Wrukaog steps back out of the darkness just in time to catch Gratchscartch's conversation.

"Can smell. Do smell," he agrees.

He grabs the rope as instructed and ties it to his belt.

"Can you find that stupid human Tesseryn in there? He went in straight after you but he'll be completely lost in that carking darkness. We're waiting while the two mages investigate that workshop over there, then we can go into your dark room together if you reckon it's carking worth it. If that idiot human doesn't understand what you want, see if you can tie the rope to him. Yank the rope three times like this and I'll haul it straight out with whatever its tied to. So, yeah, best not put it back in your carking pants until after that," he suggests.

"I wouldn't know," Hingest replies dryly as Brindle comments favourably upon the bracers, but the Halfing's suggestion regarding the illusion does garner the ceiling's approval.

"Oh well done !  Now you're getting the hang of it."

Aurion's question gains the Elf much the same response as Brindle's remarks concerning the bracers.

"I wouldn't know - I'm a ceiling, not a floor !"

But Aurion's questing fingers already find only air where it seems wall should be and he disappears from sight as he steps through what now appears to be an illusion. 

Wrukaog attempts to use the blunt end of his javelin to try to winkle out Tesseryn and Gratchscartch, but with no luck ... though his efforts might be considered rewarded when the Gnoll scampers back out again to report the presence of goblins nearby.

Back into the darkness Gratchscartch heads in search of Tesseryn, having produced a length of rope and entrusted one end to the big Orc ...

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated...

In reply to Skald (msg # 868):

 indicating the rope tied to his waist.

"Hey, now he's going to have all the fun," Brindle complains as Aurion disappears from view.

He scrambles down to the floor and scurries after Aurion, pausing at the illusory wall to poke his head through first for a peek before committing himself to cross the threshold.

[Language unknown: "Nolin venorture thi Of, his. Enpo hasouseennce seal os omil oun t wa enort lar, houoveect ast eerut earpo, urad ntimenrat os laes. Itnte tinom pl u yin as ncni werwheionart."] Aurion rummages through pockets in his blue robe then tosses a parchment scrap to the orcs. He wafts his arms in a shoo'ing motion to urge them out through the narrow passage to the giants room, Clique and Claque appearing at his wrists to flicker their tongues at the orcs.

Seeing Brindle's head appear, Aurion adds gleefully [Language unknown: "Ca ofunos ughdaythathe ad larstiith etith ... reecesee der lar com wiec!"] He grabs a handful of Brindle's curly hair and gives it a theatrical shake (not really too rough on the unsuspecting halfling) before pushing that head back through the illusion. And for good measure he slides the cage with the lizard back through the illusion with a backward push from his slippered foot.
09:05, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 16 using 1d20+10.  bluff orcs.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:56, Sat 03 July 2021.

Tesseryn glances back at the gnoll then gazes at the army of goblins before him, seemingly doing a quick head count. "Arm yourselves and await further orders!" he commands the goblins before closing the door.

Turning to Gratchscartch he asks, "What do you have in mind?"

09:28, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  buff goblins. ... Ha! 'buff'

Wrukaog waits, holding the rope and waiting for any sort of signal from the darkness.

Unhappy coincidence ?  Not only uncaring but downright vindictive Fate ?  Or perhaps just the gods above and below having a lend ...

Beyond the blackness Tesseryn and Gratchscartch have surprised a troop of ... oh must be about two score or so Goblins.  The Gnoll rather urgently suggests a tactical withdrawal, while the ex-Paladin attempts to, if not tell a massive whopper (and we must remember that he's new to that lark, having only recently Fallen) then assume an authority he in no wise has.

Unused to falsehoods, though he be he's certainly getting the hang of it.  Only three Goblins amongst the gathered throng are not fooled by his order, choked out against the overweening stench, and they are soon brought back into line by their leader who falls for the ploy hook line and stinker.

As Tesseryn hauls the door shut, it is to an assurance of "we'll be ready !" ... whence he finds himself guided back through the darkness and silence by a determined Gnoll, the pair dragged most of the way as Wrukaog takes the tugs as a signal and helpfully and powerfully pulls them in, pleased to see them, as is the receiving line of ex-prisoners. 

Aurion faces a similar predicament, the four Orcs he finds though much less in numbers are, however, rather uncomfortably closer to him and not only have much better arms and armour than the Goblin horde, but look as if they know only too well how to use them !

However the Elf has long devoted himself to the ancient art of lying comfortably and is quick to put his skills into practice, rattling off a falsehood that is not only palatable but downright lip-smackingly tasty.

Incentivized not only by Aurion's reptilian companions but also by Brindle's stalwart and possibly award winning performance as lunch, the Orcs push and shove their way down the tricky south tunnel, armed with a makeshift and completely useless letter of passage that will almost certainly guarantee their deaths.

Brindle and Aurion leave them to it (the Halfling having little choice in the matter, so committed is he to his role) and the pair retire to the wizard's workshop with the lizard in its cage.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Tesseryn staggers to a stop in front of Wrukaog and the rest of the party.  He unties the rope and reports.  "Beyond the darkness is a passage.  There I opened a door to find three dozen and more goblins who lair in the stench.  At Gratchscartch's urging we have returned here to plan a ruse to fool them."  He looks to the gnoll.  "Our goal is to defeat the followers of Set, so if your plan furthers that end then we should consider it."

"Well played Brindle. They were quite convinced. We'd better get a fire going just in case they make it back ... hate to disappoint them." Aurion grins at the halfling then pauses, "Oh. I should have asked them about the belt."

Shaking his head he stoops to peer at the lizard in the cage. "What have we here, Hingest?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:54, Sat 10 July 2021.

Brindle still looked quite shaken by the experience.

"Um, where was that loose stone? Perhaps we should shut that door and not just rely on that illusion to stop them?" he suggests. "It would be too much to hope they wouldn't know about that wall of fire in the temple, I suppose?"

Despite his nervousness his natural curiosity still prompts him to peek at Aurion's new pet as well.

Brindle rolled 27 using 1d20+13.  Knowledge the planes (lizard in a cage).
Brindle rolled 15 using 1d20+13.  Knowledge arcana (lizard in a cage).

"Bah, goblins! Not worth the effort of gutting them," Wrukaog voices his disgust at the thought of such puny foes.

In reply to Wrukaog_ (msg # 878):

Gratchscartch is genuinely surprised when asked what his plan is.  He sees himself more as an opportunist than a strategist.  However not wishing to seem like a dolt he defers to his earlier idea.

"They be good trrrap findings.  Give us much fun and laughs" then he commits himself to a pantomime of heads being sliced off, being blown up and a few more not so nice ways to die amidst only somewhat fake laughter.

After a fairly long pause of actually listening to the conversation of others and stowing his rope down his trousers he tentatively asks "You think Goblins be this Set followerrrs?"  and as a new dilemma finally dawns "How we know who be Set followerrrs?"

Despite his brow furrowing in an attempt to think this last question through his eyes wander off to the lizard and he licks his lips as if it were some kind of living sausage.

23:12, Today: Gratchscartch rolled 14 using 1d20.  Knowldege - Religion Check. Penalty -2

Tesseryn listens to Gratchscartch's ideas, a crinkle in the corner of his golden eyes betraying amusement as the gnoll acts out the grisly demise of the goblins.  Nonetheless, as the gnoll laughs off his goblin deaths, he frowns and explains, "It wouldn't be fair to knowingly march them to their deaths.  I would, however, be comfortable with encouraging them to undertake a dangerous mission that may be mutually beneficial to them and us.  Such as we have done with Ishpemo and the Giants, Gogant and Goom, who helped us defeat Mayor Avaakris and Sheriff Merth in the town above; Ishpemo gained a title he coveted and the Giants gained ... freedom I suppose."  He looks doubtful at this last.  The Giants were certainly useful, but he has no idea what havoc they're causing now or who may be harmed by them.  Hopefully old Cornelius is safe.

Then Gratchscartch asks how one knows the followers of Set.  A profound question.  His answer is as unclear as the very terms of the quest laid upon them.  "Our enemies.  In fact, at first I believed you to be our enemy, you called us 'filth' and threatened to bring your tribe down on us.  But we've settled that.  The question now is what to do with three dozen goblins?  What may interest them and further our goal?."

Guessing that this answer may be found unsatisfactory and simply raise more questions, he continues.  "Let us assume that our ultimate goal, most simply stated, is to defeat Haffrung Helleyes.  We could enlist a goblin army to help us storm his stronghold.  Our more immediate goal is to find Mitra's belt, which will strengthen its wearer against the followers of Set.  Perhaps we could ask the goblins to help us search, or offer them an inducement to do so.  We have explored much of this warren but evidently more remains unknown to us.  Goblins are crafty and know many things, we should make use of that.  Perhaps we should first ask them what they want?"

"We have encountered such creatures before, in our own lands," Vashalla vouchsafes.  "I am yet to meet even one that was not cruel and avaricious ... yet if you need confirmation of such, Moram can discern whether they be evil or not."

She gestures perhaps unnecessarily towards the Paladin/Infidel Bane, yet it serves to remind you that given his general strong dislike of anyone not of his faith and but reluctant acceptance of yourselves (save for Gratchscartch who all the ex-prisoners find lovable and amusing), it is exceedingly likely that Moram would condemn the goblins out of hand.

"Now we have found Vastavaar," she uses the name they bestowed upon the Gnoll, "and have recovered Virdonitii's mace, we will be pleased to assist in the destruction of Set's followers, this Haffrung foremost."

"I can just about understand Goblin speech," Cogwitz offers. "Not that they'd listen to me, and to my mind we should be talking to them in the Common Tongue so we can all hear what they are saying.. but it'll be useful to know what they say if they start whispering amongst themselves."

"They'll turn on us in a heartbeat if they suspect we're deceiving them, though," the Halfling warns.

"So - as Tesseryn says, what are we going to say to them?"

"A most sound suggestion, thank you Cogwitz."  Tesseryn actually smiles at the halfling, relieved to be distracted from grinding his teeth in frustration at Vashalla and Moram and their stubborn refusal to be of any use at all.  "Would you please accompany Gratchscartch and myself to the goblin lair where we may set them upon a mission to find Mitra's belt for Berkam Shem."  He uses the gnoll's preferred name intentionally, well aware that his giggling friends know him by another.  And the wizard's name seems to be currency down here, a ruse that has worked well in the past.

Tesseryn makes ready to plunge once more into the black doorway, waiting to see whether Cogwitz and Gratchscartch are agreed to join him.

Brindle shuts the secret door then heads back out to join the party when there is mention of talking to goblins.

"I speak the goblin language, too," he admits. "I've heard that a halfling wearing goblin armour and helmet can walk among them and never be recognised. Or maybe that bard was exaggerating..."

OOC: Well, it worked for Sam and Frodo! ;o)

"I'm far too handsome to be mistaken for a goblin!" Cogwitz grins at Brindle.

"But since you speak goblin, then perhaps we should just use magic - charming their leader into doing something to get him into Berkam's good books shouldn't be a stretch, especially if the alternative is going toe-to-toe with Wrukaog!"

"And we should let Gratchscartch go first and pull us along on his rope," the halfing suggests to Tesseryn. "Don't want anybody getting lost in there."

That settled, Tesseryn nods his agreement to Cogwitz and Brindle and stoops to take hold of the rope, ready for the gnoll to lead the way.

While all the conversation takes place, Aurion busies himself with dragging the lizard-in-a-cage through the workroom, keeping an ear out for Hingest's reply to his earlier question, and presenting his find to the group waiting outside. "Any idea what type of lizard this is?"   He looks around and notices a passage leading off from the south west corner. "Perhaps we should explore that way while we wait for the goblin-parley-party?" He points towards the passage then follows his own long nose along it, glancing back once or twice to see if they're coming.

With the makings of a plan or two, and the secret door shut tight, the party split up ...

After a quick sniff of the lizard, Gratchscartch delves deep and produces his rope once more and leads Tesseryn, Brindle, Wrukaog, Cogwitz and Valshalla through the darkness. 

Once on the other side, Tesseryn throws wide the doors to reveal the goblins, mostly armed now, engaged in noisy, if spirited discussion ... that ceases immediately as four-score-ish beady eyes turn your way.  Bad as it was already, the stench in the rooms noticeably increases as well.

"We're ready ?!" the largest of the goblins squeaks out questioningly from somewhere far to the rear of the throng.

Meanwhile, after Hingest helpfully informs Aurion that the creature in the cage is a lizard, and Haltashaar tentatively ventures that it looks like one of the sort that roams the desert that is is home (which earns him a derisive snort and an unintelligible few words from Moram who predictably didn't go with the others as he might have been expected to), the Elf, Leisha, and the remaining ex-prisoners continue to explore ...

The passage to the south leads to a wider intersection with stone steps leading down to the east and an open door to the west that hints at a comfortably furnished chamber beyond.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Tesseryn's armoured frame is certainly big enough to shield Brindle from sight but nothing can shield him from their stench.

"They're ready?" he murmurs in a strangled gasp. "They certainly are ripe!"

Tesseryn does his best to ignore the stench as he calls out to the goblins.  He tells them lies, exercising his new-found freedom to do so, and watches their reaction to discover where their loyalties lie.  His case rests upon these goblins being prepared to do the bidding of Berkam Shem, and prepared to believe that the other powers down here in the dark tower are at war with each other.

"Berkam Shem hired us, mercenaries from the Great City, to aid him in his conquest of the village above.  He has succeeded, Avaakris is dead and Merth has fled the field."  A little truth makes any lie seem more believable.  "But Ishpemo has betrayed Berkam Shem and taken the Mayoral seat for himself!"  A pause to gauge reactions.  "Now Berkam Shem needs the aid of his cunning allies to re-take the village from Ishpemo."  Let them speculate, then surprise them with an unexpected request. "Berkam Shem needs an ancient relic, a dangerous thing that is death to any who touch it, lest they be cunning and well prepared.  This thing is a belt, of manly style with a buckle fashioned as a lion's head." he guesses.  "Berkam Shem does not know its location, but says the goblins know many secret ways, and he believes it can be found on the second level."  He watches closely for any reaction.  "Touch it not but place it within this bag for safety until we return to collect it."  He produces a leather sack and holds it high.  "Then shall Berkam Shem's reward be granted to you, to expand your domain!"  Let them be distracted with speculation about that.  "Finally, let no word of this plan reach the ears of Haffrung Helleyes, for it is known that The Wizard requires the sacrifice of forty-four innocents!"

07:47, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 29 using 1d20+10.  sense motive goblins.
07:46, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  bluff goblins.

"Well this looks comfy. Perhaps its Berkam Shem's room. Shall we explore?" Aurion steps aside in the doorway to allow others to pass should they wish, while he casts Detect Magic and scans the room. "Is that a giant grasshopper there...?"