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?"