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Back In The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Damp, Dim, Humid

The group goes about tapping walls and throwing out more possibilities, now wondering if the wizard from the ettercap maze some of them searched earlier has anything to do with the wizard mentioned in these caves. When they remember back to the fancy flowing script on the copper placards from the maze, they become convinced that the writings in here have been done in a much different hand. Gramble remembers the "Treasure" found at the end of that maze, but not fondly. He confirms that it was indeed one of the fabled Pseudo Dragons which Andron mentions.

Nothing is found in the tight confines of the dead end tunnels other than the cryptic message. Crestbrook even starts tapping the ceilings, but that also reveals nothing new. The dead end passage that doesn't contain a minotaur statue is searched next and a similar secret door if found in the stone that ties this passage with another they hadn't searched yet. Continuing down 2 more dead end passages, 2 more stoned minotaur's are found, but no other secrets reveal themselves. Cu doesn't seem to be picking up anything in these dirty, dusty lower passages either.

Reconvening in the far western passage, not far from the stinking, rotting dead body of Jeevus, the group can choose to continue searching to the west, or head south again to continue searching the unexplored tunnels there.

Actions?

map: Sir Crestbrook 10/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/2.3T)
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 11/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/1.5T)
Saracen 28/33 3/5 1st 2/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 0/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

kruk wrote: if it comes to it, I would trade me life for each and everyone one of you if it meant that I could save yours.

Maag

"Glad to 'ear it Cresty! I'd do the same meself if it came to it", replies the half-orc.

Andronichishche appears unsurprised upon discovering another secret door, as if he was expecting one in that location. He briefly refers to his map and nods his head in confirmation of a theory he was mulling. A smile breaks his lips and concentration as he overhears Crestbrook and Maag, and muses at how quickly this group of very recently mostly strangers has coalesced into a team. "Thank you for the information, Mr. Gramble. So the authors are definitely different, but we may still be investigating the work of the same wizard, interesting. I would also very much like to make acquaintance with that pseudodragon. It may know much about the history and nature of the main island."

Referring back to his map, Andronichishche continues, indicating areas as he speaks. "It would seem whoever erected those secret doors wished to have a route between the two sections of the complex without passing via the entry chamber and the summoning dais. I expect then that this section likely houses Brutus, if he was and is still imprisoned. I suggest investigating the west tunnel first, then we can double back to Cora's cave with Jeevus's body and dispose of his earthly remains in the same fashion. After we complete a survey of this section, perhaps we'll have more information to make more sense of that written clue."

Saracen agreed and moves to head west in the marching order.

Tlachtga

"Agreed" Gets set in her spot.

You're killing me with these tunnel curves.

Map updated. Not quite accurate but good enough for government work and birthday parties.

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

West it is. He leads the party with pole in left hand and sword in the other. Same procedure


Lerrick

The cleric follows in with torch in left hand and mace in the other.

Quonundrum wrote:You're killing me with these tunnel curves.

The curves are supposed to be part of the charm of the place.

Your map is great though. Very helpful.

Alordan follows along.

Back In The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Damp, Dim, Humid

Deciding to continue towards the west and check the southern tunnels later, the group presses onward. Along the next passage more alcoves filled with statues are found. Each of these statues are the oldest you have seen so far. All of them are about man sized, but they have been worn down by time and the elements to the point of being completely unrecognizable. They appear to be nothing more than stone pillars, with any detail now completely worn away.

One of the narrow tunnels branches off of this set of alcoves, continuing on towards the west.

Actions?

map: Sir Crestbrook 10/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/2.2T)
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 11/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/1.4T)
Saracen 28/33 3/5 1st 2/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 0/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

Tlachtga

Tlachtga and Cu search.sniff around all the alcoves.

Alordan will help search the alcoves for more secret passageways. He'll point out the torch light is starting to flicker and offers one of his own from his pack when needed.

Saracen will move to the wall of the passageway leading off west, he will peer around it and look and listen and sniff to see if anything can be detected whilst the others examine the alcoves

Andronichishche examines the deteriorated statues intently, pausing thereafter at the intersection of the northwestern pair of shallow tunnels. He strokes his chin thoughtfully while glancing between the wall where the tunnel would continue and back towards the tunnel from whence they arrived. Retrieving the map and writing box from his backpack, he lowers himself to the floor and carefully updates the page with the new discoveries. As he does so he begins speaking in an offhanded, stream of consciousness style, directing his words to nobody in particular. "The statues are almost certainly the oldest we've seen in these tunnels ... far older still than the human statue ... and definitely are not minotaurs as they are much too small, yet the precise species is indeterminate ... why would they be clustered here? ... the intent seems to be similar to the other arrangements ..."

At this he abruptly stops writing on the map and quickly stands, peering at the wall again with great curiosity. Returning the box and map to his backpack he draws his dagger and again inverts the point of the blade so that the hilt is pointing away from him. He speaks now with a louder voice, obviously intending this time for the whole group to hear. "If I'm not terribly mistaken, based on what we've seen previously I'd assume there's a secret door here." He points the blunt end of the weapon at the northwest wall where the tunnel ends. Stepping up to it he carefully examines the stone and taps the dagger's hilt against sections of the wall.

Map.

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

As the warrior priest moves down the hallway the paladin drops the pole and equips his shield. He waits as to see what Saracen discovers.


Lerrick

The cleric moves closer behind the paladin to shed as much torch light down the hallway in which Saracen is investigating.

Maag

Maag continues to guard the rear of the party. He wonders why these statues are so much older than the others they have seen.

Back In The Cave
Moonday, 15th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Damp, Dim, Humid

Seeing the party's torches starting to burn out, Alordan wisely pulls another from his pack so the group doesn't face the same threat in the darkness as they did on their last visit here. Tlachtga has Cu sniff around in all of the alcoves, but her faithful hound doesn't pick up anything new.

As the others examine the many alcoves, Saracen moves into the passage and peers ahead, sniffing the air like a warthog for any clues. Crestbrook and Lerrick slide up closely behind him. The passage holds another nondescript minotaur statue in the turn of another bend that leads back to the east again. There is a feint but distinct familiar smell of rotting flesh coming from somewhere ahead in the darkness.

Andron is sure that they will find another secret door at the end of the wall, but after tapping and searching along all the walls and alcoves, nothing new is discovered. Gramble is hopeful that they are getting closer to the medusa that continues to be brought up. Maag doesn't spot anything coming up behind the group as he keeps a close watch back the way they came.

Actions?

map: Sir Crestbrook 10/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/2.1T)
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 11/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/1.3T)
Saracen 28/33 3/5 1st 2/2 2nd
Alordan 15/18
Andron 6/6 0/3 1st CL, DM, RM / 1/1 1st
Maag 12/12

Andronichishche completes his examination and gently slides the dagger back into its sheath. He stands for a moment facing the wall before thrusting his arms out to either side, letting them fall by gravity to hang loosely by his hips. "Apparently, I am terribly mistaken ... how vexing." He shrugs his shoulders with an audible sigh and joins Saracen, Crestbrook, and Lerrick in the southwestern tunnel.

Andron peers down the hallway and starts suddenly when he catches the scent of rotting flesh. He rubs his chin in thought before turning to Saracen, "We didn't actually see Jeevus's body when we passed this way, did we?" He glances into the darkness beyond the torchlight and murmurs, "Et tu, Brutus?", then moves back to join Alordan and Maag in his usual position. "I advise extreme caution now, we may be close to meeting Brutus."

Alordan follows - hand on sword.