"What a very obscene remark Miss Jhank, add in your morbid action with that skull and it makes it quite complimentary of how I see you. Don't think of it as an insult though, I think it's quite you." Devan comments politely, then follows Andromeda as she is about to open the door,"What do you see now?" he say aloud, not bothering to be sneaky.

Jhank snickers at Devan's comment and slaps on the back, ''you're pretty cool for a meatsack Dev,'' Jhank genuinely compliments the man, though most people probably hear it as a backhanded insult.

The thought never occurs to anyone that the skeletons have been left alone all this time, despite all of the many many many visitors this temple must have, and most of them being the shady type who would not think twice to pocket their own dragon bones...

But only time will tell if you're cursed for stealing. OH WELL. Let's go!

---

25a. Supporting the 20-foot-high ceiling are four pillars of white marble, each shaped in the likeness of a stoic female elf in flowing robes with a flowering branch clutched to her chest. The caryatids face inward. The walls are carved with bas-reliefs of unicorns and bare-branched trees.

Circling the caryatids counterclockwise is a quadrone with its bow at the ready. It makes clicking and clacking noises as it walks. It looks at you, and grumbles something strange and otherwordly, perhaps a warning for you not to destroy the caryatids.

Anyone happen to speak Modron???

A door leads west. A hallway leads east, and you find each little crevasse filled with creatures that have been turned to stone.

Rather than listing every single one, each player may choose a crevasse and I will share what creature is there. This will keep us organized. You can explore every single one, but let's not do it all at once.

Travic smirked. "I have a hammock for such situations." He said to the druid.

"Besides, the Eladrin do not truly sleep. We fall into a trance to review our memories. I get the same as a full nights rest just by sitting quietly for 4 hours or so. All while being fully aware of our enviorment. I have always envied the other races ability to dream however." He grinned at her.

Upon seeing the quadrone, Travic puts up his empty hands, showing he meant no harm. He weaves his hands back and forth, creating an image of the party keeping thier weapons in thier scabbards.

He then shifts the image of the various other modrons turned to stone, and shrugs his shoulders as if to ask why.

He then summons some sand so the creature can draw the reason why its friends are stoned.

You misunderstand. There are no other modrons turned to stone. There are other creatures. You have yet to explore further to see what kinds of creatures, but the quadrone does draw in the sand.

Not very well.

It is unclear what he drew. Looks like Donald Duck.

After he finishes the quadrone clicks and erases it, then starts over, trying to do a better drawing. INTELLIGENCE CHECK DC16 to realize he is drawing his master: a wizard who we have yet to learn his name....HISTORY CHECK DC20 to guess his name correctly.

Devan tips his hat as he watches what the quadrone is drawing,"Hm, intriguing, it seems this machine is trying to draw an image of it's master, a wizard of some shape or form. However, good news for all of you, I have already theorized who it could be." Devan says confidently and then draws out his conclusion,"Yes, it could be no other by the Sage of Shadowdale himself, Elminster. This room is clearly a rogues gallery of fallen foes which he petrified. Incredible, yes!" he says, nodding to himself at figuring out the truth, he then checks one of the crevasses to investigate what kind of statues their are.

06:57, Today: Devan Crier rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Int Check.
06:57, Today: Devan Crier rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  History

Devan heads to 25b

Andromeda was relieved by Travic's easy reply, and answered with a chuckle, "A hammock isn't the sort of accommodation I'd expect in an extra-dimensional sanctuary, but I suppose it works!"  She had read about the elvish trance, but it was interesting to hear about it first-hand.  "That's so fascinating, to have one's conscious experience go unbroken across a vast lifespan...  It's hard to imagine as a human, as I often appreciate the respite that sleep provides!  The trance must do the same for you, just differently?"

The next chamber was a curious one, with beautiful elvish caryatids and a mechanical being marching on patrol.  It seemed to not be hostile, which was fortunate to Andromeda's mind.  The druidess could not understand it, but said, "We come in peace, mechanical friend!  Your columns are very beautiful, and we mean them no harm."  Such statements were a bit rich coming from the group that had just lifted a dragon skeleton and desecrated a tomb mere minutes prior, but her statements were sincere for herself, at least!

After assuring that the modron would not take issue with further exploration, Andromeda glanced into one of the alcoves bearing stone creatures...

---

Who the heck knows what the modron is talking about?

• 15:17, Today: Andromeda rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  Intelligence check.
• 15:18, Today: Andromeda rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  History.

Taking a look at 25i

Onyxclaw watches as the mechanical marvels move, his mind ticking over. He briefly focused on the image, but his gaze wandered to the machines, wondering how he could replicate such a thing.

---

<OOC: Onyxclaw rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  history Check.
Onyxclaw rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  int check.

You'd think with a mod of +3, i'd have a chance.....NOPE. The dice roller hates me lately. Natural 1 and 2!

<Waves his kobold fist in the air> damn you cursed dice roller!>

Travic may be clever, but he is not very well educated. As a result he has no idea of ether facts...

OOC:
21:46, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 1 using 1d4.  Guidance if allowed, history.

21:45, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 17 using 1d20.  History check.

21:45, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 7 using 1d20.  Int check.

Jhank glances briefly at the Modron's sketching before looking around distractedly, obviously, Devan had figured out the situation so she felt no need to decipher the artwork. It reminded her of her little siblings' drawings that they liked to make with sticks in the dirt, at least the Modron hadn't tried to poke out anyone's eye yet. Unlike some certain little hatchlings.

23:26, Today: Jhank rolled 4 using 1d20+2 ((2)).

The Modron stays near the caryatid columns, guarding them, not at all concerned when you head down the hall to explore its victims. (was going to give you each info one at a time but then I disappeared for a week. :) so I'll just give the entire list. )


25b 4 bullywugs
25c 3 gricks
25d 2 drow
25e 4 rust monsters
25f 5 troglodytes
25g 6 goats
25i 1 boar
25j 1 constrictor snake
25k 1 kenku
25l 1 lizardfolk
25m 1 mind flayer
25n 1 nothic
25o 1 orc war chief
25p 1 giant badger
25q 1 quaggoth
25r 1 wererat (human form)

M and R are noteworthy. H is a secret.
M??? As you look at the Mind Flayer you feel an odd tingle in your brain. Anyone can choose to explore further but you must make a constitution save dc15 or something unexpected will happen.

R??? This petrified wererat is a statue of a wiry young man grasping a shortsword in one hand and a key in the other. The key is solid stone along with the rest of him, and you are unable to take the key until you get him turned back to life.Anyone can roll intelligence dc15 to assume that key matches the description of the one Spider Eyez is holding Russ hostage for.

H??? (Anyone can roll perception check dc20 to notice the secret path) At the very end of the hall is a petrified wizard that looks a bit like the one the modron drew.

Onyxclaw walked in, marveling at the Modron, his mind racing as he slowly took note of teh statues. His gaze went from one to the other. "Turned stone...maybe way to turn back." He mused to himself as he walked. He first came to the wererat and tilted his head. He looked at Jhank. "Look like man you talk with"

<OOC: Onyxclaw rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  intelligence check.>He sighed, then kept walking, not even taking note of the key

Next he came to the statue of teh mind flayer, and narrowed his eyes, tilting his head as he gazed at it. He felt a tingle in his mind but managed to push it aside. <OOC: Onyxclaw rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  con check.>

He walked more, shaking his head when something caught his eye. <OOC: Onyxclaw rolled 25 using 1d20+6.  perception check.> He went down the hall and looked at the statue. "This looks like man that wizard looks for!"

Onyxclaw:
Mind Flayer: Curious, the tingle reminds you of your old and mysterious patron that cast you aside. You cast aside the memory and put a claw up to the wall behind the Mind Flayer. It is just an illusion.

On the other side of the illusion the hall continues, growing darker to beyond the limit of your dark vision. You will all have to decide if you want to take that path.

Wizard Statue: You notice a secret door. It opens safely to reveal a fancy treasure chest. Inside the chest is a telekinesis spell scroll. I think Travic is the only one who can read the scroll. (req wizard or sorcerer)

If the spell is on your class’s spell list, you can read the scroll and cast its spell without providing any material Components. Otherwise, the scroll is unintelligible. Casting the spell by reading the scroll requires the spell’s normal Casting Time. Once the spell is cast, the words on the scroll fade, and it crumbles to dust. If the casting is interrupted, the scroll is not lost.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:59, Mon 07 Mar 2022.

Onyxclaw narrows his eyes at the wall behind the mind flayer and touching it, smiling.  He decides to finish in this room first.  Seeing the mage, he spies teh secret door and finds the scroll.  He brings it to Travic. "Scroll. I can't read. You use." He hands it over, then looks at Andromeda.

"Wall behind octomonster fake. Passage.....maybe we all look."

Devan shrugs as he looks at a bunch of bullywug statues,"Bah, what did I tell you lot, nothing here but a gallery of fallen enemies." he says, then sees that Onxyclaw found something,"A hidden passage huh, sweet, let's go their."

Andromeda passed down the rows of lifelike statues and remarked, "This is quite the morbid collection... I suspect this must be the work of an intelligent creature capable of petrification.  A beholder, perhaps."  She then added sadly, "Alas, I haven't the capability to reverse this affliction... yet."

The druidess looked on as Onyxclaw discovered the secret door behind the wizard statue, and praised him, "Very clever, Onyx!  That is a valuable scroll indeed, although I fear that I cannot read it."

She joined Devan and Onyx in taking a look at the illusory illithid, when a curious tingle invades her brain...!

---

Didn't connect the dots on the key:

• 16:20, Today: Andromeda rolled 11 using d20+1+d4.  Int check + Guidance.

Failed that Con save... uh oh!:

• 16:21, Today: Andromeda rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Con save ???

Travic seems more drawn to the Modron's drawing then the room. He quickly follows along when he realizes he has been left behind. Only tmlo be handed a useful scroll. "Ummm...thank you."He said, looking at the writing.

"Say, Devan. Did you notice the creature's drawing looked a lot like Eleminster? Or Hal...the wizard that gave us the empowerment potions?"

He glances over when Andromeda mentions the possible petrification. Then he looks with concern at her when she stares at the mind player statue.

Ooc-19:33, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 18 using 1d20.  Int check.

19:35, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Wis save.

19:35, Today: Travic Televentor rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Con save.

This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

"Hmm, Mister Televentor, have you gone daft. That is ridiculous, it's like saying that Hal, our dear friend Hal, is actually the mage that built this entire dungeon. Do you understand how mad that sounds? Absolutely ridiculous." Devan says as he shakes his head in disapproval at Travic's theory.

In reply to Devan Crier (msg # 430):

"Its certainly sounds insane, I grant you. However, that an inhuman creature would draw someone who looks like Hal and Eleminster on it's own accord suggests soemthing other than madness." Travic points out.

Waiting for Jhank's rolls, but in the meantime, since it goes well with the conversation  anyone can roll arcana to see if they know the difference between Halastar and Elminster. (If you roll at least 15 you can do your own research and share)

<OOC: Onyxclaw rolled 20 using 1d20+6.  intelligence check.>

Prior to being afflicted by the illusory illithid's dreadful magics, Andromeda was happy to discuss archmagi, "While both Elminster and Halaster are powerful and wizened archmages, they are quite distinct from one another!  You see, Elminster of Shadowdale is a wandering sage who has contributed greatly to the history and knowledge of Toril.  I much enjoyed the nine books of Elminster's Ecologies and found them quite instructive.  Halaster Blackcloak, however..."  Andromeda frowned and went on, "Well, he is unimaginably powerful but also quite mad, by all accounts.  He is best known for the selfsame enormous dungeon we now explore, and the odd states of affairs to be found herein.  Undermountain is his life's work, and a long and strange life it has been."

Andromeda got a curious look and pondered aloud, "Hal, that kindly old man who funded our expedition and provided those curiously powerful magic potions?  Surely he couldn't be Halaster himself... could he?  Surely not!"

---

09:53, Today: Andromeda rolled 19 using d20+4+d4.  Arcana + Guidance.

"I highly doubt Hal could ever be the one and only Halaster Blackcloak, theirs no clue or indication that their one and the same. Except for their names, but that's just coincidental, I've met a hundred Hals so it's a very common name." Devan says as he safely made it past the mindflayer statue,"Now let's keep moving on, adventure awaits and whatnot."

07:42, Today: Devan Crier rolled 20 using 1d20+2.  Con Save.

Onyxclaw nods at andromeda's views. "Onyxclaw know little of elminster. Old wizard, powerful but wise. Halaster also old....but mad. not good man."

He looked on as he led the way to the passage

You continue down the hallway by the light of your lights only. Without torch or magic light source, you would be blind in this darkness.

Someone raises their hand to speak.

The Dm says, "Yes?"

That person says, "I have darkvision."

Everyone sighs.

TO CHAPTER 5...