[One animal handling check is fine here. I think multiple checks usually only make sense when something is attempted over a longer period of time, or would just use the passive skill instead to represent the average of multiple rolls.]
The owlbears roar defiantly in Pisgahs face, but they don't attack. Instead, they continuously snatch up the food as it's being thrown in their direction. They are unwilling to approach, shuffling back and forth restlessly. [Survival] Canti and Pisgah know that the animals are most likely afraid and desperate. They would lash out at any provocation, but now that they have food, they have calmed down somewhat. Still, they probably consider this place their territory, so it's best not to stick around for too long. [In game terms, this means there isn't enough time for a long or short rest.]
The two furry predators retreat into the southeastern corner and don't let you out of their beady eyes.
" ArdneK, can you sneak along the north wall and get eyes on the room to the west? "
Pisgah will back off from the Owlbears and pickup his pack but still continue to hum and talk softly to them. Once he between the Owlbears and the rest of the party he will settle the pack in place and slide his shield on his arm.
The owlbears seem calmed by Pisgahs soft gestures and his offerings. It doesn't seem like they ended up here by choice and had to make the best of the situation so far. They sit in the corner like oversized owl-faced teddybears, gruffly but not aggressive, still munching on rations.
[Everyone gets 350 XP for dealing with the owlbears.]
ArdneK meanwhile is able to silently move on and peek into the next chamber.
Three stone tables lie strewn about this room, surrounded by ceramic shards that were once elaborately decorated urns. There is a hallway to the south that leads around a corner and then northwards, sloping gently upwards, before heading further west.
No, it seems like the owlbears left the hallway alone. No sign of any recent passage, the only unusual feature being that it it leads upwards in a slight incline.
Still standing in the doorway, Canti frowns as she watches the owlbears. "How do you think they got here?" she wonders aloud. "It's like someone or something just dropped them here. And all those other creatures and people turned to stone," she says, turning to peer through the strange light and down the hallway. "Do you think that's what will happen to them?" She looks back. "They'll be petrified?" She pauses. "Seems kind of silly. I feel bad for them." She steps back into the room with the sentinel. "Excuse me!" she says, trying to get the guard's attention. "I'd like to ask you some questions!"
If the cuboid construct doesn't respond to Common, she'll also try Gnomish.
The quadrone stops walking, turns to Canti and gives a polite bow. However, it replies in the same buzzing language as before, and in a questioning tone. Neither common nor gnomish seem to be included in its vocabulary.
"Canti/Rico, can you prop open the door so the Owlbears can leave the room? We can slide by them around the north end of the room and join up with ArdneK."
"I don't know, the quadrone ignored us for the most part. I'm sure they'll be fine. I really would like to train one but I guess these are too old to adopt. Besides, if they wander on out we don't have to worry about feeding them again."
Canti flaps a hand at Pisgah as if to tell him to wait. Continuing to the quadrone, she asks, "Will the owlbears turn to stone if they walk into the light?" She indicates the strange phenomenon in the middle of the room. "Nod your head for yes or shake it for no."
ArdneK listens to the concerns of others, and waits to see if Canti gets a response for her question.
Under her breath she says, "No one should be locked in a cage, or a room. They should roam, free to fight goblins, humans, or kobolds even. I doubt they chose to be in this room."
[Seeing how well Canti communicates her ideas without sharing a language] [Insight: 14]: The quadrone hesitates for a moment, scrutinizing Cantis tone of voice and her pointing towards the light.
Seemingly realizing the rough gist of what the rock gnome said, the construct shakes its head.
It walks directly into the light. There, it stands completely still. ([Insight 17+] Despite the rocky performance by the construct, Pisgah and Rico realize that it's trying to mimic being petrified.) It then says two single words in common: "Elf magic!" As if reacting to the words, the pillars suddenly flash with light, enveloping the space between them and the quadrone. After the flash has subsided, the quadrone springs back into motion, doing a little pirouette. Satisfied with this demonstration, it steps back out of the light and resumes its march around the caryatids.
Rico asks, "Do we want to try unpetrifying some of the trophies? Depending how long they've been petrified they might be able to resume their lives. Or they might find themselves in a strange land where everything they know is but a distant memory."
"Before we try to revive anything that could harm us, let's try one of the goats. We need to be quick though. I don't think the Owlbears will tolerate us for long but they might appreciate snacking on cabrito. Can you have Steel ready to help? "
Pisgah will run to pickup one of the goat statues, tie his 30' length of rope around its neck, and carry it back to the room. He will set the goat down outside of the lighted area and toss the coil of rope to the other side to Steel.
"Rico and Steel, pull! "
As they pull on the rope, Pisgah will try pushing with one of his javelins.
ArdneK will stand on the side with Rico, pulling on the rope. If he can turn a goat from stone into flesh, he wants to make sure he's on the side to keep that goat alive.
[One animal handling check is fine here. I think multiple checks usually only make sense when something is attempted over a longer period of time, or would just use the passive skill instead to represent the average of multiple rolls.]
The owlbears roar defiantly in Pisgahs face, but they don't attack. Instead, they continuously snatch up the food as it's being thrown in their direction. They are unwilling to approach, shuffling back and forth restlessly. [Survival] Canti and Pisgah know that the animals are most likely afraid and desperate. They would lash out at any provocation, but now that they have food, they have calmed down somewhat. Still, they probably consider this place their territory, so it's best not to stick around for too long. [In game terms, this means there isn't enough time for a long or short rest.]
The two furry predators retreat into the southeastern corner and don't let you out of their beady eyes.
" ArdneK, can you sneak along the north wall and get eyes on the room to the west? "
Pisgah will back off from the Owlbears and pickup his pack but still continue to hum and talk softly to them. Once he between the Owlbears and the rest of the party he will settle the pack in place and slide his shield on his arm.
ArdneK will wait until the Owlbears are calm(er) and looking at Pisgah, and then he'll try to sneak along the north to see the western passage.
Stealth: 15
The owlbears seem calmed by Pisgahs soft gestures and his offerings. It doesn't seem like they ended up here by choice and had to make the best of the situation so far. They sit in the corner like oversized owl-faced teddybears, gruffly but not aggressive, still munching on rations.
[Everyone gets 350 XP for dealing with the owlbears.]
ArdneK meanwhile is able to silently move on and peek into the next chamber.
Three stone tables lie strewn about this room, surrounded by ceramic shards that were once elaborately decorated urns.
There is a hallway to the south that leads around a corner and then northwards, sloping gently upwards, before heading further west.
"ArdneK, what do you see? Do we keep going that way?"
He will explain what he sees. "I wonder what's down there and if it knew the Owlbears were here."
Does I seen any sign of owlbear traffic down the long hallway? bones feathers, etc?
Perception: 16
No, it seems like the owlbears left the hallway alone. No sign of any recent passage, the only unusual feature being that it it leads upwards in a slight incline.
Still standing in the doorway, Canti frowns as she watches the owlbears. "How do you think they got here?" she wonders aloud. "It's like someone or something just dropped them here. And all those other creatures and people turned to stone," she says, turning to peer through the strange light and down the hallway. "Do you think that's what will happen to them?" She looks back. "They'll be petrified?" She pauses. "Seems kind of silly. I feel bad for them." She steps back into the room with the sentinel. "Excuse me!" she says, trying to get the guard's attention. "I'd like to ask you some questions!"
If the cuboid construct doesn't respond to Common, she'll also try Gnomish.
The quadrone stops walking, turns to Canti and gives a polite bow. However, it replies in the same buzzing language as before, and in a questioning tone. Neither common nor gnomish seem to be included in its vocabulary.
"Canti/Rico, can you prop open the door so the Owlbears can leave the room? We can slide by them around the north end of the room and join up with ArdneK."
Rico replies, "Sure I can wedge the door open, thought the owlbears might annoy the quadrone if we let them out."
"I don't know, the quadrone ignored us for the most part. I'm sure they'll be fine. I really would like to train one but I guess these are too old to adopt. Besides, if they wander on out we don't have to worry about feeding them again."
Canti flaps a hand at Pisgah as if to tell him to wait. Continuing to the quadrone, she asks, "Will the owlbears turn to stone if they walk into the light?" She indicates the strange phenomenon in the middle of the room. "Nod your head for yes or shake it for no."
ArdneK listens to the concerns of others, and waits to see if Canti gets a response for her question.
Under her breath she says, "No one should be locked in a cage, or a room. They should roam, free to fight goblins, humans, or kobolds even. I doubt they chose to be in this room."
[Seeing how well Canti communicates her ideas without sharing a language] [Insight: 14]: The quadrone hesitates for a moment, scrutinizing Cantis tone of voice and her pointing towards the light.
Seemingly realizing the rough gist of what the rock gnome said, the construct shakes its head.
It walks directly into the light. There, it stands completely still. ([Insight 17+] Despite the rocky performance by the construct, Pisgah and Rico realize that it's trying to mimic being petrified.) It then says two single words in common: "Elf magic!"
As if reacting to the words, the pillars suddenly flash with light, enveloping the space between them and the quadrone.
After the flash has subsided, the quadrone springs back into motion, doing a little pirouette. Satisfied with this demonstration, it steps back out of the light and resumes its march around the caryatids.
Canti smiles. "Did it just tell us that the light UNpetrifies?"
Rico asks, "Do we want to try unpetrifying some of the trophies? Depending how long they've been petrified they might be able to resume their lives. Or they might find themselves in a strange land where everything they know is but a distant memory."
"Maybe they can tell us what happened just prior to their petrification," Canti says, sounding excited.
"Before we try to revive anything that could harm us, let's try one of the goats. We need to be quick though. I don't think the Owlbears will tolerate us for long but they might appreciate snacking on cabrito. Can you have Steel ready to help? "
Pisgah will run to pickup one of the goat statues, tie his 30' length of rope around its neck, and carry it back to the room. He will set the goat down outside of the lighted area and toss the coil of rope to the other side to Steel.
"Rico and Steel, pull! "
As they pull on the rope, Pisgah will try pushing with one of his javelins.
ArdneK will stand on the side with Rico, pulling on the rope. If he can turn a goat from stone into flesh, he wants to make sure he's on the side to keep that goat alive.