"Yes. Only the staff is magical, but I cannot discern the type of enchantment." He grasps the staff and carefully removes it from the statue's grip. Assuming nothing befalls him from this action, he then closely examines the shaft and jackal's head.
Cadeweed was thinking the same as Fydmar and says "Great minds think-a-like" and helps him, but moving the opposite direction and most likely slower since he is also looking for traps on the wall as he goes.
Durgo stays put for a bit to let the others do their work and secure the safety of the room. He stands guard just inside the door with the lantern on the floor and he grabs his shield.
"I'll guard the doorway until there is an all-clear signal.
Trist Flameheart Multi-Class in progress Gray Elf Fighter/Mage 3/3 - Grey Wolf's Mystara Adventures (Ad&d 2e) Active Durgo Brigthboon Fighter Human Level 3 - Spearment's Barromaze
"If ye daen't have any problem with it, I can start getting thaus trappings frae the statue... If ye seh, Mr Moriartus, that only the staff is magical, the statue shuldna move." He wait for Cadeweed searching for traps before removing the ornaments.
Dalin having rested for long enough gets up and moves on trying to catch up to the others.
“All men did have darkness. Some wore it in the form of horns. Some bore it invisibly as rot in their souls.”
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred "If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
Algrim Tirion Dwarf - HarnMaser Dalin Silverhand Dwarf Thief - Barrowmaze Elwood 'Dug' The Bounty Hunter Dwarf Swashbuckler - Hedge's Adventures in the World of Golarion Roan Gravelbeard Dwarf Fighter - Hedge's Greyhawk Adventures Torvik Shadowhood Dwarf Fighter/Thief - Nocturne
Fydmar A couple skill checks to be used as DM sees fit skill check [1d100]=67 skill check [1d100]=14
If nothing is found in his and his companions assessments, and nothing happens when Moriartus removes the staff; he will climb onto the plinth & up the statue's back & remove the necklace.
The group set about searching and tomb robbing. The wall frescoes depict a parade in a temple, perhaps a ceremony to anoint a figure or receive a divine blessing. There are no traps but you notice the long intricate lined of inlaid gold filigree that silhouette or decorate the images.
Cadeweed might think such delicate threads could be carefully lifted from the plasterwork and wound around a spool in a similar fashion to his recent spider silk harvesting.
The dwarves find no traps or signs of shifting walls or concealed construction. Two-Birds and Moriartus admire the staff which they can lift free of the sculptured grasp of the jet black statue. Standing on the plinth, Dougal lifts off the shouldered gilded shawl and headdresses while Fydmar can snip the iron loop which holds the large golden Ankh. It is as heavy as a gold bar might weigh. Dalin can take the silver loop and attached Ankh holy symbol over the head the jackal headed statue.
So far the statue stands impervious and impassive to your defiling of his realm.
While Durgo keeps watch below and Venwynn above, the miners prepare the cart to take the collected trove, cutting bracken stuffing to brace the glass Bonsai tanks.
Durgo comments, "If you need any muscle to help with any of the heavy stuff let me know."
Durgo continues guarding the place then adds, "If you are worried this beastie is going to come to life maybe we put some ropes around its legs just in case it does?"
If the others agree Durgo will take his rope and place it around the legs several times to trip it, if it comes to life.
Trist Flameheart Multi-Class in progress Gray Elf Fighter/Mage 3/3 - Grey Wolf's Mystara Adventures (Ad&d 2e) Active Durgo Brigthboon Fighter Human Level 3 - Spearment's Barromaze
Moriartus examines the frescoes, attempting to identify a figure that bears a staff like the statue held. "There must be another chamber as we haven't found the master's sarcophagus. Master to that mummified warrior, I mean."
He nods in agreement to Durgo's suggestion. "A wise suggestion, please proceed. Also try and move that plinth. Perhaps it conceals something underneath."
Fydmar
Smiles at Durgo. Like I did to the mummy when we were here last. He will wait for Durgo to do so, and then will attempt to turn the plinth (hopefully w/help) first clockwise, then counter.
Cadeweed will take some time looking at the delicate threads, not removing or disturbing them. Always thinking traps he says, "I wonder if these could be a fuse or connection of some kind?" He will follow them around the room and try to find the place they are connected to or perhaps tied off.
Dougal is focused on lifting and carrying the jewels to the cart. He appears to repeat the world "gold", singing to himself. He only stops to look at Durgo and then at the statue. "That's a guid idea!"
He won't disturb the threads, leaving Cadeweed and his expertise to it.
The group deliberate more actions. Two of the miners come in to help with any construction evaluation, whistling too at the inlaid gold filigree that decorates the frescoes.
Dalin and Durgo bind up the statue, shackling the ankles in tightly knitted binds and also fitting restraining cuffs upon each wrist. Ruefully Dalin might rue former comrade Vann Hector taking the Silvanus enchanted silver manacles from the werewolf prisoner Reisling, such articles might produce a welcome addition here. Though the statue stands surrendered to the prospect of captivity without any complaints.
Fydmar checks out the plinth, trying to turn it. It does not move but you do find a panel in the plinth can be opened. Inside the hollow you find a pile of bones and a human skull endowed with a sparkling emerald inset into its forehead. "I think we have found the Master." you may remark.
Cadeweed traces the fresco filigree, there must be a hundred yards of it. Meatloaf the gnome picks at one end of a decorative thread which pulls out the plasterwork with ease though the filigree is fragile and may be prone to snapping.
Two-birds shakes her head, she has checked panels for concealed doors but does not find any. Moriartus focuses on the gathered staff. The carved head is a simple design, inset with two red eyes, similar to the ones first seen on the brass jackals. [4d6] vs int check please.There does not seem any distinguishing marks that might indicate extra functions, no trigger command words, sigils or runes.
Dougal keeps his bow ready for surprises, training an arrow upon the statue.
Dalin continues to help where he can and doesn't act quite like his usual self. The dwarf holds back trying to conserve his energy.
“All men did have darkness. Some wore it in the form of horns. Some bore it invisibly as rot in their souls.”
― Paul S. Kemp, Shadowbred "If good people won’t do the hard things, evil people will always win, because evil people will do anything."
― Paul S. Kemp, Twilight Falling
Algrim Tirion Dwarf - HarnMaser Dalin Silverhand Dwarf Thief - Barrowmaze Elwood 'Dug' The Bounty Hunter Dwarf Swashbuckler - Hedge's Adventures in the World of Golarion Roan Gravelbeard Dwarf Fighter - Hedge's Greyhawk Adventures Torvik Shadowhood Dwarf Fighter/Thief - Nocturne
Cadeweed will finish to make sure the golden string is not a trigger or fuse and then start to gather the golden string like a spiders web, but more gentle.
