Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Quonundrum]

Great question. Not sure . How is this mechanism supposed to work if it takes 50lbs of weight to push down on one of those plates? not something for a routine crazy wizard to push down on probably. Maybe you're right about the statues as being what is needed to lower the plates. But what if you wanted to close the treasure room (assuming that's what it is) quickly - do you lug 5 statues around a catacombs? That's seems odd to me. I like the idea of the junk room to see if there is any more clues to what it could mean. The writing on the walls is definitely something. I assume that the crazy dude that could move through stone wrote that stuff and was really pissed at some wizard for putting him here? Was something keeping him here? the water of the island? wouldn't he be able to walk through the rock under the water? maybe that's a stretch. And then there is the dais....

Yeah, the missing objects to apply pressure on the discs is indeed strange. Unless the intention was for several people to stand on them?

I believe the wizard killed the medusa, whom Marquees, the stone guy, was in love with causing him to go insane. Although, I think hes also originally human and she gave him eyes to transform him into a maedar, which probably didn't help his sanity, either.

Good question on why he would stay on the island, though. The wizard never left as his cats are still on the beach, so that suggests Marquees got his revenge? He seemed obsessed with the medusa's treasure, too. Might be what he came to the island to find but never figured out the secret room, either?

The minotaur dais is still a complete mystery. Andron is about ready to rip it up from the floor and toss it into the void ...

[wolfpack]

i think just put statues on the plates see what happens.

the note telling us about the treasure room was on a torn piece of paper right. maybe find the rest of the note

[Quonundrum]

Excellent point about the note! That never occurred to me. I figured there must be more notes but there should be at least the remainder of that one. I thought the same about the statues, but we don't have a way to do it without being in the room. I'm still wary about another trap. The copper ring is very similar to the copper plate used in the spider maze ...

[ravenn4544]

Well, we don't have much choice but to maybe rifle through the junk room. How did all that get there anyway?

[Quonundrum]

That's another excellent question which I had forgotten about. It's an awful lot of stuff to transport to the island, nevermind hauling it inside a cave.

[OGRE MAGE]

I am digging all he table talk.

Believe it or not, you are on the right track on some of these things.

Q is right that you sorta stumbled upon a few too many things all in a row, and that wasn't actually my intention, but that's how these things play out sometimes. Some of the information is important, but some is just stuff that happened in the past. I didnt mean for it all to pop up at almost the same time, but it seems like several details are now being conglomerated together that dont necessarily connect.

I will get an action post up here shortly, but I dont think you're gonna like it.

[Quonundrum]

It would logically follow then to evaluate each story in their own terms, which would definitely change some assumptions. The amulet was not worn by the medusa (Melania?), and consequently if she was originally human as we suspect with Marquees, it was not the amulet which transformed her. Their stories may share a common root, like an association with Apep, but not directly together. The minotaur (Brutus?) and the dais likewise may simply have been there before the others arrived. Why it exists, however, we still don't have any clue. Although, Brutus is certainly much less berserk now with Marquees gone ...

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To The Destroyed Room
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Sunny, Warm, Humid

Advancing to the dead kobold and beyond, Alordan finds no tracks on the hard stone floor of the narrowing tunnel. He makes it to the tightest spot, where they found the marble under the statue that rang the alarm gong earlier, while Andron stops to check over the dead carcass.

The kill is fresh. Very fresh. The creature doesn't look all that different from the ones you've glimpsed on the mainland, though it does seem like the jungle versions have slightly longer arms. It isn't carrying anything of value, and its teeth are definitely those of a meat eater.

Once the party has entered the tunnel completely, Gramble starts to hear a crescendo of clopping hoofsteps coming from behind him. As he turns to see its source, he finds that Brutus is bearing down upon him in the tight tunnel, leading the charge with his big bull horns about to gore into the fighter. (no surprise round since you were actively watching behind you)

Actions?

map:

F58690BA-01A7-4941-9172-F08A9A0888E4.jpeg (163.63 KiB) Viewed 338 times

Alordan 18/18
Lerrick 7/11 2/4 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Tlachtga 8/8 4/4 1st Torch 40’r
Andronichishche 6/6 0/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 1/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Maag 12/12
Gramble 16/16 (Light stone 40'r)
MIA
Sir Crestbrook 9/11 LoH (Petrified in Melania’s(?) bedroom)
Cu AC:3 13/13 (Whereabouts Unknown)

Carucenus -5.5/10 (Dead)
message on tiny decorative box
Mina's note

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche turns to look behind him upon hearing the cacophony of hooves on stone. What would have mere days ago been an image to cause him shock and panic, the sight of a minotaur barrelling down the tunnel simply galvanizes his nerves into action. He quickly stands up and shuffles back a few steps to provide Gramble and Maag more room to maneuver. As he does so he shouts with a strong, even tone, "Brutus! Stop!"

Does it have any visible injuries?

[wolfpack]

Gramble spins and swings Labrys at the beast

[1d20+3] = 10+3 = 13
[3d4+4] = 6+4 = 10

[ravenn4544]

Alordan hears the commotion and has limited options, he will continue to move forward so that the fighters can retreat if needed and have a place to fall back to. He makes sure to call out that everyone stays in some light.

[OGRE MAGE]

Can I get a normal Wis check from Gramble, please? [3d6]

[wolfpack]

gramble the wise fails

[3d6] = 13

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

As Andronichishche watches events unfold, different threads of thought suddenly merge together in his mind to weave a tapestry of understanding. Brutus had just fled from them. Why then would he return to attack so soon?

The medusa, Melania, lay interred ... currently in several pieces ... just down this very tunnel.

A tunnel too narrow for him, yet he attacks immediately after they enter?

Brutus can smell her!

That's why he was so enraged until Marquees, the one responsible for taking her away, was killed. Brutus had brought gifts to Cora, likely having mistaken her to be the medusa.

He glances quickly at Lerrick and Tlachtga, an idea percolating in his mind. Marquees had listened to Mina, apparently in the moment believing she was Melania. Could the same be done with Brutus?

They have her dress, or the remnants thereof, but would that be enough?

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric and turns at the commotion going on behind her. Too many members of the party stand in her way to get back there. She turns back and sees Alordan move farther up the passageway. She moves towards him with making sure that everyone close to her can still be within the lighted area of the glow stone. Taking a look at the darkness of the passageway in front of Alordan. Let's hope and pray that we aren't attacked by foes from both sides of the passageway

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga casts her last Faerie Fire spell on the Minotaur.

+2 to hit.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag takes a few steps back, waiting to aid Gramble as needed.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To The Destroyed Room
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Sunny, Warm, Humid

Gramble is ready for the attack, but finds it difficult to wield his massive ax in the confines of the narrow tunnel. His stunted blow doesn’t connect with the minotaur, but it is enough to deflect the monsters oncoming charge, leaving him unscathed for now. Looking the thing over as they fight, the earlier wound administered by Alordan is still clearly visible. The fighter notices something else different about the bull-man as well. A strange pendant or charm hangs from its neck, something that none of the others have possessed. Though he can’t tell what it is exactly, it appears to be made of stone that is heavily wrapped in a leather thong that makes up the “chain” around its neck.

Alordan and Lerrick move further into the tunnel, squeezing past the pinch point. Andronichishche attempts to parlay, which garners no reaction from the enraged enemy. Unable to help in the fight, Maag gives his friend a bit of room while Tlachtga sets down her torch and starts a spell that eventually brings a glowing aura around Brutus, making him easier for Gramble to see and target.

Actions?

map:

B1DC1B90-F30F-429E-A383-199D45716077.jpeg (174.78 KiB) Viewed 296 times

Alordan 18/18
Lerrick 7/11 2/4 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Tlachtga 8/8 2/4 1st (Torch 40’r) FF:4 +2 to hit
Andronichishche 6/6 0/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 1/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Maag 12/12
Gramble 16/16 (Light stone 40'r)
MIA
Sir Crestbrook 9/11 LoH (Petrified in Melania’s(?) bedroom)
Cu AC:3 13/13 (Whereabouts Unknown)

Carucenus -5.5/10 (Dead)
message on tiny decorative box
Mina's note

[wolfpack]

Seasoned fighter he is Gramble maneuvers with the way the party is traveling until others can move in to assist but at the same time getting a good attack angle.

All right you son of a bitch, let's dance. he says as he cracks a wide grin feeling the rush of battle

[1d20+3] = 12+3 = 15 +2 for FF = 17

damage [3d4+4] = 8+4 = 12

13 if he is undead

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga advances and attacks with her scimitar.
Scimitar [1d20+2] = 13+2 = 15 to hit [1d8] = 2 damage