Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Yeah, we gotta bring Cresty back. It's a shame 'e's all busted up. I reckon 'e would 'ave looked good standin' at der bottom of der ladder to der Tree'ouse. Really classy".

Maag recalls all the graffiti he wrote in the tunnel leading to the black void. "Wot? Yer reckon all der warnin signs dat I wrote won't be good enough? Maag sounds slightly hurt.

"Der fing about buildin' a barrier is, if some more adventurers come along an' see it, der first ding dey will do is knock it down to see wot is on der other side. A cave-in is a good idea. But can we make dat 'appen now?"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche sighs heavily again, the weight of the last few days felt fully now with the mention of the fallen paladin. "Of course, Miss Lerrick. We must bring him back ... in such state as he's in. I will try using magic to at least restore him to one piece." He raises an approving eyebrow at Maag's comments about the void. "You possess an admirable degree of common sense, Mr. Maag. I agree, barriers would only invite more investigation. There is risk of attempting a cave-in, though. We know virtually nothing about the nature of the void. The addition of tons of rock and stone may only serve to increase its size. For now, we should proceed very carefully with it ..." He fixes Maag with a steady gaze. "... and mind what we say, especially when drinking!"

[wolfpack]

Gramble grabs the biggest piece of cresty to take back.

and when we get outside lets try that cube again. It seemed like it was going to do something but the tunnel walls stopped it.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Grotto
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Early Morning

Once it is discovered that the fish appear to be using the pool as a spawning area, and that they are likely able to come and go from this chamber under the water somehow, the group loses interest in the grotto. They move into the bedroom chamber and collect up the intact pieces of Cresty and lug them back into the entrance chamber.

Once there, Alordan looks out into the circle of stones, predicting that the sun is about to rise for the day any minute now. Tlachtga confirms the rangers findings, seeing no dangers just outside the cave mouth.

Lerrick tries to piece together the many parts of stoned Cresty, hoping they aren't missing any. The biggest issue she sees is the area where the holy symbol was chiseled out of the mans chest, otherwise he looks to be mostly intact.

Gramble suggests trying the cube again, now that they are in a larger area.

Actions?

Gramble 14/16 (Light stone 40'r)
Alordan 18/18
Tlachtga 7/8 3/4 1st
Andronichishche 5/6 3/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 0/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Lerrick 10/11 1/4 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Maag 11/12

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.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga will help carry the parts of Cresty. "If you try the cube again, lets make sure we are all apart a bit so if something bad happens we are not all caught."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche stands near the center of the chamber with a very pensive expression; his right hand thoughtfully stroking his chin as he repeatedly shifts his gaze from the tunnel they just left and the floor. "Marquees specifically sealed off the grotto. I don't think he would have done that just to hide the silver coffer." He points down at one of his boots. "He grabbed me from under the soil ... and the spawning pool is connected to another body of water." Andron looks around at the fellowship with a raised brow. "There may be a hidden cavern below the grotto, one which he used to secure other treasures?"

He peers outside into the near dawn gloom. "It will have to wait, along with the half casks, though. Pete and Joe will be looking for our signal. We should leave for the beach at first light to build a fire." Andron pulls out the tiny wooden cube from a belt pouch in response to Gramble and Tlachtga's comments. "Quite so." He glances outside again and suddenly tosses the cube into the clearing. Standing in the threshold of the cave, he calls out in a clear, steady voice, "Dansden!"

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag puts down the lump of Cresty he's lugging around and stands well, well back, waiting to see what happens.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Cube
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Sunrise

Dropping their chunks of Cresty in the entrance chamber, Andron is prompted to try the cube again. The others wisely decide to distance themselves, just in case the result is similar to what happened with the chime.

Saying the word Dansden over the cube and tossing it into the wide open clearing kicks off a strange spectacle to watch in the growing light of the early morning. The cube begins to grow in size, slowly at first, but then picking up speed. It doubles in size right away, and within one minute, it is the size of a wooden bucket. The group continues to watch the cube grow and grow over the next few minutes until it eventually morphs itself into a small 15' x 15' wooden shack right there in the clearing, complete with a lockable door on the front and one shuttered window opening on each of its 4 sides. All 5 of the portals are currently closed.

No light or noise emanates from inside the shack, but as the small building reaches its maximum height, the sun starts to crest the horizon. At that same instant, a loud, anguished bovine beller is heard from inside the entrance chamber, startling everyone who was watching the magical shack. When Alordan, Gramble, and Lerrick turn around to see its source, they spot another perfect copy of Brutus leap from the raised dais and charge towards the northern tunnel.

Actions?

Gramble 14/16 (Light stone 40'r)
Alordan 18/18
Tlachtga 7/8 3/4 1st
Andronichishche 5/6 3/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 0/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Lerrick 10/11 1/4 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Maag 11/12

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

As long as Brutus is heading for the northern tunnel and leaving everyone alone, Maag leaves him alone.

If attacked, he tries to fight back.

'arry der Bastard Sword (THACO 18) [1d20] = 5 Dmg S/M [2d4+5] = 4+5 = 9 Dmg L [2d8+5] = 9+5 = 14

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Tlachtga lets him go if he goes the other way. If he attacks she casts Faerie Fire on him. Either way she will ready her Scimitar and shield.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche was transfixed by the magical transformation, marvelling at the shack that sprouted from the tiny wooden cube. His wonderment was interrupted by a lamentable bovine roar! In that adrenaline fueled split second, he knew the source and identity of the noise. The breaking of dawn ... the dais ... the anguished sound ... Brutus! The dais restored him precisely at dawn!

Before he even turns about, he begins shouting in earnest, "Brutus! Brutus, wait!" He spins about to face the cave entrance while his hands struggle to locate and retrieve Cora's petrified holy symbol from his pack. Again, as he gazes into the chamber, he calls out to the minotaur. He holds up the symbol by its leather thong, hoping to catch the bull man's attention. "Brutus! Cora!"

[ravenn4544]

Alordan waits and watches to see if the thing comes back, "How did it know to go that way if it's never been here before?"

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric grips her mace ready to defend herself, but waits to see if Andron's communication attempt with the new minotaur works.

[wolfpack]

Gramble gets ready when Brutus inevitably arrives to fight.

[1d20+3] = 9+3 = 12

[3d4+4] = 6+4 = 10

[OGRE MAGE]

The Shack?
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Sunrise

Nearly entranced from watching the growing shack cube, the party barely notices Brutus making his surprise sunrise appearance. The beast doesn't stick around for very long though, darting off as soon as he is spotted. Despite Androns shouting, the minotaur disappears into the dark tunnels and is quickly out of sight, much to Gramble's chagrin. The others seem willing to leave the poor bastard alone, as long as it isn't attacking them.

Alordan looks to Andronichishche before asking how the thing could possibly know where it is going in here since it just arrived, but before the priest of Rao can answer, the group hears another beller from somewhere deeper in the cave complex. The ladies cant help but notice that there is a hint of sadness and anguish in the bullmans tone.

The sunrise rapidly brings more light into the clearing, illuminating the magical wooden shack even more, its front door almost crying out to be opened.

Actions?

Gramble 14/16 (Light stone 40'r)
Alordan 18/18
Tlachtga 7/8 3/4 1st
Andronichishche 5/6 3/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 0/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Lerrick 10/11 1/4 1st (Light stone 40'r)
Maag 11/12

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.

[wolfpack]

Well now we have to see what this holds.

gramble goes up to check if the door is locked

[ravenn4544]

Alordan shakes his head, "He doesn't sound happy at whatever he found - or didn't find... I have a feeling he'll be back.... " He scans the new hut that's formed and looks to see if the roof looks like it could be used to fend off the minotaur.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"We will have to fight him at some point I am sure, but I prefer to choose the place and time if at all possible. Do we want to check out the shack now or wait?"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche curses under his breath an oath that would curl the milk in a gentleman's tea. He watches as Brutus disappears into the dark tunnel and sighs yet again when the minotaur bellows in despair, the deep bass echoing in the otherwise empty cave. He holds up Cora's petrified holy symbol in response to Alordan's question. "It's Brutus. The dais restored him to life, precisely at dawn. He's not like the other minotaur we fought; probably summoned by Marquees. He didn't attack us before out of blind violence ... it was despair. Despair and rage over the death of Cora, whom he blames on us after finding her symbol with Crestbrook's statue. Now ... I suspect it's the cry of a beast whom can never truly die. Who knows how many times he was brought back? Dozens? Hundreds? We need to free him from that curse, but it must wait until I can decipher how the dais functions." He pauses to gaze at the dark opening of the northern tunnel before turning his attention to the shack. "Yes, let us see what is inside. Fortunately, it did not grow chicken legs and attack us ..."

[OGRE MAGE]

When Gramble tries the door, he finds it to be unlocked.

Alordan checks the roof, discovering a thick, dark layer of material covering it from peak to eves that must keep the inside nice and dry.