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.