Meanwhile on the surface world, Franklin wiggles his toes by the fireplace and takes a long draw on his corn cob pipe. "I wonder how my friends are getting along?" he wonders.
Franklin will sit this one out and spend some time catching up with Sconces. He trusts his friends to earn their 1xp each without his help. He will rejoin the party on the next adventure.
OOC: I am moving Nov. 1 so this seems a good opportunity to take a breather and focus on IRL responsibilities.
Franklin cannot tell the extent of Maloof's injuries, and therefore continues with his plan: "Aim high so you don't hit Maloof in the back," he instructs Balbo and Drogo. (accepting the -4 penalty)
If the statue tries to harm Maloof then it will receive three sling stones to the face! (I will assume unless the DM says otherwise, there is no risk of friendly fire to aim high over Maloof's head, since the statue is more than thrice his height.)
Franklin shares Maloof's curiosity to investigate the phantom pipering from the west. Balbo and Drogo have been keeping watch in that direction. Did they see or hear anything unusual?