Previously, in the Home of the Gods ... No, your characters would know none of this, but it's a tradition around here and your GM enjoys it ...

Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy and Peace was on the warpath.  "You did WHAT ?!!" She screamed.

Mitra and Set looked shamefaced.

"He started it," the Sun God ventured, while the Serpent God wisely held His forked tongue.

"If I might," Rao, Greater God of Peace, Reason and Serenity tried to stick His oar in.  He should have known better.

"SHUT UP !  No you may NOT !"

She turned back to the pair with venom in her gaze.  "Sort it out.  I don't care how you do it, just sort it out !"

"And just how in the Nine Hells did they even get a Dragon in there ?!!!!"  She glared at Oghma.  The Lord of Knowledge shrugged.  "Beats Me."


Set strode triumphantly up to the podium, smirking broadly at the loud applause as all but one of the assembled gods rose to their feet.  The lone dissenter, Mitra sat glowering.

"Sssso," Set began, leaning lazily on the lecturn and playing absentmindedly with the gavel as he waited for everyone to settle down. "Here We are then.  Zeussss, hasss asssked Me to perssssonally sssend His regretssss."

Pause until the sniggering died down.

"Apparently He ate ssssomething that disssagreed with Him.  Asss did a lot of othersss."

Mitra could stand no more.  That smug expresssion, sorry expression, was getting to Him.  "I saw You !  In the kitchens !  You ..."

"Sssilence !" Set banged the little hammer down with immense satisfaction.  "I hold you in contempt.  Utter contempt, in fact.  Don't make Me have You removed."

"Now, to busssinessssss," he savoured the word, turning His attention to the huge pile of papers on the desk next to Him.  With a flick of His finger they caught fire.

"Jussst the one item, today," He smiled, producing a thin folder, which He placed on the stand in front of Him, unopened.

"Oh look !  It ssseemsss that there'sss been a certain amount of dissspute over sssome hovel called ... can't quite read thisss ... ah, 'Mitra'sss Fissst !  Ssstupid name, really.  Sssome very disturbed people are trying to ssstop the followersss of sssome much more progressssssive god - modesssty preventsss Me from mentioning namesss - from quite reasssonably ssslaughtering them all and desssecrating the temple of their falssse god."

"Your followers !  Evil creatures, all !" Mitra was on His feet again, but this time the gavel wasn't necessary as any further truths were drowned out by the raucous laughter, jeers and catcalls from the rest of the crowd.  Even the infamously aloof Asmodeus couldn't keep the ghost of a smile from His lips.

"We can't have that, now can We ... I'd better sssend sssomeone down to deal with it.  Ssso be it !" Set nodded to the clerk.

"Er ... certainly, Oh Most Evil One," the tall thin man conceded.  "The usual ... ?"

"Yesss."

"I think I can get hold of a few who have some experience with Dragons."

"... very well !"

"And, ah ... the bindings ?  'No harm to their fellows or innocents' and so forth ?"

"YESSS !"  Set was getting annoyed now, His habitually glowing eyes and vengeful expression settling into a cast that promised retribution swift and dire.

"And ... oh, er, that's fine then," the clerk was used to the mercurial ways of the very divine and after years in the job quick on his feet besides.  You had to be.

Not as smart as you think, My Lord.  Seems You forgot to specify just one tiny detail.  And I'm not paid enough to remind You.

Mitra knew it too, he noted, risking a glance as the god settled back into His chair, crossing His arms, a great grin spreading over His face, much to Set's puzzlement and consternation ...

The clerk hurried from the chamber as the meeting broke up.

And so it begins ...

You find yourself, still sitting on benches, though these are harder and much less comfortable, with your pile of picnic baskets around you and, thankfully, kitted out with all your usual adventuring supplies.  At least someone up there (or down there, depending on your proclivities) was organised.  Possibly rather too many of them for your good, in fact.

Here ... turns out to be a small shrine of shining white marble.  You are seated in the front rows of a series of wooden benches in a large hexagonal chamber with a soaring domed roof supported by large marble columns.  Behind you light streams in from a wide entrance hall to fall upon a huge statue of a well-formed Adonis-like youth crushing the head of a serpent, which entirely dominates the chamber.  Kneeling before the statue, and old man dressed in fraying robes dutifully polishes the statue's foot.   Nearby four other men, similarly dressed, though they seem burly sorts who have outgrown their robes lounge against the pillars, clutching brooms.

The four, assumedly acolytes notice your appearance immediately, but stand slack-jawed, while the older man continues to polish away, humming to himself softly.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

With a sigh Aurion finished his snack wipes his hands on a hanky then rose to face the men.

"Hail and well met, the gods have answered your prayers! By which I mean, us..." he gestured toward the others.

"Now if you would be so kind as to explain those prayers to us, we can get started in answering them."

Cogwitz snickers as Aurion says what he does.  It would be interesting to see what they were praying for.  For certainly we had arrived in part because of the prayers.

Cogwitz looks to the men to scrutinize whom they might be.

"You are followers of Mitra."  Tesseryn guesses.  "And you polish the foot of His statue in reverence, and in preparation for worshipers to bend the knee and kiss the foot of their god."  He steps forward and kneels beside the older man.  "Do speak freely of your prayers as the Elf has bid you.  Then point us in the direction of the dark tower of Set that we may throw it down stone by stone!"

Brindle leans back slightly as though trying to suggest he might not actually be with these people, despite the circumstances. But he is still extremely interested to hear what these priest's of Mitra say (if the armoured elf guessed correctly about who they are).

Wrukaog appears, his face completely blank, simmering for a few moments as the others speak.

Finally, after what is apparently enough time passes by, he stands and yells up toward the sky.

He turns and slams his interlocked, clenched fists down onto the wooden bench he was previously sitting on.

The orc regains composure, swinging around to take in his surroundings, sniffing the air.

Finding herself more adequately attired, Leisha smiles a bit, and crosses one leg over the other.  And while to those bearing solid armor, her change from a white nightgown to a white dress may seem like not much of an improvement in her situation, the sword and pack at her side probably offer some consolations.

Her eyebrow lifts in her commonly bemused fashion as she glances up at Wrukaog, and then turns her attention back to the old man.

Brindle flinches at Wrukaog's outburst but recovers himself enough to respond in the same language as the orc.

[Language unknown: "Ivyin tewi ntiousundthe. Ut plnick, P evethiill ouroie e. T ingeveous olnt eve. Ous wesinoween k io Omto inacic. Fi sheourrom ic derersore p roprun p ac Ripret i toand Ofio. Haomll, e he lahe, Ecfiet k il Any stekpl n prth ofloss?"]

Despite Aurion's polite request and Wrukaog's shouts, the old man continues obliviously in his simple task, polishing and humming.  However he does acknowledge Tesseryn as the Paladin kneels at his side, nodding happily and inquiring in a quavering voice, "Prayers ?  It is not time for prayers already is it ?  Oh my !"

The four acolytes are rather more forthcoming, muscling up to stand protectively around their revered mentor, though they don't seem keen to lay hands upon Tesseryn and just lurk in close proximity, one eyeing him meaningfully.  "Where'd you lot come from ?" the second challenges Aurion, staring at the Elf with great distaste.  "What's he yellin' about ?" a third eyes the big Orc, somewhat uncertainly, but with distinct disapproval.

"You can't just barge in here and start prayin'," the last advises the group generally, most affronted. "That's not allowed !"

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

The orc proceeds to exit the shrine and take a look around outside.

"We came from another place and time young man, one beyond your ken, and mine I should add."

He smiled, and glanced around the place they had arrived in, feeling that it was quite the step up from last time.

"How we came to be here is perhaps more to the point. We are servants of the gods, very plural, and they have answered someone here's prayers by sending us here. Apparently something to do with an evil tower perhaps? Does that ring any bells?"

Brindle glances toward the doorway where Wrukaog went.

"He is not very happy about being here but none of us were given a choice about it either," he explains. "Just tell us what needs to be done. The sooner we can take care of that task, the sooner we will be on our way again. I imagine that would be best for all concerned."

Brindle moves over to the doorway then to see where Wrukaog goes.

Cogwitz recognized the defensive posture the people made within the chamber.  It was clear they would defend themselves if angered.   Cogwitz moved a few spaces towards the left side of the building (north of my position).  His hands did come down to his sides making it look like he was being non threatening.

For Brindle/GM:

Outside, Wrukoag is looking around, taking in the sights.

What kind of climate does this place have? Which direction is north? What time of the day is it? Are there other people outside? Any signs of damage to the structures? etc etc etc...

He won't move more than 30-40' away from the door, unless the people inside take a long damn time.

Tesseryn stands and offers a hand to help the old man stand also.  "You need not fear us."  he reassures the younger monks, "We mean no harm to Mitra's followers.  Yet you are wise to be watchful, for evil lurks nearby."  He glares purposefully about the temple, frowning at Wrukaog's outburst, then noticing Leisha's altered attire with a nod of approval. 

Turning again to the elder priest he repeats the question put by the elf.  "Someone has prayed for deliverance from Set's resurgent evil, and we have been sent by the gods in answer.  What do you fear?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:29, Fri 30 Oct 2015.

All the questions fall on deaf ears, as the old man returns once more to his task.

Aurion's mention of an evil tower and Tesseryn's remarks concerning Set do seem to strike a chord with the acolytes, however and the four exchange meaningful looks, one glancing at their master as if to assure himself that the old man has not been upset by such rudeness.

With Wrukaog heading off for some fresh air, and Brindle electing to follow him, Cogwitz also chooses to put some small distance between himself and expected trouble, leaving Aurion, Leisha and Tesseryn rather outnumbered.

"Nothing like that here," one of the acolytes asserts, perhaps thinking to spare his master your questions, shaking his head emphatically as he does so.  "We're just a small, peaceful village.  We don't want any trouble."

After a brief look outside, Brindle comes back in to speak to the acolytes.

"We are very sorry if we have caused any offence in any way. We certainly don't mean to. We are just new here, you see, and don't know our way around or local customs, so we might make a few mistakes until we get our bearings. Could one of you perhaps spare a few minutes to come outside and tell us a bit about the place and give us a few tips on where we should or shouldn't go and things we should or shouldn't do or say. I'm sure we can find an appropriate way to express our appreciation for that sort of assistance."

If Tesseryn is concerned by the gradual withdrawal of his companions he shows no sign.  He stands his ground as he draws his greatsword, and stands protectively over the kneeling elder.  "Evil reveal yourself!" he challenges, glaring at the four acolytes.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:09, Sat 31 Oct 2015.

With a deep sigh, Aurion sits back down. Yes, he knew common sense dialogue never worked, but he felt that he had had to try.

"Well, if there is no evil temple, perhaps we can go home now," he says to himself quietly.

Leaving Wrukaog outside to survey the village, Brindle re-enters the shrine, attempting to smooth over any little difficulties with the acolytes and asking nicely for their assistance.

Which is in complete contrast to Tesseryn's actions as the Paladin draws his greatsword and moves to guard the old priest who remains oblivious to the goings on around him, voicing a challenge to the four, who back hurriedly away.

"You can't do that !" complains one.  "We'll get the Sheriff on to you !" calls out another, though he looks worried as his gaze flicks to the entrance hall where the big Orc looms.

"Make him stop it !" the acolyte nearest to where Aurion and Leisha are sitting, entreats the pair.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Tesseryn sheathes his greatsword when the four acolytes retreat.  "Yes, bring the sheriff, and any other elders who can speak on behalf of the good folk Mitra's Fist."

He glances towards the kneeling monk, looking for any change in the old man's disposition as the acolytes back away, then returns his attention to the acolytes.

As Tesseryn sheaths his sword, Leisha smiles up at the acolytes. "You're quite welcome," she assures them.

Aurion pulls a book out of his pocket and begins to read.

"Maybe the sheriff can point us in the right direction, these guys are useless."

Cogwitz wasn't worried about having the law come to the temple.  It might mean that they would be able to get down to the mission at hand.  These acolytes clearly were sheltered and didn't know much of the world about them.

Bring on the law!!

Brindle looks around at his companions, new and old, and shakes his head sadly.

"Come on, let's leave. These gentlemen seem too upset to tell us what we need to know. Let's go and knock on some doors until we find someone who can give us the answers we need."

He turns and walks out the door to find Wrukaog again.

The orc has started to head toward the smithy to take a look around.

Any sounds of activity?

Taking a seat, Aurion continues to read. To the best of his recollection they were always summoned into the company of the one who had inspired the gods to send his party off to answer prayers, and patience was a virtue.

General consensus, as voiced by Tesseryn, Aurion and Cogwitz, is that summoning the Sheriff would be an excellent idea.  The acolytes relax a little as the Paladin sheathes his sword, but there is still a tense moment as a look passes between them before two break off, racing to be first away to fetch the upholder of law and order, while the other pair share a grimace, wishing they'd been faster.

One of those remaining looks sourly at Leisha, seemingly not at all appreciative of her efforts to quell the violence that failed to erupt, though neither seem willing to meet Tesseryn's stern gaze.

While Aurion settles back for a long wait, Brindle makes it to the threshhold of the shrine.  Heading south towards the Constabulary the two acolytes are making very good time, as if all the fiends of hell are snapping at their heels, while Wrukaog is moving slowly but purposefully towards the nearest building.

"Is it time for prayers ?" the old man looks up from his work, smiling at Tesseryn as if greeting him for the first time.

Wrukaog continues his tour.

Tesseryn glares once more at the remaining acolytes then looks toward his gods-given companions.  Aurion appears disinterested, his beak firmly planted in a book.  Cogwitz and Leisha appear untroubled by the acolytes.  Tesseryn shakes his head slowly, a small but deliberate gesture intended to convey some meaning to those two.

When the elder monk speaks, Tesseryn turns and kneels once more beside him.  He takes the old man's hand as his gaze searches the elder's face for understanding.  "There is always time for prayer.  It would aid our quest to know ... what did you ask of blessed Mitra?"

Brindle hurries to catch up with Wrukaog.

"That looks like a tavern. That's usually a good place to find people and answers," he suggests, pointing at one of the bigger buildings in the village.

Cogwitz looked to Brindle and smiled,  That sounds like a great place to start.

Waving to try and get the old fellows attention, Aurion responds. "Yes, let us pray again, I wish to join in."

Or listen in, more to the point, but the old guy seems confused enough.

"Yes indeed Aurion."  Tesseryn nods at the elf.  "Will you come kneel with us?"  He looks towards Leisha also, wondering if she too feels the need to pray.

The old man gladly takes Tesseryn's hand and nods happily at Aurion as the Elf joins the pair.  Leisha keeps an eye on the two remaining acolytes who glare at the three kneeling before the statue of Mitra, as Brindle and Cogwitz take off.

"Oh, the usual," the old man assures the Paladin.  "Rain for my vegetables... a mild winter ... good health for the mayor.  We are very blessed here."

"Oh !" his eyes widen as he looks at his hand clasped in Tesseryn's.  "Oh, I haven't felt like that in ... Mitra be praised !" he quavers. 

---

Outside, Wrukaog turns away from the Smithy and continues down the wide trail that boasts and impressive number of ruts and potholes as it ploughs through the centre of the village.  Behind him the two Halflings hurry to catch up, their shorter legs pumping to match the Orc's long strides, though all three seem most interested in what, from the dilapidate shingle that hangs from a building in no better repair, is "The Overlord's Inn", though the establishment lacks the sights and sounds that one would normally associated with such a venture.

"No, thank you," Leisha says to Tesseryn's invitation.  She clearly considers adding something, but then decides that actually, there is a time for dry wit and there is a time for, apparently, prayer, and she's at least willing to leave the former out of the latter this time.

Aurion follows along with the pray, interjecting at a convenient point, "and please protect us from that evil tower and it's minions..."

The Wacky Adventures of Wrukaog continues!
This message was last edited by the player at 12:01, Tue 17 Nov 2015.

Tesseryn listens solemnly to the old monk's wisdom.  Its usually best to keep it simple when asking the gods for aid.  He nods his agreement with Aurion, adding  "whilst we smite them with righteous might."  With prayers completed he stands, placing his hand on Mitra's polished foot to help push up in the heavy armour, and clanks past Leisha to the door to take in the view while waiting for the sheriff.

"The Overlord's Inn ... which way should we go ... over or in ... over or in? In, I think."

Brindle mutters to himself before finally approaching the front door of the Inn.

Cogwitz cracks a giggle at Brindle's comment.  We must first go over the doorstep though.

As the prayers conclude and Tesseryn makes his way to the shrine's entrance, the two acolytes find their work cut out for them, trying to watch the Paladin at one end of the building, Leisha sitting quite comfortably on the pews and Aurion over by the statue with the old man, though it is the Elf's words which win out in gaining their attention. 

Indeed, Aurion's question is of great concern to the elderly priest of Mitra who struggles painfully to his feet, gratefully accepting any aid if it is offered.

"The evil tower ?  Minions ?" he seems most confused  "That sounds most terrible."  He tuts sympathetically.  "If I could do anything to help ... perhaps a prayer ?"  He looks down to the stone flags, gamely contemplating the descent back to his knees.

---

Wrukaog pauses before what appears to be a general store, pushing open the door for a look inside. 

More tempted by the siren call of the Inn, both Halflings hurry down to the next building, exchanging a quick jest as they enter. 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:40, Wed 18 Nov 2015.

"Over and in, that makes a lot more sense," Brindle agrees with a grin.

But his grin fades as soon as he sees the reception awaiting them inside the Inn.

"You know what, Cogwitz? On second thoughts, I think it would be terribly selfish not to share this experience with our friends. Let's go see who wants to join us," he hurriedly suggests to the other Halfling.

Wrukaog, likely within earshot of the two halflings, immediately slams the door shut to the general store from the outside.

He then makes his way over to the Inn, nodding at the little people. "Now we wait until the gods are bored enough to push us on to the next place? Or are the others finding information?"

Cogwitz likewise looked at the unhappy individuals in the Inn and waved at them with a smile. You may be right.

But, then he heard Wrukaog say something and head their way it seemed.  Cogwitz peeked outside to see. Oh here comes our friend, maybe we stay?

"Yes, another prayer is never a bad idea Master," Aurion suggests, helping the man return to his knees if he seriously wishes to do that.

Impatient to begin the smiting and making restitution for his past failings, Tesseryn begins to pace the length of the shrine.  "There's a village out there, but no one about."  Then, becoming aware that his ringing stride may distract those who are still at prayer, he pauses once more at the entrance to keep watch over the village.

Brindle grinned at Cogwitz and Wrukaog and stepped back a step from the door.

"After you, if you are thirsty enough," he offered.

Wrukaog seems completely unaware, or uncaring, of the leers coming their way. "Why in the nine hells not."


He enters and makes his way to the tall bartender, barking as he approaches, "Three mugs of the worst swill you have.

Two big ones, and one bigger one."

He claps his large hands down forcefully on the bar.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:40, Thu 19 Nov 2015.

Cogwitz was thinking it was good to have this rather large orc in this instance.  He followed right behind Wrukaog.  That will do just fine Wrukaog, thanks.  Cogwitz said as he hopped up onto a barstool, his pack jingling on his back.

Even with Aurion's much welcomed assistance, the old man's journey back to the floor is fraught and uncertain ... but eventually if painfully realised.  As Leisha keeps a close watch on the two acolytes, Tesseryn impatiently ceases his pacing, looking out over the village beyond, praying earnestly for someone to smite.

"Oh mighty Mitra, Lord of the Sun, may we ever strive to be so staunch in the face of darkness as thee ..." the old man begins, his voice quivering and quavering, turning to the Elf at his side as he continues "... protect these poor pilgrims who come to thee, supplicants for thy great and unending mercy ..."

---

Joining the Halfings in the tavern, Wrukaog shares much of the Paladin's frustration, though the presence of the big Orc emboldens Brindle and Cogwitz in the face of the unfriendly looks the trio receive.  The barkeep is big, but of a height with Wrukaog, and stands, chewing his lip for a moment in the face of the Orc's demand before his lips split into a broad grin, displaying grey, petrified teeth.  "Comin' right up," he acquiesces, fetching two huge tankards and one even larger which might actually be a milk churn, filling each in turn from a small barrel under the counter.  "Only the good stuff for our guests," he assures Wrukaog.  "Isn't that right ladies and gentlemen ?!!  These folk are guests in our village !"

The barkeep's words seem to be a signal to the other patrons of the Inn that you are to be welcomed, for the hostile stares vanish, one or two raising their own cups in salute before turning back to their own business.  The atmosphere is still very subdued, but at least no longer deathly so. 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Grabbing up the mug of ale Cogwitz takes a god swig of the drink and says, now that is more like it!!  The stuff wasnt what he was used to, but it sufficed.

Aurion prays along, looking for a good point to add, "protect these pilgrims whose intent it is to go into the back tower and root out the evil that dwells there..."

The orc nods at the man, then takes a big series of gulps himself. He wipes his mouth off with his forearm and reflects on how it tastes.

Brindle has a drink as well, although he braces himself to be disappointed by the taste. After all, it is hardly likely to compare favourably to the Barleyborough VSOP Ale he had enjoyed a few minutes earlier.

"Thanks. We're new here. Do you know anyone who needs a job done? Something that pays well?" He asked.

Finally standing, Leisha moves closer to the acolytes, smiling.  "So, you don't hold much with all of this prayer business either, I take it?" she asks, politely.

Tesseryn briefly considers storming the imposing looking tower, then Leisha's words draw his attention back inside.  He shakes his metal clad head as he strides back into the shrine.  By the will of Dauros he was placed here with these people, so he had best work with them and share what little he knows.

Stopping halfway along the pews, Tesseryn beckons to Leisha and Aurion.  "A word, if I may."

The three at the Overlord's Inn eagerly take up their tankards and drink ... and while the taste might not compare with the best you have had, it is surprisingly good.  Certainly the barkeep is appreciative of your efforts, for he grins broadly, once more displaying his stone teeth.  "Drink up," he nods.

"Pretty quiet here," he replies to Brindle.  "Not much in the way of work, and nothing that pays enough to interest fine gentlemen such as yourselves.  But if you're staying, I can ask around.  See what I can find.  Can do you a good rate on rooms too ?" he inquires hopefully.

---

Back at the Shrine, Leisha confronts the two remaining acolytes, in the nicest possible way, though the pair affect to look affronted at her question.  "We're men of god, we are !" one asserts, while the other shakes his head angrily.  "Mitra !" he insists.

Tesseryn abandons, at least for the moment, all thought of an attack on the tower to the south, instead calling the other two towards him ...

Still down on his knees with the old man, Aurion cleverly inserts a mention of the black tower into the prayers, though it garners no reaction from the priest, save for an encouraging if not quite comprehending smile.

"And please, oh Shining One, protect these pilgrims," the old man rounds up, staring beatifically at the statue of his god.  "May they not disappear like all the others."

Smiling again at Aurion he offers his elbow hopefully as he prepares to rise to his feet.

Leisha gives the two boys a friendly smile, and says, "That sounds like something you might need to talk out a bit.  I'll go see what my friend needs."  With a small wave, she joins Tesseryn, pausing to help the old man up as she passes.

The orc clops his already-one-third-empty bucket down onto the bar with a hint of a smile. "Not too damn bad.

How much do I..." his lips curl back from his teeth suddenly, as he proceeds to let out a massive and sustained belch for several seconds before continuing his sentence, "...owe you."

Cogwitz almost fell off his stool when Wrukaog belched.  Straightening his tunic Cogwitz likewise dug deep and gave out a loud belch of his own.  It didn't rival Wrukaog's, but was higher in pitch.  Then he laughed loud...

Offering his assistance to the worthy elder, Aurion inquires as to the others who had vanished.

Brindle shrugs and hands over the appropriate coin for his own drink too.

"I'm not sure if we will be staying if there is no work for us here. But tell us a bit about the place anyway. Is there a lord of the manor or someone like that in the big place across the road or does the person in charge live in that big black tower back there?" He asked.

Tesseryn leans close to Leisha and whispers so that only she can hear ...

"Careful, you'll wake up old Beldar," the barkeep cautions after Wrukaog then Cogwitz show their appreciation for the brew, "then you'll have to buy him a drink, and nobody's pockets are that deep !"  This brings a rumble of laughter from the crowd, as the lone occupant of a table at the south end of the common room stirs and half raises his glass, hand shaking in the attempt, before falling back, the cup falling over and spilling most of the contents before he manages to right it.

"No charge for the first one," the barkeep adds with a smile, waving away the proffered coin from the Orc and Brindle.  "The next will cost you a silver coin."

"Not much to tell," he shrugs.  "My grandfather reckoned that the village used to be a popular stop for traders once upon a time, but those days are long gone ... we reckon anyone coming here now has lost their way in the high passes !"

"Aye, the big house is the Mayor's.  The tower ?  Used to be a watchtower, when there was something here worth watching over.  Not used at all now."

---

On principle, the acolytes seem to be very much against Leisha's stated intention to speak with Tesseryn, but neither give voice to their objections, settling for dark looks instead.  Passing by the old man as Aurion is helping him struggle up, the young woman offers her assistance before joining the Paladin who whispers quietly in her ear.

Once the Elf is sure that the old man is steady on his feet and not about to topple over he presses him for details of the disappearances. 

"People ... seem to be here one day, then gone the next," the priest explains.  "Though perhaps it's just my mind wandering.  I'm not as young as I used to be, you know.  Though I do miss the children.  You never see any children around here nowdays ..." he trails off.

"I bet there would be a good view from the top of that tower. Perhaps we could climb up there and have a look. That would certainly help us get our bearings," Brindle suggested thoughtfully.

Cogwitz looked over to the drunkard alone at the table... for just a split second he thought about the easy target he could be to rob... but then his wits came back to him as he heard Brindle speak of going to the top of the tower to get a better look around.

I will go with, we will see what we can and give a report back to the others.

Wrukaog seems to be in agreement with his two small companions. He takes another long chug from his drink before moving to leave to go climb the tower with Brindle and Cogwitz, half-full bucket of ale still in hand.

He nods to the barman, "I will bring this back," then heads for the door.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:54, Sun 29 Nov 2015.

If the old man is willing, Aurion leads him to a nice place to sit, then offers him some elven wine, telling him first what it is in case the man has some religious issue with alcohol.

"I fear something might be going on. Your acolytes seem unwilling to discuss these disappearances, or the dark tower. Me and my comrades would really like to help."

Tesseryn nods solemnly at Leisha and gives the acolytes another stern glare.  He retrieves his sack from the front pews and reports his intentions to the priest and Aurion  "Their sheriff has failed to appear.  I shall investigate the tower on the hill south of here."  He strides from the shrine and turns left.

With a final word to Leisha, Tesseryn decides to go looking for trouble.  Aurion, on the other hand is most solicitous of the poor old man who is Mitra's chief servant in this small village, and settles him down on the nearest bench, kindly offering him some wine from a picnic basket, which the old man accepts with a guilty smile.

"Thank you, thank you," he nods happily.  "My name is Cornelious, by the way.  Most glad to make your acquaintance."

"There was tower of black stone in these parts, or so it was reputed, but Mitra himself is said to have struck it down many, many years ago.  No, we have no need to fear any such things nowdays.  As I said, our village is blessed with peace and tranquility ... though," he seems somewhat reluctant, embarrassed even, to say it, "visitors, whole caravans even just seem to vanish in the night."

"I am getting forgetful in my old age," he sighs sadly.

---

The three drinkers, on the other hand are all in full agreement - that the tower that looms over the south east of the village warrants immediate investigation, if nothing else for the commanding view of the valley that it must offer.  Heading back outside, Brindle and Cogwitz take the lead, allowing Wrukaog to amble after them, drinking as he goes.

However the trio do not get far when they notice a crowd of people coming towards them - four guards, from their officious bearing and the chainmail they wear, and while they are all armed, none have weapons drawn.  Behind them caper the other two acolytes who point at you in no little agitation as they spot you in the street before them, though the guards do not seem to share their excitement.

Some distance to the east, the Paladin is just beginning his climb up the hill towards the tower, when he catches sight of the guards.

OOC: Maps of the proceedings updated ... Main map shows your approximate positions in the village, while the Group 0 map shows your current location in a bit more detail.

The orc waits for the little men who seem to like to talk to do the talking. In the meantime, there's the other two thirds of his bucket to drain.

Brindle looks at Cogwitz and Wrukaog for a moment to check what their reactions are, then he takes a couple of steps forward toward the approaching guards.

"Hello, gentlemen. Thank you for coming to greet us. We are new here, as you can tell, so we would welcome any suggestion about where to find lodgings and employment. We were just going to climb up the tower over there to look at the view and see the layout of this place. Perhaps you would like to join us and point out anything of interest once we get there?"

Cogwitz looked at Brindle at the exact moment he looked at him.  From anothers point of view it might have seemed a funny sight.  When they both looked back to the guards, Brindle was the first to speak.  So Cogwitz shut his open mouth until after Brindle was finished.  Yes, this is correct, employment and rest.  We have been travelling long and could use a nice place to rest our weary heads.  Cogwitz elbows Brindle with the last part.

"Thanks," Leisha says to Tesseryn as he heads out. 

Shaking her head bemusedly, she returns to the two acolytes remaining.  "So, have you two worked things out yet?" she asks, curiously.

Tesseryn ignores the guards and continues uphill towards the tower.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:33, Thu 10 Dec 2015.

"Well met, Cornelious, my name is Aurion," the elf replied. "It was my understanding that you had asked wise and powerful Mitra for some assistance, can you recall making such a request, wise one?"

The pair of acolytes transfer their glares from Aurion to Leisha.  "Mitra !" one insists in a decisive manner that causes his fellow to wince.  "Mitra," he concurs, no less confidently, but with a note of resignation.

"And don't you forget it !" the first warns, shaking his finger at her, as the other closes his eyes and shakes his head.

Aurion's words seem to confuse Cornelious.  "I prayed for my vegetables," the old priest avows uncertainly, "the mayor ... just ordinary things, really," he looks hopeful that this will satisfy the Elf.  "I could pray for you ?" he suggests kindly.  "You do seem very worried about a dark tower ?"

---

As they draw closer, you see that one of the approaching guards is more grandly dressed than the others, wearing an ornate suit of platemail, obviously a valuable family heirloom, and indeed it is he who waves curtly at the two trailing acolytes to quieten their complaints, then, after a quick smirk at the otherwise occupied Wrukaog, a lazy gesture to his men, obviously a signal of some sort to order them to stand down.

"Greetings, travellers," he smiles thinly, his voice oily.  "These priests were worried that you had lost your way.  More than glad to help you out, it is my duty after all."  Some of his men titter at this.

"I'm the Sheriff here. Merth," he inclines his head as he replies to Cogwitz, his sinuous movement reminding you very much of a snake, "I think you have already made the acquaintance of our innkeep Melkor - I'm sure he'd be only too happy to arrange rooms for you."

"As for our tower ... by all means," he encourages Brindle, "though I'm not a young man - I'll leave such exertions to yourselves."

One of the acolytes whispers urgently in his ear, and he turns with an angry look that sees that unfortunate scuttle away, almost falling over in his haste.  Looking back, he asks, "It seems you've misplaced the rest of your little band ?"

As you converse, Tesseryn glances your way, but continues uphill to the base of the tower, slowly circling around it.

Tesseryn makes another circuit of the tower then stands with mailed fists on armoured hips glaring down upon the village.

"I would appreciate it greatly sir," Aurion replied, giving up hope that he would ever make the correct decision about these things.

With the conversation seemingly going well enough, Wrukaog excuses himself from the situation and walks from behind the halflings, around the sheriff and remaining acolyte, and makes his way toward the tower with the intention to begin heading to its top immediately.

He slows a for a few steps every once in a while to gulp down a few more mouthfuls of his bucket.

"Thank you, Sheriff. Oh, we're not a band. Fellow travellers, I suppose would be as good a description as any. We just met up on the way here, although we'll probably get together at meal times to swap stories, I expect. The others are probably just off exploring different bits of the village." Brindle explains to the Sheriff.

"Thanks again. We'll go climb that tower now and look at the view."

He takes his leave and heads off up the hill after Wrukaog.

Cogwitz watched as Wrukaog moved off towards the tower.  Cogwitz wanted to get up there as well and was itching to go, but didn't want to be rude to the sheriff.  Yes, we were at the inn already and will most likely return when we get done looking around.  Anything in particular we should be looking at in your fine city?

Wrukaog and Brindle make their excuses and head up to join Tesseryn at the grey stone tower, while Cogwitz continues to converse with the Sheriff, who smiles indulgently at the Halfling while signalling to three of his men to follow the others.

"If you judge this a city, then I'm afraid you and your friends are either very much lost, else have not travelled very widely," Merth smiles thinly.  "There's nothing of interest here.  Most caravanners prefer to take the western passes these days.  What visitors we get are barely enough to keep business limping along."

The Orc and Halfling join the Paladin at the base of the tower before the three trail around it, Tesseryn's hand scraping across the rough stone, while Wrukaog pauses frequently to down the rough ale. 

---

"You really don't need to worry yourself over this dark tower," Cornelious pats Aurion on his arm kindly.  "Long gone, long gone."

"There was a White tower here first, of course," the old man suddenly remembers. "Not this," he waves his hand around to indicate the shrine in which you sit, "many, many years before this was built, though it stands on the same spot."

Once more the priest manages to drag his underlings attention away from Leisha.

"A most terrible battle, so the stories say,fought between the priests of Light and Darkness when the Black tower was raised.  Many, many died," the old priest shudders at the memory, though the events of which he speaks are but legends now, the dead in their graves for centuries.

"But Mitra saved the village," he repeats himself, though knows not that he does so. "Raised the earth itself to bury both towers far beneath the ground, may His name be praised !"

"So you really mustn't worry ..."

Tesseryn completes his second circuit of the tower without finding any way in.  "I can find no way in." he tells Brindle and Wrukaog redundantly.  "You should know, Dauros grants me the power to detect evil.  This whole village reeks of it, as do the four acolytes we met in the chapel.  This tower does not.  Nor did the elderly priest.  Therefore I shall return to the starting point to ponder anew this conundrum."

He strides once more down the hill towards the chapel.

Cogwitz pondered what the sheriff had to say about the village.  It was a curious thing... why did all the caravans bypass this place?  Well, if there is nothing of note, I will take my leave of you, Cogwitz remarked.  Cogwitz then run up to the tower to the others.

OOC: How's the tower's surface? Are there some gaps and finger holds? Some nice little ledges where a stone brick or two are protruding every once in a while?

Brindle stood beside Wrukaog and looked up at the tower, too. He shuddered slightly at the enormous height of it rearing above him.

"I have some rope," he said quietly to the orc so the three sheriff's men wouldn't overhear. "Only about 30 feet of it, though, and nothing to tie it to. Perhaps someone else has more? If you do decide to try the climb my magic can catch you if you fall."

Accepting the old mans prayers, Aurion offers his thanks, then heads out to find the others.

Thanking Cornelius for his prayers, Aurion elects to join his friends, though Leisha remains behind, unwilling as yet to leave the old man alone with his acolytes.

Looking around, the Elf spots his friends and companions over by the tall grey tower on a rise to the south and begins to walk towards them, just as Tesseryn descends the hill, heading back to the Shrine.

The pair meet about halfway.

Meantime Wrukaog takes a short pause from drinking to survey said tower.  As Cogwitz hurries up, the rest of the guards trailing behind him as they follow more slowly, the big orc eyes the poor stonework speculatively. Certainly there are plenty of hand and foot holds, though the real question is whether or not the entire edifice would survive any attempt to climb it.  Indeed the whole structure looms large in Brindle's vision, prompting the halfing to offer rope, if not magical assistance should Wrukaog be foolhardy enough to make the attempt.

"You boys thinking of making the climb ?" one of the guards standing behind you asks, lip curled.  "Time was no lad around here would consider himself a man until he'd stood himself atop the old lookout.

Stepping outside, Aurion sniffs at the air and examines the sky. Was there anything that placed him in a new and unique world? He couldn't tell. He wondered how many moons he would see once the sun went down.

Spotting the others, he considers joining them, but diverts his course to meet up with the approaching Sir Brightsoul. Perhaps he had learned something of value that he wanted to share...

"Not me," Brindle responds to the guard. "That's twice the climb for someone as little as me compared to someone as tall as you are. Maybe Wrukaog will give it a go? What's up there anyway? How many didn't make it up there safely?"

"Nothing much," the guard shrugs, "it's just a lookout.  There was a ladder once upon a time, but that's long since rusted away."

"Nobody we miss," he laughs.

Tesseryn stops next to Aurion and shares a quiet word or two.

"Your friend doesn't fancy the climb ?" the Sheriff asks as he ambles up. His gaze flicking to Tesseryn in the distance where he converses with Aurion, before travelling up the stone edifice and back down to those who remain gathered about the base.  "Sensible man.  The old tower has seen better days, I'll admit."

Wrukaog lifts his chain shirt up over his head and undoes his belt with its various oddities hanging from it, then proceeds to drop both onto the ground rather unceremoniously. He continues by removing and dropping his spiked gauntlet, backpack, javelins, massive longbow, and quivers. Finally, he takes his axe in hand and turns to everyone.

Speaking flatly, "If a person touches my axe, I will be very angry." He then drops it, and it lands on the ground with an disproportionately large thud.

Pointing a tooth and fang-laden smile at Brindle, "Yes, catch me if I fall, magic or not."


And with that, he begins to climb up.


Taking 10 yields 18, should that be sufficient. If someone has some climber's gear or a climber's kit they'd like to offer, that bumps it up by 2 more.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:58, Wed 06 Jan 2016.

Tesseryn indeed continues to converse with Aurion.

OOC: If anyone else has some rope Brindle will suggest Wrukaog takes it with him so he can bring others up after he reaches the top. Brindle has 30ft of silk rope to contribute but that is not enough on its own for the 50ft tower.

Brindle grins and steps forward beneath the point where Wrukaog is climbing. He holds out his arms and braces himself ready to catch the big orc if he falls. But it is obviously just pretence. After the joke is done he steps back 10 feet from the wall and looks up to watch his progress.

Yeah, Wrukaog will carry up enough rope to drop down and other kind of common sense stuff if it's available.

edit- You know, like a spyglass or anything.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:48, Wed 06 Jan 2016.

Meanwhile, back in the temple, Leisha smiles agreeable.  "Well, Mitra, clearly.  There's a statue and everything," she allows, gesturing.

Lowering her voice, though, she leans a bit closer, with a small sigh.  "I have to admit, I myself find him a little... clean cut, for my tastes.  But, of course, I'm not an acolyte.  I'm sure he suits you much better."

Giggling as Brindle held out his arms, Cogwitz came over and did the same.  IT was a fun joke at first, but after a bit with no one laughing with him, Cogwitz stepped back.

How is the climb big guy?

Taking his leave of the elf, Tesseryn returns to the shrine, glancing up at the tower to see how Wrukaog is going before entering.  Once inside he marches to the front, making a solemn nod towards Leisha but ignoring the acolytes so as not to antagonize them further, and sits beside Corneleus, placing a hand on the old priest's shoulder and trying to engage him in conversation.  "Tell me of your youth, venerable one.  Have you always lived in this village ...?"

Stepping back into the temple, Aurion waits in the back, eyeing the acolytes carefully.

The two acolytes seem more confused than offended by Leisha's blasphemy.  "He's a ... sun god !" offers one as proof of his devotion.  "Very ... holy ?" the other concurs, uncertainly.

Beyond the shrine, indeed half way between that confirmedly holy edifice and the tall stone tower to the south, we find Aurion and Tesseryn, their earnest conversation too distant from prying ears for their words to be overheard, though the result is that the pair repair to the aforementioned shrine.

Which leaves just the crowd around the tower, where Wrukaog prepares himself to climb.  Armour and weapons land upon the sloping ground as the large orc flexes his muscles, looking upwards as he picks his path.

"I can have someone fetch you a coil of rope if you don't mind waiting ?" the Sheriff inquires.  "No trouble." 

But Wrukaog is not one to linger.  With but a warning to everyone not to touch his stuff, and a request to Brindle to catch him if he falls, the Orc begins to climb ...

Brindle makes a show of putting his arms out ready to catch the intrepid climber, as does Cogwitz ... but the Halflings soon beat a hasty retreat as they find themselves showered by fine dust and the occasional larger chunk of stone.  But such hazards do not deter the doughty Wrukaog, who slowly but steadily makes his way up the side of the tower until he finally pulls himself over the ledge at the top, to scattered applause and hoots of approbation from the Sheriff and his men. 

Aurion and Tesseryn finally reach the temple, the Elf hanging back while the Paladin approaches Cornelius.  The old priest nods happily, though he blinks confusedly for a few moments, showing no sign that he recognises Tesseryn, though is pleased enough to speak to him.  "Oh no," he corrects the Paladin. "Why I've only been here for ... why it must be twenty years now, though sometimes I doubt it can every have been that long.  No one ever seems to get any older, you know.  And there's no children ..." he trails off, lost in memories.

Since he's up there, Wrukaog takes a moment to look around, paying little mind to the calls and cheers from below.

He does, however, look down after a minute to make sure nobody has touched his axe.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:53, Mon 11 Jan 2016.

"Mmm."  Leisha shrugs, glancing at her fingernails.  "I mean, the sun is nice, don't get me wrong, I guess I'm just more of a night person.  Well."  She glances over towards the door as Aurion and Tesseryn come back in, and smiles brightly at the acolytes.  "Well, perhaps I'll see you around."

With a wave, she walks towards the back, joining Aurion.  "Anything interesting outside?" she asks, curiously.

Tesseryn pats Cornelius' shoulder comfortingly with his mailed gauntlet, then rises to stand next to the statue of Mitra.  Conversationally he remarks  "Indeed you must miss the joy of children.  But surely a long life is a blessing, would you not agree?"  He uses the distraction of Leisha's departure to lean heavily against the statue, hopefully not attracting the notice of the acolytes.

Brindle smiles cheerfully at the Sheriff.

"Yes please, a coil of rope would be most helpful," he replies.

The acolytes' attention is upon Leisha as she walks to the rear of the shrine to join Aurion and they try to determine the meaning of her words, or to at least find a cause for fault.

Meantime Tesseryn continues his religious discourse with old Cornelius.  "Oh yes ... a blessing from Mitra," the old man agrees, though he seems uncertain as the Paladin leans against the statue of his god. 

---

The Sheriff smirks, finding some amusement in Brindle's request, shrugging his shoulders and gesturing with a wave of his hand to one of his men to comply, while up above Wrukaog stands tall, surveying the world beneath him.

Tesseryn slumps down at the foot of the statue with a muffled clank.  He picks up Cornelius's rag absentmindedly and begins polishing Mitra's foot.  "How may we aid thee Mitra?" he mutters as he rubs.

Wrukaog finishes shuffling around at the top of the tower.

Not quite shouting down to those below, "If you want to throw up some rope, I can wait. I am done up here, otherwise."

"Yes, wait for the rope," Brindle calls back up to Wrukaog. "I'm sure others would like to join you up there."

Aurion leans close in towards Leisha.

Presently the guard returns with a coil of rope, passing it to Brindle at a sign from his superior, who nods politely to the Halfling, looking up the tower expectantly, where Wrukaog waits.

---

Back in the shrine, Aurion whispers in Leisha's ear as the acolytes look on, straining to hear and obviously frustrated at their failure.  One of the pair begins to side towards the entrance, the other following a pace behind.

Old Cornelious struggles to his feet and totters over to where Tesseryn sits.  "You seem troubled, my son," the priest remarks, a note of concern in his quavering voice. "Unburden yourself to me - the holy radience of Mitra's grace will banish all doubts and fears, you know."

Cogwitz looked to Brindle as he was handed the rope.  Now how are you going to throw that up there?  Then he giggled...

Leisha laughs and slaps Aurion playfully on the shoulder.  "Oh, I'm sure that's not true," she says, looking back at the pair as if Aurion had just told her a joke that began with `you know what they say about the size of an acolyte's...'  "They seem nice enough, just a little bit set on Mitra -- he's practically all they'll talk about.  Mitra this, Mitra that, almost certainly Mitra."  She wrinkles her nose, not quite rolling her eyes.

Brindle accepts the coil of rope gratefully but lays it down at his feet. He starts rummaging in his backpack and pulls out a smaller coil of silk rope. After rummaging a bit deeper he produces a ball of string as well. Then he unwinds and lays out the 100ft long string on the ground in a zigzag pattern that won't tangle as it is pulled up the tower. He ties one end of the 30ft silk rope to the string (tying multiple knots to make sure it won't slip) then ties the other end of the silk rope to the heavier rope (again doubling up on the knots). Then he offers the loose end of the string to whichever of his companions is carrying a bow or crossbow.

"Tie the string to an arrow and shoot it just over the top of the tower so the string will drape across the top of the tower. Then Wrukaog can pull the ropes up with the string. The silk rope is lighter, so pulling that up first will reduce the weight the string has to support. The string should be strong enough for that."

Wrukaog boredly watches all unfold from above on the tower, occasionally surveying the surroundings again. Once it looks like someone is about to fire the arrow will duck back from the ledge to avoid being struck.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:36, Sun 24 Jan 2016.

"I have recently unburdened myself upon a kind young priest of Brandobaris" he sighs.  "I do not seek absolution, Wise One.  Rather my doubt concerns how to begin the quest that my companions and I have arrived here to fulfill.  When no enemy presents itself, just how does one 'get in there and sort it out'?"

As Wrukaog waits atop the tower, Brindle carefully lays out a trail of string and ropes of various thicknesses ... however it seems this effort may be all for naught as neither Halfling, nor the Sheriff or his men are in possession of either bow or crossbow.

There is a very sturdy looking longbow sitting amidst the big Orc's pile of gear, though it would be a brave man or Halfling that would ignore Wrukaog's admonition not to touch.

---

Half way down the nave, the two acolytes pause at Leisha's words to Aurion, seemingly mollified by her remarks, although neither look altogether happy.

Nor does Cornelius who is still trying to console Tesseryn.  "Enemies, oh dear," the old priest quavers, shaking his head sadly.  "What is this quest you speak of ?  Perhaps I might help you ?" he pats the young man's shoulder in sympathy.

Brindle frowns when the flaw in his plan becomes evident. He looks up at the height of the tower, holding up his hands to judge it better, but frowns again.

He turns to Cogwitz and asks, "Would you mind going over to the shrine and see if Tesseryn, Aurion or Leisha can help us get the string or rope up to Wrukaog? I didn't notice whether any of them had a bow, crossbow, darts or javelin but maybe they have another idea anyway. Unless you already have another suggestion?"

Maybe I could tie the string to a magic missile? hehehe...

As Brindle was getting the string, Cogwitz was looking for a rocks that they might tie the string to to be able to throw it up to Wrukaog.  If he doesn't find any rocks suitable, Cogwitz will do as Brindle requested and head to the others to see if they have a bow.

Brindle held the string with the stone tied to the end dangling down below his hand. A sudden revelation lit up his face.

"Wait a minute! This is sort of like a sling, isn't it? Just a bit different. That might actually work!"

He steps back a bit further from the tower then starts to whirl the stone around in a vertical circle toward the tower. After a few swings the stone is whizzing round at speed and he whips his arm upward, letting go of the string to send the stone soaring upwards, trailing the string behind it as it flies toward the top of the tower.

OOC: Brindle rolled 29 using 1d20+10.  String sling shot #1. (Subtract penalties for range and improvised weapon, but should still be good enough to lob the stone over the tower so the string falls across the top of the tower. If not ... try, try again. :o)

Now that the acolytes are out of earshot, Tesseryn makes a last attempt, pressing Cornelius with some plain questions.  He pauses after each question to allow the poor old priest time to respond and hopefully not become too overwhelmed.  "We are heroes sent by the Gods to aid Mitra's followers.  Do you recall any legend that foretold our coming?  This shrine was built upon the ruin of Mitra's tower.  Is there some way to access that buried tower from here, a hidden passage or tunnel perhaps?  The tower of Set was said to be nearby.  What feature marks that site?  The grey tower that overlooks the village has no door or window.  What was its purpose?  You said no one gets any older, and there are no children.  Who was the last new arrival here, before us?"

Cogwitz is able to find some likely looking rocks, just lying about, which provides the inspiration Brindle needs.  Tying his string to his chosen rock, the Halfling whirls it round and round, loosing it perfectly and sending it flying over Wrukaog's head.  The Orc easily snatches the string from the air and begins to haul it up, soon getting his hands on the silken rope that trails behind it, allowing those below to scale the tower with considerably less danger and effort than himself, though they will be relying upon him to anchor them, for while there are sufficient gaps between the stones to fasten the rope, most like any strain would send both climber and stone crashing down.

---

Unheard by the acolytes, Cornelius's responds to Tesseryn's questions. The mention of being sent by the gods garners a polite nod, but a shake of the head suggests such a momentous happening was not in any way prophesied.

But "the Tower of Light ?" the old priest remarks brightly, hoping this might cheer the Paladin.  "Why, there's a shaft leading down to it just over there," he turns unsteadily, gesturing towards the pews behind him. "Probably not much to see, of course, as it's been sealed away for hundreds of years ... but if it would bring you any comfort ..." 

The two acolytes turn around abruptly from their vigil over Aurion and Leisha, as their master's enthusiastic response reaches their ears.  "There's a WHAT ?" asks one, incredulously.  "You old FOOL !" the other growls, menacingly.

Brindle looks up at the top of the tower and grins in satisfaction. But his grin soon turns to a much less enthusiastic expression as he contemplates the amount of effort required to climb all the way up that rope.

"Hey, Wrukaog. Is there actually anything interesting to see when we get up there? Is there a roof or a trapdoor up there, or stairs or ladder leading down inside, or what? Is the view worth the climb?"

"No."

"Thank you."  Tesseryn assures Cornelius earnestly.  He regains his feet and stands protectively in front of the elderly priest, mailed fists planted on armoured hips, and glares at the acolytes.  "You know just what I'm going to do next.  Go and fetch your sheriff if you must, but do not seek to interfere."

Leisha perks up at this new development, and, behind the acolytes, gives Tesseryn an admiring look for a moment.  Then she pauses, her brow furrowing, and turns to Aurion.

Clapping at the fine ob Brindle did with the string, Cogwitz was ready to climb up the rope when Brindle asked if there was anything up top.  It is perhaps that he is unable to see anything that might not want to be seen.  Let us go up anyways and see what we may.

"Well, at least something is happening, eh Leisha?"

Aurion steps forward.

"Well, do you have plans to interfere? I do hope so..."

As he speaks, his venomous snakes slither up out of his collar, hissing at the acolytes.

OOC - as non-nonchalantly as possible, the elf will cast grease under the feet of the ne'er do wells.

"Alright, you go on up then," Brindle tells Cogwitz. "I am so bad at climbing that the only way I'll ever make it to the top is if I tie myself to the rope and someone pulls me there. I'll stay here and catch you if you fall."

Cogwitz grabbed the rope in both hands then began climbing up the tower using his feet to brace on the surface and even trying to get footholds as he did so.  Yea, make it a cushy fall for me if I do.  Hehehe


19:15, Today: Cogwitz rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  climb check.

Tesseryn is momentarily perplexed at Leisha's look then heartened by Aurion menacing the acolytes.  He stands his ground in front of Cornelius waiting to see what the acolytes do and ready to defend the priest with his fists if required.

Despite Wrukaog's succinct appraisal that the view from the top isn't worth it, the Halflings remained determined.  A quick discussion sees Cogwitz grabbing the loose end of the rope and begins his ascent, and in what seems like no time at all gains the top of the tower where the big Orc awaits him. 

---

Tesseryn stands before Cornelius, fists clenched, daring the acolytes to attempt to harm the old priest.  But the pair seem rather more determined to seek out the help the Paladin suggested ...

"Out of the way, you two !" orders one angrily as they approach Leisha and Aurion who exchange a look and a few words before the Elf steps forward to block the way, his reptilian companions wrapping themselves about his neck as he confronts the pair.

The eyes of the acolytes widen, and they pause uncertainly for but a moment then fall to their knees, prostrating themselves before Aurion.

"We're sorry, Master !" one pleads.  "We didn't know !" the other wails.

"Report, tell me of the situation, all the details, and quickly, or you shall feel the lash!"

Cogwitz looked around as he reached the top of the tower.  There was indeed a sight to be seen and it was much better then below.  He noted the three armed guards patrolling the wall, but nothing else of note really.  Cogwitz then began to look ore closely at the top of the tower.  He began to search for signs of a secret door of some sort.  He paid close attention to the bird droppings as they may seep into a crevice or something to reveal the secret or trap door.  At first it is a quick survey, if he can't find anything he takes much longer to look.

09:23, Today: Cogwitz rolled 17 using 1d20+11.  search check
If nothing found he takes 10 for a total of 21 for the search.

Brindle breathes a sigh of relief when Cogwitz makes it safely to the top of the tower. He waits patiently to find out if the halfling shares Wrukaog's opinion of the tower.

Certain now that Aurion will not allow the acolytes to harm Cornelius, Tesseryn takes the old priest's arm and moves with him to the north end of the pews.  "It would be greatly of assistance if you could show us the entrance to the passage."  He carefully lifts one end of a pew, testing its weight, then looks down the nave towards Leisha.  "Shall we?"

As Cogwitz climbed, Wrukaog kept his hands on the rope, even pulling it up for him for most of the trip, making it significantly easier and safer.

Assist for +2 to his check (and for anyone else that wants to come up.)

Once the tiny man was up, the orc paid attention to what he was paying attention to, and would be surprised, and interested, if he spotted something new.

Wrukaog is left holding the rope and peering down to see if anyone else is game to make the climb, as Cogwitz swiftly tires of the view and begins to pace about the top of the tower, eyes fixed on the stones beneath his feet as the big Orc turns his gaze to watch him.

"Sure you won't join them ?" the Sheriff asks Brindle, his manner pleasant enough, though the question raises a titter from his men.  The two acolytes with him are less amused and continue to scowl.

---

As the old man directs him, Tesseryn pushes aside a couple of the benches to reveal an iron rung set into the stones.

Despite their earlier surprise, the two prostrate acolytes pay no attention to this discovery, being rather more intent on pleasing Aurion.

"Master !" one exclaims, as the other grovels, "the village is ours, save only for this bumbling priest, but we watch him carefully and he is allowed to do no harm."

"The sacrifices continue !" the other cries out.  "All praise to Set"

"All praise to Set !" the first echoes.

"Oh, no, I don't think so," Brindle replies rather quickly. "I'll just wait down here until they've had enough of the view. But there's really no need for you and your men to stay. If we can't look after ourselves we can hardly expect you to stay here and babysit us, can we?"

Leisha finds herself deeply torn -- on the one hand, the acolytes have, against all odds, suddenly become interesting.

On the other hand, the paladin has, against all odds, suddenly become interesting, as well.  The politeness of his invitation tips the scales, and she joins him at the pews, trusting Aurion can make good use of his new devotees.

Tesseryn notes the reaction of the acolytes to Aurion's snakes with a wry grimace, but his attention is fixed now on the iron rung.  "Thank you." he says, including Cornelius and Leisha.  "If you have no objections I shall attempt to open this.  Please stand clear."  He waits a moment for them to move, or to propose an alternative, then stoops, grasps the iron rung and pulls.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:45, Tue 02 Feb 2016.

The Sheriff smiles politely at Brindle, glancing momentarily towards the five men at his side before responding to the Halfling.  "Wouldn't do to leave you here alone," he tells him, gesturing negligently towards Wrukaog and Cogwitz atop the tower. "the Mayor would be most displeased with us, should any harm come to guests in our village."

"You two can run along, though," he dismisses the acolytes with a wave of his hand but not so much as a glance, sending the pair scurrying uncertainly back towards the Shrine.

---

The acolytes' words are not easy to digest and Aurion chews them over, the pair cowering before him all the while.

Leisha leaves him to it, curiosity getting the better of her as she stands by old Cornelius while Tesseryn puts his back into pulling on the iron rung set in the stone floor.  With an ominous creak something gives and the Paladin is able to lift and drag a section of the floor away, revealing a dark pit.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Displeased with not finding anything atop the tower in regards to a secret or trap door Cogwitz shrugs his shoulders to Wrukaog.  Well, seems there really is nothing up here.  Have you tried to jump around at all to see if the floor is structurally sound?  Meaning it is a false floor?  Cogwitz stomps his foot around in different areas watching the ground as he does.

I have an idea.  Cogwitz grabbed out his waterskin and began pouring it out on the top to see if anything bleeds through to something below.

"Where are the sacrifices? Are they being well fed? Nothing Set likes less than a half-dead sacrifice."

"A dark pit." Tesseryn muses standing at its edge.  He glances towards Aurion and notes that the acolytes are well distracted, then towards Leisha and Cornelius.  "I'll go down and investigate."  He crouches at the edge and gazes down, looking for a ladder ...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:16, Wed 10 Feb 2016.

Brindle looks around at the Sherriff and his guards then up to the top of the tower again.

"Hey Wrukaog, you coming down soon or do you want to haul your gear up on the rope?" he calls up to the big orc.

Sounding somewhat amused with a tinge of annoyance, but mostly amused, "We have not seen a thing that an axe or a javelin can help with... but the last third of the bucket of ale is growing warm.

Either drink it, or tie it to the rope, if our other small friend means to stay up here for longer and pour it upon the stones."

He turns back to Cogwitz, monitoring his progress.

Much bemused, Wrukaog charges Brindle to ensure the last of his ale is taken care of then watches Cogwitz's progression around the rooftop.  The Halfling is indeed a sight to behold as he alternative stamps his foot upon the stones, then douses them with water poured from his waterskin, staring intently all the while. 

---

Tesseryn, on the other hand, is having far better luck and eagerly peers down into the deep hole he has uncovered. 

"He does seem happier now," Cornelius querulously confides to Leisha.

The two acolytes look to each other before one answers Aurion.  "Be assured, master, that the sacrifices are most certainly and properly dead, their final screams nectar to the tongue of The Serpent God."  He seems most sincere in this regard, and the other nods convincingly.

The words of his former students seem finally to have penetrated the old priest's stupor.  "What are they saying ?" he asks Leisha, not trusting his failing hearing.

"You killed all of them already? Poor planning, what if Set gets hungry tonight, should we sacrifice you?"

Cogwitz finishes his task and waits patiently for just a bit.  When he finally sees that there is nothing out of the ordinary up here he looks up to Wrukaog, well my big friend we may as well head back down.  I don't see anything noteworthy up here.  I tried everything short of magic to see if there is a trap door here.  So, lets give a that a try.

Cogwitz casts detect magic and looks around at the top the tower.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Mon 15 Feb 2016.

Wrukaog grips the rope with a nod, ready to lower the halfling back down.

After that's done he'll climb back down himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Fri 12 Feb 2016.

Tesseryn looks up sharply, overhearing Aurion's reply to the acolyte, but only purses his lips as he considers the justice of the elf's threat.  He gestures for Leisha and Cornelius to step closer and speaks softly to them.  "The air below is stale, but not foul, and I sense no taint of evil.  Unfortunately, though, there is no stair or ladder, and I cannot see the bottom."

Brindle waits patiently at the foot of the tower, apparently ready to catch them if they fall, but far enough back to avoid any stones that might be dislodged by their efforts.

Tesseryn gazes into the dark pit for a moment then stoops to search the floor for a tiny pebble, certain that the acolytes have not been diligent with their sweeping.  He holds it within the pit and mutters.  "Seven Heavens light my path."  He drops the brightly glowing pebble into the pit and stands to watch it fall.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:29, Sun 14 Feb 2016.

Cornelius, at least, seems pleased that Tesseryn pronounces the shaft which leads to the Tower of Light, or so the old priest said, free from any trace of evil, watching with interest as the Paladin drops a small stone he find which glows bright, it's light streaming from the shaft as it falls. 

Though the acolytes do not notice this marvel, as neither has an answer for the question which Aurion poses, preferring instead to grovel as best they can in the hope that they not be the one chosen to feed their hungry god.

---

Atop the tower, Cogwitz admits defeat, finding no hidden door, or least now one that will reveal itself to either his eyes nor wit.  Wrukaog begins to lower the Halfling back down, while Brindle waits anxiously below.  The Sheriff continues to smile, his gaze flitting between the climbers and the two acolytes who continue to scurry back to the shrine though seems most disappointed when Cogwitz's feet touch the ground safely.

Tesseryn says quietly to Leisha "There is a chamber 60 feet below.  We will need rope to reach it."  He furrows his brow and quietly asks Cornelius "You have helped us discover the entrance to Mitra's tower.  Do you know also what landmark now stands upon the ruin of Set's tower?"

Brindle grins at Cogwitz when he safely returns to the ground. He maintains his vigil until Wrukaog is safely back down too, but he notes the Sherriff's disappointment too.

"What usually happens when someone climbs up there?" he asks curiously.

"Gather rope, you will lead the way down into the tower!"

The snakes writhe dramatically, loving the attention.

Wrukaog climbs back down the tower, and once at the bottom, gives the rope a solid tug and watches it coil up randomly into a pile as it falls.

He finishes his bucket of ale in between picking up and strapping back on his various odds and ends.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:20, Tue 16 Feb 2016.

Cogwitz had made it down aggravated that he didn't find anything unusual.  When he heard Brindle ask the Sheriff the question.

Cornelius shakes his head at Tesseryn's question.  "Lost forever," he says with a quiet confidence, not helped by his querelous tone. 

"Master ?" the first acolyte dares to lift his head, a puzzled frown upon his brow, though he quails as the snakes write around the Elf's wrists, while the other is more forthcoming (if most carefully keeping his gaze averted firmly downwards at the stone flags).  "If indeed that pit is anything other than a disused privy, you should have the Mayor provide more men to accompany your, that is to say, our assault."  He nods intently, hoping his advice will be heeded.

The words of the acolytes are finally beginning to register with the old priest.  "What are my students saying ?" he asks Leisha and Tesseryn, visibly perturbed.

---

If Cogwitz's safe descent was a disappointment to the Sheriff, Wrukaog's is moreso, and he sighs heavily, his face sour as he watches the big orc guzzle the last of his ale as he recovers the rope and sees to his gear.

"Time was their kin would scrape them up and bury them," he replies to Brindle, gesturing negligently northwards to the shrine at which the other two acolytes have nearly arrived.  "You could still see the holes they made when they hit ... if all this grass hadn't grown over them."

"Pay no heed to them, honoured one."  Tesseryn reassures Cornelius.  "They are foolish fellows."  He continues his earlier line of questioning, hoping to distract the old fellow from the acolytes.  "You said no one gets any older, and there are no children.  Who were the last newcomers to the village, before us?"

Brindle grins at Wrukaog and Cogwitz then bows deeply to the Sherriff.

"Well thank you sir, for your time and company while I waited for these two to have their fun. It looks like there's not much for us here. We'll just find our other friends and see whether they want to find somewhere to stay overnight or head on straight away."

He turns and heads off toward the shrine.

Leisha pats Cornelius on the hand.  "Something to talk about later, definitely," she assures him.  "Our friend Aurion is talking to them now, it's alright."

Reaching into her pack, she pulls out a silk rope, holding it out to Tesseryn.  "Would this help?  It's only the usual fifty feet, of course, but it's a start."

After strapping on his belt and weapon holster, the orc doesn't so much as nod before turning away from the sheriff and following behind Brindle. Once a bit of distance away, [Language unknown: "Ti reti ll nt i ch eauil evil'trcess ieanpe pois dist si ver ithrutith plcais."], the orc comments, as much as a statement to Cogwitz as a question.

As Wrukaog asked the question, Cogwitz turned back to ensure the Sheriff wasn't within earshot.

The orc nods, then glances at his empty bucket with a bit of a frown. [Language unknown: "Ant nteartrea erentiere eture andateouscom ureioushe o sialck diadha laton m hatmansti t eveestion.

Di tio ckteha hououswil in sta, on ovela o, asinic ivitpa, el sommo fo."]

Brindle looks back as Wrukaog and Cogwitz follow him, then doubles back to retrieve his 30ft silk rope and string before quickly following after them again. He stuffs the string into his pocket to sort out later and coils the rope as he hustles after his companions.

"Fifty feet should reach the roof of the chamber below ..."  He considers the options for a moment.  "Shall I lower you down?"

"Sure," Leisha agrees.  Handing one end of the rope to Tesseryn, she loops the other end over the opening and steps into the loop, holding the other end of the rope tightly.  She glances at Cornelius, and then back.  "We can't leave him alone, you know."

Sitting down at the edge of the pit, legs dangling into the darkness in her quick sling, she gives the old man a smile.  "Don't worry, Cornelius -- we'll talk soon.  And you're in good hands with Tesseryn."

While Leisha prepares her sling Tesseryn removes his gauntlets and sets his footing at a corner of the pit.  He takes up the slack and lowers Leisha slowly.  Call out when you wish to be raised.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:25, Thu 25 Feb 2016.

"The passes are treacherous at night," the Sheriff replies to Brindle, the smile never leaving his lips, "safer for you to take rooms at the Overlord's Inn."  He indulgently quells the sudden ripple of laughter from his men with but a quick glance as he watches the Halfling scurry off back towards the shrine.

Behind him trail Wrukaog and Cogwitz, conversing in the Orc's gutteral tongue.  The Halfling taking the opportunity to have a quick look back as Wrukaog finishes his ale and eyes the empty bucket regretfully.

Up ahead the two acolytes have reached the shrine ...

---

Inside, Aurion continues to stare imperiously at the other pair of acolytes while Tesseryn prepares to lower Leisha down the hole he has uncovered.  While the young woman readies the rope, the Paladin continues his discussion with Cornelius.

"Oh we do get visitors ... though more and more infrequently over the years.  There was a caravan came to town only last week.  Lost in a storm, I think someone said.  They certainly must have been in a hurry to make up time, as they left in the middle of the night,"  The old priest sighs.

The return of the two acolytes is punctuated by a single exclamation, "Wha !" and then as Aurion turns towards them and they see the snakes at his wrists they join their fellows down on their bellies on the cold stone flags, making obeisance.  "Master !" the pair chorus, quite dutifully, though perhaps not cheerfully.

By now the rope is prepared and after Leisha has reassured Cornelius once more, Tesseryn carefully and slowly begins to feed out the rope, lowering her into the well lit hole ...

[Language unknown: Allandthu ch ismi shevirour, k ugh... Us m eite nd vir.  Fooer erpr fidi ect ma aiwaio anyouneve prpa shewitbut.  U resbutshe etson mefili p oneineevepro na.]  Cogwitz was very curious indeed.

Brindle catches up with Wrukaog and Cogwitz again after retrieving his rope and string. He coils the rope back up again as he walks.

[Language unknown: "O p t arnc om ortlo prulno eauul ie th Tola eiisng mi icur k pe ilchon u io lahobe ur moweno. Us linestles nottedear lawelo ntut, k la!"] he says softly so the Sherriff and guards back at the tower won't hear.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:44, Sat 27 Feb 2016.

Wrukoag answers the two halflings, spitting on the ground and pointing behind him in between the last two sentences of his words.

Tesseryn glances over to the door and sees Aurion now entertaining all four acolytes.  He nods reassuringly at Cornelius then stares down at Leisha far below.  "Do you need to go lower?" he asks.

Looking up, Leisha calls back, "Yeah - I'm going to drop down.  Get the others, this looks important."

And with that, she slips her foot out and drops out of the rope.

"Ah -"  Tesseryn was about to advise caution, but instead quietly nods his regard for the young woman's courage ... of course the gods would only send the most capable of people on such an important quest.  He quickly arranges a pew to span the pit and  ties off the rope in case Leisha needs to ascend.  Then he moves past the grovelling acolytes to the entrance to look out for the others and beckons for them to hasten to the shrine.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:23, Tue 01 Mar 2016.

Feeling that he had learned something of value, Aurion shook his head at how the party had gone all hither and yon on his ass.

"Move over towards the others, worms," he says to the mini onions of set.

The drinkers three make their way back to the shrine, Brindle casually appropriating the Sheriff's official rope.  One can only hope that there aren't be any hangings scheduled for today as its absence then would surely be noted.

As they walk, Wrukaog, Brindle and Cogwitz converse in what any native speaker would immediately recognise as Orcish, though their conversation is interrupted by the appearance of Tesseryn at the entrance to the shrine, bidding them hurry.  Sure enough, when they arrive it is immediately obvious that those remaining behind have been rather busy.

The four acolytes have been corralled by Aurion into a nice neat grovelling line behind the last row of benches, while those at the front are in disarray, owing to what the returnees' keen perception reveals to be an open pit in the floor in front of Mitra's statue.  Of Leisha there is no sign, though her dulcet if muffled tones can be heard coming from the pit.

And left to his own devices, Cornelius can be found once more on his knees dusting the feett of the statue of his god.

---

Down below ... having miraculously survived the drop to the ground, Leisha glances around the thirty feet square chamber, her gaze flicking over the door to the south and the opening to the west (beyond which she notes a short corridor with doors to north and south, and, in the dim light, stairs descending) where it lingers. 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Taking the briefest of moments to look into the shrine before speaking, "I... will wait outside."

The orc then turns around and stands outside of the door, to the right, taking in the sights.

Tesseryn speaks quietly but urgently with the newly arrived three, quickly appraising them of the situation.  "Aurion has mastered the acolytes; they seem to believe he is a superior of their vile cult of Set, and they have alluded to some sinister plot within this village.  A pit has been opened that Cornelius, the elder priest, believes will lead to the long-buried tower of Mitra.  Leisha has descended therein, although her rope is short and she may be unable to climb out that way.  My climbing skills are poor and I am unable to follow her down that rope."  He pauses for a breath.  "Wrukaog and Cogwitz, I saw that you gained the roof of the grey tower."  He looks impressed with their climbing prowess.  "Did you discover something there?  And Brindle, did the sheriff reveal anything of import?"  He will wait for their response, then return to the pit to hear Leisha's words.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:34, Fri 04 Mar 2016.

Brindle hands over his own 30ft length of silk rope to add to Tesseryn's 50ft length. Hopefully that will now be enough length to reach the bottom of the pit.

"Climbing the tower out there used to be a bit of a game for the lads here. The Sherriff seems to think the best bit was if the climbers failed and fell to their deaths outside the tower. Such a charming chap. Wrukaog and Cogwitz didn't find any way in up there," Brindle reported quietly.

"Few visitors come here and fewer in recent years. The last was a caravan last week, lost in a storm apparently, and they left suddenly in the middle of the night. The Sherriff is keen for us to stay the night at the Overlord's Inn, being 'safer' than travelling through the passes at night, though his men chuckled at that suggestion of safety. So set a guard when we sleep, I suppose."

All is quiet.

Down below, it is indeed still quiet, while up above ...

Aurion continues to keep the four acolytes cowed as Brindle and Tesseryn compare notes, then set about knotting the Halfling's rope to the one on which the Paladin lowered Tesseryn ... and Wrukaog determines he will wait outside after all. 

Perhaps it is the mention of his name, but Cornelius suddenly notices that his shrine is full of people.

"Is it time for prayers ?" the old priest asks, worriedly.

Once the rope is tied, Cogwitz asked, shall I head down there first?

"Not quite yet, Padre. Why don't you fix us something to eat?"

Tesseryn joins Brindle's rope to Leisha's and secures one end to the pew spanning the pit, with the other now dangling to the floor of room below.  He regards the thin rope dubiously, thinking that he is ill-equipped for climbing.  When Cogwitz offers to go ahead he is relieved "Yes, please do Cogwitz.  Leisha said she has found something important down there.  Let us know if you think we should all descend."

While Cogwitz climbs, Tesseryn moves to have a quiet word with Aurion and air his thoughts on the recent discoveries.  "Did these scoundrels mention where these sacrifices occur?  I wonder whether we ought to begin there where the cult of Set is active?  It is difficult to imagine evil lurking in Mirta's long-buried tower, although it does seem to warrant some investigation whilst we are here."

Cogwitz begins his climb down with the rope.  No problem I can help I hope.  Looking down Cogwitz says, I am coming down!

If I can take 10 I will do so.  If not then rolled a 9.

Brindle puts down the other rope on the floor - the thicker, 100-foot long rope that the Sherriff was kind enough to lend them. That thing is mighty heavy for such a little guy to be carrying around! As he watches Cogwitz begin his descent he scratches his head wondering how well he would be able to handle that task himself. He soon comes to the conclusion he would need any kind of advantage he can find so he begins the task of tying knots every couple of feet along that 100-foot long rope.

"Some food ... of course," the old priest seems pleased at the idea, hauling himself to his feet and laboriously making his way back down the length of the shrine.  "My young assistants will look after you," he calls out feebly.

"When they've finished their prayers," he adds with a smile as he notes the four prostrate before Aurion.

"I'll be back soon ..."

Concern for Cornelius' safety wins over curiosity at goings-on within the pit.  Tesseryn lingers at the entrance to the shrine to watch the old priest's back as he heads for the village.  He trusts the sheriff's men not one whit.

Seeing Wrukaog outside he nods towards the nearby grey tower. "No doors or windows ... what do you suppose was the purpose of such a tower?"

Leisha waits patiently.

Wrukaog shuffles about outside of the shrine doorway, looking around to see what there is to see. He walks past the opening nonchalantly, as much as an orc can, turning his head back and forth, speaking in a still but clear voice.

"Sheriff coming. Half minute."

He then stands on the other side of the doorway and continues to mumble to himself. After a few moments of pacing a bit, he decides stare at the sheriff and his two lackeys as they approach to decide just how much it was that he disliked them.

He doesn't seem to pay Tesseryn much mind, only giving him a dissatisfied "Mnnh" to answer his question.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:03, Thu 17 Mar 2016.

Query: Is the old priest who was headed to the back of the temple also heading back out into town? Not sure if there is a kitchen in here...

There is much concern for the old priest as he heads out of the shrine, particularly in light of Wrukaog's warning that the Sheriff and his men are approaching.  Tesseryn joins the big Orc at the entrance, while Aurion turns his head around to see ...

... though all are much relieved when Cornelius heads not into the village, but north, towards a dilapidated building that might best be described as a hovel, though this one is blessed with a straggly vegetable garden.

Meantime, the Halflings set to work.  Cogwitz carefully climbs down the rope that Tesseryn prepared earlier, now less of a hazard to life and limb by the addition of the additional length supplied by Brindle.  Yet even that does not satisfy Brindle who methodically knots the village's much longer and more substantial official rope and lowers that down the hole as well before tying it off on the bench.

Brindle wanders over to the doorway and steps out to join Tesseryn and Wrukaog. He stretches his arms above his head and yawns deeply as he watches the Sherriff approach.

Leisha giggles quietly to herself, waiting for the next victim to fall for her prank.  ..Er, I mean, PM.

Cogwitz had seen the statue at the end of the chamber and wondered at firt if they had to go through it to move on.

When Leisha had explained to him what it was he sighed in relief.  At her question he said, Brindle may be coming down as well.  Is there anything else you have spotted down here?

Wrukaog comes to a decision on which one he likes the least while not returning the wave.

He does, however, take a few steps forward and then sits down on the grass and weeds in front of the shrine, his legs stretched out in front of him. The day is cool, but he doesn't seem to mind.

Tesseryn also does not return the sheriff's wave.  He considers that Cornelius should be safe heading towards the hut but stays to watch.  He glances down at the back of Wrukaog's head, wondering at the apparent nonchalance of the orc ... is this a ruse to put the sheriff's band off guard?  He folds his arms with a small clank and awaits their arrival, with a solemn nod to note Brindle's arrival without the knotted rope.  "I wonder if we may yet find an alternative means to descend to Mitra's buried tower?"

Wrukaog decides to settle down on the cold ground to await the arrival of the Sheriff and his men.  Tesseryn watches Cornelius enter his hovel before joining the big Orc ... as does Brindle.  All three are the picture of nonchalence.

As is the Sheriff. With an effortless wave of his hand he gestures his men to stop and takes a few paces forwards, with a smile that verges on the edge of a sneer.

"It is good to meet gods-fearing men," he praises you though his tone belies his words.  "I trust Cornelius wasn't too much of a ... disappointment.  The old man's mind wanders ... the stories he tells."

If the Sheriff has noticed Aurion and the four prostrate acolytes, he gives no indication.

Down below, Leisha's question passes unheard for there is nobody near the shaft ...

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

PM

"Gods-fearing," Brindle murmurs. "Yes, they just about scare me to death! Totally unpredictable, they are. If you do something to please one of them you'll probably have offended another one instead. I think we would all be much happier if we could forever escape their notice! But Aurion seems to have found some like-minded friends in there to enjoy a lengthy theological discussion with. I've seen it before, they'll probably be going on about the wonders of their god for hours. I think Wrukaog has the right idea. We might as well make ourselves as comfortable as we can, as it is going to be quite some time before we can get down to the inn to get a room for the night."

He sighs.

Frustrated by the dawdling of the others, Aurion decides it is time to descend and join Leisha.

"You," he says, pointing to one of the acolytes. "Down the rope. The rest of you follow." When the last of them has reached the bottom, the mage will follow.

"We have not yet met."  Tesseryn steps forward and formally extends a hand to the sheriff.  "Tesseryn Brightsoul.  Cornelius is a treasure, his value perhaps measured in years of service to this village rather than the clarity of his memories.  You may rest assured that he seems content with his life here, and his acolytes appear to watch over him most diligently.  As Brindle mentioned, we should like to linger here at this shrine for a while yet, although we intend to spend the night at your inn."  He motions towards the village.  "We thank you for the courtesy of your greeting and look forward to further discourse tonight should you be able to join us at the inn."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Tue 29 Mar 2016.

You can almost hear the Sheriff's mental gears a-turning as he shakes Tesseryn's hand, and weighs up the words of both the Paladin and Brindle, still with that sly smile on his face as he comes to a decision.

"Far from me to interrupt such ... devotion," he remarks.  "Till tonight then - perhaps I'll see you at the Inn and you'll allow me to buy you a drink."

"Drop the rope off at the Constabulary when you finish with it," he fixes his eye on the Halfling, lingering but a few seconds longer before gesturing to his men and turning away, returning south towards that same building at a leisurely pace.

Back inside, the acolytes jump to it, heeding Aurion's orders and all showing a commendable keenness not to be found wanting, though the first hesitates as he looks down the hole and it takes a stern glance from the Elf before he is moved to descend.  The others follow him with equal enthusiasm.

Down below there is some commotion as the acolytes arrive in the chamber ...

"EVIL ONES !" the voice echoes throughout the chamber and reaches the ears of all those above. 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:11, Sun 03 Apr 2016.

Aurion hurries down the rope...

Brindle breathes a sigh of relief when the Sheriff and his men leave. The shout echoing from inside the shrine catches him by surprise and he quickly darts inside to see what is going on. He follows Aurion down the rope as soon as he can.

OOC: Brindle rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  Climb check.

Tesseryn gives Brindle a satisfied nod, watching the sheriff leave and waiting for Cornelius to return safely.  The voice shouting 'evil ones!' startles him and he wheels away from the entrance following loudly in Brindle's wake. He hesitates at the edge of the pit, watching the halfling descend the knotted rope and peering down the the lit chamber below. Well this is a dilemma.  Smiting evil ones is his specialty, but ropes are not ...

When the paladin guard called out as he did, it almost startled Cogwitz.  It did have him pull his blades and jump back 5 ft towards a wall though.  He wasn't sure whom the guard was talking too at first.  He then saw that only the acolytes were present in the space.

Cogwitz already had his suspicions about the town and their inhabitants, and the calling of evil only made his feeling stronger.

Stand ready to attack...

The orc remains planted on his ass, giving the sheriff a long glare both during and after the brief discussion, then glancing over his shoulder as he hears the... voice... from within the building.

His lips curl into a frown for a few seconds before he speaks in an abrupt tongue,

In the wake of that shout from below which can portend nothing good, Aurion begins to carefully climb down the rope while Brindle and Tesseryn rush over to the pit, the Halfing descending quickly as soon as the Elf is down while the Paladin stares down unhappily after them. 

Wrukaog remains sitting on the grass, with barely a backwards glance and a gutteral comment on the proceedings.  Perhaps the smartest of you all ...
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:25, Sun 10 Apr 2016.

Leisha relaxes visibly at the knight's pronouncement that Brindle and Aurion are free of taint.  "Oh, good.  Holomir, these are Brindle and Aurion, friends of ours.  Those others... do you know, I don't think they ever offered their names?  But I expect we brought them along to keep an eye on them."  She looks back at the door they ran through, tilting her head a bit at the screams.  "Just what's down there, anyway?" she asks, curiously.

"Oh!  Brindle, Aurion - this is Holomir, a Lion of Mitra.  He protects the tower from evil."

Aurion gives the knight the once over. His vast age is apparent, even to the Elf. Did he appear human? Did the blazoned arms speak to anything he might have learned in his studies?

"Well met, Sir Holomir, " Aurion said, a hint of a question hanging on the sir and a slight smirk at the first part of the Lion of Mitra's name.  I am certain your guardianship of the interior of the temple is exemplary, but the town above has apparently fallen totally into the hands of evil."

He pauses, glancing about for the acolytes and their behavior. Are they the cause of the noises from the south?

He was still deeply aware that they had no clue why they were here...

"I believe Mitra himself may have sent us here in some regard to fighting evil. If you have this temple well in hand and safe from evil, might there be another temple or tower or some such in the vicinity that might need our assistance?"

Brindle tilts his head to one side for a moment as he studies the knight and listens to the screams from beyond the southern door.

"What we do know is, unfortunately, outweighed by what we don't. The gods sent us to the Chapel of Mitra above us, probably in answer to someone's prayers, but we don't know whose or what those prayers were."

He sighs and taps the hilt of the dagger in its scabbard on his belt.

"This is going to sound really weird but will you let me try to stab you?" he asked. "The gods have forbade us to harm the innocent, you see, so if I try to stab you it should hurt me instead and not harm you at all. I really, really don't want to but it is the surest way to be certain about you and prove whose side we are on."

Leisha winces, and then shakes her head.  "Good heavens, Brindle, that's a terrible idea.  I'll grant that any number of thesauri match `innocent' to `pure', but they really are different terms.  Holomir is a Lion of Mitra - a paladin who gave his life nobly, probably in defense of any number of innocents, and was honored by being brought back to protect, in this case, the fallen Tower.  He, himself, probably doesn't qualify as innocent, for our purposes: He most definitely has a stake and a side in this conflict."

Cogwitz had heard what Holomir had said about the acolytes that had ran the other way and were screaming out.  He hadn't thought much of it before, but a thought came to him.  If Holomir is guarding the fallen tower of Mitra right here, then perhaps the way the acolytes went is where the dark tower is.  We couldn't find anything above ground, but maybe it is all below ground now.

Cogwitz then looked to Holomir, Am I right?

Brindle looked decidedly relieved when Leisha pointed out the folly of his suggestion.

"Phew! Thank goodness you are here," he told her.

Cogwitz's idea sounded even more inspired and he eagerly looked to the Lion of Mitra for confirmation.

Tesseryn stands alone at the edge of the pit, listening to the screams wafting up from below and fearing the worst.  He swallows his pride and quickly returns to the entrance.  With obvious difficulty, but no lack of sincerity, he speaks stiffly to the orc.  "Wrukaog, I heard screams from the pit.  I fear our comrades are in peril.  Or worse, they may be continuing the quest without us.  I regret that I misjudged you when first we met.  It is now clear that we were each chosen by our gods because we bring what is needed, and that we are meant to cooperate to fulfill this quest despite our differences.  I ask now for your aid, for I am unable to climb down."  He leans closer so that his voice need not carry.  "Would you lower me on the rope?"

The orc's eyes roll around toward Tesseryn as he speaks, showing no sign of dislike or annoyance, and even less of a sign of appreciation or amusement. When he leans in closer near the end to speak quietly, the orc's blank face flashes with a brief wave of impatience.

After all is said, Wrukaog places his glare back toward the direction the sheriff et. al. left toward, and stands up. He backpedals toward the shrine entryway for a couple of steps before turning and nodding toward the armored human as he enters.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:06, Sat 16 Apr 2016.

Tesseryn glances briefly towards the sky then follows solemnly in Wrukaog's wake.  At the pit he pulls up the knotted rope and makes a loop to fasten around his chest, under the armpits, then he sits at the edge of the pit. "Wrukaog ... thankyou."

The orc takes the rope in his hands, nods, and lets it go taut. "Pull twice, hard, to come up."

The weight seems easily handled, and down goes Tesseryn.

As Wrukaog prepares to lower Tesseryn, they can make out but the murmur of voices below ...

For all the weight of the Paladin's armour, it is as but nothing to the mighty Orc who lowers Tesseryn quickly and easily, the faint light below allowing Wrukaog to see when his burden is safely delivered.

Brindle walks over to the southern door and peers inside into the darkness.

"If we are going in there we will need some light. I have a sunrod we can use if no one else has a lantern," he offers.

While the others are making their own preparations he takes a moment to cast a spell upon himself before they go any further.

"Tell us more of this curse, good Holomir..."

Tesseryn removes the rope and gives a stout tug to indicate to Wrukaog that he is free of the rope.  He picks up the glowing pebble from the floor and passes it to Brindle.  It will glow for nearly an hour yet.

He steps towards the armoured man and raises a hand in salute.  "Indeed I am no knight, although I am sworn to uphold the tradition of chivalry.  Tesseryn Brightsoul, the Arm of Dauros, God of Justice in the distant land of Ardania.  These companions and I were sent by our Gods to aid Mitra's faithful in their struggle against the resurgent minions of Set."  That whole 'sort it out' speech was a little too vague for his taste.  "And you sir?  Are you the guardian of Mitra's long buried tower?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Tue 19 Apr 2016.

Brindle smiles brightly as he accepts the glowing pebble from the paladin.

"Thanks! This will do nicely."

He waits for Tesseryn and Aurion to finish questioning Holomir before venturing through the southern door.

Wrukaog stays near enough to the pit to notice the rope being yanked on or distant yells, looking around the shrine, and paying special attention to the doorway or people approaching it.

The rope will be tied to something sturdy, if such a thing can be found.

Brindle is pleased indeed to take charge of the brightly glowing stone, and the two Halflings wait with alleged patience for the questioning of the Lion of Mitra to conclude, their attention fixed on the door to the south and the perils beyond.

"It is the curse of evil that besets all mankind," Holomir explains to Aurion. "And the duty to all of goodwill to strive to overcome this evil that folk can live in the peace and love of the Light !"

But it is to Tesseryn that the guardian extends the warmest welcome.  While knowledge of Dauros is undoubtedly beyond the ken of the people of these lands, it is perhaps something in the Paladin's bearing or his pattern of speech that denotes that this is a kindred spirit.  Or Tesseryn's pledge of assistance ...

"I am," he assures the Paladin proudly.  "It has been the sacred duty of myself and my Brothers these many years to ward the entrance to the White Tower from any foe, a duty in which we have never failed !"

"If you would assist us, then I salute you and would call you friend !  He looks to Tesseryn for a few moments, considering, then prises a ring from his finger, holding it out to the Paladin.

"This is 'Mitra's Favour' ... it will ward you and your companions from evil.  Take it and my prayers go with you."

Up above, Wrukaog keeps watch, taking the opportunity of the blessed quiet in the Shrine above to look around while keeping careful watch, both on the door and the rope that is secured around the bench over the pit, the stillness only broken by the words that drift up from below, muffled, but understandable.

"I am honoured to wear Mitra's ring on behalf of this fellowship."  He kneels to accept the ring and places it on his left hand beneath the mailed gauntlet.  He rises and continues "We admire your long and dutiful service, Sir Holomir, and would have you know that there is Light yet in the world.  The darkness growing in the village of Mitra's Fist has not yet spread to the lands beyond, and when we have crushed the Cult of Set this threat will be forever gone.  Our Gods have charged us with this Quest, however, in their infinite wisdom they had not deemed it necessary to provide specific directions as to where the first blow ought to be struck.  Can you aid us further and direct us towards our goal?"

Tesseryn gestures towards the knotted rope hanging behind him.  "We have one more companion yet tho descend, an orc named Wrukaog.  It was he who lowered me on the rope, for I am unable to climb in this armour.  He would seem an unlikely addition to our fellowship, yet the Gods have decreed that he join our Quest.  And I vouch for him personally.  I would ask that you tolerate his presence here for the sake of the greater good."

Aurion rests his hand on his tummy, the all to saccharine meeting of the local-Paladins-mutual-admiration-society having upset the poor thing. he hoped they would stop short of the traditional penis measuring and testicle weighing...

"Look, do you have anything more concrete in the way of a curse? Something less all-encompassing then 'the curse of all mankind? Something more specific, that we might be able to help with? Because I gotta tell you, the only cure to all-the-evil-in-the-world would be the end of days, and I suspect that's a bit out of our league."

"I just had a nasty thought," Brindle mutters to himself before addressing Sir Holomir.

"Is there someone as evil as you are good that is guarding the evil tower? Is that what all that screaming was about? Will that ring help us get past that guardian?"

Holomir seems oblivious to Aurion's sudden bilious attack, but inclines his head respectfully to Tesseryn, most pleased with that worthy's most proper gratitude for the gift of Mitra, and moreso for the pledge the Paladin makes.

"An Orc ?  If such a creature accompanies yourself, then I must trust to your judgment and shall welcome his presence at your side," the Lion proclaims magnanimously.  "Mitra's Light shines upon all and all creatures of goodwill may seek his blessings."

"Beyond that door," he glances towards Aurion, addressing his response to the Elf as well as Tesseryn, "lies a maze of chambers and passages betwixt the Tower of Light and the Tower of Darkness, and there evil stalks," he glowers, teeth clenched.  "Undoubtedly those who fled were either not recognised by their own kind, else welcomed most cruelly."

"Thus far, the attempts upon the White Tower have met with failure, but they grow ever stronger, and though the White Tower has prevailed, it may be that such evil cannot be contained forever."  This last he admits but reluctantly, though his tone suggests that it is only by stepping over his cooling corpse that evil will get past him.

"Evil turns upon itself, as it always must, and as oft as not struggle each against the other to raise themselves up in the sight of the dark god they serve."

"The entrance to the Dark Tower lies far below, warded by dark magics.  Guardians too you will find, demons ... and those who style themselves sons of the dark god," he tells Brindle in response to the Halfling's question.  "The ring will offer some protection against evil wherever  you may find it."

"The path between the towers is to be endured, the tests you will face there meant but to weaken and delay you, though for each you overcome the cause of evil is set back a pace.  So too those of stout hearts may find artifacts of Mitra, long lost, now mere myth and rumour."

"The dangers are great."

"As to how to destroy the evil ?"  He shakes his head.  "Many have tried ... none have returned."

"Thank you, Sir Holomir.  By the grace of Dauros, and Mitra, may we be equal to the test!"  Tesseryn's golden eyes gleam with fervent determination as he turns towards the door taken by the acolytes, drawing his greatsword as he crosses the floor.  One hand upon the door he calls upon the divine for protection "Energies of Light!" and is surrounded by red-gold shimmering light as he presses without hesitation through the door.

"Thanks, Sir Holomir. Wish us good luck and godspeed!" Brindle exclaims as he darts after Tesseryn holding the lighted pebble aloft to light their way.

When Cogwitz heard there will be tests along the way, he was certain that there would also be traps and such along the way as well.  Hopefully with the friends he has now, they will be able to overcome these tests and get to fight the evil.

Thank you very much Holomir.  Sure hope we will meet again.

"Boys?" Leisha calls after the two as they start towards the door. "If this is indeed 'it', as it seems to be, shouldn't someone shimmy back up and invite our Orc friend who we remembered just two minutes ago, before we go too much further?"

Tesseryn freezes with his hand on the door, then turns and levels his gaze at Leisha.  Beneath the red-gold glow it is difficult to read the colour of his face.  "Yes, of course."

He returns to the knotted rope and calls up.  Wrukaog.  The beginning of the quest lies before us, down here, a maze of tunnels beset with traps and perils that leads to the tower of Set.  I think it would be wise for you to join us.  Is it just the shimmering glow, or is Tesseryn actually twitching with anticipation...?

Pleased with finally having some direction, Aurion quickly forget Sir Hollow and prepares to advance.

The orc can be heard giving an unpleasant snort. A few benches can be heard scooting around a bit, and a short moment later Wrukaog has lowered himself down the rope relatively effortlessly.

Once down, he takes in the visage of the old man, but saying nothing to or about him.

Speaking to nobody in particular after turning away from the old man and toward the apparent direction to head, "I will will watch the backside of the parade, then. Do your best not to lead us into anything stupid."

Leisha's mouth opens, draws in a breath, stays open for a moment, and then closes, leaving behind only a smile.

She turns briefly back to Holomir, offering a friendly wave.  "Thank you again, hope to see you on our way out," she says, optimistically.

Brindle was obviously guilty of the minor traffic offence of following too closely, as he banged head first into Tesseryn's armoured derriere when the paladin halted suddenly at the door. Brindle shook his head to clear it and rubbed his forehead to sooth the dull ache the impact had caused.

He glares back at Wrukaog.

"You knew that was going to happen, didn't you? I hate fortune-tellers whose prophesies are so obscure you only understand their prediction after it has come true!"

He sniffs and turns back to follow Tesseryn through the door, already wishing he wasn't standing quite so close behind the paladin when he took that theatrical sniff of indignation!

Roses.

Wrukaog's words strike a chord with Tesseryn.  Nothing worthwhile is gained by stupidity.  He takes a steadying breath, then gestures with a glowing arm for the halflings to precede him, that they may proceed with caution and use their talents to avert whatever calamity he may have stumbled into in his haste.  He falls into line behind them, locking his sword in hand as he waits.

Aurion joins the parade, somewhere in the middle...

The orc responds to the halfling. [Language unknown: "Ri we rattrakorsetevewilera mius derul beiou ck."] From his tone, and deadpan manner, it would be very easy to believe his remark.

He holds his two-handed greataxe at his side, hand high on the haft at its center of gravity, and with his other hand pulls a javelin from between his pack and back to keep at the ready.

Though all are keen to race off and confront the unfathomable evil of the Dark Tower, Leisha, sounds the sole voice of reason when she suggests that Wrukaog and his axe might provide some much needed assistance with that.

It is Tesseryn with glowing cheeks that calls up to invite Wrukaog down ... a feat which the big Orc accomplishes with but a minimum of fuss and furniture removal. 

The smile that lit upon Holomir's face as he beheld your eagerness wavers somewhat in the face of Wrukaog ... but after only a moment of stern consideration his eyes widen in surprise and he nods respectfully towards him.

With goodbyes spoken, the Halflings move to the fore, backed by Tesseryn, the Orc at the rear of the group and Leisha and  Aurion fair to middling.  And so you advance ...

The pebble in Brindle's hand reveals a small chamber of rough stone as pass through the door, moving forwards carefully towards the sound of distant crunching noises that set nearly everyone's teeth on edge.  You follow the curve of the wall, the earth beneath your feet masking your footfalls down a short tunnel that opens into a larger cave.  The lifesize statue of Mitra fashioned from solid silver ... the fallen jars from which spill hundreds, perhaps thousands of copper pieces ... all of these you merely gloss over as your eyes fall upon the five hunched and gaunt figures that seem to be feeding upon the corpses of the acolytes who fled this way. 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

"The unholy are near." Tesseryn announces as his greatsword lights with flickering golden flames.  He steps forward 10' past the halflings and holds forth his holy symbol, the scales of justice that hang about his neck.  "In the name of Dauros I condemn thee!"

OOC: dice roller is on the side of the undead.  This turning attempt may fail given ghouls have +2 turn resistance...
This message was last edited by the player at 09:46, Sun 08 May 2016.

Uncertain that creatures that kill and feed on evil folks are necessarily a bad thing, Aurion holds off on expending his eldrich energies for the nonce, but he does step out of the way should the Orc wish to rush by him...

Cogwitz saw the dead looking things eating the flesh of the acolytes that had just run this way.  He wasn't quite sure what they were at first so he stepped aside for the bigger folk and studied the things while pulling his weapons out of their sheaths.

16:30, Today: Cogwitz rolled 19 using 1d20+13.  knowledge religion check

Brindle had no hesitation in identifying flesh-eating undead as the enemies of all living beings and responded accordingly. He immediately spoke an incantation and pointed at the undead 10 feet in front of him. A fiery bolt shot from his fingertip to strike the closest undead creature.
Then he quickly stepped back to let the paladin step forward.

Ooc: casts Kelgore's fire bolt
Rolled 15 to hit with ranged touch attack and 16 up damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:18, Wed 11 May 2016.

Tesseryn does his best, bravely stepping forward to present the symbol of his god and in Dauros' name damning the undead in no uncertain terms ... but though the creatures quail away it is but a momentary thing and they turn, shuffling towards the paladin, their glowing eyes fixed surely upon him.

Aurion, Cogwitz and Brindle all take one step back, though Brindle pauses for a moment to unleash a fiery bolt at the closest ghoul which falls to the ground, engulfed in flames, twitching for but a short time before the fires consume it and it is still. 

The rest of the creatures do not heed this warning, throwing themselves forward to bite and claw at Tesseryn, though the Paladin's faith sustains him, their attacks striking uselessly against his brightly shining plate armour.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Leisha resists the urge to join in all the stepping forward and backward, choosing to stay right where she is.

"Beware, Master Brightsoul, I am about to make the footing in front of you quite slippery."

He trusts that the creatures do not comprehend Common, but their was little they could do about it if they did.

Reaching into his pouch, he tosses a stick of butter onto the ground under the Paladins foes feet, while muttering words not meant for mortal ear.

Cogwitz having seen these creatures once before knew exactly what they were capable of.  Be ware of their attack it can paralyze you leaving you vulnerable.

Having said his warning Cogwitz then begins his own prayer for protection.

Cast protection from evil.

Tesseryn grimaces as the ghouls advance and gnash their teeth at him but is heartened to see one fall to Brindle's flame.  Aurion's warning has him scanning the ground before him and planting his feet firmly "Then I shall neither advance nor give ground, Master Moonbeak."  And to Cogwitz warning he replies "Indeed.  I shall endeavour to let none pass."  He swings his greatsword at the solitary ghoul to his right.

Brindle takes a moment to study the situation, sees one ghoul dispatched (hopefully) by Tesseryn's blade and others destabilised by Aurion's conjuration, so he levels his wand at whichever is least disadvantaged by those attacks and speaks a word that will be incomprehensible to most of his companions.

[Language unknown: "Olcendai!"]

Four little orange balls of light streak from the wand and slam into one of the ghouls. (On Tesseryn's left, not on the greased patch, or whichever seems the greatest threat to Tesseryn at the moment.)

OOC: Brindle rolled 11 using 4d4+4.  Magic missiles at a ghoul.

While Leisha silently observes the almost balletic movement of her companions, Cogwitz calls out a warning and hurriedly offers up a prayer to his deity.

Aurion, however offers more practical assistance in the form of a series of arcane gestures and words that cause the area in front of Tesseryn to glisten as they become slick with a layer of slippery grease.

Acknowledging both Elf and Halfling, the Paladin makes sure of his footing and carefully positions his blade before lashing out with a mighty blow that strikes the ghoul creeping up behind him, chopping the creature in half !

Watching all this carefully, Brindle renews his assault, this time switching to his wand and targeting the furthermost of the ghouls with a barrage of mystical spheres that leave it badly burned and hissing in pain.

With a snort at all the gesturing, Wrukaog pushes his way through the crowd to stand shoulder to shoulder with Tesseryn (though truth be told, the Orc tops the Paladin by several inches), bringing his own great axe to bear, though with its unsteady footing, his chosen victim slips and slides around, causing the blow to miss, the ground fairly shaking as the axe head crashes into the rock.

The wounded ghoul draws close and the two standing in the slippery area that Aurion created somehow manage to retain their footing as all three of the remaining creatures attack the Paladin !

Claws slash and teeth bite, only to be deflected by Tesseryn's platemail for the most part, but one of the horrid creatures latches on to the Paladin arm, its teeth somehow finding a gap in his seeming impenetrable armour to penetrate the flesh beneath the metal shell ! 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Brindle wrinkles his nose at the stench of the undead and points his wand again at the same ghoul, repeating the command word again to send another set of 4 missiles hurtling toward that ghoul. [Language unknown:  "Forviryinive!"]

OOC: Brindle rolled 13 using 4d4+4.  Magic missiles at a ghoul.

Cogwitz couldn't just sit back and let the others fight his battles.  Brindle was casting globes of magic at the undead things and Cogwitz had to join.  He moved along the right side of the battle and tumbled into position so that he could get flanking with Tessryn.  He then struck out with one of his kukri's.

The strike hits the ghoul, but doesn't cause a lot of damage. 3 damage
18:30, Today: Cogwitz rolled 3 using d3+d6.  damage.
18:27, Today: Cogwitz rolled 17 using 1d20+10.  attack.
18:22, Today: Cogwitz rolled 32 using 1d20+15.  tumble.

With a flick of his wrist and a short incantation, Aurion fires a reay of bright warm light at the beast who has latched it's teeth into the Paladin.

OOC: sorry I'm late, been busy.

Tesseryn grimaces as the Ghoul's foul teeth bite into his arm and the paralysis poison sinks in.  His spine stiffens as memories rise unbidden of the last time he was surrounded by the undead ... the horror ... the shame.  Is he destined once again to die fighting side-by-side with companions sworn to a sacred yet doomed quest?  Then an axe shakes the ground nearby and Cogwitz appears as foes are scorched with magic.  Tesseryn shakes off memories and paralysis and wields his sword a measured stroke which smites in two another ghoul, the one in the middle, leaving foes already wounded to be picked off by comrades in arms.

With grim determination, Brindle looses another barrage of glowing missiles against the ghoul who suffered his attentions earlier ... and this time is rewarded as the foul creature succumbs to the blast.

Aurion too makes use of his magical talents, sending a ray of bright light arcing towards another of the foe, though his spell fails to hit its target as the ghoul's feet slide out from under it, sending it crashing to the ground. 

Bravely, Cogwitz rushes forwards, ducking and diving as he rolls into position on the far side of the undead, rising to his feet despite the slick surface to plunge his dagger into the back of the nearest.

Roused by his companion's efforts, Tesseryn shakes off the poison of the ghoul's bite to bring his sword about to dissect another of the creatures, his blade once more proving a powerful weapon against such evil.

Not to be outdone, and growling fair to still the blood in the veins of any foe that was not already past such mortal concerns, Wrukaog lifts his mighty axe once more, this time wielding it with far more accuracy, if no less vim and vigor, the blade crushing rather than cutting through the torso of the last of the undead, sending it back to whatever hell spawned it. 

Victory is yours !

The floor of the cavern is littered with corpses - five ghouls and four acolytes - though the silver statue of Mitra and the spilled jars of coin have suffered not at all in the course of the battle.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Glad to see the issue resolved so quickly, Aurion ignores the bodies and the booty to examine the room more closely.

Given the nature of their quest, he was unlikely to risk looting the temple, the others could do as they wished.

As Wrukaog finishes off the last of the ghouls Cogwitz celebrates with a soft Yes!  Way to go everyone.  Now I meant to say earlier before the ghouls came at us that there is a secret door at the southern end of the room.  I am not above gathering the spoils in the room, but I think it could wait to we come out.

"Praise Dauros."  Tesseryn offers quietly as he stoops to wipe his sword on a ghoul's rags.  He makes careful note that the tiny golden flames that flicker along the blade when undead are near are truly extinguished.

He stands and regards his companions "Well fought one and all.  His shimmering red-gold aura sputters out leaving just the plain paladin.  He makes no comment regarding the spilled coins, seemingly disinterested. Let us test both exits."  He moves to the obvious door and tries the handle.

Brindle moves forward to the middle of the room so the glowing pebble in his hand provides light for all to see where they are going.

"Nice idea, Cogwitz, but this is the first time you've been on one of these missions, isn't it? The way it works is we are stuck here until we complete the mission, then we are whisked away before anyone can even say thank you! You don't get a chance to hang around afterwards to take your pick of the treasures laying all around you or to collect a reward from whoever's prayers you have answered. So if you see something you think should be your just reward for the dangers we face, I suggest you pick it up and stow it away in your pack for safe keeping. I'm pretty sure that's what Olidammara would want me to do, anyway. The Gods help those who help themselves!" He finishes with a grin.

Despite his words the piles of copper coins and the heavy silver statue don't interest him at all. Instead he starts inspecting the bodies of the dead acolytes.

"One and most, anyway," Leisha corrects Tesseryn self-consciously, with a guilty shrug.  "Not sure I helped very much with that."

Brindle's rundown for Cogwitz is met with a quiet, curious look, and a long silence, though, before she finally nods a little and agrees, "That all seems very true, though this is only my second time.  Last time, at least, we knew when the end had arrived and had a few seconds to grab whatever was close, and then.."  She shrugs.  "I was home.  Still, weighing ourselves down with copper doesn't sound very helpful, and surviving is still paramount, I think.  Given the nature of our quest here... while it is possible we will just delve down this side of things and sort it all out to everyone's satisfaction, I do suspect we will have to take at least a peek into Mitra's tower as well before we go home, so it seems likely to me that we will be back through here anyway."

"But," she allows, "That's just a guess, clearly."

Heeding the words of the others, Cogwitz searches through the things scattered about to see if he can find something of use.  Cogwitz also cast a spell hoping to aid him in his search.

10:49, Today: Cogwitz rolled 19 using 1d20+11.  search check.

As Wrukaog noisily levers his axe out of the now still corpse of a ghoul, Leisha and Brindle off some helpful advice to those new to being favoured of the gods.

Tesseryn stops glowing and dutifully cleans his now quiet blade, offering thanks to Dauros while Aurion proceeds to search the room, Cogwitz looks to the spoils, and his fellow Halfling turns his interest to the partly munched bodies of the unfortunate acolytes. 

With the curiosity and greed of those worthies satisfied, the Paladin steps over the stinking corpses of the undead and makes his way to the southern door, shouldering it open ...

Beyond, Tesseryn can see naught, but as Brindle joins him at the opening the glowing pebble the Halfling clutches pushes back the darkness and reveals tunnels curving away leftwards and before the pair, while a third leads to the right, holding straight and true, though towards its end another tunnel joins it ... and the rough-hewn walls give way to regular stone blocks as the passage continues on, while another joins it from the left.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Aurion finds himself studying the statue of Mitra...

After kicking around a few copper pieces to see if there are any coins worth taking, Cogwitz moves to the open door in the south where Brindle and Tesseryn are.  In a soft voice he asks, so what did you find?

"The only thing those four acolytes were carrying were these amulets," Brindle replies, holding up four amulets on the cords that had been around the acolytes' necks. Each amulet has a stylised lion, the symbol of goodly Mitra, upon its face and the coiled serpent, symbol of the evil god Set on the obverse.

"I think I will keep one as a souvenir. Who else wants one?" he asks.

Brindle waits at the doorway with the glowing pebble until everyone else is ready to move on then he points down the straight corridor leading off to his right (i.e. left side of the game map).

"That looks like it leads to a more regular corridor, so lets try that way, shall we?"

Aurion will take one of the amulets as well... "Should we detect for magic in this room?" Sorry if someone did that, tired right now.

Brindle shrugs.

"There may be a lot more rooms ahead of us. Maybe we should just collect anything that looks interesting and detect for magic on the whole lot a bit later on?"

"Fine, you carry the statue and all the copper... and the bodies of course."

"No thanks. I don't think any of them are very interesting," Brindle responds with a chuckle. "Look, if we get through this place without finding anything more interesting or we can't think where else to go or what to do next, and if my powers haven't been exhausted by more urgent needs, then I will be happy to wander about checking every room for magic. But, let's face it, this whole place is probably awash with magical auras of one sort or another anyway."

Aurion reaches out to the statue of Mitra ...

... but seemingly the Elf's touch does not offend the Sun God and he joins Cogwitz in a discussion with Brindle regarding amulets and the treasure.  Nobody is very keen to drag around the obviously weighty statue and all but worthless coppers ... and even less so to carry the bodies of the dead.

With Tesseryn at the fore and the glowing pebble providing light, you cautiously make your way down the rough stone tunnel to the more regular corridor beyond stopping at the corner.

To the west the corridor continues about fifty feet before the way is blocked by a heavy curtain.  Southwards it continues about twice that, with an opening, a single door and a double door in the eastern wall before it gives way to a larger chamber of which you can make out only a portion, though from what you can see, it seems to be a temple, judging by the wooden pews.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

"I've found some sort of map..."

He offers to show it to the others...

OOC: For those who wish to look at the map Aurion found, see Game Map for Group A

Brindle puzzles over the map for a few moments then shrugs his shoulders.

"Well done. I have no idea where we are or what it means yet but I'm sure it will come in handy soon enough. So, are we all ready to move on now?"

Tesseryn nods appraisingly as he studies the map Aurion found.  He belatedly treats the bite left by the ghoul on his arm, taking a silver beaker from a pouch and muttering "Let Agrela help" before taking a sip.  He moves to the curtain and draws it aside, sword at the ready.

After having a quick draught of something medicinal, Tesseryn moves down the western passage, the sword in his hand glowing very faintly as he throws the curtain aside to reveal a large chamber, perhaps forty feet square, its walls lined with heavy drapes, unpatterned but clearly expensive and fairly new.  Shadows from the flames dancing in five braziers placed around the perimiter flicker on the ceiling thirty feet above.

In the centre of the room, on cold stone flags, stands a large gold bowl, seemingly empty. 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Leisha looks at the map, nodding thoughtfully.  "Interesting, if indeed a bit lacking in context.  You found this with the statue?" she asks. 

Coming up behind Tesseryn, she looks into the room over his shoulder.  "Hm.  Scrying?  Or summoning, perhaps," she muses.

Once Leisha has finished examining the map, Aurion will put it away, and move forward to stand by Master Brightsoul, glancing into the room and examining the drapes.

Brindle joins them at the entrance to the room and looks at the placement of the 5 braziers around the golden bowl.

"Reminds me of a pentagram," he says. "Summoning or scrying, indeed! What do you reckon, Master Tesseryn? Add holy water to see or hear something special? I've still got one vial of holy water if we want to try it. Or can you detect any trace of evil here?"

He will retrieve the vial of holy water from his backpack if anyone feels like experimenting but he makes no move to try it himself.

"There is indeed an evil presence in this room.  And the unholy are near.  Conduct your experiments, Brindle, I shall stand guard."  He moves towards the bowl, sword at the ready, while concentrating on finding the source of the evil aura.

Aurion ponders if the pentagram is used to keep something in, or if there might be some other purpose.

16:04, Today: Aurion Moonbeak rolled 24 using 1d20+10.  Knowledge Arcana.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:40, Fri 22 July 2016.

"No thanks!" Brindle responds emphatically to Tesseryn. "If there's an evil presence here then holy water is only likely to make it mad. I think I'll wait until we know what we doing before I try that."

After a glance at Aurion's pensive pose Brindle decides to copy him and peers thoughtfully into the room, too.

The crowd grows around the door as Leisha, Brindle and Aurion seek to survey the arrangement of braziers and bowl, though in their caution the three between them blocking Cogwitz view, much to the halfling's vexation at the hindrance.  Wrukaog, of course, has little interest in what lies beyond, though Tesseryn's words at least provide for some optimism.

Irked most mightily by the unholy presences he can sense, Tesseryn enters the room, moving towards the bowl, his dimly glowing sword suddenly burning brightly as the braziers flare up, sending a stream of flame along the floor to the golden bowl in the centre of the chamber.  In a puff of sulfurous smoke, two armoured figures appear next to each brazier, ten of them in all, surrounging the Paladin, eyeless sockets set within a yellowed skull staring at him as they start to advance, rusted swords raised up in fingers of bone ...

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

"Well that wasn't good... expected, yes, but not good."

He hoped the Paladin lived long enough to learn from his mistake, and take things a bit more careful...

taking aim at one of the warriors across the room, Aurion fires a ray of positive energy from his hand.

"Summoning, yes, that's what it is for!" Brindle is pleased with himself for about half a second before he realises the revelation came a bit too late to be useful.

He points his wand at the closest armoured figure along the northern wall and speaks the command word [Language unknown: "Butcomoerher!"] to fire a stream of 4 orange-glowing magic missiles to slam into it.

OOC: Brindle rolled 16 using 4d4+4.  Magic missile.

"Evil has revealed itself."  Curiosity satisfied, Tesseryn steps back 5' to the northeast to defend those he has endangered by triggering the trap.  He swings his greatsword at the skeleton closest to Leisha.  (20 to hit, 30 dmg)

Cogwitz couldn't see a whole lot and it frustrated him greatly.  Suddenly Brindle and Aurion fire off spells at something in the room.  He decided to peek around Leisha to see what was in there while drawing his blades.

Leisha if there is something that needs killing perhaps you should let me through.

Since we're playing kinda fast and loose here with initiative, can I assume Wrukaog takes a running jump and slam at the skeleton to the right of the top brazier? I'm also assuming that nothing else has revealed the skeletons to be illusionary (at least to Wrukoag's view) or anything like that. And finally, if this would provoke an attack of opportunity from the skeleton he'd need to run by, then he'd just attack that one instead, if possible.

(If you can't tell, this sloppy combat stuff is totally new to me. :X)


The orc, a bit miffed at his previous inaccuracy, and even moreso at the continued presence of the undead, screams as he comes barging through the group of people in the doorway. He takes a short jump at the end of his path and slams his axe downward at the top of the first armored figure he can see, intending to push through it all the way down to the floor, and then into the floor another few inches for good measure.

Nat 1.

After the strike, which completely misses its target, he roars into the small room in violent frustration and anger, his voice as loud as two enraged elephants.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:58, Tue 26 July 2016.

"Oh, by all means," Leisha agrees, stepping aside and gesturing Cogwitz forward theatrically.

Those at the front see the danger even before Tesseryn does and react swiftly.  Aurion hurriedly mutters an incantation and a ray of bright light streams from his hand, only to spatter harmlessly against the stone wall as the armoured skeletons move en masse towards the Paladin.  Brindle has more luck with his wand, as a brace of glowing magical balls angle through the air to slam into the one that the Elf targeted, reducing it to dust.

Thinking only of others, Tesseryn takes a step back and swings his blade with deadly accuracy at the undead nearest Leisha, leaving another pile of fine dust as his sword completes its arc.

Drawing his blades, Cogwitz politely asks Leisha to let him pass... though everyone is shouldered aside as Wrukaog does not hesitate to come barging through, literally throwing himself into the fray.  The Orc's shouts only grow louder as his axe whistles past the skull of one of the skeletons and slams into the ground, shattering one of the flags into pieces ... though that might just as easily have been caused by his roar of frustration. 

Meanwhile Leisha equally politely steps back to make room for the Halfling who quickly enters the fray, nimbly leaning in with his blade and managing to stave in half the foe's ribcage, despite the awkward angle.

Perversely the undead seem oblivious to the presence of either Wrukaog or Cogwitz as they clamber to attack Tesseryn, though something seems to prevent them from simply overwhelming him with numbers ... and it seems Dauros must indeed greatly favour the Paladin for all but one blade whistles past him while his armour protects him from the last.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ... NB: Skeletons AC13, half damage from slashing/piercing weapons.

Brindle is pleasantly surprised to see their front-line fighters quickly and efficiently forming a front line for this battle. That's a very comforting sign that this group of strangers will be able to work together as a team after all. Even better, he is a comfortable distance back from the blade-work!

He takes a moment to consider his options then lines up his wand again and fires off two pairs of orange-glowing magic missiles, one set passing close to Tesseryn's left hip and the other pair narrowly missing his right hip on their way to strike the two skeletons at the back of the battle, either side of the golden bowl.

OOC: Brindle rolled 7,8 using 2d4+2,2d4+2.  2 pairs of magic missiles at 2 skeletons.

Aurion takes the opportunity to wield his magical rod and cause a small rain of stones to fall from above onto the largest cluster of skeletons.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Wed 03 Aug 2016.

Still yelling from the same single breath from moments before, the orc changes tactics--this time swingnig sideways instead of downwards, and only slightly more controlled, in a great arc at the least feeble, most formidable-looking skeleton within range.

"within range" may mean taking a 5' step first if the two next to him in the map are already downed or look fairly non-threatening compared to some other nearby one, though even while enraged Wrukaog is (somewhat) aware of the concept and consequences of keeping a line and/or not becoming entirely encircled. Unless there's just a really mean-looking skeleton in impressive armor, then he'll probably just work his way toward that. Few things are more satisfying than smashing some smug-looking bastard in ornate-looking armor. (Can skeletons look smug without facial musculature?)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sun 31 July 2016.

Cogwitz's last attack took a bit of bone from the skeleton just in front of him.  It seemed to completely ignore it and contineud to attack Tesseryn.  Apparently his holiness was distracting enough to let him inflict a little more damage than he normally would have.  So, he decides to strike again with both his blades.

14:03, Today: Cogwitz rolled 24,1,5,18,1,3 using d20+12,d3,d6,d20+12,d3,d6.  attack same skeleton.

Tesseryn withstands the onslaught of the skeletons, relieved as his companions quickly begin to demolish them.  If any are left standing he will hold forth his holy symbol and condemn them.

Brindle looses another barrage of mystical energy from his wand which does a fine job of reducing another two of the skeletons to a fine dust, much to the Halfling's satisfaction.

Wielding his scepter-like rod of iron, Aurion intones the words of a spell, concentrating on the group of skeletons clustered before the golden bowl ...

Still keeping that roar going at a painful pitch, Wrukaog lashes out with his axe with a powerful blow that would make any of you watching really, really pleased that you weren't on the receiving end.  Indeed, the skeleton that has the ill-luck to be nearest to the rampaging Orc fairly explodes into uncountable shards as a result of that blow, never mind the natural proclivities of these creatures to tidy up after themselves.

The violent cracking of bone is followed by an equally terrifying vacuuming in of another double lung full of air as Wrukaog prepares to deal the same fate to the next foe.

Displeased that his foe survived his last effort, this time Cogwitz brings both blades to bear ... slicing through jawbone and spine in a more skillful if less spectacular display than the Orc's, though the result is the same as the skeleton falls to add to the dust coating the stone slabs.

... finally Aurion's spell reaches its conclusion and a shower of stone rains down upon those skeletons caught beneath it.  As the Elf shifts his focus, so too do the stones adjust their flight as they pelt the skeleton's smashing bone and finishing off another three of them. 

One single undead remains, and Tesseryn lifts his holy symbol, and the holy light of Dauros bathes the skeleton, which immediately turns and rushes to the far south west corner of the chamber where it stands, swaying slightly, duly chastened.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Tesseryn moves back towards the bowl at the centre of the room. "Do you still wish to conduct your experiment Brindle?" He concentrates on detecting evil.

"Not if it is evil," he responds quite emphatically. "Pouring holy water into an evil bowl could be really dangerous. What do you detect?"

If it does not detect as evil then Brindle will risk pouring his flask of holy water into the golden bowl.

Now that the obstacles to his desire have been removed, the Paladin continues forwards to stand by the golden bowl, reaching out once more with his god-given powers to see if the routing of the skeletons has cleansed the chamber of evil's taint ... but shaking his head sadly as he finds the aura of evil here undiminished.

Pretty sure this would have happened before anyone had much time to start deliberating...

Wrukaog wastes no time in making another running leap at last remaining threat, swinging his axe downward squarely into the wretched, cowarding thing, and letting out a *HWAH* at the start of his swing that is punctuated by his axe rending the floor apart once more after it makes its way through the body of the skeleton.

10:56, Today: Wrukaog rolled 31 using 1d20+14.  Raged, PA (-4), Charging.
10:57, Today: Wrukaog rolled 34 using 1d12+25.  damage, PA +8.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:49, Sat 06 Aug 2016.

Wrukaog does not concern himself with the niceties of the emanations of evil, seeing the evidence of such before his battle-crazed eyes.

Throwing himself across the room, the Orc looses yet another powerful blow, reducing the last of the undead to a fine powder.

However ...

To the horror of everyone else looking on, the braziers flare up, and flame streams once again along the floor to the golden bowl in the centre of the chamber.   In a puff of sulfurous smoke, two armoured figures appear next to each brazier, ten of them in all, turning to face Wrukaog, eyeless sockets set within a yellowed skull staring at him as they start to advance, rusted swords raised up in fingers of bone ...

Oh, and Tesseryn's sword which had momentarily dimmed following the demise of the skeleton the Orc slew suddenly burns bright once more.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Brindle shrugs resignedly when another batch of skeletons suddenly materialises to attack Wrukaog.

"Nah, I really don't think I ever want to go in there at all!" he decides.

He points his wand toward the two skeletons in the southeast corner of the room and speaks the command word again to send a pair of orange-glowing missiles whistling past Cogwitz's left ear and another pair past his right ear to slam into those two skeletons.

OOC: Brindle rolled 10,8 using 2d4+2,2d4+2.  2 pairs of magic missiles at 2 skeletons.

Aurion waits in the doorway, watching to see what develops...

Dismayed that the skeletons have returned, Tesseryn makes a halfhearted attempt to turn them (rolled 6) then prepares to receive their attacks again.  "This curse may be repeated endlessly.  Perhaps this time we should not destroy them all until we have concluded our search.  I shall lure away the last one standing while you all search.  Meanwhile show them no mercy."

Cogwitz was about to move into the room as well and check out the place when suddenly the fires blaze and the skeletons appear once again.  He heard Tesseryn's words and couldn't disagree.  We may also want to try and either destroy the gold bowl or the braziers. Cogwitz had already fought these things once so he knew a little more about them, but he tried to remember more before his next attack.

07:48, Today: Cogwitz rolled 32 using 1d20+13.  knowledge check religion.

Cogwitz then took a 5ft step to flank with Tesseryn and attacked the skeleton before him.

07:46, Today: Cogwitz rolled 29,5,4,15,6,3 using d20+12,d3+4,d6,d20+12,d3+4,d6.  attacks and damage. Total of 18 damage this time.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:36, Mon 08 Aug 2016.

The orc's lips curl back to reveal his varying color of teeth, some actually pretty white, others... not, in what may be a... smile?

10:02, Today: Wrukaog rolled 19 using 1d20+14.  Raged, PA (-2) vs. skeleton on SW corner.
10:03, Today: Wrukaog rolled 25 using 1d12+21.  damage, PA+4.

After scattering its remains all about the side of the room with his swing, he takes the now-dispathed skeleton's previous position in the corner of the room, then turns around and begins banging one of his clenched fists against his chest as the next bout of shouting begins.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:28, Tue 09 Aug 2016.

The appearance of another double handful of the skeletons is sufficient for Brindle to decide that he does not wish to try the experiment he suggested, or even to tread far into the room, instead using his magic wand to once more blast a couple of the foul creatures into shards of bones that again become dust as they hit the stone floor.

As Aurion watches, Tesseryn holds forth the symbol of Dauros, but his mind is bent upon methods and tactics that might be used to frustrate the summoning spell, and the undead are unmoved by his condemnation.

Cogwitz, however shows he is more than capable of both swift thinking and action, his mind racing as his kukris strike hard against bone, slaying another of the skeletons. 

The orc is less subtle and after an impressively toothy display smashes the creature before him into many small pieces which fly across the room before reverting to dust as Wrukaog claims the position of the vanquished foe, taking its place in the south west corner of the chamber before beating his chest and yelling.

The skeletons, of course, all turn as one and rush towards him, ignoring the rest of you, though one strays too close to Tesseryn and meets its end as the Paladin's blade flashes out, leaving only five of them to assail the Orc, though only two of those can actually get close enough to thrust their rusted blades at him, neither of which even come close to his flesh, such is the jostling from behind.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

The orc carries on shouting and swinging, dust and bone fragments flying every which way.

17:28, Today: Wrukaog rolled 16 using 1d20+14.  Continuing to do work.
17:28, Today: Wrukaog rolled 22 using 1d12+21.  damage.

Tesseryn's jaw drops momentarily, affronted that the unholy should have chosen the orc over his impeccably holy self.  The undead mock him for his pathetic attempt to condemn them - he can sense their breathless laughter.  His teeth clack shut as he regains his composure and searches for less humiliating explanations for this bizarre trap.  "Perhaps this is a training room for those who wish to improve their swordsmanship?"  He doesn't sound convinced.  Another possibility occurs to him "Perhaps whilst Wrukaog distracts them might be an opportune time to search the room and conduct experiments?"

The paladin moves up west of the golden bowl and pushes his way into the gap between three skeletons (SW of the bowl), incurring an AoO from one of them should it deign to pay him any attention.  He smashes that one with his sword regardless. (23 to hit, 26 dmg)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:22, Mon 08 Aug 2016.

Brindle wields his wand once more, just to help speed things along. Fortunately Tesseryn has positioned himself perfectly for Brindle to repeat his favourite targeting strategy of two to the left of him and two to the right.

In between wand waving he fishes out his vial of holy water, just in case Tesseryn feels like pouring it into the golden bowl after he finishes playing with the skeletons.

OOC: Brindle rolled 10,6 using 2d4+2,2d4+2.  2 pairs of magic missiles at 2 skeletons

Seeing the swinging and the smashing and the biting seems to be sufficient for these foes, Aurion continues to observe, glancing behind him occasionally to be sure they are not surprised from that quarter.

Now Cogwitz had a memory of something he had read before.  I remember a necromantic ritual performed by the priests of Set to summon animated corpses to destroy interlopers when a ward is breached without the proper words being spoken to forestall them.  Unless someone knows the password we will keep dealing with these things.  Unless destroying the bowl or the brazier work.

ooc: wonder if we could chop of their arms and so they can't hurt us, but keeps them animated if that would suffice?  Kind of like The walking dead lol.

Cogwitz looks to see of the braziers can be pushed over.

Tesseryn listens carefully to Cogwitz' suggestion.  "A worthy suggestion Cogwitz.  I shall attempt to disarm one soon."

"De-leg them as well, if you can, Master Paladin. One would not want to be defeated by the darkly armored knights by being head-butted or bit."

OOC: checks feat list ... Improved Disarm ... will have to improvise ...

"De-feet them?" Brindle asks. "Isn't that what we need to do?"

Leisha nods, considering that that sounds like a pretty good plan - certainly worth a try - from her perspective.  Although she only nods, considering that her perspective is still safely outside the room watching appreciatively as most of the others actually deal with the skeletons.

The orc continues to yell and thrash about, but then his eyes dart to the brazier closest to him after a half dozen words of the idle chatter miraculously make it through to his addled and enraged mind--a new target of his fury.

Peeved at the very presence of the foe, Wrukaog swings his axe with almost total disregard for accuracy, smiting the nearest of the skeletons with but a glancing blow that sees it battered into the western wall.  Shards of bone momentarily achieve something approaching escape velocity before reverting to dust. 

Offended to his very core that he is not the recipient of the murderous intent displayed by the admittedly dwindling number of creatures, Tesseryn ignores his own advice and steps up smartly, dodging an opportune blow to batter his blade against his assailant.  The fragments travel slightly further than those set in motion by the Orc before they too become dust. 

Brindle's wielding of his wand requires considerably less effort on the Halfling's part, and the glowing balls of magic energy are considerably less violent in effect that the impact of Wrukaog's and Tesseryn's blows ... but still manages to dust two of them himself, leaving but one skeleton that is caught between a rock and a hard place (ie the Paladin and the Orc).

Enthused by all this success, Aurion banters with Tesseryn and Brindle as Cogwitz offers some sagely advice and Leisha ponders matters. 

Unperturbed by the destruction of all its fellow foul undead, the remaining skeleton swings his sword at Wrukaog, coming commendably close to striking the Orc.  But Wrukaog, it seems, no longer perceives the undead as a credible threat, instead turning his attention to the brazier that stands beside him, lashing out again with his axe to chop it in half, the tearing sound of metal drowned out by his impressively loud bellows.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ... broken brazier marked with an X to indicate it is dead ... Wrukaog has already acted this round, but I leave the last of the skeletons to the rest of you, either to attempt to destroy or dismember as is your desire.  ;>

Brindle waits to see what will be the outcome of Wrukaog's vandalism and whatever the others decide to do about the last skeleton before he decides what he will do next.

Pulling out a rectangle of white paper, Aurion sprinkles some greenish brown vegetable matter into it, then with a quick lick folds it into a tube. With a minuscule effort he sets the tip on fire, and takes a deep, lung filling, soul soothing drag. For a moment he worried the Paladin might find the action unethical, some religions did, but the moment Sir Brightsoul seemed occupied.

He turned to Leisha, offering her a drag as well...

Cogwitz is delaying his action for the moment.

Tesseryn Attempts to disarm the skeleton using his greatsword.  Should the skeleton's rusty sword fall at his feet he will attempt to kick it out of reach.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:37, Mon 15 Aug 2016.

Leisha declines with a polite shake of her head and a quick hand-wave.