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Tlachtga

Tlachtga lights a new torch and she and Cu follow along.

"I have one more torch in reserve."

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

The paladin stows the shield and grabs the pole, tapping away as the torch light reveals more of the passageway, never venturing into the darkness beyond.


Lerrick

The cleric notices that the torch she carries is ready to go out. I will stay in my place if someone can pass me another torch, otherwise someone else will have to take my place as Cresty and Gramble will not be able to see.

Saracen digs out one of his candles and offers it to the cleric.

He will resume his place in the marching order, sword and shield at the ready, but with his holy symbol hanging out and ready to clasp should the need arise.

gramble will hand over one of his torch. sheet updated

Maag

The half-orc continues to guard the rear. He considers crying "Wolf! Wolf!" to get everybody excited for a moment, but doesn't want to get a reputation for being dishonest.

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

I took a little liberty here to move this part along. This way Q will have something to do over the weekend.

Moving along through the snaking narrow passages, the group finds more alcoves and more minotaur statues. None of them show distinct signs of being any different from the many statues they have seen so far. The first pair of torches are nearly burned through, so more are readied to take their place when needed. That transition goes off without incident and the party members are all kept in the light this time. (your new torches will burn for 6 more turns)

Several tunnels are explored and mapped, with no new secrets or dangers discovered. Sadly, Brutus and the medusa are nowhere to be found in these dirty southern passages. After locating the dead and bloated body of poor Jeevus again, just to make sure he is still there, the group heads back to the unexplored passage to the west again where a single tunnel branches off in several places just up beyond their torchlight.

There is a minotaur statue standing on guard at this opening that has a slight variance from the others. (the one directly above Gramble on the map) This statue has a slightly larger than human sized bite of flesh missing from its bare left forearm, as if some rock eating monster simply took a bite out of it as it passed by.

Actions?

map: Sir Crestbrook 10/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/6T)
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 11/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/5.3T)
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 lays his map of the complex on the tunnel floor, updating by memory the extensive additions discovered from the group's recent exploration. He exhales a deep breath and stands to stretch his arms and fingers after rapidly, but accurately, scribing the details onto the parchment.

Carefully perusing it for any needed modifications, he finally nods his head in acceptance of its validity. "This complex is far more extensive than I anticipated", he says while gesturing at the map on the floor with a sweep of his arm. "However ...", he continues, "... we have but three options forward now, as I see them. Proceed west from here, check the western tunnel in the entry chamber, or try searching on and around the hearing statue as per the clue." He quotes the word 'hearing' with the first two fingers on each hand. "I had hoped to find more clues to correlate with it, but I think it unlikely now. Whatever has been expanding the tunnels has also certainly passed this way, as well."

He points to the stone missing from the statue's arm next to Gramble as evidence for this observation. "I suggest going back to dispose of Jeevus's body in Cora's cave, as Gramble knows how to do. Quite well, may I add, then investigate the hearing statue."

Andron glances around the assembled group, "Any thoughts or alternatives?"

Map updated. The curves were much more tame.

Thanks! Started as an experiment with Excel and turning out better than I thought.

However ...

"This complex is far more extensive than I anticipated ..."

Tlachtga

"It doesn't matter to me as long as we are doing something."

Alordan considers the statues as they move forward. "Was that bite taken before the thing was turned to stone - assuming it was - or after? Anyone ever heard of something that eats rocks?"

As he considers the statues that are worn down to almost nothing, "Why would just those statues be in that shape and what could do that do them down here? Where they the first some ages ago? What could do that - and what could keep some of these tunnels clean - is water. Lots of it. Don't recall seeing evidence of that, but it could be...I dunno"

Saracen shrugs. There’s bound to be some magic that could do that. And perhaps some creature as well. Or perhaps it’s just time and a bit fell off. Are there teeth marks in its arm. I am happy to return to the Hear, Look portion of the tunnels, or continue to explore first. We haven’t seen anything that dwells here yet. Something moved Cora, but it left Jeeves untouched. Perhaps we can examine some more of the statues for magic etc after we finish exploring the place for any signs of inhabitants. Something that eats rocks but not flesh, sounds like a creature from the elemental earthly realm maybe. We shall see eventually if we keep looking.

Gramble examines the statue to see if it looks like there were streaks of blood or loose flesh from the wound. trying to determine if the bite was before or after being turned to stone

Maag

Great map!

"From der look of dat map, der is a big empty space right behind der 'earing statue. Like, if der was a secret door, der might be more tunnels in dat spot."

Andronichishche assists Gramble in examining the statue's arm. "A good idea, Mr. Gramble. This is our first real opportunity for a forensic analysis." After completing this task and awaiting any others in the area, Andron listens quietly to the conversation while they proceed, interjecting when Maag mentions the hearing statue. "I had thought the same, Mr. Maag, you have a good eye for detail. We already found two secret doors in this place, so a third would not be unlikely."

He turns to regard Saracen at the mention of the elemental plane of earth, the flickering torchlight causing the visage of the priest of Pholtus to appear even more brutish than usual. "A Xorn, perhaps? That may explain why the statues themselves are relatively untouched, if it's gems a Xorn is after. There is evidence with the pool in Cora's cave that rushing water eroded those statues, but as these southern tunnels are quite dirty it would have been long ago."

While they stop to collect Jeevus's body, he retrieves the bamboo pole he left here earlier and offers it to assist with carrying the corpse, per Maag's suggestion before they left town. "I had also thought the undead Cora moved of its own volition, but considering something also moved that kobold statue, it's more likely to have been dragged or carried. If it was Brutus, it is indeed odd we haven't encountered him yet."

Quonundrum wrote: "I had also thought the undead Cora moved of its own volition, but

Sir Crestbrook the Mighty

The paladin shutters at the mention of Cora, but continues forward as the group moves to give Jeeves somewhat of a proper burial.


Lerrick

The cleric follows with her torch

Tlachtga

Follows along with her torch.

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

Andron draws out all the newly found passages on his trusty blue map while the others have a better look at the bite mark on the nearest minotaur statue. Upon closer inspection, the bite definitely appears to have been taken from the flesh. You can see teeth prints in the tendons of the bite mark, and a small amount of blood appears to have pooled in the bottom of the wound. But when you look at it now, there is nothing left save for hardened stone.

A few new theories are added to the ever growing list of curiosities found in this complex, including the possibilities of mysterious monsters from other planes of existence. Something that could altar the shape of the stone itself would make sense, seeing all of these similar passages, but something still isn't quite adding up. It seems that every new bit of information the party finds leads only to more questions.

After convincing the others to cease searching in this area now so they can address the dead body of Jeevus instead, the party moves back in that direction. Gramble's deceased scribe still lays right where he was left to rot, though now part of him is leaking out heavily onto the stone floor. The stench coming from the rotting body is remarkable, and not in a good way. Normal maggots, worms, and flies have found themselves a veritable smorgasbord on the poor young man. His current semi-liquefied state may make moving the body a bit challenging.

Actions?

map: Sir Crestbrook 10/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/5.9T)
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 11/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/5.2T)
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

"Agreed, burning seems the best option."