Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"I like both the Fellowship of the Silver Circle and The Silver Circle a lot."

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Der chest? Nah, I 'ave not looked at dat yet. Since we was all knackered, I was gonna wait until we got back to town. Yer know, in case it is trapped or sumfin. If I get poisoned out 'ere, I'm gonna end up bein brown bread".

"If I open it back in town, an it is trapped wiv poison, den me ol' mate Saracen is der. 'e can cure der poison. 'e's done dat for me before."

Maag grins and points his thumb at his chest. "Mrs Maag did not raise no idiot....Even if she did give 'im a stoopid name..." His grin fades and he shakes his head.

[OGRE MAGE]

Treasure Room
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Early Morning?

The groups healers get to work as soon as their powers return, knitting wounds and soothing all the sore backs from nearly a full day of laying on hard, cold stone. The condition of the group improves considerably after the 6 spells are used up.

Tlachtga also starts her day off with a little magic, curious about the tiny green dog, and a few of the other things. Andron casts another spell of his own, trying to comprehend more of the strange writings in the notes. He reads while she looks over all the items they have found so far. (contacts note is now being read) Tlachtga finds that her little dog statue does indeed glows in a magical light, as do Maags stylish gloves. She also notices that the copper tube in Gramble's hand, Lerricks egg, and Andron's ring are also glowing brightly with her enhanced vision. (good thinking on the command words, but that action will need to wait until after the results of this round) Androns 4th, 5th, and 6th action will also have to wait.

Alordan slips into the next room once he is healed, looking over the pedestals with interest. He finds that they appear free standing, nothing like the buttons on the lifting platform at the other end of the hall. In fact, most of them appear to have been moved around the room slightly from their original positions, and all 7 of them have a different shaped dusty imprint on their tops. One is a slender rectangle, and another a tiny, ring sized circle, though this one seems to be the faintest mark of the seven. There are also a pair of human sized hand prints, an egg shaped void, four tiny dots, another larger rectangle with a roundish end, and a very small square on the tops of the rest of the pedestals. (much smaller than the puzzle box)

Whether the next actions are coincidental or ironic is up to interpretation, but as the still half naked Andron hands out some iron rations for breakfast from the bags taken from the druids dead dog, Gramble's curiosity gets the best of him. The large fighting man holds the chime he found by its braided end and taps it with his dagger, just to see what happens......

The tone that rings out from the copper chime is quite distinct, like the loudest and most encouraging dinner bell anyone in the group has ever heard. As soon as the ringing hits their ears, they stop whatever they are doing and begin tearing into the rations they were just given. All 6 explorers rip open their nuts and salted meats, scoffing them down without thought and nearly without chewing. The scene isn't the usually well mannered priest of Rao's proudest moment, inhaling the food like some kind of wild animal, and the noises from the slobbering and gulping are something else he wont soon forget. After at least a full minute of this behavior, and once an entire days worth of rations have been ingested by each of them, the group looks around at each other like some kind of starved and crazed cannibals. Still ravenous, they search out the area to see what they can have for a quick second helping.

Can I get a Save vs. Spells from everyone please. Success will allow you to stop and take a normal action. Failure keeps you eating, unable to concentrate on doing anything else.

Actions?

Lerrick 10/11 1/4 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Gramble 14/16
Alordan 18/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Tlachtga 7/8 3/4 1st DM: 10
Maag 11/12
Andronichishche 5/6 3/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 1/1 1st (Light stone 40'r) CL: 3

Deceased
Sir Crestbrook 0/11 LoH (Petrified and Broken in Melania’s bedroom)
Cu AC:3 0/13
Carucenus -5.5/10[/color]
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.

note about the contacts:

Marquees

My love, I know you don't like wearing the contacts, but their use will be quintessential in making our eventual escape from this place. The wizard doesn't know about them, so it is imperative that we keep them secret for now. Please continue to wear them when you can, since they have no affect on us or our young. You must try to get accustomed to them so they can be used to their utmost effectiveness against our foes once the time comes.

It is important that you keep them wet when you are not wearing them. The case is filled with a salty solution of mannish extract and fairy tears, which should keep them crystal clear and usable forever, so take caution not to spill any of it. Since they will allow both you and I to turn our enemies to stone, I cant wait for you to put them to use.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Save vs Spells (15) [1d20+3] = 5+3 = 8

Keeps eating.

She has 7 days in her backpack and there is still one day in Cu's panniers I think.

[kruk]

Lerrick

save vs spell: [1d20] = 9

The cleric devours the rest of her rations and continues to look for more. I...I'm so hungry...food....must have....food

[ravenn4544]

Alordan keeps eating - rummaging through his pack and others if he has too...

Save vs Spells (16) [1d20] = 4

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche just finished distributing rations from the leather panniers when he notices Mr. Gramble tap the copper tube with the pommel of his dagger. His next thought went something like this ... Perhaps we should wait before ... doing ANYTHING else, but eat! The angelic tone heralding a feast of heavenly delight rings in his ears. The iron rations in his hands, literally food for a king. The dried meat was succulent turkey. The nuts and fruit a banquet of autumn harvest. Drool flows freely from his mouth as he inhales the food, all considerations of decor and manners ignored in his ravenous hunger.

After what felt like an eternity and with nary a crumb remaining, a brief glimmer of rational thought breaks through the fog of primitive desire.

Save vs. Spells (12): [1d20 + 4] = 17+4 = 21

Andron blinks in confusion as he regains his self control. He quickly realizes what happened ... Chime of Serpent's Desire! He looks around to his companions and notices with alarm that at least Tlachtga and Lerrick are still under the chime's influence as they search frantically for more food. Worried of what may happen if they run out of food, he tosses the panniers with the remaining day of rations onto the floor and quickly rummages in his pack to add another day's worth of iron rations to the pile.

[wolfpack]

[1d20] = 15


Gramble keeps eating

[Quonundrum]

Lest I forget, I like Fellowship of the Silver Circle. Sounds more impressive than Argent Fellowship.



Also not sure if I'm reading it correctly. There's one pedestal with the small square imprint? Or several?

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag munches through the iron rations. Not as good as der pies at der Saucy Strumpet he thinks. But better dan dat 'orrible bowl of fruit.

Once Gramble rings the chime, Maag starts shoveling the food in even faster. Pies! Fruit! Fruit pies!

Save vs Spells (15) [1d20] = 2

[OGRE MAGE]

One of the pedestals has a tiny square void.

And I pray this takes long enough for Maag to get to the fruit.

[OGRE MAGE]

Treasure Room
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Early Morning?

Andronichishche is the first and only one to snap out of the magically induced feeding frenzy. Once he understands what is happening, he does the first thing he can think of to help the others before things turn really ugly. He tosses more food to his still ravenous friends. With the conversation about cool team names still fresh in their heads, all they can do is keep eating. (I believe that leaves one extra ration available from the panniers, probably for Gramble?)

Actions?

At least everyone has some rations on their sheets, so let’s see how long this plays out. Since you were already here for over a day, subtract one days worth of rations from your total and start keeping track of what you have left in each of your next posts. You eat one days worth per round that you failed to Save. Let’s see how this goes.

Lerrick 10/11 1/4 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Gramble 14/16
Alordan 18/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Tlachtga 7/8 3/4 1st DM: 9
Maag 11/12
Andronichishche 5/6 3/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 1/1 1st (Light stone 40'r) CL: 2

Deceased
Sir Crestbrook 0/11 LoH (Petrified and Broken in Melania’s bedroom)
Cu AC:3 0/13
Carucenus -5.5/10[/color]
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.

note about the contacts:

Marquees

My love, I know you don't like wearing the contacts, but their use will be quintessential in making our eventual escape from this place. The wizard doesn't know about them, so it is imperative that we keep them secret for now. Please continue to wear them when you can, since they have no affect on us or our young. You must try to get accustomed to them so they can be used to their utmost effectiveness against our foes once the time comes.

It is important that you keep them wet when you are not wearing them. The case is filled with a salty solution of mannish extract and fairy tears, which should keep them crystal clear and usable forever, so take caution not to spill any of it. Since they will allow both you and I to turn our enemies to stone, I cant wait for you to put them to use.

[Quonundrum]

Correct.

Seven days rations were in the pannier and Andron distributed six.

He dropped the pannier along with another ration from his backpack for the pigeons ... I mean, for his friends.

[wolfpack]

[1d20] = 9

considering fighters need a 17 to save it isn't likely to happen

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Fully in control of his mental faculties again, Andronichishche can easily see now that the others are still very much under the influence of the chime's magic. With no knowledge of how much food everyone else was carrying, he expected the meager additional amount he provided may be ultimately futile. Seeing no other viable option, Andron quickly slips off his pack and tosses it onto the floor, as well. He had only one day's worth of rations left. He hoped it would give him enough time ...

Carefully moving back towards the double doors, Andron stops after ten feet and offers a silent prayer to Rao. He then procures a pinch of sand from a pocket and begins incanting the Sleep spell upon his companions.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Save vs Spells (15) [1d20+3] = 14+3 = 17

Tlachtga comes to her senses and realizing what happens throws her remaining rations to the others.

Sheet updated, added 6 days rations to the pile.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag keeps stuffing his face.

"Yer know, I fink der is more to dis place dan meets der pie..."

Save vs Spells (15) [1d20] = 10

2 rations deducted so far.

[Quonundrum]

I have a feeling these items are booby prizes. Decoys for those who did not insert the proper key. The ring Andron is wearing likely has an equivalent harmful effect. A Band of Fools that turns one into a fool? Marquees, anyone? If I'm right, Andron was able to resist its effects.

[Jernau35]

I think you are right. I was trying to figure out why Maag's gloves are called "Shedding Strike". Doesn't sound very intimidating. Probably means he'll take off all his clothes the first time he uses them .

[Rex]

Hopefully he doesn't shed his skin, that would be messy.