Chapter 2: The Gorgon Queen's Lair

After about half an hour, just after sunset, you make your way to where the stones take you. Using the stones, you decipher how to get in and make your way inside. Natural cave flow soon give way to pristine floors made for royalty. You might think Hythonia thinks very highly of herself as she seems to like lavish things. The entryway leads to a open area with a fountain in the center. Adorning the fountain are small stone snakes that spit water out of their mouths to keep the fountain flowing. To your left and right are small passageways that seem to lead to natural cave again. Ahead of you is a natural floor, but one that seems man altered to be more smooth and flat and less jaggid like stone tends to naturally be. On the far side is a bridge that appears to go over some flowing water. Lining the area past the fountain are statues of warriors. Based on their poses, it is clear they were living warriors that were turned to stone an unknown amount of time ago. A thought passes through your minds. You each have a potion that reverses petrification. You may need it for an ally later on, but perhaps you could use it on one of these statues to save a warrior who could help in battle, or at the least if you defeat hythonia you might use it on one of them as you leave.

What do you do?

Link to battle information with map

About 10 feet initially, 15 feet once you get to the area with the statues

Kelnes is going to look at the statues carefully. Trying to figure out patterns on which direction they might be looking or any patterns in how they were stopped.

They all appear to be turned mid battle as they are all in battle poses and they are all facing the bridge. You can't figure any more than that

Chiron takes to the ceilings (slippers of spider climbing)

Once the heroes entered the hall of statues, Omeros called on divine power once more.

θωράκιση κρύος

An armour of frost crystallized around the satyr. Once shielded, Omeros accessed a reserve of energy in his rod, and he looked around the hall for any lurking threats or anything generally odd.

Kelnes concentrates and says a quick prayer to Irois. Let us be prepared for battle

Let's stick together and be silent. Darkness will not let anyone see us too far
Isaiah cast a a spell and a veil of shadows and silence surround partyHe is also trying to hear any sound from left and right passageways, suggesting to check those first. He try to stay behind and let anyone else lead the party though.

A well armored Chironides takes point "Follow me" and takes to the left passage

You walk down the hallway that is just wide enough for you to walk 2x2. You find a dark cave, but with the light from the previous rooms bouncing off the walls, you can make out a hole in the ground surrounded by a ring of symbols. There isn't enough light to see in the hole. To see what is inside, you will need a light source and to stand at the edge of the hole.

Omeros held up a hand for the others to stop as they neared the pit. Making sure he remained in the cloaking field, he edged to the edge and peered into the abyss.

About 60 feet down you see what looks to be a skeletal arm from the elbow down holding some kind of bottle. However, the arm is surrounded by dozens upon dozens of snakes.

At the mention of snakes Chiron drinks an antitoxin.

"Anyone recognize those symbols"

I will let 1 person make a DC 20 History check. On a 10, you'll still get something, but not much.

After relaying what he saw, Omeros followed his hooved companion in downing antitoxin.

"Dare we try to retrieve that bottle?" Omeros whispered.

"Perhaps one of you possess magics that can retrieve that vial from a distance?"

"Not I. My arcane reach doesn't extend that far."