Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[kruk]

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

I will lend a hand in moving the statues using my brute strength. Let me know where
you would like me to move it. He attempts to move one. Uh...can I have a little help here?

Lerrick

The cleric puts her torch close to the wall behind the statues to see if the flame from the torch is altered by air currents from the other side of the wall.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche nods at Sir Crestbrook, a warm smile on his face, "Thank you, Sir Crestbrook. I can assist with what meager strength I possess." He gestures to the minotaur statue with its eyes covered. "Interpreting the clue literally would suggest we move that statue first, then the statue with its ears covered. Push them directly towards the wall, as closely as we can maneuver them."

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag, about to go forward and help Sir Crestbrook, sees Andronichishche step up instead. He raises an eyebrow as the lightweight mage volunteers.

"Well, if sumfin is worth doin', it's worth watchin' someone else do it, eh dog 'ead?" he says to Cu.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga keeps watch over the area and her torch set so they have good visibility.

[Storm11]

Saracen Flexes his strong arms and waits in turn to help move the statues. He will keep an eye out on the southern passage whilst the others push, joining in if asked or necessary to lend his power to the endeavour.

Have you looked for traps here Maag, he asks, nodding at the statues.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan will help where needed but he'll continue to keep a watch on the tunnels.

[wolfpack]

Gramble will help if directed on what to move

[OGRE MAGE]

Back In The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Damp, Dim, Humid

Andronichishche studies the scratches in the floor behind the statues, thinking that he might be on to something here. He clearly notices that the irregularities in the stone wall behind the statues could indeed match up with the contours of the statues themselves. But which statue should be moved where? The pious half-elf suggests sliding the statue covering its eyes and the one covering its ears back until they are flush with the wall.

After asking the paladin for aid, the pair begin sliding the first statue back with minimal difficulty. Lerrick gets up close to where Cu was sniffing around, attempting to find any drafts coming from the stone with her torch. Though a pretty good idea, she finds no such thing.

Gramble is about to step up to help move the next statue when Saracen asks Maag if he checked for traps along the stone wall. As the first statue contacts the back wall, Andron is certain that his theory is correct, even though the back of the statue doesn't quite fill the void in the wall. Then everyone hears an audible click from the stone in the ceiling above the pair of pushers that opens up a small crack in the stone. A small ammout of liquid seeps from this crack, falling down on anyone behind either of the three statues.

Andron, Crestbrook, and Lerrick are each splashed with this smelly liquid that begins to eat into their clothing and skin. The acid isn't strong enough to destroy the stone at their feet, but it is definitely unpleasant to the touch. Can I get a Save vs. Breath from the three of you, please? Save = 4 dam / Fail = 8 dam

Actions?

map:

4C523741-5FCD-45EA-A0E4-5E9C4460B06C.jpeg (83.85 KiB) Viewed 417 times

Sir Crestbrook 10/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/5.1T)
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 11/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/4.4T)
Saracen 28/33 3/5 1st 2/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 0/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche assists Sir Crestbrook in moving the first statue against the wall, nodding in satisfaction when it becomes apparent that his theory is correct. As he hears a loud click from above his head, he also overhears Saracen asking Maag if the latter checked for traps. Traps? Oh, dear. Andron notes with concern that a significant amount of odiferous liquid has dropped from a crack in the ceiling onto his skin and clothing. "That's unfortunate … perhaps a literal interpretation is incorrect." As the liquid begins to burn into his clothes and skin, he continues talking but with a decidedly weakening voice, the pain not yet registering. "Current evidence suggests only moving the middle statue is …". Before he can complete his sentence he crumples to the floor, unconscious.

Save vs. Breath: [1d20] = 4

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga commands Cu "Ath-Bhuidhinn", pointing at Andronichishche. Once Cu grabs him she will direct him back to her.

"Retrieve"

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag is idly standing watching when Saracen asks about traps. He stops scratching himself for a moment and replies "Wot?", sounding puzzled.

Then he hears the click and watches the acid drip onto his companions. "Oh yeah... I could look for traps...Yeah, dat probably would 'ave bin a good idea".

Maag turns to Saracen, nodding. "Yer probably wanna mention dat a bit sooner next time".

[kruk]

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

As the paladin tries to move the statue he hears a clicking noise, followed by an intense pain hitting his back. Aaaaaggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! The paladin's booming voice echoes throughout the caverns.

save vs breath weapon: 1d20: [1d20] = 15


Lerrick

The cleric flinches as she hears the click triggering the trap. Within seconds she feels an intense pain on her shoulder. Unlike the paladin she tries her best not to scream in agony from the intense pain from the falling liquid.

save vs breath weapon: 1d20: [1d20] = 12

[Storm11]

Saracen shakes his head at Maag. You must the the laziest thief in all the land, he says ruefully, giving his kin that grim toothed feral smile.

Once the others are out from under the trap he suggests Maag have a look to see if any more are present whilst he tries to heal the wizard/priest.

Cast cure Light wounds on Andron.

[1d8] = 3

These things are designed to waste our resources and weaken us before the final confrontation with whatever is behind this. We must be careful and all work together if we stand a Chance here, don’t you think.

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Well, I prefer to look at it like dis", Maag responds to Saracen. "If I'm not goin' anywhere near a place, it might be 'cos I fink it's trapped. If everybody looks at me and says 'Woah! Maag's not goin' near it, it must be a trap! I'm not going' near it either', den we can all be safe an' I don't 'ave to risk me neck lookin' for acid traps an' stuff like dat". He shrugs. "It's obvious innit?"

Catching the looks being thrown his way, he sighs, picks up the bamboo pole and opens the pouch containing his tools.

"Alright, alright...."

Find/Remove Traps (30%) [1d100] = 12

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche bolts upright on the floor, mere moments after Saracen casts his healing spell. "The hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the square root of the sum of the squares of the other two sides!", he blurts out incoherently. As his eyes refocus he blinks rapidly and scans the surroundings. "The trap! Sir Crestbrook!", he exclaims, frantically searching for the young paladin. He breathes a deep sigh of relief when he sees that although Crestbrook and Lerrick were affected, both are quite alive and conscious. A grimace that spreads across his expression indicates he's now aware of his own, still grievous, injuries. He carefully checks the burned and blistered areas of skin and notes the telltale signs of magical healing.

Noting that the residue from the liquid still remains, he quickly removes the waterskin attached to his belt and pours copious amounts of water onto the affected areas to wash away the caustic substance.

He turns his head to see Saracen standing next to him, apparently just finishing a conversation with a sheepish looking Maag, who is in the process of professionally examing the wall for traps. "Thank you, Brother Saracen, for the blessing from Pholtus. Praise be to the Blinding Light." Andron attempts to stand but a wave of nausea and pain convinces him otherwise. "It would appear a literal interpretation of the clue was incorrect, but the statue almost perfectly fit the irregularities in the wall. This suggests that the concept is correct, just not the placement." He glances up at the crack in the ceiling directly above the statues. "That trap is quite intricate and could easily have been crafted to be far more lethal. We're fortunate the wizard preferred methods of deterence, instead."

Andron rubs his chin while studying the statues again and their association with the clue; Maag still carefully and skillfully probing for other traps. "The basis for my theory was too linear. The likely procedure is pushing the looking statue against the wall behind the hearing statue, and vice versa. Of course, we risk activating the trap again, unless we have some means to protect ourselves from the liquid." He points to the looking statue that Sir Crestbrook and himself so recently moved. "If we try moving that statue first behind the hearing statue, then at most we risk the trap two more times. If correct or not, we'll know for certain where it should go, then it's a fifty percent chance for the remaining two."

He struggles now to stand, wincing with the pain of his injuries, and managing to do so successfully. "I also must apologize for allowing my curiosity to exceed my wisdom. Unlike research in a safe and secure library, manipulation of strange objects in dangerous caves requires proper planning, and execution thereof by those most able to endure the consequences. Fortunately, this time only cost us valuable healing resources, but I could have easily become a burden at best, a liability at worst."

He straightens his coat and thoroughly assesses the extent of his injuries, his countenance expressing significant concern and apprehension. "I expect in my current condition I will pose more of a potential liability than an asset. It may be wiser to leave me in Cora's chamber whilst the rest continues the mission. She was apparently quite safe there for many weeks and you would be better equiped by conserving your remaining spell power."

[kruk]

Andronichishche "I expect in my current condition I will pose more of a potential liability than an asset. It may be wiser to leave me in Cora's chamber whilst the rest continues the mission. She was apparently quite safe there for many weeks and you would be better equiped by conserving your remaining spell power."

Lerrick tries in vain to wipe off the last of the liquid that fell on her. Her voice is strained a bit from the pain. Perhaps we should all go to Cora's chamber and set up camp to allow us to rest. The figures can stand guard and kill anything that tries to attack us. We need to be at full strength in order to press on.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan watches the acid harm the party and hopefully the healing powers are sufficient. He continues to watch the passageway and considers if the acid was from one of those beetles in the jungle.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back In The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Damp, Dim, Humid

Unable to escape the stream of dripping acid, Andron drops to the floor mid sentence while Lerrick growls and Crestbrook screams out in pain from their horrible burning wounds. Tlachtga has Cu retrieve the downed holy man as the others try to wipe the acid away as best they can. After a quick healing prayer from Saracen, Andronichishche is able to stand again, but just barely. Small holes are burnt into armor, clothing, and skin, causing a great deal of pain to those affected and a new acrid stink to assail the senses of those unaffected by the burning.

Maag and Saracen have a brief discussion about looking for traps before things like this happen, to which the thug simply recites a bit of back street wisdom. He moves in to have a closer look around once the dripping acid stops, skillfully finding a pressure plate mechanism in the uneven alcove behind the statues. After a good long look around, the half-orc discovers exactly what caused the trap to be tripped. He finds another similar pressure area that will trigger the crack in the ceiling to open even further, this one is strategically hidden behind the statue with its eyes covered.

Before any more statues are moved, it becomes apparent by a process of elimination, that the statue with its eyes covered must be spun around to "look" into the alcove behind the statue with its ears covered. (Thereby "look"ing "hear" for a secret) Maag believes that this procedure is the only way to reorganize the statues without setting the trap off again.

Andron suggests that he be left behind in Cora's empty bedroom so he doesn't become a burden on the group. Lerrick suggests that the entire group rest there until they are all healthy again. Alordan examines the acidic solution that is evaporating into the stone floor, finding it nothing at all like the nasty natural beetle acid that he and a few others discovered the hard way out in the jungle a few weeks ago.

Actions?

map:

6D21DE91-1AF8-455C-A80B-706D88550B6E.jpeg (101.88 KiB) Viewed 338 times

Sir Crestbrook 2/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/5.0T)
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 3/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/4.3T)
Saracen 28/33 2/5 1st 2/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 1/6 0/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Der reason Cora didn't get eaten wos coz she seemed,"Maag looks sideways at Sir Crestbrook, "to be evil. Dat's why she wos safe in der".

He listens to Lerrick's plan for resting up. "I know we're underground an' we've got no real way to tell time down 'ere. But I've got dis weird sense dat we're only just Opproachin' Midday. If we rest up now, we'll be down 'ere nearly an entire day. Der boat will leave wivout us. If dat is gonna 'appen, we might as well be on der boat an' spend der night in town."

"We can 'ave a few grogs an' come back tomorrow".

[Storm11]

Saracen moves over to Crestbrook. Who dubbed you a ‘sir’ anyway? he grumbles sourly. He withdraws his holy symbol and chants a spell of healing over the burned Paladin once again.

Casts cure Light wounds on Crestbrook
[1d8] = 5

If Lerrick can heal your wounds Andron, we may yet see what is behind the statues before retreating. Of course it may lead to even greater dangers. Still, that IS why we are here after all. We have cremated both Cora and Jeeves, and destroyed the spirit that had taken over the Athenian priestess’s body. We have also mapped out a fair stretch of these caves. If we are not going to go looking behind secret doors just yet, let us at least explore the rest of this place, at least they passage leading off to the left of the entrance chamber to see what’s down it.