Quest #23 "Even The Jungle Wanted Them Dead"

[ChubbyPixie]

“Luther, I hardly think the rope will act as a... oh.” The look on Chauncey’s face as the ranger ingeniously solves the alter puzzle is hard to describe. It is most accurately a mix of utter bafflement and raw admiration and seems to have shocked the asinine self-centeredness right out of the adequate wizard. “Good... good... Luther, yes, good,” he stammers, momentarily speechless.

He rouses a bit at Galanthas’s suggestion that they further inspect the candle. “I have a theory about the candle, but I now wonder... well, it’s easily tested, I suppose - after Brother Gilbert’s placation of the spirit has worn off, try walking into the room holding the candle. I feel confident, no, certain that the candle functions as a key for the current resident of this establishment to enter that room safely to acquire the rope in order to descend unmolested. Er... what do you think, Luther?” He says, looking hopefully in the ranger’s direction.

Mr. Wrenly raises a monkey brow in Wes’s direction.

[Urson]

Luther
Luther smiles, trying to hide his surprise that his idea worked. May be, Chauncey. I don't know magic stuff- I leave that to smart guys like you.

He takes the rope from the groove, coils it again, and hangs it on his belt. I agree that we're in piss-poor condition to face anything right now. And two groups in two rooms sounds like a decent way to defend while we recover.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

"Wes," say the Monk evenly. "I don't think Krystal was suggesting that we go running down that passage. I think she was saying that even that would be preferable to spending the night back out in the jungle again. The Queen's children are harsh bed-mates on this island. You've seen it. They'll kill the unwary. Please, we have to work together and quit seeing schemes and plots in each others' every move."

Forgetting that he is unseen, he puts his arms up in a mock surrender. "Galanthas, or even Avaala's plans have merit. Let's pick one of those and go with it. Galanthas' plan has the advantage of allowing us to outflank anyone who attacks only one of the rooms. So, what do we do for making it look like we left?"

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

Avaala is silent during the last part of the discussion about where to go. He has been thinking about something else. "This doesn't make sense," he says. "Unless there is another rope to open that staircase, what was it doing in that wardrobe? If Gorman is down there, how was the rope not in the spiral? Would you trust the only key to get you out from under that altar to a zombie? Yes, they are obedient, but stupid to the point of mindless. I wouldn't trust my life to one getting my directions absolutely correct. And how did he plan to get back out?"

He taps his foot for a moment and then adds, "The only options I am coming up with are these. One, it's a trap. Make us work for the rope so we don't question its value and use it once we figure out what it does. Then he locks us in down there when we leave the rope in the spiral.

"Two, maybe Gorman doesn't even know about it. That room was a shambles before we got here. What if Gorman never did get past the spook, and never got the rope. Then he's probably not down there.

"I'm actually having a hard time coming up with a reason to go down there at all."

[Jernau35]

Wes

The druid addresses Avalaa first. "I did think it was odd that there was only one rope, and it was just laying in an old closet. That's why I was joking with Brother Gilbert about leaving a spare laying around. I assumed Gorman had the other. Or others."

"But the idea that this all might be a trap to draw us in had never occurred to me." Wes reaches up to pet Mr Wrenly, so he doesn't have to look at Krystal. "That's thinking of the first order. Well done!"

"I think Galanthas' plan is sound. As said, it gives us the chance to attack our attackers at least." Wes indicates the door on the right. "If nobody minds, I'd like to be in the room without the window."

[ChubbyPixie]

“Hmmm. In my estimation the trap scenario seems rather specific and elaborate. Why not just present us with a means of ingress, then simply lock us in? Or just kill us outright?” says Chauncey “Still, that does leave the matter of the rope. I venture that the zombie is... Er, was, in fact, charged with retrieving and replacing this strange ‘key’ as required, but then became incapacitated. By fire. Perhaps it is Gorman himself who is trapped below.”

“Oh, and Jaxon, you are quite clearly charmed. Krystal, would you care to explain?” he adds conversationally turning towards the alter from beside which her voice last eminated.

Is Chauncey’s see invisible stone still working?

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen, all quite unseen, physically starts at the pronouncement by Chauncey. The young Monk, so rarely at a loss for words or insightful insect lore, can only answer,"Mmmm. No, I'm not."

[OGRE MAGE]

Seeking Out The Jungle Priest
Sunday, the 14th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Hot, Humid, Damp, Dim

Tensions rise as suspicion grows amongst the group. Krystal, who has remained visible since finding the secret compartment in the altar, just shakes her head at it all. "Though I am quite charming, I am no wizard, Mr. Chauncey. It seems like I have you all wound up into a full on tizzy here, so I think I better just excuse myself from all of this before I am attacked or something." The woman suddenly fades from the visible spectrum once again, though Treasure can still see her there, as can Chauncey if he keeps his magical seeing gem to his eye. She sticks her tongue out at the wizard if/when he looks at her.

Luther pulls the decretive rope from the spiral groove and the secret doorway begins to slowly close again, allowing plenty of time for someone to descend before it could close fully. The ranger spots a small lever on the inside of the stairway as it closes up tight, wondering if it is some kind of mechanism to open and close it from its non secret side.

The party then agrees that they need to rest before going any further, regardless if the stairway is a trap or not. Galanthas suggests splitting up into 2 separate groups, with half of them resting in the storage area while the others sleep in the used bedroom with the ever burning candle. The still invisible Jaxsen suggests making things look like they left the building, denying any accusation of him being mentally altered in any way. The normally calm monk feels a heightened tension build up inside of him during the discussion, causing him to long for battle for some reason.

Actions?

If the plan is to stay in here for the rest of today and into tomorrow morning, please indicate which room each of you will be staying in. Thanks!

map:

5B1533B8-24CD-4FC7-9154-AB994285D793.jpeg (898.37 KiB) Viewed 291 times

Wes 25/34 4/6 first 0/4 second 3/3 third SWA: 4
Galanthas 5/13 CL, DM, RM 2/2 first
Luther 18/26
Avaala 12/12 CL, DM, RM 2/2 first 0/1 second
Treasure AC:2 12/12 Mv:6"/24"
Chauncey 18/20 CL, DM, RM 1/2 first 1/1 second
Mr. Wrenly 4/4
Brother Gilbert 19/22 0/4 first 3/3 second
Monocar 15/31
Jaxsen 3/14 (10 6.1T) (Invisible)

[Bluehorse]

Monocar

isnt there still a poultry guest in the other room?

[Urson]

Luther
Luther will take the room with the fancy candle. Is there any way to barricade the stairs- to make sure anyone down there_ stays_ down there?

[Jernau35]

Wes

"I don't know if it will block the stairs, but we could take all the furniture around here and stack it up all over it. If it opens up, the furniture will fall everywhere and make a lot of noise".

The druid mulls over the problem of how to appear to leave without actually leaving. "The only thing I can think of is for most of us to appear to walk away while we leave two or three folks here to keep watch. Then we filter back slowly. But that runs the risk of being split up and overrun".

Wes turns his attention to Mr Wrenly again. "By great Obad Hai! I didn't realize I had so much stuff crawling on me".

For Chauncey:

"Mr Wrenly, you seem like quite a clever monkey." Wes suddenly switches to another language. "Do you speak Elvish perhaps? Or Goblin? Or the language of the trees-that-walk?"Wes tries a variety of languages, in the hope that Chauncey will recognize one of them. (I think those three are the only three they share)If Chauncey replies, Wes proposes to continue the coversation in Entish, or at least Goblin, to thwart prying monkish ears.

[Karaunios]

Galanthas will take the room with the candle too. "Brother Gilbert, maybe you'll have to spend the night with the... poultry guest... Monocar mentioned. I don't think anyone's gonna want to spend the night there without you to talk to it."

[Jernau35]

Just to be clear, when Wes said he wanted the room on the right, he meant the storage room where Jaxsen and Krystal rested.

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

"Although it doesn't have to be that way," Avaala says. "I was thinking that the two rooms should be the storage room and the dining room. If we respond to either the storage room or the candle room, it will be harder to approach the enemy from behind."

[Jernau35]

Wes

"My reasoning," explains Wes, "is that the dining room has two doors that would have to be held if the group in there were attacked. The storage room only has one. That's why I'd prefer to be in there."

"The room with the candle also only has one, though it does have that window all the way up in the wall. The window could be a weak point, I'll admit. But if you stack some furniture under it, it would make a good escape route if folks in there got trapped".

[Bluehorse]

Monocar

Thinks. It hurts. Maybe Luthar should be in one room and I should be in the other... no offense, I am just thinking that it is a good idea to have the big guys split up to help guard you guys, plus the other can always come in from behind if there is a fight and we will have them flanked. I think we have enough junk around her to barricade the big doors over there... pointing to the main entrance to the chapel on the south side. I like the idea of stacking a bunch of other junk on the alter in case it opens up.
Then we can be ready. There are a lot of chairs in that south room over there where I went inside, we can jam the storage room doors while we are inside with those.

[ChubbyPixie]

Mr. Wrenly squishes Wes’s cheeks while making a pffffffft! sound and sticking out his tongue. He then sifts through another lock of hair looking for snacks. For Wes:

”We would quite comprehend your meaning, sir, were you to speak in one of the dialects you mention. My only means of reply, however, I am afraid, is in my native speech,” says Mr. Wrenly.

So, correct me if I’m wrong, OM, but even though Mr. Wrenly, through his psychic link to Chauncey, would be able to understand Entish, say, he wouldn’t be able to respond in anything but monkey, right? Also, is Jaxon able to understand monkey? I caught the hints that he was listening, but how could that be? WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

Chauncey frowns suspiciously in Krystal’s direction.“I have an arcane interest in the candle room. I shall take my lodgings there,” he says.

[OGRE MAGE]

Seeking Out The Jungle Priest
Sunday, the 14th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Hot, Humid, Damp, Dim

Several ideas are brought up regarding the many ways the group can protect themselves against harm while resting in this ruined temple. Alarm possibilities are also discussed.

After a bit of unseen murmuring from the direction of Jax and Krystal, the female speaks up. "I seem to be making Wes uncomfortable here, so......we both choose to stay in the storage room too."

Brother Gilbert tries to decide which room he will pick when Avaala mentions the possibility of staying in the room next to the unsettled spirit, instead.

Actions?

Candle room: Luther, Chauncey, Galanthas Storage room: Wes, Monocar, Krystal, Jaxsen Undeclared: Avaala, Brother Gilbert

map:

A2E88C27-5931-4861-8674-18EAB1C316D3.jpeg (803.71 KiB) Viewed 241 times

Wes 25/34 4/6 first 0/4 second 3/3 third SWA: 3
Galanthas 5/13 CL, DM, RM 2/2 first
Luther 18/26
Avaala 12/12 CL, DM, RM 2/2 first 0/1 second
Treasure AC:2 12/12 Mv:6"/24"
Chauncey 18/20 CL, DM, RM 1/2 first 1/1 second
Mr. Wrenly 4/4
Brother Gilbert 19/22 0/4 first 3/3 second
Monocar 15/31
Jaxsen 3/14 (10 6.0T) (Invisible)

[Urson]

Luther

Since it's still morning, Luther will busy himself with stacking large heavy things on the altar.

[Jernau35]

Wes

Wes takes Wrrk the chameleon out of his backpack and starts to talk to him.