewards him with a bit of dried meat.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche grimaces as both Gramble and Saracen proceed to behead and dehorn the fallen minotaur. He understands the reason for the former's action, likely in response to Tlachtga's theory, but the latter has him completely perplexed. Of what use would a priest of Pholtus have for a minotaur's horns, I wonder.

Andron acknowledges Alordan's nod at the mutilated corpse, "Indeed, it would require very powerful magic to effect such a feat, to be sure." Andron left unsaid that he felt magic capable of raising an island would certainly suffice ... "Well, as Gramble suggested before, perhaps the dais is linked to the strange events on this island. We're here now, so let us complete that part of the investigation and decide upon a further course of action then."

While conversing with Alordan, Andronichishche's attention is partly occupied by Saracen's odd behavior. When he notices the pallid complexion forming on the half-orc's face, interest switches to concern ... "Excuse me, Alordan." Attempting to nonchalantly meander over to Saracen, Andron whispers to him in a hushed voice, "Is anything amiss, my friend? I could not help but notice your discomfort." Glancing up at the morning sun, "'The sun and the light, truly a gift ... " He smiles warmly before continuing, "... yet, as I'm learning now, the heat can be quite difficult under exertion."

[kruk]

At this Gramble swings LaBrys over his head and brings it down on the minotaurs neck splashing blood all over crestwood.

nicely done


Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

The paladin continues to hold his rigid pose as blood from the minotaur drips off his armor.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag yanks the tip of his sword out of the turf, having driven it through the minotaur's body. "Nicely done fellas".

"I reckon der danger is about der same inside or outside der cave. But we know dat der treasure is definitely inside der cave. So I'm votin' for dat".

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Rainy, Misty, Humid

The group allows the snake to retreat back to its perch while they reconvene near the cave entrance again. This minotaur is beheaded and de-horned, much like the last one killed here. Saracen takes the horns, but is clearly agitated by the beasts feet for some reason.

Andron questions his fellow priest about his pale look as he stares up at the gloomy sky, suggesting that the bullman creature might be the same one, somehow reviving itself over and over. His interest in checking over the magical dais inside the cave increases by the second as he readies his bamboo probing pole.

Lerrick heals herself back to full strength before rejoining the others, glad that the snake incident didn't cause the group any extra unintended grief.

The stoic paladin isn't bothered by a few drops of hot blood splashed on him after what his group did here on their last visit. Maag seems eager to get back to it, ready to get out of the rain. The dark but much drier cave mouth awaits.

Actions?

map:

155DC349-03E2-4CFA-BCF6-B6E030FFC5B0.jpeg (776.77 KiB) Viewed 421 times

Sir Crestbrook 11/11 LoH
Maag 12/12
Saracen 25/33 4/5 1st 2/2 2nd
Gramble 10/16
Lerrick 11/11 3/4 1st
Alordan 12/18
Andron 6/6 1/3 1st Sanct:1/ CL, DM, RM 1/1 1st
Tlachtga 8/8 1/4 1st SWA:2
Cu AC:3 13/13

[Storm11]

Saracen shudders and then recovers at the half-elf’s concern. He smiles that grim toothed grimace and puts the horns in with the other set checking they are there as he does so.

Standing he waves the questions away dismissively. Everything is fine. Yes Maag, inside the cave sounds good. We need to recover Cora’s remains if they are still there. And see if we can’t find the lair of this medusa! Hmmmm

[ravenn4544]

Alordan takes one more look around before following the group into the cave. He'll ready his net in case it makes sense to try and detain something encountered....

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Time to go inside." Tlachtga takes her place in the order with Cu at her left side.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche knew better than to press an issue with a cleric of Pholtus, let alone a half-orc cleric of Pholtus. Indeed, the last time he was in a philosophical discussion with a Pholtite it was well into the evening before they concluded, and the latter refused to budge on any point. Simply put, he's quickly learning that the luxuries he's accustomed to in an urban temple do not apply on a jungle island expedition. Andron nods at the half-orc, acquiescing. Hefting the bamboo pole over his left shoulder again he resumes his position in the group.

[wolfpack]

Still think we should rig a trap, anyone else got a net?

[ravenn4544]

Alordan suggests "We could always use this one as a trap - would allow me to attack immediately if needed. Probably something likely to be needed.... could add some trip wires and various heights too around the dais. That's were the tracks were coming from last time."

[kruk]

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

Maag. If you don't mine I would like to take the lead again. The bloody paladin moves to the front of the line with the ten foot pole in his left hand, tapping it from side-to-side the way Maag taught him. He holds the mighty bastard sword (which he still has yet to hit anything with it) in his right hand.


Lerrick

The cleric moves to her place in the marching order glad to be over with the encounter of the snake. She equips her mace in her right hand and her small shield in her left.

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Not at all Cresty." Maag steps aside and ushers Crestbrook ahead. He waits for everybody else to walk by and tags on to the end of the line.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Rainy, Misty, Humid

Crestbrook leads the way into the dark cave again.***

Inside, its dry and fairly clean, with a large area just beyond the entrance that appears to be a sleeping mat for a rather large creature. The paladin spots the 3 tunnels leading off of this larger cave, each appears to head off in a different direction. There is also a short raised circular dais in the center of the stone cave floor. This dais is 4 feet across, but only about 8 or 10 inches off of the ground. The top of it is adorned with a chiseled engraving of a crude outline of a bulls head. Mystic symbols ring the outer rim of the circle, engraved all around the carved image.

The cave and all of its passages are pitch black except where the natural light shines in near the entrance. The half burnt torch the group left behind on their last trip is propped up against the wall, right where they left it.

Actions?

map:

F6256BB0-0214-4A0F-9BCE-8D6F710EA07D.jpeg (575.72 KiB) Viewed 383 times

*** This is what I consider to be the groups marching order, so SC was already at point:
Sir Crestbrook 11/11 LoH
Maag 12/12
Saracen 25/33 4/5 1st 2/2 2nd
Gramble 10/16
Lerrick 11/11 3/4 1st
Alordan 12/18
Andron 6/6 1/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 1/1 1st
Tlachtga 8/8 1/4 1st SWA:1
Cu AC:3 13/13

[Storm11]

Before they head any further into the caverns Saracen offers Alordan some healing light if he so wishes.

[1d8] = 3

The orange robes half-orc inspects the Dias. Perhaps if we destroy some of these symbols, carve them out maybe, it will disrupt the magic? He looks for the thoughts of the Priest of Magic?

[ravenn4544]

Alordan thanks Saracen for the healing. He'll examine the floor and see if any new prints have covered over the tracks of the party's last visit.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga will examine the dais and see if she recognizes anything about the symbols. She will then search the entrance area for secret/hidden compartments/doors/etc.