Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Jernau35]

Maag

For a moment Maag considers letting Gramble set off any traps in the room. But Gramble is a pretty good drinking buddy and clearly shares the same opinion of smart-arse reptiles that Maag does.

" 'ang on a second mate. Let me 'ave a look for der dodgy stuff. Yer know what bloody wizards are like". Maag doesn't quite look in Andron's direction as he says this.

"Yer...any more yappin' lizards in 'ere an' I'm gonna be walkin' out in a new pair of boots..."

Maag enters the room and starts to VERY CAREFULLY search for traps.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche was occupied studying the dais when Maag stops Gramble from entering the chamber, but does raise an eyebrow at the insinuation about wizards. He half turns to address the former thief when he recalls that there is that one spell that could be considered to have dodgy ethics associated with it. Then again, there is also that other spell ... and ... oh, yes ... can't ignore the history behind the <redacted> spell ...

It wasn't until Maag was nearly complete in his investigation that Andron reached the end of the list. Well, except for maybe one ... or, two ... no more than three? ... more spells ...

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric looks on as Maag checks the room for traps. Andron, like you said earlier... I believe that the five statue room might be in play here. Since the room is not far from here perhaps we split up. A group travels to the room with the five statues and moves one, then yells or sends someone to the other group to let them know that the statue has been moved. The remaining members of the party look on to see if statue movement moves one of the pegs up or down. It's worth investing getting I think

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"An interesting idea Lerrick, I am willing to give it a try."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche was occupied assessing the arcano-ethics of the Death Spell and almost entirely missed the question posed to him. "I'm sorry, you said something, Miss Lerrick? ..... Ah ..... the statues. Well, I was referring to the five short tunnels with the human sized statues, but there is also the small alcove with the five dancing minotaur statues. In either case, the experiment is reasonable, but I would not recommend splitting the party with Brutus around."

He points down the southwest tunnel to the minotaur statue which itself is pointing north. I did, however, have a theory the three nearby statues may be a clue, or as you suggested, mechanical triggers. "We can certainly check these relatively safely." Andron walks down the short tunnel to examine the wall behind the statue for any indentations or unusual protrusions.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Secret Room
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Early Morning, Sunny, Warm, Humid

Andron continues opining, folding and unfolding his map what seems like 100 times or so. The fighters are starting to wonder if the priest thinks that, if he mentions every scenario possible at least one time, he can say that he was right once it actually happens.

Maag and Gramble look over the copper colored room next, finding nothing more to discover than their predecessor did. As a few more theories are bandied about, Carucenus starts to hear noises coming from the darkness to his right.

Hoping it might be their lost dog, the fighter squats down when he hears footsteps coming towards him. By the time he discerns that the footfalls sound a lot more like hoofs clacking on hard stone, it is already too late. In a viscous surprise charging attack, the now familiar Brutus the minotaur suddenly emerges from the dark tunnel to the south. The huge muscular beast fills up the entire passage with his massive girth, though he moves like a cat in his own familiar surroundings. Swinging a small but deadly double bladed ax, he heaves it upwards in a viscous chopping motion into the midsection the fighter. As the shocked human attempts a defensive position, his armor is shredded and his guts are suddenly ripped open by the sharp blade that spills his insides all over the floor. The dying man falls over before even one word escapes his lips. Critical hit for 14 dam Sorry bout that one K.

Actions?

Looks like Alordan and Lerrick are the only ones in position to do anything in retaliation at the moment. Please remember that you are in a tight tunnel and can’t move or shoot very well when you post your action. Thanks!

map:

9F47DA11-5814-4434-ADFE-436628E0B5CB.jpeg (182.65 KiB) Viewed 409 times

Alordan 18/18
Lerrick 7/11 2/4 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Carucenus -4/10 (Unconscious and Bleeding Out)
Tlachtga 8/8 4/4 1st Torch 40’r
Gramble 16/16 (Light stone 40'r)
Andronichishche 6/6 0/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 1/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Maag 12/12

MIA
Sir Crestbrook 9/11 LoH (Petrified in Melania’s(?) bedroom)
Cu AC:3 13/13 (Whereabouts Unknown)
message on tiny decorative box
Mina's note

[OGRE MAGE]

This is what you get when nobody comments on the wonderous placement and discovery of this secret room.

[Quonundrum]

I did! Well, Andron did, but he was unconscious at the time and couldn't exactly broadcast it ...

[wolfpack]

hearing the commotion Gramble grabs labrys and rushes out to engage

[ravenn4544]

Alordan wades into battle...

Long Sword Attack [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14 (THACO=18)
Long Sword Damage(+1 str/+1 weapon) = S/M: [1d8+2] = 4+2 = 6 / L: [1d12+2] = 2+2 = 4

Dagger Attack (off-hand) [1d20-1] = 12-1 = 11
Dagger Damage = S/M: [1d4+1] = 3+1 = 4 / L: [1d3+1] = 3+1 = 4

[kruk]

Lerrick

Watching in horror the minotaur's assault on the fighter the cleric wants no part of melee fighting with the foe. She quickly turns and sees Andron right behind her and Gramble rushing towards her. Move back Andron! she screams as she physically pushes Andron to the west into the druid behind him in order to provide enough space for Gramble to through with his big axe to attack the beast.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

As Andronichishche begins walking towards the southwest tunnel, another theory percolates in his mind. He absentmindedly begins to reach for his map again, but notices the dour demeanors upon Gramble and Maag as they finish their examination of the vault. He decides against calling attention to himself and his theories for the moment ...

He barely heard a faint ::clop:: from the southeast tunnel before the figure of Carucenus is lifted as a rag doll from the floor, visciously disembowled by a huge battle axe swung in a fierce upward arc. He knew instinctively it was Brutus before its looming figure filled the intersection.

Realizing their peril fighting in such close quarters, he quickly shouts, "Maag!", and points to the tunnel Brutus just emerged from. He then points to the thief, then to himself, and finishes by tracing a circle above his head. He waits until Maag understands the message and begins to follow him, then will break into a run to lead them back up the passage and counter clockwise to the secret door Brutus just came through.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag hears all the tumult break out behind him and heads to the doorway to see the cause. Surprised for just a moment, he draws his sword and takes off up the tunnel to his left, intending to circle around behind Brutus.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga casts Faerie fire on the Minotaur.

+2 to hit.

[Karaunios]

Don't worry I've got too many characters already :p

[OGRE MAGE]

Thanks K. Easiest let down ever.

So before I post, I want to make sure this is clear to me.

Andron is going up and around, moving through the main entrance chamber and back down towards the secret door to the south of the minotaur's position?

And Maag is moving up and around to come back down the empty hall east of the "bulls head" to help Alordan? Or is Maag following along with Andron and I just read that wrong?

Thanks!

[Quonundrum]

That's Andron's plan, but only if Maag follows. Ah, misread his post. If Maag veers towards the east then Andron will not continue to the secret door.

[Jernau35]

Maag's plan is to get behind Brutus. He was going around the top of the secret room because that's what I can see on the current map. I think I need to look at the larger map so I can clarify. I assumed Maag was going the same way as Andron.

[Jernau35]

Ok. I didn't read the last sentence of Andron's plan about the secret door, just the bit about pointing, making a circle above his head and following. I assumed it was a clockwise circle, not anti-clockwise.

The Fog of War! He's going to follow initially. Maybe an (Easy ) Int check where the corridor forks?

Easy Int Check (Int 8) [2d6] = 11

Or maybe not...

[Quonundrum]

Andron will just yell, "No, Maag! Your other left!"