Wrukaog glares at the smashed staircase and the underside of the closed trapdoor. He adjusts his grip on his greataxe a couple of times before shaking his head and turning away.

"Cark it, there's no point smashing our way out. If Merth went that way he'll be long gone by the time we get through that lot. Ain't worth it. Let's go find Leisha and them sneaky little halflings instead."

He will head back downstairs to tell Tesseryn what they found.

"Alright then, I expect our friends will come here eventually to find us, so we can either wait here until they arrive or head out ourselves to try to find them instead. Unfortunately they could be just about anywhere by now, so we are more likely to miss them than find them."

He sighs.

"I suppose we should wait here. Oomphalos will tell them which way we came if they think to ask him, but they know Leisha was going to bring you here anyway."

As an afterthought, he looks around at the rescued prisoners and asks, "Is anyone injured?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:20, Mon 11 May 2020.

Agreed. Aurion follows Wrukaog back downstairs to inform Tesseryn. .We've lost him. We'll head back to the White Tower. Anything in there? He nods to towards the closed double doors.

Tesseryn nods his agreement.  A blood-filled font, and another door. We should return here to 'sort that out'... later.  With a resigned sigh he sets off northwards, peering into the side passage on the right, and noting whether or not the bodies of the constables are still where they fell on the left, before heading into the ghoul lair and presenting himself before Sir Holomir.

We slew Mayor Avaakris and drove off Sheriff Merth.  Ishpemo is now in charge in the village.  We have returned here to regroup with our companions who, hopefully, have returned already to the White Tower.  He lowers his eyes, removes his gauntlet exposing the ring, Mitra's Favour.   I claimed the Heart of Law.  It's demands proved too great.  I have renounced my vow, although I remain bound to the Quest that brought us here.  And willingly so, for I would see the Dark Tower defeated.  I am, however, unworthy of your gift. He removes the ring from his finger and holds it out to the Guardian.

Resigned to the fact that Merth may have escaped your clutches if he indeed came this way and sought refuge in the Inn, Wrukaog and Aurion return to Tesseryn, suggesting to the ex-Paladin that they should seek now the White Tower once more in the hope of being reunited with the rest of your companions.

Making your way North, you notice that the side passage leads Eastwards but a short distance, perhaps twenty feet, before being engulfed in mists that prevent you seeing further.

Continuing on, you retrace your steps through the ghoul's lair and presently find yourselves face to face with Sir Holomir.  The Lion of Mitra listens stoically to Tesseryn's tale of his fall from grace, but refuses to take back the ring.

"It was not your vow but your faith that made you deserving of Mitra's Favour," Sir Holomir tells Tesseryn.  "Though you may have set aside your vow, it is to your credit that you still hold true to the path upon which you have set yourself."

"That Mitra has guided you to the Heart of Law is but further proof of your righteousness."

"But beware !  The Dark Tower corrupts the unwary - do not let your renunciation of your vow lessen your faith or cause you to doubt yourself."

"You remain my friend ... and of course may pass and enter the White Tower.

Down below, Brindle is relieved to discover that none have suffered any physical harm, though the ex-prisoners are still weary from their ordeal, yet unwilling to tarry overlong.

And one and all are overjoyed when Aurion, Tesseryn and Wrukaog, descend the stairs and you are all reunited !

Tesseryn smiles at his friends and wipes away the soot streaks from his cheeks.  He had been dreading this return to the White Tower since his fall from grace, but Sir Holomir's acceptance has reassured him that he is still welcome there.  He introduces himself, Aurion and Wrukaog to the freed captives and shakes hands with those who will take his offered hand.

He gives an account of the coup above, outlining the deception, the slaying of Mayor Avaakris and the constabulary turning on Sheriff Merth.  "Ishpemo is now in charge in the village, and as we left was intending to deal with Ollem the werewolf.  Merth escaped in the tunnels.  Malicia the succubus disappeared after I attacked her."  He looks down and fusses with a belt pouch as he says this last part, perhaps to distract from the sudden flush of colour in his cheeks.

"Is anyone injured?" he asks, offering a small silver beaker taken from the pouch.

When it comes to arming the freed captives he can offer a plain shortsword, two daggers and a silver holy symbol fashioned as the Scales of Justice.  "This talisman will protect the wearer." 

"We should leave at once and strike at the Dark Tower, before they learn of the coup above."

Its a relief to have the party back together again. "Good job Leisha! Four out of four rescued. That's better than we did, two out of three escaped. We should stick together after this."

He gratefully recovers the amulet that he left in the shrine from Cogwitz. "So this is Mitra's eye. Omphalos said it is warded by the spirit of Charlamack the Just. But what does it do?" He wishes he had time to identify the thing but instead just shows it to Gnevron and asks.

For arming the new-comers, Aurion can offer a Heavy Crossbow, Rapier and a Glass Longsword. "This is enchanted, but I've never seen anything like it. Its last owner was Lord Mitra himself, so I presume it has no evil powers. Any clues?"

When Tesseryn speaks of attacking the dark tower, Aurion offers an alternative. "We still seek the belt, the girding of Mitra, with the spirit of Princess Jamalla the Wise. Omphalos advised us to get the complete set before tackling the tower. There were plenty of passages around where we met that belt-swapping statue, Samalgidaceon, that we did not explore, and Tesseryn found a font that sounded interesting. But first, perhaps we should help our new friends find their companion and recover their gear?"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:35, Sun 17 May 2020.

Wrukaog scoffs at the rapier that Aurion offers the ex-prisoners.

That's not a proper sword at all! This is a proper carking sword!" he says as he puts down his greataxe and draws the two handed sword with a jewel encrusted pommel that was strapped to his back.

"One of you guys wanna borrow this beauty 'til yer get yer own stuff back?"

Brindle grins at Wrukaog's enthusiasm over the shiny greatsword but turns his attention to Aurion's mysterious items. He joins the elf to discuss them and brings out a pair of bracers as well.

"Berkam-Shem's bracers. They have a conjuration aura of moderate strength but I have not had a chance to investigate them further yet. I actually have an Identify spell prepared and the pearls needed for the spell, but I've not had an hour to spare to put it to use yet.

"Oh, and the Mayor's ring too, of course, and Cogwitz is looking after that golden lion amulet."

"Ah, yes, thank you Cogwitz. That golden lion amulet is mine ... Mitra's Eye I believe its called."

If the denizens of the White Tower are scandalised by Tesseryn's tale of treachery and deception, Aurion's timely questions regarding the amulet and blade of Mitra distract them nicely and all present ooh and ahh over the treasures.

Gnevron may be blissfully ignorant and pleased just to bask in the knowledge that these precious artifacts have been found, but the Lammasu are more knowledgeable about such things.

"The Lion Amulet will assist the bearer in attack and defence, and both physically and magically," he informs you all, with just the right touch of smugness (or at least a Goodly amount of it).

"And should the bearer also wear Mitra's Favour, then their very touch will utterly destroy the weaker undead."

"Yes, the Lion of Mitra, Charlamack the Just, is bound to the Eye ... he will come forth if summoned by name, or if the bearer is in imminent danger of death."

The glass blade, however, nobody knows anything about, nor any of the other items that are mentioned.

Happily none present need to take up Tesseryn's kind offer of healing, though the attempt to arm the four prisoners does not go as well as might be hoped.  Moram looks as if you've just tried to poison him, while Virdonitii tells you he prefers to use his fists.

Vashalla is more apologetic, but her faith allows her but few weapons and while she could use a staff, she is most skilled in the flail.

At least Haltashaar is not only willing and able to use the weapons you offer, but is also grateful to you.  He selects one of Tesseryn's daggers, tucking it into his boot, and takes up the two handed blade that comes with Wrukaog's personal and hearty recommendation.

Gnevron also agrees with Aurion's proposition.  "Best you garner what advantages you can before you storm the Dark Tower," he agrees, nodding his head while all the other denizens of the White Tower present chorus the usual response.

Tesseryn looks thoughtfully at the Ring he wears.  "It is agreed then, we should continue to search for the belt, the Girding of Mitra, and for Vastavaar, before seeking to enter the Dark Tower.  Omphalos said only that it was in the hands of Set's minions.  Do any here have more specific directions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Mon 25 May 2020.

"We found another mist-filled passage just near the Shrine to Set. Is that one of ours or one of theirs?"

Aurion is quite full of questions but narrows it down to just a few.

"We met Berkam Shem on the second level, near the room of the talking statue, Samalgidaceon. Is Shem's lair near there?"

"I think the first place to search for Vastavaar should be where we found the other captives. Perhaps we should search Ishpemo's lair while he's busy in the town?"

Brindle nodded agreement with the way the plan was coming together.

"Haltashaar said the gear taken from the prisoners was stored in one of the other empty prison cells. So, that seems like the best place to start. They will be more use in a fight and better able to defend themselves if they are properly equipped. We might even find some clue about where Vastavaar was taken, especially if we can locate Ishpemo's quarters."

"Yeah, get their carkin' gear back," Wrukaog agrees.

His glance at the jewelled two-handed sword is a not-so-subtle reminder that it is only a temporary loan.

Brindle has another look at the Mayor's ring then shrugs. He recites the words of a simple spell and examines it again.

"And perhaps on the way we can tip over that blood-filled pot that Tesseryn mentioned?" Aurion suggests, curiosity obviously piqued.

He places the Lion Amulet back around his neck and casts Detect Magic to study it more closely.

10:23, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 18 using 1d20+13.  spell craft  Lion Amulet.
10:23, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 26 using 1d20+10.  knowledge arcana Lion Amulet .

Wrukaog laughs at Aurion's suggestion and claps him on the back.

"Sounds like carking good fun, Moonbeak, but maybe these priestey types we got with us now might have some other ideas on the best way to deal with that bloody cauldron!"

There is another chorus from the denizens of the White Tower in response to Tesseryn's question regarding the Girding of Mitra, but it is only a collective shaking of the heads as they sadly plead ignorant of the location of that precious artifact.

The matter of that mist filled passage, however, they can help with.  "Definitely not one of ours," says Gnevron.  "So I'd be wary of it - for all we know it might take you into the heart of the Black Tower !"

Aurion's other question, alas, once more lies beyond their knowledge.  "We believe he and his orcs are quartered somewhere near the temple of Set that lies down there," the gnome replies, darkly, pausing for his companions to utter "Death, death to the minions of Set", "but none of us have ever ventured that far and lived to tell the tale.

The Elf's mention of the prison garners a grateful nod from Haltashaar, but Brindle manages to say it all really, so he just smiles appreciatively that the recovery of his and his fellows' gear is at the forefront of the plan, though Wrukaog's glance at the borrowed blade he holds quickly wipes that smile from his face.

As Brindle holds up the Mayor's ring to examine it, the White Towerists to a humanoid and magical beast instinctively shy away, sharply intake breath and generally glare at it.  They're not particularly fond of anything snake related.

"It is an evil thing ..." says the Lammasu Eaomir, sternly, adding reluctantly ... "but we know that Avvakris used it to bypass many of the traps and guardians that ward the areas under the control of the Dark Tower. 

The suggestion from Aurion that blood filled pots of any kind be tipped over garners an enthusiastic nod of heads from all present.  Moved by the big Orc's comments, the priestess of Ishtar, who previously was all politeness and a voice of reason, goes further.

"Tip it over ... and burn it and any evil priests we can find in cleansing flame !"

More enthusiastic nodding all round.  And another chorus or two of the usual.

Taking your leave from the White Tower (comparing notes, you decide the quickest route back is the way Tesseryn, Aurion and Wrukaog came hence), you soon and without incident arrive back in the eastern passage that lies north of what must now be named the first or uppermost temple of Set, where the ex-Paladin does his thing with the doors once more to reveal a chamber perhaps twenty feet wide and thirty five feet long.  There is another door in the Eastern end of the South wall.

In the centre of the room stands a low stone pedestal upon which sits a glass bowl in which steam gently rises from a thick red substance that looks horribly like uncoagulated blood.  A large pair of eyes have been painted on the North wall of the chamber, though they are but basic outlines daubed upon the stone.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Leisha claps politely along with the enthusiasm for desecrating their opponents' land and setting torch to the people.  "This is how you can tell we're the good guys," she notes to Brindle.


She waves politely to the eyes painted on the wall, because so far it has seemed that a little friendliness to the local architecture goes a long way around here.

Brindle grimaced at the evil taint of the Mayor's ring but shrugged and popped it back into his pouch.

"Not something I would want to hold onto any longer than necessary, then. But perhaps it can still be put to good use while we are here. Let's see whether it helps us get past the guardian in the pool on the way to the prison cells first," he suggests.

After they head off from the White Tower he quietly offers the ring to Aurion.

He nods a little grimly at Leisha's observation. "Makes me wish I knew whose prayers brought us here," he whispers back to her.

At the boiling blood bowl chamber he hesitates.

"We don't need to go that way yet, do we? Our way down to the giants and the prisons was straight on through the first temple of Set then via that chamber full of skeletons, wasn't it? Perhaps the Mayor's ring will allow us safe passage through there, too."

Tesseryn overhears Leisha's jibe and ponders its meaning.  Mere hours ago he would have agreed with the priestess of Ishtar, and only minutes before he was untroubled when she made her declaration, used to that sort of harsh act in the name of justice.  Now Leisha points out an alternative perspective.  He ponders his own evolving morality as he walks through the dark passages.  Since breaking his vow he no longer finds himself compelled to act in any preordained manner, but free will only makes decisions more complicated.  He ponders his decision to strike down Malicia.  That was born of revulsion, knowing her true nature, and fear that his thoughts would betray his intent to defeat the dark tower, and indeed to re-enter the light tower.  Malicia had made no threat against him, outwardly showing only affection.  His decision was based only on distrust and fear.  Perhaps he could have acted differently?  He finds himself comfortable with that insight.  And perhaps when next he meets Malicia he could offer an apology?  Or she'll tear his soul ... Ah, here's that bowl of simmering blood again.

 "We're still looking for the belt also.  We should search as we go ... but Omphalos hinted that the belt was on the lower levels, so it's unlikely to be here."  He closes that door once again and heads for the skeleton room and the stairs down to Ishpemo's lair.

Clique and Claque slither along Aurion's arm to flicker their forked tongues at the serpent ring now sitting on his finger. Thanks for keeping that safe for me Brindle. At the skeleton chamber he wastes no time in testing out the safe passage offered by the ring, holding it up for the crowd to see, and stepping in if they respond positively.

The priestess of Ishtar shares a look of disappointment with Leisha as the decision is taken to leave steaming bowls of blood alone, at least for the nonce, and as Tesseryn struggles with those sort of tricky moral issues that never reared their ugly heads when he was a fully paid-up Paladin and above such concerns, you follow Brindle's directions, making your way carefully through what you know know to be but one temple of Set, crunching over the shards of the broken mirrors, and warding off an army of skeletons with the mayor's ring passed from Halfling to Elf, to gain the stairway that leads down to the second level.  And down you go ...

Devoid of giants, the the large room at the end of the stairs now looks emptier and smells better, and you make your way past the guardian of the pool who laps playful at the edge, not really like an eager puppy as Aurion holds up the mayor's ring once more, feeling this could get to be a habit, thence down the long passageway, taking care to walk only on the east side, away from the black marble wall of the Dark Tower that lines most of the west side of the corridor, to the cells blocks to the north.

These also seem much less smelly without Ishpemo's companion Mdrod's presence, though somewhat more crowded with the ten of you present.

The ex-prisoners are pleased to recover their gear from the first cell, but not exactly overjoyed when they discover that anything and everything of value is missing, but at least those that want them can grab a scimitar and a cloak and a change of clothing.   Haltashaar is relieved to be able to hand back the borrowed two-handed blade to the big Orc.

"Ready for anything," the dervish warrior lies bravely.  "Where to now, then ?"

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Using his elvish senses, Aurion searches the cells and cell block for secret doors.