Finishing his research sooner than expected (although why it was unexpected eludes him...he is a great Mage after all...equal of heaven and all that), Aurion searches the tomes and scrolls for anything that may help with the layout and inhabitants of the other tower. He sends Clique and Claque to slither about the shelves too, as long as no one is watching.

21:19, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 25 using 1d20+13.  Spellcraft 'see invisible' DC17.

"Death to them minions of Set !" Gnevron dutifully, even gleefully supplies in the pause that Tesseryn leaves, before giving serious consideration to the questions raised.

"Ours are all linked to locations on the upper level," he replies to the Paladin's ponderings regarding the other sightings of similar mists.  "Couldn't tell you were the others go.  Might be good for you, might be bad.  There's a lot of knowledge been lost over the years."

"The entrance to Set's tower, cursed be his name and death to all those who follow him," the gnome smiles, "is about a hundred or so feet that way," he points south towards the sealed doors.  "But you'll have to go the long way - work your way down from the top."

"That's why," he admits to Leisha.  "Without the wards in place we'd be quickly overwhelmed by the scum who serve Set, death to all of them.  With their stronghold so close by they'd be quick to take advantage.  And to make matters worse they've stuck a dragon in one of the chambers in between !  We think the long way down would steer cleer of that dreadful beasts - he's likely not too choosy who he eats, so our foe prefer to avoid him too."

"Demons and worse, that's what you'd find in there," Gnevron tells Brindle.  "Misshapen creatures of Chaos, undead of the worst kind," he shudders at the sheer evilness of it.

"I'm a Storm Giant," Vishnar admits to the Halfling, "this is just a simple illusion to confuse the unwary.  My kin and I are sworn to guard the holy shrines of men."

"I don't believe the Dark Tower would be anything like this," the gnome chips in.  "Set, oh I hate him, would neither admit that this proud structure was the pinnacle of beauty, nor copy anything that Holy Mitra had built."

"As for making things right ..."

Gnevron smiles broadly.  "Death to the minions of Set !  That'd do it !"

Determined to learn all of the secrets of the library, Aurion casts Comprehend Languages on himself and his snakes and they continue their search for information about the dark tower... and perchance anything about the serpent hilted sword taken from the sheriff.

"A dragon."  Tesseryn mutters, ruefully remembering choices made in a past life. 

Finding himself hugely impressed with the defences of Mitra's tower, he wonders why they do not simply sally forth themselves to take the dark tower.  But he is here as a servant of Dauros, and it is not for him to question the will of his deity.  Sallying forth was the task clearly and unambiguously appointed to this party, and he will see it done.  The two questions remaining, for him, are where to start and where to find the other relics left by Mitra's champions.

He turns about and gestures in several directions, taking his bearings, then enquires "Set's tower lies just 100' to the south, you say.  But the circular passage we traversed, with Wrukaog's help, must be north of here, so that passage does not gird Set's tower after all.  Hmmm... Aurion's chance-found map fragment marked 'the tower' to the north of Omphalos' post.  So, if we're to gain entrance via the top level, and if the towers were of equal height, then the entrance may be found in the unexplored first level passages east of the shrine of Set."

Tesseryn holds up his hand to show Gnevron and the Giants the ring he wears, "Mitra's favour, and within it the spirit of Sir George, Prince of the High Peaks and Champion of the Faith.  And we also have found the amulet, Mitra's eye, warded by the spirit of Charlamack the Just.  But we still seek the belt, the girding of Mitra, with the spirit of Princess Jamalla the Wise.  Omphalos advised that we should recover all three to aid our quest, and we should seek for the belt on the second level.  Can you offer any further guidance?"

Brindle looks closely at Vishnar when he admits he is really a storm giant.

"That's very effective. Let them see what they expect to see. I never even considered your appearance might be an illusion," he admits.

He eyes Tesseryn with genuine respect when he demonstrates that he really has been paying attention to everything he has been told.

He grimaces at the mention of demons and undead but looks thoughtful at the mention of a dragon as well.

"We've faced a dragon before, haven't we Leisha? Its name was Vesicant, wasn't it? Let's hope we will be as lucky again this time too."

Leisha bursts into a short laugh at that.  "I'm not sure `facing' is what I remember us doing," she admits.  "But thankfully it sounds like all we have to do this time is not open that door."

"I did face that dragon!" Brindle exclaims indignantly. "Alright, it might not have been for very long, but long enough to know that it had dreadful halitosis!"

He pauses for a long moment after that as the memory of what happened next sinks in.

"There wouldn't happen to be one of those foggy corridors right near where that dragon would be, would there?" he asks Gnevron.

Then he looks a Gnevron again and asks, "I don't suppose you have been praying especially fervently for Mitra to save you, or something like that, have you? Or would you have any idea whether there is someone else around here who has been doing that sort of thing recently?"

Gnevron shakes his head, reluctantly contradicting Tesseryn's careful logic.

"The entrances to our Holy Tower and the squat monstrosity that Set, may his followers wither and die most horribly, created are both on this level ... but at some point in the last few hundred years, our side were able to cut through the upper dome of Mitra's temple," he points straight up.

"Where we stand now, at the lowest level where both entrances lie, is ..." the gnome pauses for a moment as he visualises all the levels and sub-levels in his mind "... the fourth level of the complex outside."

Although he seems to have known that Sir Holomir had given Mitra's Favour to the Paladin, the news that you have also recovered the amulet is welcome news indeed.

"Mitra's Light shines upon you !  Those Holy artifacts will certainly ward you well !  Alas, I know only that the previous wearer of the belt, a warrior staunch and true, fell to an ambush, beneath the axes of foul orcs, somewhere on the second level."

Brindle's first question brings a shake of the head.  "I've not been down that far myself," he gestures with a finger indicating the making of the journey from the dome entrance above, "but I've not heard of any of the mists of transportation, ours or theirs, operating this far down."

The halfling's second question(s), however bring a glad nod of the head. "Oh, we've all been praying with great devotion for centuries.  Perhaps you are the answer to those prayers ?"

"Orcs?!!"  Tesseryn snaps, looking up and shaking a mailed fist at something or someone imagined there.

Unaware of the Paladin's ire, Aurion continues his study until it be time to retire to his bunk with a cup of wine and a head full of matters living and supernatural.

Recovering his composure, Tesseryn surmises what the gods have planed for their devoted followers.  "So, we must first battle our way down through the tunnels to the fourth level, then battle our way up through Set's tower.  Excellent.  Let's sleep then set forth on the morrow.  Are there more questions?  If not, please lead the way back up, Gnevron."  He looks to Brindle and Leisha, nods his solemn regard to Vishnar and waits for the storm giant to magic them back upstairs.

As they pass Berkam-Shem's prison he has an afterthought and asks Gnevron, "That wizard asked if we were sent by Avvakris.  Does that name mean anything to you?"

Brindle grins at Gnevron's final comments. "Oh, I sincerely hope so, Master Gnevron. Nothing would give me greater satisfaction."

He has no further questions and is happy to follow the paladin's suggested course of action.

The gnome beams with pleasure.

"If you would open the way, Vishar, my friend ... ?  Ah, thank you."

The giant obligingly steps forwards, placing a small gem into the pattern on the floor before stepping back.

The pair chorus the customary "Death to the minions of Set !" before Gnevron ushers you into the circle and you reappear on the level above, to begin the long climb back upwards.

"Avvakris ?  Oh yes ... he's the mayor of Mitra's Fist and high priest of Set, a curse on all who would venerate the loathsome reptile !  He and Haffrung Helleyes are the two most powerful of those who would destroy us.  To be honest, if they ever combined forces instead of struggling for supremacy, we'd have been wiped out long ago.  Lucky for us that evil is selfish and stupid, eh ?"

Arriving back at the mess hall after a few more choruses of "Death to the minions of Set" (you greatly fear you'll be hearing that over and over in your dreams this night), Wrukaog and Cogwitz sleepily toast your return.

Supper is available should you wish it, else you may retire for the night when you wish, Aurion eventually seeking his pallet once his studies are completed.

You pass a quiet night ... but the next morning you are unable to rouse either Brindle or Cogwitz from their slumbers ... and Wrukaog reluctantly admits to being excessively sleepy.  The concerned gnomes ask whether you ate or drank anything in the village above, and the big Orc admits to taking a drink at the Overlord's Inn.

The gnomes shake their heads, telling you how lucky you are to have spent the night safe within the White Tower, for if you'd tried to find a quiet corner in the chambers without, you might well have met a horrible fate.

It takes a good four hours for the Halflings to awaken ... though the pair are much refreshed when they do !

Brindle does indeed waken fully refreshed and is quite surprised when told he and Cogwitz had overslept and couldn't be woken.

"I wonder what could have caused that?" he wonders, sounding just a little bit concerned.

His first priority, though, is to spend a little while with his spellbook to prepare a few replacement spells for the new day's mission.

Tesseryn is impatient to be off on the quest.  "By nightfall these catacombs will be crawling with orcs."  But he has to wait while the halflings sleep it off, then catch up on their breakfast and second breakfast and elevenses.  He marches downstairs to check on the prisoner, then back upstairs to converse alone with Sir Holomir, sharing lofty ideals without empty threats to the followers of Set.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:29, Wed 14 Nov 2018.

After breakfast, Aurion studies his spell books. He pilfers talc from the gnomes' bathroom and grinds some flattened silver pennies to powder. "There. Now I will be able to see the invisible goat." He is ready to go.

The Halflings have overslept so much that they are able to enjoy breakfast, lunch and whatever other snacks they fancy in between.  Both, however, are also keen to study or pray, as their vocation requires ... occupying the pair for another hour or so ... making it well after noon (so you reckon) by the time they are done.

Aurion takes the opportunity to ensure he is well prepared for what lies ahead, especially if that future involves any invisible goats, and Wrukaog is happy to eat and drink, leaving Leisha to get thoroughly bored and Tesseryn moreso, though after issuing dire but timely warnings, the Paladin heads upstairs to talk with Sir Holomir. 

Eventually all are ready to depart (some of you keener than the others who are considering afternoon tea) ... whither will you go ?

"What was it you said yesterday, Tesseryn? We must first battle our way down through the tunnels to the fourth level, then battle our way up through Set's tower - that's the idea, isn't it? Gnevron, can you point us in the right direction, please?" Brindle asks when everyone is ready to set off again.

(Yes, alright, Brindle and Cogwitz are the ones you have been waiting for, so when Brindle is ready to leave it is more than likely everyone else is already heading out the door.)

"No tea, then?" Leisha asks, a trifle disappointed.  She may have had to wait for the halflings to be ready, but not, it seems, impatiently.  With a small shrug, she gives her attention to Gnevron.

Tesseryn raises a mailed hand to forestall any further discussion regarding the direction of travel.  "Sir Holomir has advised that I ought test myself, to determine whether I may be found worthy to take up the mantle of the Heart of Law."  He nods gravely towards Leisha, for it was she who earlier discovered that treasure and made the same recommendation.   "The Lammasu in the White Tower below will send us directly there via the Mists of Transportation, if you would indulge this one further delay.  If I am successful then I believe it would be to our advantage."  Clearly he still has misgivings but is compelled to try out of duty.  "Will you accompany me?"

"I'm interested to see how the mists operate, so I will go with you master paladin. And later you can help us win the Soul of Chaos and Mind of Balance." Aurion grins, knowing that his deal sounds fair whatever else the paladin may think of it. "In fact we may need to draw lots to see who wins the chaos jewel."

Brindle grins at Aurion's quip about the Soul of Chaos but doesn't offer an opinion on the matter. Instead he cheerfully agrees to Tesseryn's request.

"Oh yes, I'll come. Wouldn't want to miss seeing how that works."

Tesseryn regards Aurion, a pursed lipped glare and slow nod of reluctant agreement. One should never expect any better of elves - in Ardania they were scoundrels all, and here as well obviously.  An unlikely companion, yet by the will of Dauros an ally in this most worthy quest.  The scales of justice remain balanced.

Brindle is a far more agreeable fellow, and merry like the gnomes of Ardania, although he finds himself scrutinizing the halfling's words for double meaning and humour as was rife when last the mists were discussed.  The lady Leisha was another to make frivolous quips on that subject... and also a speculation that the Heart of Law may not be what it seems.  One must remain vigilant.

Though Tesseryn is both pleased but suspicious of such easy agreement, the Paladin graciously takes the win, and Gnevron cheerfully leads you back downstairs to the Lammasu who are equally happy to comply with the request ... though one, Eaomir, assures you that any Mitraic artifact, such as the ring which Tesseryn bears (or the Amulet which Aurion has) would suffice.

Passing through the mists in the chamber to the south of the Lammasu, you feel but a momentary disorientation before finding yourself at your destination.  Behind you, to the south, the corridor is blocked by the now familiar mists, while to the west you see the large circular room where Omphalos keeps his vigil.

Before you the corridor curves around, north and west, leading, so Leisha assures you, to where you will find the Heart of Law.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Brindle is a little mystified by Eaomir's comment, so he asks for clarification before they depart.

"Are you talking about how to travel via the mists? Do you mean that these Mitraic artifacts act as some sort of key to allow travel via the mists?" he asks.