Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche shakes his head in answer to Saracen's query. "Nothing approached and no minotaur were summoned; no other traps in the explored areas is indeed very useful information. The one we did discover must then guard something very special indeed. I also agree that this island would make for a more hospitable and certainly less buggy place to live."

After listening to Alordan's suggestion to check underneath the statue, Andron procures his map to review its position. "That's not a bad idea, Mr. Alordan. I would caution to be very careful to not topple the statue, though. We know now that these minotaur were petrified, but the position of that statue indicates it may have been moved there to block off that tunnel. We may inadvertantly release something trapped on the other side."

[OGRE MAGE]

Alordan will suggest, "well, if there are no traps detected at that statue by the narrow tunnel, let's see what's lodged under it - could be a useful clue.."

Did someone want to act on this?

[ravenn4544]

Alordan will if someone comes with him to help not break the statue.

[Quonundrum]

Andron isn't opposed, and he would act except ...

"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."

[kruk]

Alordan will if someone comes with him to help not break the statue.

The mighty paladin comes forth to assist Alordan with the exploration. errr...how can I help

[ravenn4544]

Alordan offers, "Don't let the thing fall on me for starters would be great." He'll grab one of the torches and his paladin friend and anyone else who is interested.

"I"ll check out the base more closely to see if it's a trigger for something. Maybe that spell wouldn't pick up a mechanical trigger exactly. I dunno. But that Anron guy is pretty clever and his precautions have made sense so let's be cautious and check it out first."

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag bravely offers some verbal advice without going anywhere near the statue.

"Yer might not wanna trust dat trap findin' spell totally lads. Sumfin can still be dodgy an' not be a trap. Wot if der roof was in danger of fallin' down and sombody jus' wedged dat statue in der to keep it up? An' wedged sumfin' under der statue so it didn't fall over. It's not meant as a trap but der roof will still drop on yer 'ead."

"Anyway, don't let me distract yer. Keep up der good work"

[Quonundrum]

"Wot if der roof was in danger of fallin' down and sombody jus' wedged dat statue in der to keep it up?

Andronichishche warily looks up at the cave's ceiling as he recalls Maag joking about avoiding areas obviously dangerous ...

... or was he?

Andron nonchalantly sidles a bit closer to Maag.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan nods at Maags warning, "great points - why don't you come with us and see what you might find?"

[kruk]

Andronichishche warily looks up at the cave's ceiling as he recalls Maag joking about avoiding areas obviously dangerous ... or was he?

The paladin looks up at the ceiling. I don't think Maag was joking

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Seems a valid point."

Tlachtga will attempt to examine the ceiling over the statue, does it look like the statue is holding it up?

[OGRE MAGE]

Back In The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Sunny, Hot, Humid

Almost ready to head back out into the afternoon sunshine to gather fruits from this island to bring to the hungry settlers, Alordan suggests they have another look at the leaning statue first.

He and Crestbrook move back into the narrowest point of the tight tunnel in front of the statue with Maag, Andron, and Tlachtga following at a distance so they can take another peek as well. The head and horns of the minotaur are very close to the rounded ceiling of this tight passage, but it doesn't appear to any of the investigators that it is actually holding up the ceiling in this area. No indications of traps or foul play is found when Alordan investigates the legs and feet of this statue, though there is definitely something propped under the backside to cause it to lean forward slightly. However, the tunnel is so narrow here that the statues sides are nearly tight to the walls, allowing the ranger no room to visually spot what might be under it without actually moving it somehow first.

The oval tunnel gets slightly smaller behind the statue, making it impossible to push the thing backwards any further than its current position. Though, it does appear that it could be tipped forward or even dragged towards the group. It becomes clear that this thing must have been pushed into this position from the same side that the explorers are currently positioned.

Gramble, Lerrick, and Saracen decide to stay put in the main entrance chamber, keeping watch on the other tunnels so that nothing approaches them from behind.

Actions?

Please verify that your characters current position on the map is accurate. If you want to be moved, I need you to detail that in your next post form me. Thanks!

map:

D12325B7-4E5F-4845-B9DD-F3061729E713.jpeg (106.83 KiB) Viewed 451 times

Sir Crestbrook 7/11 LoH (torch: 40'r/.7T)
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/1.4T)
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 5/11 0/4 1st
Saracen 28/33 0/5 1st 1/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 0/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

[ravenn4544]

Alordan steps back to let someone with more skill take a look. "I don't see anything, but it's tight in there. Someone else want to check?"

"It could be that this thing is squished in there to keep something in. If we tilt this thing let's make sure we can put it back for now, yeah?"

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Wotever it is, sumfin' put it under der to hide it or protect it. I reckon messin' around wiv it now is gonna make bad fings 'appen."

"We've got no magic 'ealin' left and we don't know fer sure dat der is no minotaur waitin' outside fer us.I reckon we leave it where it is an' mess wiv it when we come back tomorrow"

Maag turns his back and returns to where the tunnel joins the entrance chamber.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan raises an eye brow at the mention of bad things happening - and he thinks of his friend Devlin. "well, you have a point there. Not knowing what's going on is frustrating me - but at least it ain't killing me. I'm good with waiting. It'll probably be here when we come back...."

Alordan is okay with waiting for another day.

[OGRE MAGE]

Oh, sure. Just because I asked for everyone's positions.

[wolfpack]

maybe tie rope to it and we drag it out, that we we aren't near it when it moves.

grambles position is fine

[ravenn4544]

Oh, sure. Just because I asked for everyone's positions.

haha - nah - i knew that was coming . More of Alordan's inability to stick to a decision. He's had a rough few weeks.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Doesn't look to be holding anything up, but I agree with Maag, why mess with it now?"

Tlachtga will move back to by where Lerrick is on the map since her and Cu are just in the way if they are moving the statue.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche runs a hand along the wall of the oval shaped tunnel and peers with interest at the rounded ceiling. He listens to the others converse, sharing their thoughts with elevated voices to carry the length of the tunnel. "This tunnel is rounded and curved as other sections we've seen; as if from the action of a rock eating worm. I wouldn't then expect something on the floor unless placed there deliberately along with the statue. Brother Saracen detected no traps, but moving the statue may trigger some other mechanism. Gramble's idea is advisable then for any manipulation."

Seeing Maag wander back to the entrance cave, he follows suit after a brief glance back at the statue. "As Maag noted though, we don't know for certain another minotaur isn't yet lurking outside somewhere, so the wiser decision is to leave the statue for our return. I would also prefer to finish the survey of the southern tunnels first to give us a better view of the nearby topology. In the southwest tunnel we found the statue with an apparent pre-petrification wound. The statue here may have trapped inside whatever creature caused that injury."