Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric watches the fighter remove the head of Cresty from the sack. She too pulls out what is the petrified part of paladin: the left foot. When we get back to the main island we should take all of the pieces of the fallen paladin back to Sacaren's hut for storage until we find a way to heal him. I plan on using the hut as a place to stay between adventures if the warrior priest will let me. Looking back towards the east. I'd be interested in taking a quick look at the other side of the island to see if what we believed happened to the kobolds actually did take place. I dob't think it would be hard to tell.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag grins over at Lerrick. "I reckon ol' Saracen won't 'ave a problem sharin' 'is digs wiv yer. If yer ask 'im right after we give im 'is share of der treasure, 'e'll be over der moon." He shrugs. "Well, 'as much as der grumpy git can be over der moon anyway."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

With an uncharacteristically mischievous grin, Andronichishche quips, "Oh, I am certain Mr. Saracen will be ecstatic about his new magical chime."

Turning serious again he addresses Pete. "Mr. Pete, would you take us on a course passing the eastern side of the island? We'd like to see if anything has changed on the bank with those wooden half casks." He holds up an allaying hand, "From a distance, mind, no need to stop." He then produces two gold coins and hands them to Pete. "Please also take us to where you saw those creatures enter the water. I hope these will cover the additional travel?"

[wolfpack]

Gramble pulled out the brutus head no cresty head.

We have the magical cabin, we can all crash in that

Stronghold of the fellowship of the silver circle

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"I agree with Gramble, we should be staying in the cabin, much more comfortable."

[ravenn4544]

Alordan shakes his head at yet more trouble - now the kobolds. "Back in my sailing days, folks would sometimes try to breath underwater with a trapped air pocket - those casks may do that. It wouldn't last long though. Maybe enough to get to some underground hideout? Would those things be friendly with sea trolls? Those are certainly something I'd not care to meet again anytime soon...." As he thinks back to not long ago to his last encounter with one....

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag leans his head back and starts to...sing.

"Row, row, row der boat gently cross der water,
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Let's 'ope we don't get slaughtered!"

He claps Alordan on the shoulder and laughs.

[kruk]

Lerrick

The cleric laughs out lot loud at Maag's song. Then adds... yes...the magical hut sounds much better than the Saracen hut. She lifts her mace high in the air. To the stronghold of the fellowship of the silver circle!

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche could not resist smiling at the merriment among the fellowship. Although they had done much, there was more still yet to do. Their victories won and treasure gained cast in shadow by the enigmatic wizard and the nature of his ... experiments. For now, however, he allows himself to bask in the warmth of the rising sun and new camaraderie.

He regards Alordan with curiosity at the mention of sea trolls. "That would explain why the first kobolds you encountered were wet and how they could survive crossing to the island. Where did you encounter a sea troll? It may have kept them away from the beach before recently."

[wolfpack]

The sea is a mean bitch, the sooner we get back on dry land the better. You can't swing an axe underwater

[ravenn4544]

Alordan glares at Maag and his attempt at dark humor while he thinks of the vicious death of Devlin.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back To The Beach?
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Nearly Noon, Hot, Sunny, Humid

Both fishermen reel backwards when Gramble shows them the huge severed head of the former Brutus, gasping audibly. Once everyone is settled in, and Andron hands the men 2 gold coins, Pete gets that same old woe-is-me expression on his weathered face. He looks at the chest and the sacks filled with coins. "Ya sure ya cant do a little better for a couple a hungry old salts?"

Regardless of the reply, the boat is pushed away from the sand and Joe commences rowing towards the other side of the island. From a distance, the party does indeed see a few more of the discarded casks lying at the edge of the jungle, just off shore. These casks are splattered with what looks like dried blood, and lots of it. Alordan and Tlachtga soon spot a few of the dangerous trees nearby the new looking half casks.

Maag wonders aloud where the kobolds could be getting these casks from as he looks out towards the beach, past the dwarven ship anchored just off shore of the main island. Pete asks, "so ye want us ta drop ya off here then?" He cups his hand and smiles coyly again.

Actions?

Gramble 14/16 (Light stone 40'r)
Alordan 18/18
Tlachtga 7/8 2/4 1st SWA:1
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.

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche was considering the sincerity of Pete's request when the old fisherman quips about landing them on the bank. He casts a sideways glance at Pete, more than a little perturbed as Lerrick nearly lost her life here only yesterday. "No ... Mr. Pete. That will not be necessary." He pulls out eight gold coins from his belt pouch and hands them to the old salt. "Please take us to where you saw the kobolds enter the water. Plus, here is a bonus for rapidly returning for us earlier." Andron pauses a moment before dropping more coins into the weathered palm. He pointedly glances at the severed head of Brutus then winks at Pete before returning to his seat at the bow.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag looks at the carnage caused by the killer trees. "Yer know, if anybody ever does come back 'ere to deal with der trees, yer know what der gonna need?" He waits until all eyes are on him before revealing the answer.

"Paint!" He grins.

"It's obvious innit? Der biggest problem wiv der trees is dat dey could be hidin' right der in front of yer, 'cos dey look like all der other trees."

"But if yer splat dem wiv paint as soon as yer see dem, dey can't 'ide anymore."

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Good idea Maag, assuming of course you can figure out which are the bad trees before they kill you."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche arches an eyebrow in response to Maag's proposal, obviously impressed with the ingenuity. Until, that is, when Tlachtga offers her usual common sense analysis, to which he could only shrug. "She does have a point, Mr. Maag."

As he speaks, something on the island's bank seems to capture his attention. "Those casks look to be rather new ..." He then pivots and points at the strangely shaped dwarf ship anchored in the distance. "Discarded. Emptied of dwarven ale if I am not mistaken."

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag looks at Tlachtga, eyes wide. "I did not expect to 'ave to explain sumfin' so obvious to a druid."

"If it tries to kill yer, it's a killer tree, if it doesn't try to kill yer, it's a well-trained killer tree." He winks.

[wolfpack]

kobolds are like roaches and if you don't kill every last one of them they will just keep reproducing more and more

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche

Andronichishche absentmindedly nods in agreement with Gramble, apparently deep in thought. After a few moments he turns about to address the fishermen again. "Upon further thought, Mr. Pete, please take us back to town, but do show us where along the beach you saw the kobolds."

Speaking to the Fellowship now, "However the kobolds are using the casks to cross the water, they're definitely landing in the same spot. For now, at least. Fortunately, the killer trees are guarding it quite well. I am more concerned at the moment as to where the kobolds are getting the casks. If from the dwarves, as I suspect, they must live relatively close to their mine. I thought dwarves hated kobolds, so how are they obtaining them? I'm hesitant to conjecture the possibility, but they may be working with the dwarves ..."

[ravenn4544]

Alordan asks the sailors, "how deep is the water between the island the mainland?"