Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag puts away his crossbow, slightly disappointed that he didn't get to shoot an unwary kobolds in the head. But also relieved that he didn't have to annoy an already angry minotaur.

Seeing Tlachtga, he looks over towards where Cu is lying on the floor. Deciding to let Andron deal with the matter, Maag goes back to searching the room.

Percentile [1d100] = 44

[Rex]

Tlachtga

To Andron,"Thank you Andron for your kindness. Cu was a loyal companion and friend. I am saddened by his death, but I am sure you did all you could."

She heads over to his body, uncovers it and says a silent prayer for Cu. Then with tears in her eyes. "Once we are done here I would like to take him to the jungle so he doesn't lay here in this unnatural place. He does not require a burial, a return to nature is all that is required so it won't take to long."

"Cu's panniers have some supplies in them if anyone needs them. Rations and water."

[ravenn4544]

Alordan keeps on searching...

[1d100] = 91

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche simply nods at Tlachtga in response, unsure of anything else to say. He turns to face Gramble with an expression of respectful admiration. "Well done, Mr. Gramble", he says very solemnly. He waits silently while Tlachtga finishes her prayers. "We will certainly do so, Miss Tlachtga." Andron lifts the huge brass key he's holding, remembering Gramble's comment about it. "Oh, yes, indeed. Or so it would appear." He proceeds to tell the newcomers about the events in the bedroom. Brutus's sundering of Crestbrook's statue to retrieve Cora's amulet, and his respectful internment of Sister Theresa. "It is unfortunate. We each saw the other as a monster ... It may not be too late, though."

He continues with the gold ring and book he discovered before Maag and Alordan found him. Adding to Gramble, "Mr. Maag indicated you would be very interested in hearing a story. So, I waited until you were present to explain what I've been able to translate so far. I think you'll find it as intriguing as I did." The bundle of notes and the diagram of the dais were mentioned next, including that he has yet to fully analyze them. He points now to the assembled stone cartouche. "Gorgonus Meduseasius Maximus. What that means is unclear, but I suspect it may refer to a creature we haven't seen. A gorgon of unusual size. I will explain more with the book." Finally, he turns the huge brass key around, casually examining it. "As for this ... I am not convinced it's the proper key. It's rather ... obvious."

Andron gestures to the room's enormous piles of junk with a sweeping arm. "We've therefore been continuing to search for any additional parchment, notes, books, and especially items made from copper. With all of us here, I expect we can discover what remains without too much more time to the task. Also, before we attempt to enter the vault below, I would like to search a couple areas more closely on this level." He produces his map of the complex and indicates the pool in the grotto to the north, along with the unusual tunnel south of Cora's chamber with the two statues. "I feel more surprises await us beyond that door. Best to learn all we can on this level first."

He stakes out a new area in the room to search, but before digging in says, "We also owe Sister Theresa and Mr Carucenus an appropriate service. I understand our options are limited, though. As for Sir Crestbrook, I may be able to mend the statue. The damage from removing the amulet, however, is likely permanent and prove fatal if he is restored to flesh." With apparently nothing else to say, for now, he settles into sifting through the trash at his feet.

Search: [1d100] = 29

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga will join in on the search.

Search [1d100] = 82

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric walks over to the slain body of Cu and offers a prayer as well. Sorry for your loss Tlachtga. The cleric then joins the search.

search [1d100] = [1d100] = 66

[wolfpack]

Lady priestess I am sorry for the loss of your hound companion. gramble says solemnly.

I once had a mighty loyal hound named Feightus, He was killed by the spider monkey man in the gods forsaken maze that yielded no treasure but instead some flying miniature lizard with a smart mouth.

Gramble listens to androns story zoning out half way through and not understanding some of it.

Well if you need the amulet thing I have it he tosses adron the pendent he took from brutus

Brutus was a bastard and he tasted my axe in one on one combat. I will have his head mounted on a plaque

oh yes one of the disks on the elevator now looks like a giant lizard eye. If the door releases another smart mouth lizard I am killing it.

Gramble helps search
[1d100] = 84

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche looks up just in time to catch the chunk of petrified Crestbrook that includes Cora's amulet. When Gramble mentions the spider maze and the strange pseudodragon named Treasure, he arches an eyebrow and rubs his chin in thought. Upon hearing of the lizard eye in the disc, his eyes widen in surprise. He begins to raise his hand to make an observation, but slowly lowers it when Gramble declares his fondness for the miniature dragon. Quietly pondering a few moments longer, he returns to scavenging.

"Brutus sought out that engagement, regardless of his true nature", he says wearily.

[Quonundrum]

Is the writing style on the diagram parchment the same as on the notes? Oh, and does it have the same outline of a bull's head drawn in the center?

[OGRE MAGE]

Filling In The Blanks, Slowly
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Warm, Humid

After listening to the suddenly chatty Gramble say the most he has ever said at one time, Andron studies his notes and diagrams a bit longer, finding the mystical writings to be in the same strong male hand as the carefully written notes to Melania. The diagram of the raised bull head dais looks exactly the same as the one they found in the entry chamber. One thing he does notice about them both is that the paper and ink used in the diagram appears much, much older than the notes do, though they both look quite old. The priest of Rao takes the stone pendant Gramble took from Brutus, confirming that is indeed the missing piece from stoned Cresty's broken chest cavity laying out on the stone bed in the next room. Looking around in a different area for a while, Andron finds another feminine, hand written note in the same strange language as the book he found earlier.

After a bit more praying and grieving over the lost dog, Tlachtga lets the others know that she will be taking her companion from this place when she leaves so his body can do the earth and plants some good, instead of having the poor thing rotting away in these dark tunnels. She starts searching the endless pile of refuse as well, finding some old, moldy dresses and other female garments in a jumbled ball that have long lost any monetary value.

Searching around in the junk some more, Lerrick finds an ornate scroll case that matches the tiny latched box with the liquid and two circular indentations they found earlier. Maag smiles wide when he finds a small locked chest filled with something that jingles like coins. Alordan digs through the broken furniture nearby and finds what looks like a small wooden cube that appears to be a puzzle box of some kind. Gramble finds some moldering wall tapestries in the heap, all of them are wet and rotting, faded beyond recognition.

Actions?

map:

no change

Lerrick 1/11 0/4 1st (Light stone 40'r) Light:38 (on the eyes of Brutus)
Tlachtga 2/8 2/4 1st
Gramble 3/16
Maag 9/12
Alordan 12/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Andronichishche 3/6 0/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 0/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)

Deceased
Sir Crestbrook 0/11 LoH (Petrified and Broken in Melania’s bedroom)
Cu AC:3 0/13
Carucenus -5.5/10
message on tiny decorative box
Mina's note
Notes and other Bookkeeping:

Melania

You have been warned several times now about your unwillingness to remain in your designated location. Since you cannot control your desire to destroy my hard earned collection by turning them into useless statuary, you leave me little other choice but to relocate you somewhere safer.

Bookkeeping:
01-05= The “Key”
16-20= Broken Cartouche
25-29= Note About the Contacts
41-45= Small Locked Chest
66-70= Ornate Scroll Case
76-80= Fairy Tale Storybook
81-85= Hand Written Notes
86-90= Notes on Minotaur Summoning Dais
91-95= Small Wooden Puzzle Box

[Quonundrum]

Quite a number of pieces to this puzzle. I'll write up a synopsis so it hopefully makes more sense to everyone. Except maybe a couple theories Andron's not ready to share yet.



Also looks like we have a few more things to find. Can we make a couple search rolls per post? Assuming nothing sneaks in on us?

[OGRE MAGE]

Should we also just skip to the end of the adventure and say that you killed all the monsters and took all the treasure?

I need time to write all this stuff up, you know.

[Quonundrum]

I guess if that works for you? Just kidding. Understood. Thanks!

[ravenn4544]

Don't we all get a vote?!?

[OGRE MAGE]

I hope that was a joke.

[ravenn4544]

[wolfpack]

This is stupid, why don't we go use the key


search [1d100] = 33

[Quonundrum]

I assume Andron found the note and Alordan found the puzzle box? Is the ornate scroll case similar in shape to the tiny box? Not the explodey screw top scroll case?

Andronichishche

Andronichishche stops searching after a while and sits on a broken piece of furniture, holding what appears to be another handwritten note. The frown evident on his face is a clue that the writing is in the same strange language. With his magic exhausted, he's unable to translate it at the moment and so carefully stows in his pack for later examination.

His brow furrows in thought as he pauses to gaze at something in his pack. A moment later he retrieves the bundle of notes and the diagram of the dais, both items Alordan had found earlier. He appears to trace the writing with his index finger on the top note in the bundle, comparing it against the writing on the diagram. "So that was the purpose ... interesting", he murmurs quietly. He returns the diagram to his pack and flips to the next note in the bundle when he hears Gramble's grumbled suggestion.

"If I have assumed the role of leader, it's only by default and concession, Mr. Gramble." Andron produces the huge brass key and lays it on the floor next to his seat. "My opinion of the key is my own. You are free to try it yourself, if you prefer." He says this sounding quite sincere and nods in deference to the large fighter. "You dispatched those kobolds appropriately, I respect your decisions. I feel that I must stay here, though. We have several pieces of the puzzle, yet, the critical piece ... I don't think we've found it."

Returning his attention to the bundle of notes, he recites aloud the parts written in Common on each note. He begins with the first so that the late arrivals to the room can hear its contents.

If he's able to search this round. Otherwise, I'll hold it for next turn:

Search: [1d100] = 75

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag hauls the chest over towards the door, so that he can take it along when they leave the room. As he passes Gramble, he shakes the chest a little to make the coins jingle.

"Dis is a good reason not go anywhere yet. 'Cos der is still treasure up 'ere".

He goes back to overturning things.

Percentile [1d100] = 6

[wolfpack]

hearing the gold Gramble nods

At least we won't be empty handed this time