Quest #21 "Island Hopping"

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Let me see the rope again and I will tie it around the feet of the statue then you can try dragging it out. Maybe it will be easier to examine out of the alcove."

[wolfpack]

we need to take the statue and put it on the dais

[Storm11]

Saracen looks shocked and then incredulous. If our thinnest members can only just squeeze through this gap, how on Earth are we going to get a life sized stone statue carrying a book through?

The holy champion will continue to guard the corridors until the others are ready to leave. Then he will fall into his marching order, eyes open and sword and shield at the ready

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche ponders Gramble's suggestion."That's an intriguing idea, although perhaps best left until after we cleanse the caves of its evil. If the wizard did imprison a medusa here, maybe he also left us a method to restore those petrified. Unless … as Tlachtga inferred … that is the wizard himself, but why then would it be shoved so unceremoniously into this small chamber? Why not destroy it, or use it as a trophy instead of that group of kobolds?" Andron pauses to consider these questions and nods to himself in an apparent resolution to some idea. "Whatever the case, this is definitely no monster turned into stone. Our mission should now include searching for any means to reverse the effect, if possible. No man deserves a fate frozen in perpetual horror."

"Let me see the rope again and I will tie it around the feet of the statue then you can try dragging it out. Maybe it will be easier to examine out of the alcove."

Andronichishche surveys the statue again, this time attempting to gauge the width of the small passage to accommodate the statue. "We could try that, but I'm concerned about the condition of the statue itself. Moving it too much may damage it significantly. Let's try moving it slightly per Alordan's suggestion first. See what is beneath and how it responds to any movement. If it's stable and the passage is wide enough, we can definitely try moving it out."

[OGRE MAGE]

With a little help from the big guys, the statue is moved from its position to see if there is anything underneath. Solid stone floor is all that resides under the robed figure.

Looking at the book in the statues hands reveals only more weathered pockmarks in the blank stone. If there was legible writing on the pages at one time, it has long been erased by the elements.

The smallish figure looks to be about 2 feet wide at the shoulders, approximately the same width of the roughly carved walls of this tiny passage. It seems that it would slide in and out with only a small gap between it and the walls.

Can I get another hard Int check from Andron, please?

[Quonundrum]

Hard Intelligence Check: [4d6] = 14

W00t! No whammies!

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Now dat is der sort of face yer would expect to see on a bloke dat is turned to stone. So der is definitely sumfin' around 'ere dat is nasty. Not just a weird sculpterer".

Maag mulls everything over for a few moments.

"But if sumfin' swore to get revenge on der wizard, an' turned 'im into stone...why would 'e just be wedged down 'ere in a corner?"

"If I got revenge on somebody I 'ated, an' turned 'em to stone, I'd put 'im up where I could see 'im every day an' 'ave a laugh at 'im".

"So wot's dis bloke doin' down 'ere?"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche thrusts an extended index finger in Maag's direction, exclaiming, "Exactly, my dear Mr. Maag, why indeed would one do so? More unusual still, is why this statue exhibits erosion as if it were exposed to the elements? Someone or something was very keen to hide this particular statue, dragging it deep inside these tunnels, perhaps even carving out a passage just wide enough to move it through into that chamber."

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Yeah...outside...." Maag goes quiet for a moment. Then his eyes widen. And his jaw drops.

"Outside. Der wizard was outside. An' guess what else was outside? Der cats. Wiv names in der fur. So dey are not ordinary cats. Wot if one of dem was called...'Brutus'?"

"An' wot if Brutus 'ad some special power? One dat maybe der wizard didn't know about? Like shape-changin' an' turnin' fings to stone?"

"Brutus does der wizard in. Der wizard is scared because maybe 'e was part of der reason Brutus 'ad dese powers. Experimentin' on stuff like wizards do. Der wizard knows wot Brutus is gonna do to 'im".

"Der other monsters come later. Maybe dey 'ave sumfin to do wiv der wizard. Maybe not. But dey don't know about Brutus. Dat's why dey all 'ave nice looks on der faces! Dey are not expectin' to get killed by a little cat!"

"Now der wizard is down 'ere, 'cos Brutus feels bad about wot 'e done. Or maybe 'e doesn't want der other cats to know wot 'e's done".

Maag finally stops and takes a deep gulp of air.

[wolfpack]

maybe the wizard was outside and was going to cast a spell form his book to turn everything in the caves to stone but it backfired and he got turned to stone to.

maybe we should drag the statue to the cats and the druid talk to them again.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan thinks out loud, "and if this wizard is here - is this one that the writing on the walls was targeted at? and if he is here - who is sending the Minotaurs through the dais...?"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche blinks at Maag, struggling to follow the stream of consciousness coalescing into a semblance of a logical theory. There is definitely something in these caves affecting our minds. "That is an ... intriguing … hypothesis, Mr. Maag. Although we have no direct evidence one of his cats is involved, you do illustrate an important detail. Several of the statues indicate expressions they were unaware of their impending doom. That would certainly follow the theme on this island … nothing is as it appears." He rubs his chin and nods in acknowledgment of Gramble's suggestion, pondering the logistics. "We're also operating under the assumption this may be the mysterious wizard, but could just be another victim entirely. Whatever the poor man was attempting to do is locked away in his petrified brain. I suggest we complete our sweep of the tunnels first, there may be other statues like this that could provide more information."

[ravenn4544]

Alordan also suggests, "perhaps there is a way to reverse the petrification? He would probably tell an interesting story..."

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche suddenly stands rigidly still and quickly glances down the tunnel to his right, to the east, then again to his left, to the west. "Andronichishche, you fool! How did I not notice this before?", as he admonishes himself for some unknown error. He steps over to a section of the tunnel and runs his right hand across the surface of the wall, gazing about, examining its features. Abruptly, he extends both arms out to either side and flattens himself face against the wall, then slowly tilts his head to the left and right, mumbling quick calculations and measurements. He then turns about and repeats the procedure, this time with his back squarely against the stone wall. Finally, he kneels down and lays flat on the floor with his right side parallel to the rock face, his eyes scrutinizing the tunnel ceiling. He stays in this position for several moments before easing back to his feet, dusting the dirt from his hands and clothes.

"I was perplexed as to the position of the statues in these tunnels, most situated as they are like this one into niches and alcoves. I had thought their placement was intentional, decorative or ceremonial, but look here at these two sections of wall." He indicates two distinct areas which are at first glance appear to be normal, natural tunnel formations. "Note this first section here, the rock is uneven and slopes in various angles, similar to that small passage. Now, look at this other section ... it's perfectly smooth along the length of the area from floor to ceiling. There are many such sections in these tunnels, as if they were manually widened with tools ... but the depth and grade is exactly the same, like a giant rock eating worm burrowed its way through these tunnels and pushed aside any statue in its way."

Andron relaxes his shoulders slightly and folds his hands behind his back as he continues to address the group. "Considering this revelation I think we should leave this statue safely where it is, as I expect this may be the work of Brutus, whatever it is. Remember how one of the kobold statues was mysteriously turned. He's likely on the move, and I suggest we do the same, and quickly." He points down the western end of the tunnel into the darkness beyond the torchlight.

[Storm11]

If that’s true, wouldn’t it be a good idea to set up an ambush for this Brutus rather than stumble upon it by accident?

[OGRE MAGE]

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

With nothing to find in the tiny chamber containing the robed human statue, the group decides to press onward.

Andron looks at the rough passage again, scratching his chin as he moves back and forth between the nearest tunnels. After studying them extensively, he makes the correct assumption that something seems to have moved down these passages, widening them in many spots to fit its girth. When he measures them out with his arms, he finds that his hypothesis is indeed correct. The walls that don't appear to be affected by this "widening" are still rough and heavily textured, but the walls, floor, and ceiling of the narrow passages have indeed been altered and smoothed over. Perplexing.

The group continues to discuss their many theories about this place as Crestbrook leads them in deeper.

The next bend in the passages is much wider, giving the party room to congregate and search the area together for a change. This chamber appears to be empty except for three more minotaur statues standing all in a row. The first statue is blocking its eyes with its arm, the second has both of its hands covering its ears, while the third is holding one hand over its mouth. No tracks, sounds, lights, smells, or Brutus's are discovered in the room.

Actions?

map:

C6091A15-5BC3-4253-B263-239AC5F2206A.jpeg (558.64 KiB) Viewed 313 times

Sir Crestbrook 10/11 LoH
Gramble 13/16
Tlachtga 8/8 0/4 1st (torch: 40'r/3.1T)
Cu AC:3 13/13
Lerrick 11/11 2/4 1st (torch: 40'r/2.3T)
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

[Rex]

Tlachtga

"Keep moving north?"

[Quonundrum]

Andronichishche pauses briefly to examine the statues. "If I am not mistaken, the statues such as these with apparently deliberate poses are positioned away from where a giant worm would naturally move, if its intention was to simply crawl through the tunnels."

If that’s true, wouldn’t it be a good idea to set up an ambush for this Brutus rather than stumble upon it by accident?

"Under normal circumstances I would agree. However, whether it is indeed Brutus is still just a theory. If true, I'd prefer to avoid such a monstrosity altogether, but if we quickly finish mapping the tunnels we may find more information as to the nature and capabilities of Brutus, and to your suggestion, perhaps a lovely giant pit we can lure it into."

Andron peers quizzically at Tlachtga. "The underground has your sense of direction confused, mistress of nature. There are tunnels to the south and southeast, and if I am not mistaken the latter leads back to an area already explored, which leads us then to continue south."

[Rex]

Tlachtga


"You are correct. Was thinking of straight ahead as north I suppose, south it is then."

[Quonundrum]

Updated map, and looks like the south tunnel loops back to the main tunnel. If so, I suggest going to the western of the two tunnels there, just before the entry chamber.

Cave Map.jpg