Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

"Wait ... it said another talking two-legs? Who else was talking to them beside yourself?"

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Not sure but it could very well have been me the last time I spoke to them of another druid. I know I was not the first to visit."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

"Ah, yes, of course. The tabby named Mittens asked if you were a wizard, too. I thought it was referring to their master. I assume then it is the old petrified human we found in an alcove. Thank you for asking them. Rather literal, aren't they? Almost contrary in nature. I wonder if they were collected due to their unusual markings?"

Andronichishche checks a few nearby cats for markings that resembles mumbers or letters and then joins Maag on the shore, lending his half-elven vision in scanning the far beach.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag plops three oil flasks onto the sand. " 'ere yer go. But tell yer wot, 'ow about we burn some green stuff first? I'm no kind of nature boy but I 'eard dat it makes smoke when yer burn it cos it's wet. Is dat right?" he asks Tlachtga. If this turns out to be true, he'll set about hacking up a few bushes and throwing them on the burn-pile.

"Yer know wot else might come in 'andy? If der are still kobolds out der, we're sittin' ducks on dis beach. A couple of trenches to lay in would give us some cover if dey start shootin'.

Maag rummages in his pack again. "Is anybody feelin' peckish? I'm not ungry meself, but yer can 'ave some of dis if yer like". He holds out some packs of dry rations to the group.

4 rations deducted. I'm not going to deduct the oil just yet, in case we don't actually burn it

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric turns her gaze from the east now to the west, south and north, scanning the sea for a boat.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"You are correct Maag, greenage will create lots of smoke when you try and burn it."

[ravenn4544]

Alordan asks, "boat will take some time to get here - should we go check it out?"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche responds to Maag while still scanning the distant shore. "Trenches?" He asks distractedly. "I suppose, yes, but we have no spades or shovels with which to dig them." He turns to look when the offer of food is made, though. "Thank you, Mr. Maag. I will take one portion. I'm not hungry at the moment. However, my other rations were recently consumed rather hastily ..." Andron takes a day of rations and stows it in his pack. Raising an eyebrow at Alordan, he asks, "Are you referring to the noise? We could investigate, but Pete and Joe might not land if they don't see us on the beach."

[OGRE MAGE]

You can keep the oil, since it wouldn’t help in this case.

Cat Turd Beach
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Humid

As usual, the antisocial cats keep their distance when Andron tries to look them over, but he does notice distinct fur patterns with more numbers and names showing on several of them. Tlachtga fondly remembers Cu after attempting conversation with the odd feline, glad they were able to give the faithful hound a proper burial.

It takes the boatmen in Beachtown some time before they see the smoke from the island beach fire, and it takes even longer for them to finally arrive. A good three or four hours pass before Pete and Joe finally show up in their empty rowboat, ready to transport the group back to shore.

Pete does the talking as their boat hits the sand. ”Mornin folks! I see we’re a couple members short again? But we got a few more things ya carry?” The fisherman looks over the sacks and chest taken from the cave.

“Sorry it took so long, but we seen the darndest thing up the beach as we were about to set out. We figured we better stay back fer a while ta make sure the coast was clear an all.”

Actions?

Gramble 14/16 (Light stone 40'r)
Alordan 18/18
Tlachtga 7/8 2/4 1st SWA:1
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

"What did you see Pete?"

She will help load the boat and climb in.

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric smiles as she sees the boat coming to shore. She gathers her gear to get going, waiting though to hear the answer to Tlachtga's question.

[Jernau35]

Maag

During the long wait for the boat to show up, Maag proffers the rations once more. "Are yer sure yer don't want dem? Might as well eat sumfin' while wait."

Just making sure that folks whose rations he scoffed earlier get reimbursed

When Tlachtga asks what Pete and Joe saw, Maag says, "Wotever it is, I 'ope it doesn't need killing today. I fancy a few drinks an' a decent nights kip after sleepin' on dat floor last night."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andron only tossed a couple days into the banquet so he's already 50% reimbursed.


Andronichishche involuntarily clenches his hands when they're asked about the missing members. He closes his eyes briefly and releases his held in breath. "Yes, Mr. Cu ... Miss Tlachtga's hound ... and Mr. Carucenus have fallen in battle. We have solved the mystery of the island, but at great cost ..." His words trail off as he remembers the trials of the previous day and the issues left unresolved. "Oh, yes, we also have Sir Crestbrook. The pieces, at least. I hope it's not too much weight?" He then boards the small boat and takes a seat at the bow, scanning the far shore for any evidence of the disturbance reported by Pete.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan waits to hear about what they saw and suggests they row back that way on their way back.

[wolfpack]

Gramble helps load up cresty and relaxes in the boat

what did you see that made you turn back?

[OGRE MAGE]

Cat Turd Beach
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Humid

Pete watches as the chunks of Cresty are loaded into his boat, attempting to determine their weight one by one. He looks over the groups condition again before speaking.

"That loud feller was turned to stone in there? And ya broke him inta smaller pieces so it'd be easier ta carry him out?" The fisherman winces at the thought.

"I'd hate to see how badly the other man fared. Or the dog."

As the party boards the small craft, Pete fills them in on what they saw from shore. "It were a pack of little jungle monsters, kinda like small orcs er somethin. I'd bet there were a dozen er more, all of them came from the jungle, and marched across the sand, straight into the sea. It were the damnedest thing I ever seen. Carrying big wooden hats with them, they put them over their heads just before the entered the water. We waited fer a while, but we never saw em come back out. They looked to be heading straight fer this island, but we never seen em again after that. Once a bit of time passed, we set out ta come retrieve ya, just as promised."

Actions?

Gramble 14/16 (Light stone 40'r)
Alordan 18/18
Tlachtga 7/8 2/4 1st SWA:1
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

"Perhaps there is a shallow that connects this island to the other and they are using the casks as an air supply to cross."

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Where are dey gettin' der casks from?" asks Maag. "I mean, dey are obviously in in good nick if dey are not leakin'. So dey are not just layin' around in der jungle, rottin.' "

"Der casks must 'ave bin stored somewhere. An dat means der is probably other stuff bein' stored der too. Valuable stuff." His eyes light up.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche gazes in the direction of the far beach where the troop of little creatures entered the sea. "Yes, the loud one, Sir Crestbrook, was turned to stone. No, we did not sunder him, either." He doesn't speak about Brutus or the events that led to the deaths of Carucenus or Cu, though. "What you saw were likely jungle kobolds. We killed several on the island already. Those wooden hats are half casks and we were unsure ourselves as to how they used them to get to the island. After your description, I am still unsure. I expect it would be quite dangerous to travel through open waters here, shallows notwithstanding." He turns around to face the stern. "I agree with Mr. Alordan. Would you be willing to swing by the area you saw them?"

[wolfpack]

we didn't bust crestsy up, brutus the minotaur did


grambel said as he pulls the head form his sack.


he also gutted poor carucunes.