Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Perhaps." She will search around and see if she can find anything hidden.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

"From Melania's note to Marquees, I believe that tiny box with the salty water contained the strange lenses that gave him a petrification gaze. I assume they are now in the rotting gullet of Brutus as the lenses apparently affix directly to the eyes. A pity. Melania certainly came from a place with wondrous magic and technology. It's unlike anything I've ever read about."

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.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag continues to work on the chest, supremely confident that his highly professional skills would have found any trap it contained. He gets ready to pop open the lid, absolutely assured that it doesn't contain a delicate, easily broken phial of highly poisonous gas that would totally fill the small corridor they are all standing in...

Noted. I just rolled for both of them to save time*

Especially with that horrible Find Traps roll. I figured he'd just plow straight on, heedless of the consequences to himself and his companions.

Oh by the way everybody: this bit is just for OM. You probably shouldn't read it. Nothing to see here. I'm sure everything is going to be just fine. ...

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric watches the fighter-thief work on the chest. She takes a step back and says a silent prayer as Maag begins to open it.

[Quonundrum]

F-bombs are allowed after 13 failed saves in a row.

Like I said, I didn't think it would drag on this long.

If my math is correct, there was only about a 2.4% chance he would fail 13 times in a row.

[OGRE MAGE]

Treasure Room
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Early Morning?

For clarification, the box containing the missing contacts is larger than the 1 inch square void on the dusty pedestal.

Alordan is not happy to finally come out of his uncontrollable eating frenzy, only to find himself tied in rope and his armor covered in puke. The stench of the hallway and rotten taste in his mouth causes him to retch up the rest of the bile from his system before the others hurriedly release their comrade from his bonds.

Tlachtga searches the hallway again, finding nothing hidden. Lerrick watches Maag opening the chest, stepping away and murmuring a prayer.

That weird smile returns to Gramble's normally dour face when he sees the fruits of Maag's labor. Once the chest is opened, they find it filled with gold coins and small gems. 312gp in total along with eighteen 25gp semi precious stones including Bloodstones, Jasper, Smokey Quartz, and Rock Crystal.

With everyone functioning normally again and the ordeal of the magical chime behind them, other than the awful smell and soiled clothing, the party is finally able to gather themselves and their newfound items, ready to leave this area if they choose to do so.

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
Maag 11/12
Andronichishche 5/6 3/3 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[/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: (312gp and 18-25gp gems)
46-50= Grey Stone Sphere
51-55= Fancy String of 21 Pearls (yet to be evaluated)
56=60=
61=65= Large Copper Cube: viewtopic.php?p=501032#p501032
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.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag's eyes get wider and he breathes a soft "Yeah" under his breath. "Looks like Randall is gonna be a rich man tonight fellas". He shows the contents to everybody, and claps Alordan on the shoulder. "Der yer go. Plenty of rum will wash dat taste out of yer mouth."

[wolfpack]

Gramble laughs and slaps Maag on the shoulder smiling

That's more like it! The ale will flow tonight!

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"We still need to get it back, but good find! Perhaps things are looking up after all."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche expresses no visible reaction to the treasure revealed with the opening of chest. Instead, he simply bends down and picks up one of the gold coins, examining the engravings. He then tosses it back onto the pile and straightens himself upright. "Well done, Mr. Maag." He carefully folds his map and stows it in his pack. "Let us proceed to the southeast tunnel. If Brutus did indeed have a hidden lair, there may yet be more treasure to be found."

Andron collects the chime from the floor and steps onto the lift. "This item is far too dangerous to leave here for the unsuspecting." He steps on a raised disc to activate it and awaits the others, adding, "Oh, yes, we should also pool and distribute what little remaining rations we have left."

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric smiles at Maag's find. Nicely done Maag. Gramble!...don't slap him on the back that hard! We might lose some of the gems and coins! She smiles at the big fighter to show that she was not serious. She then moves to the lift with the others.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan stands quietly eyes down upon himself - his thoughts currently consumed by the smell. He drinks if something available. He doesn't ask more about what happened, he doesn't really want to know.

[OGRE MAGE]

Last Chance
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Early Morning?

Gathering themselves up from the treasure room, the group is glad to leave the vomit strewn subterranean hallway covered in empty ration wrappers behind them. They each take a spot on the elevator platform that slowly lifts them back to the surface.

The broken statues that were tossed from the lift still litter the floor above, along with the bodies of the 2 dead kobolds you killed trying to escape with the bag of treasures initially. In fact, the room looks exactly the same as it did when you left it a day ago.

No sound comes from the dark tunnels beyond the light radius of your magic stones.

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
Maag 11/12
Andronichishche 5/6 3/3 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[/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: (312gp and 18-25gp gems)
46-50= Grey Stone Sphere
51-55= Fancy String of 21 Pearls (yet to be evaluated)
56=60=
61=65= Large Copper Cube: viewtopic.php?p=501032#p501032
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.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan keeps somewhat quiet. It occurs to him however, "Anyone search those kobolds? Or check that treasure room for secret doors?"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

The Fellowship of the Silver Circle, now fully assembled again after their ordeal with the chime, arrive back onto the ground floor of the macabre complex. Andron glances down at the dead kobolds. Before he can vocalize his thoughts, Alordan speaks with the same mind. "I did not search for secret doors, Mr. Alordan. However ..." He peers intently at the corpses. "... I don't recall we searched the bodies. One of them may have the missing cube." Andron kneels down and begins to carefully search the bodies.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"I searched for secret doors, but that doesn't mean there isn't one there. My knack is more outdoors."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

A few moments into searching the first kobold body, Andronichishche pauses and turns his head to look back up at Lerrick and the antique hymnal to Pelor she's holding. "That book has a serial number, yes? It was probably scribed and catalogued as part of a collection. I have heard rumor of a ruined temple in the jungle. If that is where the wizard brought it from, we may find more information about him ...", he stops and includes, "... or other hidden treasures, there."

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric nods in approval at Andron. Sounds like we have we have a temple to find. She smiles at the chance of more exploring of the island and ridding it of its evil.

[wolfpack]

Gramble will search for secret doors. Let's explore the last couple of places we haven't searched so we can get back to the pub for food and drink.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan offers "we could check out those wells too - I could surely use a bath....."