Search the statues

You approach the statues, curious about their design and their intent. There are more than a hundred statues. Many depict beasts or monsters and many depict human or other bipedal creatures of intelligence. The humanoids are often in enticing or erotic poses and you grow wet from examining their delicate details. Each of the statues incorporates a small, dark gem. In the sentient races depicted this gem is at the base of the skull. A curious suggestion that leads you to believe that these statues are more than they first seemed.

At the center of this garden of statues there is some sort of control mechanism. You cannot read the gnome runes, but the intent is clear. There is a stack of cards depicting each of the statues and a slot for the card to be placed into the mechanism. A glowing ruin displays one of the few gnome runes you can read: the number one. You think you can operate the machine, but if your guess is correct it will only work once.

You have never heard of such a device as this, but you can guess as to its function: the controls will activate one of the statues like a golem and it will do your bidding. Looking at the statues you believe there are two purposes such a magical machine could serve: to provide you with companionship and to provide you with a mount.

To these ends you see two statues in particular that seem well-suited to your needs.

One statue depicts a petite elf-girl with a smile on her face and a short, spunky haircut. She is making a sign of friendship with her fingers and posed wearing a somewhat revealing costume that nonetheless suits her innocently exuberant pose. You chuckle at the sight of this statue and you feel that it would make an entertaining companion.

For a mount there are fewer options, but one stands out for more than one reason: a centaur. Its muscular horse body is not only impressively huge, but its upper human torso is very handsome, well musled, and its head features flowing hair and a strong jawline. The centaur is also carrying a stone version of a bow. You don't know if this would work as a normal bow or fire magical bolts or what, but it seems this statue could serve as both a mount and a companion. The centaur is also endowed in other ways, but you don't let your eyes linger long on the immense cock hanging beneath its body.

You've spent quite a long time studying all these statues. You should decide now so that you can continue your quest.