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."