Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag looks up from inspecting his new gloves.

"Uh? Oh. Yeah. Right. Give it 'ere". Maag holds the item up to his face and turns it over a couple of times. "Yeah, dat looks fine". He hands it back to Lerrick and goes back to running his hands over the snakeskin gloves.

Eventually, the temptation gets to him and he slides them onto his meaty paws.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche wasn't quite satisfied with Gramble's reply, but decided not to push the issue. He peers a bit more closely at him when the fighter turns his attention to the copper cylinder. "Indeed", he says matter-of-factly.

"I can detect for magic after I rest. My powers are entirely spent at the moment." In an effort to distract himself from the unusual scene, he walks over to the double doors and holds up the light stone on his bamboo pole to peek inside the room. After this he bends down to focus the light on the door lock, examining its shape and what he can see of its internal mechanisms.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan walks over to the doors as well, leaving Gramble to examine the copper thing. He will listen for anything beyond them.

[kruk]

Lerrick

Thanks Maag. The cleric examines the egg again and the moves the tiny clasp to open it eager to see the contents within.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

Picking up the jade statuette and examining it.

"I can detect magic but will need to rest first."

[OGRE MAGE]

Treasure Room
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Humid

Gramble explains their unusual facial expressions to Andron as plainly as possible before picking up the copper tube by the braided circular loop at its end.

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He finds no markings of any kind along the length of the smooth hollow shaft.



Tlachtga picks up the tiny dog carving, but looking it over doesn't reveal any information about it. It is kinda cute though.

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Maag looks over Lerricks egg, assuring her it should be safe to open, before donning the snakeskin gloves. They seem to fit the bulky half-orc perfectly.

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Lerrick flips up the sturdy latch on her weird egg and finds that the top opens completely along the back hinge, like some kind of huge compact. Inside, the egg is heavily padded with a strange looking black foam-like substance. Stuck into this dry but squishy material are what appears to be the tops of 6 small potion bottles.

Alordan moves to the doors to have a listen, hearing nothing beyond. Andronichishche joins him with his light pole, sticking it through the cracked open doors for a quick peek. Inside the small room are 7 round pedestals about 4 feet high, all of them currently empty. The rest of the room looks completely unremarkable. Looking over the large dark keyhole again, he finds only an empty void. There are no visible mechanisms inside it at all. His large bronze key looks like it would fit inside of it perfectly.

Actions?

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Lerrick 1/11 0/4 1st (Light stone 40'r) Light:8(on the eyes of Brutus)
Gramble 3/16
Alordan 12/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Tlachtga 2/8 1/4 1st
Maag 9/12
Andronichishche 3/6 0/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 0/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)

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
46-50= Grey Stone Sphere
51-55= Fancy String of 21 Pearls (yet to be evaluated)
56=60=
61=65= Large Copper Cube?
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.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"I am going to rest now, before going any further." She sits down and does her best to make herself comfortable.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan looks in the room then back at the elevator, "there are the same number of pedastals here as over there. Is this another elevator maybe?"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

"It's possible." He says to Alordan, as he stands up from examining the lock. "To me, it appears to be a display room for the seven magical items. However, we can certainly try using the brass key I found after we rest. Perhaps it will activate another lift?" He shrugs, peering again at the lock.

Andronichishche returns to the others and relays what he saw, or didn't see, and the strange void inside the door lock. He rubs his chin in thought as he also regards the unusually merry expressions of his companions. "Quite so, Miss Tlachtga", says the still slightly confused priest of Rao. "We should be quite safe here, I expect." He then selects a spot to sit, leans the bamboo pole against the wall and lays his pack on the floor by his side.

Andron reaches into his backpack and retrieves the small wooden puzzle box. He holds it up to examine it again, but stops suddenly and seems to fixate momentarily on the magical golden ring he's wearing. "Band of Fools", he whispers almost inaudibly. He glances about at the others and their new items of interest, pausing briefly to visually study each in turn. Andron then turns his attention back to the puzzle box and gazes intently at it as he turns it about in his hands.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche whistles sharply through his teeth then sighs rather wearily. "This puzzle box is quite intricate and complex. Even fully rested and alert I don't expect to make much better progress in solving it. I estimate this will require at least a week to solve, probably longer. It must certainly contain something valuable, though. If there are no objections, I will keep it as one share of the treasure. If there is nothing of value inside ... well, all the same it has captured my interest and I will see it open."

With that said he carefully stows the small wooden box in his pack and settles against the wall, his eyes closed in restful meditation.

[kruk]

Lerrick

After examining the contents of the egg she smiles. This can definitely be useful. The cleric sees the other spell casters begin to rest one-by-one. She too finds a spot on the floor to rest, closing her eyes, sitting in lotus position with hands on her knees.

[wolfpack]

Gramble takes a look at the last item that was sitting in the backpack that had liquid slashing around.

then takes a seat back against a wall to rest and begins to muse

we should come up with a name for our adventuring party.

Maybe The Mighty Fist or Company of the Brave or something like that.

If we get enough loot and materials we could build a keep! get a couple of sturdy well armed ships and a keep on this island and it would be about impossible to take.

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Indeed it would Gramble."

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag also takes a seat against the wall. "I'm in pretty good nick. I'll take der first watch if yer like".

He nods approval to Gramble's idea of a group name. "Dat is a very good idea... 'ow about Maag's Marauders? Dat 'as a nice ring to it. Or Maag's Minotaur Manglers?"

Then he clicks his fingers. "Got it! Maag an' 'is Merry Mates. We steal from der rich an' we keep it!"

[OGRE MAGE]

Treasure Room
Starday, 20th of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Warm, Humid

"Maag an' 'is Merry Mates" settle in for the day in the empty hallway, most of them in dire need of a comfortable rest. They sit against the wall and close their eyes, glad to be in the safety of this underground room away from all the threats above.

Lerrick doesn't investigate any of the potions, though she does mention the egg will be useful. Alordan suggests that the next room might be another lift. Andron looks in the keyhole again, but still sees only an empty void. Gramble thinks up good names for the group, suddenly expressing high hopes for his future here on the island. Pulling the final item from the sack, he finds no further indication as to what this thing might be. Andronichishche and Lerrick recognize that looks like a holy water sprinkler of some kind, generally used in some religious rituals or celebrations. The priest of Rao fiddles with his new puzzle box, commenting on how intricate it is, but unable to get inside of it just yet. He also stares at the plain golden band on his finger, wondering if.....

Figuring that it is currently approximately noon on the 20th, Maag gladly takes the first watch while the others rest. He sits down looking at his new gloves, going over more names for the group in his head.

Actions?

If we are all content with resting here till morning, I will advance the action appropriately.

Lerrick 1/11 0/4 1st (Light stone 40'r) Light:7(on the eyes of Brutus)
Gramble 3/16
Alordan 12/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Tlachtga 2/8 1/4 1st
Maag 9/12
Andronichishche 3/6 0/3 1st / CL, DM, RM 0/1 1st (Light stone 40'r)

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
46-50= Grey Stone Sphere
51-55= Fancy String of 21 Pearls (yet to be evaluated)
56=60=
61=65= Large Copper Cube?
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.

[Rex]

Yes, resting please.

[Jernau35]

Resting is good.

[Quonundrum]

Good to rest here. Although a definite "Hmph" can be heard from the meditating Andron at the suggested names.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan reluctantly agrees to resting.

[Quonundrum]

Below is the updated item list.

I included Cora's mace as it hasn't been identified by use yet. The kobolds appear to have taken five from the list, which leaves two missing. I *think* Andron's ring is one, and the last may have something to do with the large copper cube and the pedestal out of place in the treaure room. Just a guess, though.

We have the string of pearls to evaluate, so should be plenty I hope for Identify spells. The chest needs to be checked, too.

Here's how I think most of the names match up:

Copper Tube - Chime of Serpent’s Desire
Dog Carving - Green Manalishi(command word?)
Egg - Protecting Egg
Gloves - Shedding Strike
Water Sprinkler - Withering Venom
Golden Ring - Band of Fools

Huge brass key (Andron)
Moldy Sack of 254 Copper Coins (Gramble)
Intact Copper Bowl of Wax Fruit (25gp) (Maag)
Copper Armband w/ Circular Diagram (20gp) (Andron)
Solid Copper Decorative Serving Tray (40gp) (Lerrick or Tlachtga)
Assorted Trinkets (250gp) (Maag)
Fancy String of 21 Pearls (yet to be evaluated) (Maag)
Small Locked Chest (unopened) (Maag)
Small Wooden Puzzle Box (unopened) (Andron)
Tiny Decorative Box (Lerrick)

Golden Ring (unidentified) (Andron - worn)
Grey Stone Sphere (unidentified) (Andron)
Glass Vial of Pink Powder (unidentified) (Lerrick)
Copper Tube w/Braided Loop(unidentified) (Gramble)
Tiny Dog Carving (unidentified) (Tlachtga)
Snakeskin Gloves (unidentified) (Maag)
Large Egg (unidentified) (Lerrick)
Owl Head Mace (unidentified) (Lerrick)
Holy Water Sprinkler (unidentified) (Unclaimed)

(Andron)
List of 7 Unknown Items
Melania's Note About Escaping
Ornate Latched Scroll Case w/Obelisk Note
Notes on Minotaur Summoning Dais
Fairy Tale Storybook (partially translated)
Hand Written Notes (partially translated)
Note About the Contacts (untranslated)