ravenn4544 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 16, 2020 1:38 pmAlordan swings out with his weapons - a little surprised his arrow attacks didn't finish the job - and tries to remedy that with the little bastards.
Thanks for the subtle reminder that they were already injured.
I didn't really mean it that way - but sure, you're welcome
It required considerably less analysis than expected to identify the racial composition of the large chunk of rock. His examination of it was quickly rendered moot when it animated into a dust covered kobold. Upon seeing the other kobold emerge from its hiding spot, he instantly realized the clever ruse and how much more cunning, if not intelligent, they are than he assumed.
As the others move in to finish what they started, Andron becomes acutely aware of the already overloaded lift. He quickly moves to the rubble covered disc and attempts to clear away the debris before the elevator mechanism is activated again.
Going Crazy?
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Humid
In a confusing and dangerously cramped flurry of attacks, the injured kobolds are completely decimated by the much larger and stronger party members. The pair soon lay dead on the floor of the room, their pilfered sack of goodies sprawled open at the feet of Maag and Gramble, spilling out a few interesting shiny trinkets.
Though no engineer himself, it takes Andronichishche all of about 2 seconds to determine that the lifting mechanism is vastly overloaded with the weight of the many large solid stone statues. He cant move any of them by himself, but he is able to clear the chunks of rubble stacked upon the only free copper button, allowing it to rise up from the dais again like they all were when this room was first discovered. Looking at the dead monsters, he is a little surprised and even more concerned about the sheer cunning and ingenuity of their kind.
With several members of the group still horribly injured and barely able to stand, only silence is heard outside the room again. Have they finally eliminated all of the many threats this complex tried to throw at them? Or was there another faction of dangerous adversaries just waiting in the wings to take them on next?
Actions?
map:
78C56ECF-60DC-48F2-9D49-F792333E8129.jpeg (109.62 KiB) Viewed 336 times
Lerrick 1/11 0/4 1st (Light stone 40'r) Light:12 (on the eyes of Brutus)
Gramble 3/16
Alordan 12/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Tlachtga 2/8 1/4 1st
Maag 9/12
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.
Melaina
I have decided on a far more suitable spot for you to reside. There is a cave complex on the other side of the island that will suit your needs perfectly. It is an old experiment of mine, that never panned out the way that I had hoped. But there is a fresh water source inside and a magical summoning device of my own creation that should provide you with an endless supply of food. You will be relocated there as soon as I get it ready. I am still working on filling your request for companionship. As I told you before, they are extremely rare and nearly impossible to locate.
Melania
I understand you are not happy with your new accommodations, but it is simply the best I can do for now. I think you will be much more at ease living here once I am able to fill your request for a mate. The reoccurring minotaur should provide you plenty of food and enough sport to keep you preoccupied while I search. Please remember that your captor was also once your savior, and that you wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for me. I know this isn’t an easy adjustment for you, but it must be preferable to the horrible death you would have endured without my aid.
Melania
At long last, after several years of searching and burning through countless resources, I have finally found what you seek the most. An unmatched Maedar, one of the rarest of all creatures known to man. And he is all for you. I sincerely hope this will suffice to keep you happy for the rest of your years here. You must stop meddling in my experiments. You of all people should know they can be very dangerous, especially when they are unfinished. Once I have checked him over for myself, I will release him to you. Once that is done, I must insist that you stay put in your area and stop breaking your containment. By the way, his name is Marquees, and he is magnificent.
Melania
Once again you need to learn the hard way that you are no match for my powers. It saddens me greatly that after everything I’ve done to make you happy, you continue to defy me, routinely breaking your pact without remorse. I thought you to be one of the more intelligent of your kind, but you have proven to me that I was mistaken. Since I have invested so much, I will give you one last chance to comply. However, you will now be marked. Breaking the rules of your containment again will result in your termination.
Melania
This last attempt at wreaking havoc on my experiments was all I can take. I have warned you multiple times now and you simply wont listen. Therefore, you have left me no other choice. I cannot allow you or anyone else here to undermine my work as you have. I know you were never really happy here, but with the amount of monies, time, sacrifice, and effort I have put into this place already, finishing my ultimate creation must continue to be my main focus. I will allow Marquees to remain on the island, since he has done nothing that I know of to aid you in your constant meddling. The treasures you were supposed to protect for me will also remain inside the complex, now under the supervision of your lover. However, the next time you see me will be the last. I wish things could have worked out better, but you have only yourself to blame for this outcome.
Bookkeeping:
01-05= The “Key”
06-10= Intact Copper Bowl of Wax Fruit (25gp)
11-15= Solid Copper Decorative Serving Tray (40gp)
16-20= Broken Cartouche
21-25= List of 7 Unknown Items
26-30= Note About the Contacts
31-35= Moldy Sack of 254 Copper Coins
36-40= Melania's Note About Escaping
41-45= Small Locked Chest
46-50= Grey Stone Sphere
51-55= Fancy String of 21 Pearls (yet to be evaluated)
56=60=
61=65= Large Copper Cube?
66-70= Ornate Latched Scroll Case
71-75= Copper Armband w/ Circular Diagram (20gp)
76-80= Fairy Tale Storybook
81-85= Hand Written Notes
86-90= Notes on Minotaur Summoning Dais
91-95= Small Wooden Puzzle Box
96-100= Magical Golden Ring
This is a list of the items you will be "protecting" for me in here. Please remember the terms of our earlier agreement before you get any ridiculous ideas to use any of these against me.
Chime of Serpent’s Desire
Protecting Egg
Withering Venom
Shedding Strike
Band of Fools
Green Manalishi
Dansden
Marquees
I know you like this place, but I am not about to spend the rest of my days preforming for this pompous bastard. We are getting out of here, and I think I finally figured out how. The ring of glass obelisks have something to do with the mobility of this place, so through them, there must be a way out. I know the colored stone spheres are the keys, all I need to do is figure out how they function. There must be a way to use the spheres to activate the obelisks, since the ones I have investigated don’t seem to do anything yet. Once I can figure out their secrets, I am hoping we will be able to go anywhere we want. I know you want to concentrate on making more eggs and raising new babies, but you cant expect me to be happy about bringing more of our kind into existence while we are all being held here against our will. We must find a way out! We can discuss this further once I've returned.
scrollcase note:
I have used the magic scrolls to find three of them so far. They are a sight to behold, so tall and crystal clear. One is in the jungle near the black cliffs, a second deep in the swamp, and the third by the lake to the northwest. I promise you that I will figure out what they do and how they function. Once I do, we will be free again.
Andronichishche nods in agreement with the plan and moves to the back of the vault to allow the much stronger members of the party room to maneuver. "It would appear all seven discs must be activated to elevate the lift, as well. We should be safe in the tunnel below, unless something else here can walk through a stone door."
He looks down at the mangled corpses of the kobolds with a bemused expression. "Shouldn't there be four? Something must have taken the two kobolds you killed earlier ... along with the body of Mr. Carucenus. I doubt it is the work of other kobolds, though. They could have just pilfered his belongings where he lay."
When they're ready to proceed, Andron will step upon one disc and drop his backpack onto an adjacent.
Alordan also helps remove the statues. He asks of Andron while they work, "So what the hell is going on here? What do all the messages added up to be?"
they add up to the medusa was one if the mages whores and she wouldn't shut up about wanting things so he got that brutus or marques,or whatever his name was, guy who turned cresty to stone to get her off his back. the mage had a bunch of crystal things that do something when you hold up a sphere like the one I found and they are all over the island. the medusa whore was also guarding a bunch of treasure for the mage.
Last edited by wolfpack on Sat Jul 18, 2020 12:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
Maag listens to Gramble's explanation of everything. His eyes widen. "Ahhhhhhh. So dat is wot dis 'is all about. Good finkin mate. I knew you wos not just a pretty face". He turns to Andron. "Der yer go. Gramble 'as figured everyfink out." Maag puts his hand on Andron's shoulder. "Yer know, yer might wanna try bein' more like 'im."
The cleric helps with rubble removal, although the pieces she removes are very small compared to the fighter pieces. She listens to Gramble's summary of the island history. Your explanation is much less confusing than the explanations given by Andron. She smiles and winks at the magic user.
Andronichishche was about to answer Alordan when Gramble, in his usual, unique way, offered an explanation. Before he could provide any clarifications, Maag also chimed in with his own brand of street advice, to which Andron simply responded, "Quite."
With no additional input from Lerrick or Tlachtga forthcoming, aside from a qualitative analysis of his communication skills, Andron attempts to slightly expand on Gramble's succinct summary. "I have some additional text to translate, but this is the story as I understand it."
"Melania, the medusa, was apparently saved from a terrible death by the wizard. Although she would refer to it as being captured, by the accounts we have he treated her very compassionately. That is, until she was unable to resist her natural instincts and stay within her assigned area, petrifying a few too many of his collection. So, he moved her here where she would presumably cease causing him trouble."
"This complex contained one of his earlier experiments which failed to meet his expectations, and the minotaur summoning dais was likely originally built for this experiment. Brutus, the minotaur who had befriended Cora and now partly fills Mr. Gramble's pack, I assume was also involved in some way. The summoning dais was then repurposed to provide an endless supply of food for Melania."
"Apparently as part of an agreement to accept this new home and to keep her from meddling with his other experiments, the wizard found for her a male of her species. A maedar, by the name of Marquees. He also gave her seven magical items to ... protect ... and provide her with entertainment."
"Eventually, unwilling to abide by the agreement, she sought a means of escape and located the crystal obelisks along with one of the magical spheres used to operate them. Frustrated with her continued disobedience, the wizard marked her in some way ... perhaps the MS tattoo on her forehead ... and gave her one last chance to comply. The end result we now know, and which caused Marquees to go insane with grief and a desire for revenge."
"As for the nature of the wizard's collection of creatures, his experiments, or his ultimate creation? I have a theories, but ..." Andron simply shrugs. "I do intend to return here, however, and study that black void. It is curious that no mention of it was made in any of the notes we found."
Last edited by Quonundrum on Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:55 am, edited 2 times in total.
Going Down
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Humid
Pushing the heavy statues back off of the raised copper disks and cleaning off the rest of the rubble, the group discusses what it all might mean. Gramble gives his condensed version, while Andron adds in any particulars. The priest of Rao seems to have it down fairly well, stating that there were definitely at least two separate iterations of how this cave complex was used in the past.
Scooping up the bag from the dead kobolds, their bodies are simply shoved aside as well when Gramble suggests the group can now step on the disks themselves to lower the lift again.
Trying very hard not to roll his eyes at anyone, Andronichishche steps on one of the disks, pressing it into the base of the dais, while he does the same with his backpack to the disk next to him.
5 more of the copper disks remain unpressed.
Actions?
map:
statues are moved, otherwise no change
Lerrick 1/11 0/4 1st (Light stone 40'r) Light:11(on the eyes of Brutus)
Gramble 3/16
Alordan 12/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Tlachtga 2/8 1/4 1st
Maag 9/12
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.
Melaina
I have decided on a far more suitable spot for you to reside. There is a cave complex on the other side of the island that will suit your needs perfectly. It is an old experiment of mine, that never panned out the way that I had hoped. But there is a fresh water source inside and a magical summoning device of my own creation that should provide you with an endless supply of food. You will be relocated there as soon as I get it ready. I am still working on filling your request for companionship. As I told you before, they are extremely rare and nearly impossible to locate.
Melania
I understand you are not happy with your new accommodations, but it is simply the best I can do for now. I think you will be much more at ease living here once I am able to fill your request for a mate. The reoccurring minotaur should provide you plenty of food and enough sport to keep you preoccupied while I search. Please remember that your captor was also once your savior, and that you wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for me. I know this isn’t an easy adjustment for you, but it must be preferable to the horrible death you would have endured without my aid.
Melania
At long last, after several years of searching and burning through countless resources, I have finally found what you seek the most. An unmatched Maedar, one of the rarest of all creatures known to man. And he is all for you. I sincerely hope this will suffice to keep you happy for the rest of your years here. You must stop meddling in my experiments. You of all people should know they can be very dangerous, especially when they are unfinished. Once I have checked him over for myself, I will release him to you. Once that is done, I must insist that you stay put in your area and stop breaking your containment. By the way, his name is Marquees, and he is magnificent.
Melania
Once again you need to learn the hard way that you are no match for my powers. It saddens me greatly that after everything I’ve done to make you happy, you continue to defy me, routinely breaking your pact without remorse. I thought you to be one of the more intelligent of your kind, but you have proven to me that I was mistaken. Since I have invested so much, I will give you one last chance to comply. However, you will now be marked. Breaking the rules of your containment again will result in your termination.
Melania
This last attempt at wreaking havoc on my experiments was all I can take. I have warned you multiple times now and you simply wont listen. Therefore, you have left me no other choice. I cannot allow you or anyone else here to undermine my work as you have. I know you were never really happy here, but with the amount of monies, time, sacrifice, and effort I have put into this place already, finishing my ultimate creation must continue to be my main focus. I will allow Marquees to remain on the island, since he has done nothing that I know of to aid you in your constant meddling. The treasures you were supposed to protect for me will also remain inside the complex, now under the supervision of your lover. However, the next time you see me will be the last. I wish things could have worked out better, but you have only yourself to blame for this outcome.
Bookkeeping:
01-05= The “Key”
06-10= Intact Copper Bowl of Wax Fruit (25gp)
11-15= Solid Copper Decorative Serving Tray (40gp)
16-20= Broken Cartouche
21-25= List of 7 Unknown Items
26-30= Note About the Contacts
31-35= Moldy Sack of 254 Copper Coins
36-40= Melania's Note About Escaping
41-45= Small Locked Chest
46-50= Grey Stone Sphere
51-55= Fancy String of 21 Pearls (yet to be evaluated)
56=60=
61=65= Large Copper Cube?
66-70= Ornate Latched Scroll Case
71-75= Copper Armband w/ Circular Diagram (20gp)
76-80= Fairy Tale Storybook
81-85= Hand Written Notes
86-90= Notes on Minotaur Summoning Dais
91-95= Small Wooden Puzzle Box
96-100= Magical Golden Ring
This is a list of the items you will be "protecting" for me in here. Please remember the terms of our earlier agreement before you get any ridiculous ideas to use any of these against me.
Chime of Serpent’s Desire
Protecting Egg
Withering Venom
Shedding Strike
Band of Fools
Green Manalishi
Dansden
Marquees
I know you like this place, but I am not about to spend the rest of my days preforming for this pompous bastard. We are getting out of here, and I think I finally figured out how. The ring of glass obelisks have something to do with the mobility of this place, so through them, there must be a way out. I know the colored stone spheres are the keys, all I need to do is figure out how they function. There must be a way to use the spheres to activate the obelisks, since the ones I have investigated don’t seem to do anything yet. Once I can figure out their secrets, I am hoping we will be able to go anywhere we want. I know you want to concentrate on making more eggs and raising new babies, but you cant expect me to be happy about bringing more of our kind into existence while we are all being held here against our will. We must find a way out! We can discuss this further once I've returned.
scrollcase note:
I have used the magic scrolls to find three of them so far. They are a sight to behold, so tall and crystal clear. One is in the jungle near the black cliffs, a second deep in the swamp, and the third by the lake to the northwest. I promise you that I will figure out what they do and how they function. Once I do, we will be free again.
Alordan nods in understanding of what is going on, or so it seems. "So how does that snake eye thing you saw fit in that you mentioned??" He will also stand on the a disc or two with weapons ready for any new attack.
Andronichishche furrows his brow in confusion and peers quizically at Gramble. He was impressed the stoic fighter would show such compassion and generosity. Before he could inquire for details, however, he spotted the sly grin on Maag that suggested this was just another carnal euphemism. He sighs, leans his bamboo pole against the wall and clasps his hands behind his back. Closing his eyes he takes a moment to relax before the others stand on a disc.
Andron's eyes flick open and he arches an eyebrow in response to Alordan's question. "The snake eye? Oh, you're referring to the eye in the disc? I did not see it myself, but I haven't seen any reference to what it could be. I assume it will appear again when the elevator is activated. Perhaps the other discs will show something, as well."
He taps a forefinger on his chin in thought. "It does seem to fit with the overall theme of the complex, yes? A medusa, serpent themed magical items, a stone cartouche with the words: Gorgonus Meduseasius Maximus ... and of course the Puzzle of the Medusa's Treasure, as the wizard himself called it."
He folds his hands behind his back again, but adds another thought before returning to his meditation. "From the story book Melania wrote, she implied the wizard searched for years to find her. Apparently to add to his collection, yet afforded her full freedom of movement. I assume she poked into a dangerous experiment of his and was saved from a horrible death, eventually leading to her isolation on this island."
"What made this particular medusa so interesting to the wizard?" He shrugs, "Maybe nothing. However, I expect we will find other members of his collection on these islands and the nature of it may become more evident."
Last edited by Quonundrum on Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
