Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Quonundrum]

I thought we went straight from the junk room to the elevator.

[kruk]

I thought we went straight from the junk room to the elevator.

that's what I thought too.

[Quonundrum]

I would like to pass the minotaur dais anyway, so if we haven't already done so we can pick up Cu en route to the grotto.

[Jernau35]

Andronichishche

In response to the others he steps over to the body of Cu and carefully removes the ration laden panniers. He drapes them over one shoulder and says simply, "Very well. Lead the way. I will follow." En route to the elevator, he will read the fifth note in the bundle.

That's the last mention of Cu I could find. Page 149 when we left the junk room. So I guess we did leave him in there.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Cube
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Very Early Morning

Sorry folks! I completely forgot to add the findings of the cube into my last update, so I will retcon that into this one.
Still in the tight confines of the secret room and its surrounding tunnels, Andronichishche looks over the wooden cube that Alordan found on the dead kobold. The spell caster doesn't see anything that the ranger missed in his examination, but once he utters the word Dansden over it, something very strange happens. The tiny cube starts to jostle in his hand, growing slightly before it suddenly reverts back to its original size and shape again. Whatever the thing is, it is clearly magical in nature, and the word Dansden must have something to do with how it is activated.


After moving into the southern tunnels and then to Cora's chamber again, the group is not accosted by any more dangerous monsters or traps. Alordan checks the water in the basin, finding it fresh and cool. He digs around in the bottom of the basin to find that there is a small opening in the stone where the water must enter from somewhere else. Looking it over carefully, the investigators agree that this stone was somehow manipulated into this shape and not likely a natural occurrence. Other than the fresh drinking water, they find nothing else in the basin, allowing them to drink and wash at their leisure.

After another quick search, the group decides to pass through the entry chamber next, on their way back to the grotto area. They are shocked to find that the sun has not yet begun to rise on this new morning, making it a bit earlier than they originally thought. Luckily, there is no commotion outside in the darkness of the early morning, so they gather up the dead dog and move into the northern area of the complex again to check out the pool and bury the driud's beloved animal companion.

Finding everything along the way just as they left it the day before, the trip to the grotto is uneventful. Again they find the room in the same condition it was in the last time they were here. The whistling fungus and phosphorescent lichen greets them as they enter, the sound of plopping of water drops falling into the surface of the pool still dominates the sounds inside the natural chamber.

Actions?

Gramble 14/16
Alordan 18/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Tlachtga 7/8 3/4 1st
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.

[Jernau35]

Since we were there in January, I went and dug up this because I couldn't remember anything except it was a cave with dirt and a pool.

The group presses on towards the obvious chamber down the western tunnel. After a short distance, the tunnel opens up into a huge subterranean garden with all manner of strange species of mushrooms, fungus, and lichen growing everywhere. A pool towards the back of the chamber is where the dripping and plopping noises are coming from and this whole area seems more damp and humid than the rest of these tunnels. Though the room is unlit, there is a feint purple glow that lights up this entire area, possibly radiating off of some of the weird plant life scattered around.

There are several smaller toadstool looking plants that are growing up from black smelly dirt that covers the floor in the entrance area. They give off a high pitched whistling noise as you approach that gets louder the closer you get to them. There is no movement seen inside the room and no noises to indicate that the place is inhabited. The walls here are rough stone, but there are old scattered splotchy remnants of something scribbled upon them once as well.

Maag

Maag reaches for his rope and grappling hook. "I could use dis to try and drag der pool. Probably won't catch anyfink. But if der is sumfin' livin' in der, it might come out an' see wot is goin' on."

He looks at Tlachtga. "After we 'ave buried Dog 'ead first."

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Sounds like a good plan." She works on burying Cu and says a silent prayer over his grave.

[wolfpack]

Gramble with a soft spot for dogs begins digging a grave for Cu

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric says a silent prayer for Cu as well, then takes a closer look at the walls of the cave from the entrance they came through to the edge of the pool, looking for hidden passageways.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan will held dredge when ready - feeling like a new man after his bath. He'll aslo examine some of the plants and mushroom to see if they may be of the edible variety.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Retcon:

Andronichishche is startled when the tiny wooden box shakes and briefly morphs in size. He holds it up close to one eye and peers at it quizically. "It would appear I have the name correct. Although, I was not expecting it to be a command word. Interesting." He carefully pockets the cube in a belt pouch before continuing. "Fortunately, it doesn't appear to be immediately harmful. I suspect it needs a suitable area to expand. Perhaps it's a portable shelter?" He shrugs.

In the grotto:

Andronichishche nods in approval at the thief's plan. "Very clever, Mr. Maag. I expect that would rile anything hostile in the pool." He waits patiently while the grave is dug and Mr. Cu is placed within. He then kneels next to him with his head bowed silently, but doesn't offer any audible prayer. This time seems to be more of a personal farewell than a formal recitation of rites. After a minute he rises and moves into the center of the cavern, a short distance south of the pool, and gazes expectantly at the dark water.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Grotto
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Very Early Morning

Andronichishche pockets Alordan's cube, wondering if the size constraints of the small room and tunnel are the cause for the strange reaction of the magic.

While the others bury Cu, the ranger looks around at all the things growing in the room. Just like the last time they searched, he finds plenty of edible fungus and mushrooms. The entire room looks like it was once meant as a garden or food plot of some kind, but it has been neglected for a long, long time.

After a quiet and somber burial, Lerrick looks around the outer walls of the chamber for anything hidden or secret, finding only the crazed scrawling that was revealed to them earlier.

Magg pulls out his grappling hook and rope, ready to dredge the unchecked pond for any more treasure. The thought of finding something hungry doesn't appeal to the thug, but his idea isn't countered by any of the others.


Actions?

Gramble 14/16
Alordan 18/18 (Light stone 40'r)
Tlachtga 7/8 3/4 1st
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

Tlachtga stands ready as Maag dredges in case anything happens.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche offers his bamboo pole with the affixed light stone to Maag. "Here, take this so you can check for anything unusual before tossing the hook in."

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric moves back to the group and stands ready to watch the dredging process. Every 15 seconds or so she turns around towards the entrance to make sure no one or any beast attacks them from behind.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Before he takes the bamboo pole, Maag decides to check the pool from a distance. He stands about twenty feet away and tosses the grappling hook into the pool three or four times. He waits to see if anything rises to the surface.

If nothing shows up, he takes the pole and moves closer to the edge of the pool. He sticks the light into the water and peers into the depths.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan will replenish his food stores - they are somehow depleted - with the mushrooms. He'll then move to help investigating the pool.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche notices with interest Alordan collecting some of the mushrooms. "Be careful with those, Mr. Alordan. Mr. Cu ate a few before and they appeared to have an unusual, yet brief, affect on his mind." He indicates the specific type Cu had eaten during their first visit here.

[wolfpack]

After hearing Andron's words on the mushroom gramble grans a couple of handfuls and looks at maag

tea later

he then stands ready with his axe in case something comes out of the pond

[OGRE MAGE]

The Grotto
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Very Early Morning

The ranger collects a few different species of edible mushrooms and other fungus, looking closely at the ones the priest or Rao warns him about. Gramble takes a few handfuls of the mild psilocybin mushrooms as well, hoping to host a tea party with them later.

Maag tosses his hook into the pond a few times from a distance with no results, so he moves close enough to stick the lighted end of the pole into the surface of the black water. He doesnt see any scary monsters that try to eat him, but what he does see surprises him all the same. The pond appears to be stocked with several white skinned fish, some of them as long as the half-orc's arm. They flee from his light, their bulged white eyes fluttering wildly in the glowing water. The thief tries to count their number, but cant follow their movement enough to offer a guess. Hundreds, maybe?

Lerrick keeps a watch over the entrance of the chamber where the whistling toadstools continue their soft tune. The tunnels beyond remain dark and silent.

Actions?

Gramble 14/16 (Light stone 40'r)
Alordan 18/18
Tlachtga 7/8 3/4 1st
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.