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Attach the triple hook to the rope, and use it to get to the ship.

You roll a 12 (required 10). Success!

You rummage through your saddlebags, then take a minute to tie your rope to the triple hook's eye with a double overhoof knot.

You combine Rope and Triple Hook into Grapnel!

With your newly crafted grapnel in hoof, you look around for the best way to put it to use. The fissure's cliffside leads nearly straight down into what appears to be deep, turbulent water, so abseiling is out of the question.

Moonflower: "Ooh, I know!"

Moonflower grabs the loose end of the rope, and flies over to the stone ship. After looping around what would be the mast, she ties a couple of knots, then returns to your side expectantly.

You use Grapnel.

With the rope now attached to the ship, you tighten it as much as you can from your end, then hammer one of the hooks into the hard sand to anchor it. The bat pony tests the line, then signals to you that it is secure.

Moonflower: "It's holdin'!"

Rocket Rush: "Really? Even I don't think that looks safe!"

Moonflower: "Don't worry, I'm here to help!"

You volunteer to go first. After wrapping your legs around the rope, you begin your slow, upside down descent to the stone ship. Next to you, Moonflower uses her forehooves to support your weight, making the crossing feel much safer.

Once you've made it onto the stone ship, you steal a closer glance at the statue while Moonflower goes to help the two unicorns in turn.

You find that from this distance, it looks much less like a statue, and more like a real unicorn knight, frozen in time, save for the blue cape and tabard waving in the wind. The full plate armour's design is old-fashioned, the metal completely rusted over, and the hind boots partially trapped in stone.

Soon, your companions join you without incident, and you approach the statue together. A stallion's muffled voice resonates from within the closed helmet.

Talking Statue: "Oh, hello there. That you may find yourselves in this unforgiving land, fate must have been most unkind to you indeed. Or, sanity willing, could have you come here by your own volition?"

You tell the talking statue that Midgardsormr sent you, and that you came looking for a way to destroy the philosopher's stone.

Talking Statue: "You have it with you, then? Celestia's sun be praised! Ah. It occurs to me that my sojourn here has rendered me bereft of my magics. Quite the predicament for the both of us, that is.

Still, as a token of good faith, I will tell you this: The philosopher's stone cannot ever truly be destroyed, but the balance between light and darkness within it can be restored. To achieve this, you must call upon someone who can wield the light, such as I.

Perhaps we can help each other. In a twist of irony, the armour that once served to protect me has since become my own prison. You did not truly think me a mere statue, now, did you? Hah hah hah!

Well, should you find the means to set me free, then I shall pledge my horn to your noble cause. What say you, hmm?"

Upvotes at import: 30 | Stars at import: 16
Posted previously at: 2020-09-21T08:32:49