No, the statues don't open the catacombs now (tried it in your save). As you have started the council quests, the village is now prepared for part 2: a lot of giant orcs and a council member will be in Lanilor's house.
You will have to use Raze's hex editor, sorry. But try his suggestion:
Kill the orcs
defeat the council member in Lanilor's house
get the key from the shelf there and free Mardaneus in his house.
If you encounter problems => I can try and replay the whole part on your save tonight to check if Goemoe will then wander off to the Blue Boar Inn. Before he does => speak to him after you have freed M. so you get the Lizard Teleporter scroll (not vital, as it is only for one teleporter).
It would have been better to solve all quests in Aleroth first (specially healing M.) - we'll see, if you can proceed. This is a new situation for me - I can only hope, it works. Never tried the variation: council first, Aleroth later...
Kiya
Thought a bit: As I'M at work, you have been in the catacombs, otherwise you wouldn't have the Slasher quest. Please, look, if the grave in the NE sector is open, this was another way to enter the catacombs. It will only be open, if you had opened it from underneath. I forgot to check this possibility this morning.
Another thing: If you plan to recruit the Imp Council member and are playing 1.029: DON'T refuse his offer to touch his magic crystal ball. You have only one chance. In later patch versions (1.0034) you could refuse. As the gathering of all members is crucial (main plot) you can't be able to fulfill this if you refuse under 1.029. So, save before you enter the Ducal Inn in Verdistis. Otherwise you will need a technical workaround <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />
BTW, it's nice to play your mage - she looks like my char <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />
