"Though ccccenturiessss have passssssssed beyond thissss valley," Omphalos explains, "here time sssstandssss sssstill.  Sssso none of ussss have aged a ssssingle day."

"Haffrung," from his tone the news that it is he that is behind the capture of Murkaganth does not inspire the naga's confidence, "issss perhapssss not of ssssound mind, yet you may be able to bargain with him or trick him or elsssse forcccce him to release the dragon."

Omphalos confirms that the white mists at the south end of the passage to the west do indeed lead to the White Tower, though knows not of what the Heart of Law itself might be capable.

Brindle very carefully grips the clear, glowing gem in his kerchief, gingerly touching it to the top of the cage ...

... nothing happens.

Brindle shrugs and wraps the Heart of Law back up in his handkerchief and places it back in his pocket.

"Thanks Omphalos, it is been very interesting talking with you again. It looks like it is time we move on again. The gnomes may indeed have some fresh ideas that may help us, so that is where we will go."

He picks up the cage again and heads toward the mist-shrouded passage. But instead of turning right toward the mists he turns left instead and marches along the curved passage that leads to the chamber that held the Heart of Law.

When he reaches that chamber he will stop outside the entry and just look in to see for himself what is in there. If it all looks quiet he plans to tie his silk rope to the cage then slide the cage a few feet into that room, just to see whether anything does happen in there. If nothing happens he will use the rope to pull he cage back out again without entering that chamber himself. Then it will be time to head back to join the rest of the party and enter that mist-shrouded passage once more.

Tesseryn follows Brindle but stops short of the door.  He's ready to rescue the halfling if she should try to coerce him into embracing her Law.  Sword sheathed, helmet on, both hands free, knees slightly bent.  He gives Brindle a reassuring nod.

"Hot food. Warm beds. This way." Aurion ushers the newcomers towards the mist. He leads the way, stepping through the mist.

Still keen to explore all available avenues, Brindle cautiously pokes the puppy-inna-cage over the threshold of the large chamber to the north as Tesseryn.  While the Halfling might appreciate the decoration of the room, with white velvet drapes, accompanied by quiet, gentle music and with a healthy outdoor scent to the air, there is no discernible effect on either the cage or its sleeping occupant.

Resignedly crossing that off the list of things to try, the pair rejoin the rest of the group where Aurion leads the way, hurrying along his companions old and new in his eagerness to seek what comforts the White Tower might offer.

Upon the instant you find yourselves transported back to that bastion of Law and Goodness, exiting the mists in a small side chapel.  To the west is the chapel vestal where reside everyone's favourite lammasu - Rosunn, Eaomir and Dohevin.

Having told those three wise beasts what you know of the caged puppy, you leave them to ponder the conundrum, as Gnevron is summoned to take you down to the mess hall and the much desired hot meal, though when you return, with bellies full, the lammasu do not have good news.

"We can determine no way to unlock the cage's secrets, save from the key possessed by Haffrung Helleyes," one tells you, as the posse of gnomes you have picked up in the interim dutifully chorus 'Death to all the followers of Set'.

"But while he may not be willing to tell you the words that will open the cage, we are certain that if we imprison him as we did with Berkam-Shem, those heady fumes will soon loosen his tongue, and Murkaganth will be free once more !"

"Well, at least we know what we need to do next," Brindle responds cheerfully. "Capture Haffrung Helleyes and bring him back here! That shouldn't be difficult."

The way he rolls his eyes suggests he might not be quite as confident as his brave words suggest!

"Well, since this is a nice safe place where we shouldn't be disturbed for the next hour or so, I will take this opportunity to really investigate the magics on this cage properly. I have an Identify spell prepared and this seems like a good time to use it. It takes an hour to cast it, so if anyone wants to do make any other preparations in the meantime, you have the time to do it."

He will find himself a suitable quiet place and set about his preparations for casting the Identify spell. Fortunately, he still has the necessary ingredients with him and he starts by crushing a pearl and stirring it into a small cup of wine with an owl feather. Finally he drinks the infusion, grimacing slightly at the gritty texture, before casting the spell and laying his hand upon the cage.

"I'll gladly help you capture Haffrung tomorrow," Aurion advises the party "but I'll take the rest of the day off, thanks. Need to work on my spellbook and maps... not sure if you've noticed, but this place is a maze. I expect that mapping it properly will help us work out where to look next for that belt."

Seeing Brindle swallow his gritty brew, Aurion grimaces. "That really is a useful spell, Master Thistlefoof, but there must be a better way. Ugh, feathers!" He takes a sip from a large cup of gnomish wine. "I'm interested to see if swapping the mayor's ring for a puppy was a good deal after all. Speaking of which, I'll get that ring back first thing tomorrow - no spells left for today."

He arranges with Gnevron to borrow a desk and assistance from whichever gnomes have the best knowledge of the layout of this place. He intends to make a map of two towers and their surrounding tunnels, adding what the party has learned to what the gnomes already know. Then he'll sleep.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Wed 15 June 2022.

Tesseryn listens to the advice and planning from the lammasu and Brindle and Aurion.  The mages certainly are taking extraordinary measures to unravel the many mysteries.  Our hosts, and ultimate benefactors of our endeavours, whilst generous and friendly, seem a little too 'comfortable' with newcomers doing so much work on their behalf.  He wonders if they could be a little more helpful.  He considers for a moment then stands to address the assembled gnomes and Lammasu, an uncharacteristically broad smile on his face.  "I wish to thank you, the peoples of the White Tower.  You have been a great help to us, and we are forever grateful for your hospitality and advice.  With your help we have taken the fight beyond your secure walls and brought death to the Followers of Set!"  He pauses, expecting a chorus from the gnomes.

"You are safe here, and well defended.  We have ventured into the tunnels and learned much.  Our enemies have no plan in action to assault the White Tower.  But we have been hard pressed at times while taking the fight to our enemies, almost defeated by trolls and wraiths, and we have not yet found Mitra's belt nor yet faced Haffrung Helleyes himself.  My friends, I fear we may need a little more help when we set forth tomorrow.“

"Gnevron, you taught us that evil is stupid and fights with itself.  This truth has lead to some of our victories - we were able to deceive our enemies and turn them against each other.  But our faces are known to them now, and they will not be fooled twice.  For myself I ask: can you help me to change my appearance to look like Ishpemo, or Merth, or another - to fool the followers of Set?!"

"Brindle here works tirelessly to unravel the mysteries of artefacts that will aid our fight against evil.  Here he is, trying to discover how to free Murkaganth - I just saw him swallow sand and feathers!"  He makes a face and feigns illness, hoping for a laugh.  "There must be an easier way!  What power of the White Tower can we take with us, into the tunnels beyond, to reveal the mysteries of artefacts that we wrench back from the followers of Set?!"

"Aurion has searched widely in the maze of tunnels beyond and discovered many passages and ways known only to the enemy."  He mimes an elf tiptoeing stealthily, finger raised to his lips.  "Yet even his keen elvish senses have missed many of the hidden ways that our enemies then use to surround us, or flee from us.  Perhaps, somewhere in the White Tower, lies a forgotten and unused tool that would aid Aurion to find the secret ways and sneak up on the followers of Set?!"

"Wrukaog is unstoppable!  Well almost, for even he had worked up a sweat after slaying a dozen minotaurs and trolls!"  He bows to the greater warrior.  "I have no idea what further aid he could possibly need.  Or Leisha, or Cogwitz, or our new-found allies: Gratchscartch, Vashalla, Moram, Haltashaar and Vidonitii, all of whom carry the battle beyond your safe walls.  With your permission, Gnevron, could each say what aid the White Tower could offer them as they bring the promised death to the followers of Set?!"

He tries to look humble as he asks one last time.  "We are in your service, and already in your debt.  Yet I feel certain that the resources of the White Tower combined with the cleverness of gnomes will find a way to help us beyond these safe walls."

08:29, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 34 using 1d20+14.  diplomacy influence gnomes and lamas.
OOC: spell checker got me… no disrespect intended towards lammasu.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:42, Sat 18 June 2022.

Brindle and Aurion depart for secluded nooks where they might take advantage of some relatively peace and quiet to do their research and catch up on the paperwork.

The Halfling settles in comfortably at the feet of the stuffed woolly mammoth in the chamber just off the central stair, about half way down the White Tower, somewhere near where Berkam-Shem is being held prisoner where he chugs down his heady magical concoction and concentrates upon the cage holding the puppy ...

Needing a bit more room, the Elf retires to his usual spot in the Library, on the floor above, where he spends much time with parchment and ink in an effort to properly map out the areas of the dungeons where your feet have trod and what little you know of the Dark Tower of Set.  The two gnomes assigned to help him have wildly different ideas of the layout and argue constantly, if good-naturedly, being lawful good, after all.  And if the end result has rather more elephants than there actually were, it is still a pretty good effort.

Meantime, Tesseryn, still constrained by the social niceties, but only just, all but begs the gnomes for help.  His impassioned speech does indeed produce the familiar rousing chorus from the gnomes, sometimes even at the points at which one might reasonably expect it, but at its conclusion Gnevron sadly shakes his head.

"We have sworn oaths to Mitra that we will defend and hold this tower to our deaths and may not sally forth in force, much as we appreciate your sacrifice.  We trust in the wisdom of your gods that they have seen fit to entrust to you the destruction of the Dark Tower of Set," he pauses and joins in with the chorus, "and pray constantly for your success."

"So too ... alas, while we are blessed to have the Lammasu and others who may call upon the gods for assistance, there is not one here allied to the White Tower who practices the magic arts."

"Though," Gnevron looks a little puzzled, "while we can't help you change your appearance, other than to suggest, of course, that you might grow a beard, I must say that really you look very much like most humans of my admittedly limited acquaintance."

"However," all the gnomes beam delightedly, "since your last visit," he dips his head towards Leisha and the ex-prisoner contingent that accompanied her on that occasion, "we've been having a bit of a hunt around, and we eventually located the 'Lost and Found' box," and there's a couple of things in there that might be of use to you.  Things that others have left behind, you understand ... we couldn't possibly think of using them ourselves so we've been keeping them for if they ever returned ... but its been a while."

"Here ..." Gnevron passes Tesseryn a thin wooden baton, "a Wand of Secret Door detection, I believe."

Next, a rather tarnished silver figurine fashioned in the shape of a raven, "a messenger bird, lots of fun at parties," he beckons Tesseryn close that he might whisper the command word in the ex-Paladin's ear, .

"And this ...," he struggles under the weight of what was once no doubt a magnificent helm, bedecked with perhaps a hundred gems, though the majority are now blackened and burned with only five retaining their original lustre - a diamond, a ruby, two fire opals and a plain opal.  "No idea what use it was, but you never know - perhaps if you're wearing this then nobody will recognise you ?"

OOC: do the rest of you rest as well, or are you going to leave Aurion to catch up on his beauty sleep ?

Brindle returns after an hour of studying the cage. He looks frustrated.

"My identify spell was unable to unlock the secrets of this accursed cage," he grumbles. "Which should be impossible, unless the blasted thing is some sort of artifact. However, I have heard of such a thing from the legends of my homeland. This could actually be one of the five fabled Prisons of Zagig! If that is what it is, it would be impervious to magic or physical force and can only be opened with the correct command word. So we are back to trying to prise that command word out of Haffrung Helleyes."

After reporting that bit of news Brindle heads off to a suitably quiet and comfortable spot to catch up on sleep as well, so he too will have a full complement of spells available before they set off to confront Mr Helleyes.

Tesseryn smiles in genuine delight as Gnevron empties the Lost and Found box and presents him with its unexpected treasures.  "Thank-you Gnevron.  I truely believe our friends in the White Tower are doing all you can to aid us.  And yes, we can use these beyond your walls."  He passes the wand to Aurion and the silver raven to Brindle, grinning as he whispers the password .  Then he dons the helmet.  "How do I look?"

After dinner he will examine the helm.  Does it reveal any passwords?  He will quiz his allies on how to use it.

Before resting he will ask the gnomes to prepare some special supplies, in addition to the usual packed lunches for the foray tomorrow:
- A cask of their strongest liquor.
- Any old belts... the more the better, especially the big ones.
- A sackful of sausages.

Brindle smiles and packs the tarnished silver raven away in his backpack.

When Tesseryn tries on the helm, Brindle nods excitedly.

"I have heard of a magical helm covered in gems, called a Helm of Brilliance. I heard that in bright light the gems would reflect rays of light, hence its name. The gems are each supposed to be able to cast a spell related to light or fire, but only once and are then burned out and useless. I don't know much more about it but there must be a password. I will be able to cast another Identify spell after I have slept and studied my spellbook, if you want me to use it for that?

"I would be able to cast a second Identify spell if I use my Pearl of Power to let me do that tomorrow. I could use that to work out the commend word for the wand of secret door detection, or to determine the powers of these bracers of Berkam-Shem's that I have been wearing since we captured him. Gnevron, I don't suppose you could persuade him to tell you the powers and any command words of these bracers, could you?"

"I prefer to trust my keen Elvish senses," Aurion says loftily, "but it never hurts to have a backup." He quirks a smile as he accepts the wand.

He sends gnomes scurrying to find sticky take, or glue if tape hasn't been invented yet, and soon has several map sheets stuck together in a three dimensional map of the passages between and around the two towers. "Omphalos said the belt would be on the second level. There are several doors and passages we have not yet explored. And that diamond between the two doors, Harmon and Sydni ... I know we thought it wasn't the Mind of Balance because it was not enchanted, but its just so perfectly positioned. I'd love to see Leisha have another go at convincing those doors to give it up."

He eats well then heads off to sleep.

"Ah yes, Brindle, if the gnomes don't know the passwords then unfortunately you'll need to keep swallowing that brew over and over again." He can't hide the smirk. "But at least I can share some of the cost..." He gives Brindle two pearls.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Sun 26 June 2022.

The gnomes seem pleased to have been able to be of assistance and are eager to help further as best as they can ...

The Helm they know nothing about, though the mention of fire spells alarms them somewhat. "You mean to say, it's just been sitting there all this time and if we'd muttered the wrong word nearby it might have gone off ?!!" one of them mutters, though he is quickly shusshed by his fellows.   A search of the Lost and Found box does, however uncover a piece of parchment with passwords for the wand and helm, though Gnevron cautions you not to test out the latter within the White Tower lest you inadvertently win the war for the Dark Side !

OOC: Wand of Secret Doors - password: 'Sesame Seeds'; Helm of Brilliance - Diamond password: 'Jubilee', Ruby password: 'Tuesday',  Fire Opal password: 'Coober' Opal Password: 'Pedy'

Packed lunches, you didn't even need to ask.

Strong liquor isn't a problem - it seems that Gnomes, even such upright denizens as these, like a drink as much as the next Dwarf of Halfling, and a small cask of something suitably potent ("just keep your lanterns at a distance when you pull the cork out") is provided.

Belts are a bit more difficult - they do manage to find a handful (5) between them, but all are gnome sized.

And sausages, alas, prove impossible, the last of them having been wolfed down decades ago.

Furthermore, Berkam-Shem, in his befuddled state is deliriously happy to confide that his bracers were used for protection and need no command word.

OOC: Bracers of Armor +2

And in this time and place stuck in the past there is no sticky tape, but the gnomes are happy to provide a rather pungent glue to assist Aurion's cartographic quest.

Brindle surfaces from his sleep looking much refreshed and is very pleased that the mysteries of the wand, helm and bracers were able to be solved without needing to resort to magic.

He cheerfully hands the two pearls back to Aurion, bidding him keep them safe until they are needed in future.

"So my friends, shall we let Tesseryn wear the Helm of Brilliance? Aurion has the wand to help uncover any secret doors. Does anyone want to wear Berkam Shem's Bracers of Armor? They are not much use to me as my Mage Armor spell is stronger and they don't provide any additional protection while that is in effect, and I note that Wrukaog is already wearing a set of bracers of his own."

Then he offers a small chest to the gnomes.

"You folks might find something of use in here, well more use to you than to me, anyway. It belonged to the mayor. Invoices, receipts, threatening letters, that sort of thing. I will just keep one of these notes that has an wax seal of his mayoral ring, as a souvenir," he says with a grin.

"Yes, I will wear the helm."  Tesseryn confirms, "Trust that I will use its powers to destroy the Tower of Set.  And it looks well on me I think."

He thanks the gnomes again as he packs his lunch and the belts.  "Are we ready?  We seek Mitra's belt.  Where shall we explore first?"

OOC: in the Majesty game that Tesseryn's character was originally based on, paladins wore an odd-looking helmet with a Phillips-head indent that copped a lot of player comment.  One of the catch calls of the paladins was "Dauros grant me better headgear".

"Oh please, keep them." Aurion insists, "I do know that spell, but I'm not swallowing that muck ever again."

"Well, after breakfast, first I'll be heading upstairs to get the mayor's ring back from Rukbat. I'd really prefer that he thinks we're still guarding the puppy, so I don't want him to see me, so 'borrow' may be a stretch. Anyone else want to come along? And not be seen, or heard." Aurion looks dubiously at Wrukaog and Tesseryn.

He unfolds the map that he compiled with the gnomes (see OOC thread, thanks Skald). "If your belt is on the second level, there are plenty of places to explore. I'll leave the map with you, and catch up with you when II'm done upstairs."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Tue 26 July 2022.

Tesseryn readies the larger party for departure.  "Good hunting then, Aurion.  We will start by visiting Sam, then explore the doors leading from his room." He indicates the area between the white and dark towers on Aurion's map (map for group 2), then folds the pungent parchment and stores it in his pack.

With a last grateful salute to the generous gnomes, he clanks off, heading first past the puppy room, then downstairs and through Berkam Shem's back door, finally approaching Samalgidaceon's room.  He remains alert, interested to notice any signs of comings-and-goings since they were there the day before. He does not illuminate the Helm of Brilliance, instead trusting his own eyes to pierce the darkness.

Once that noisy procession has shuffled off, Aurion makes his own quiet departure. With a muttered word and a shrug he armours his robe, then he slippers off and up the stairs leading into the Constabulary Cellar.

Lavish best wishes from the Gnomes (in particular to Brindle for bring them some fresh reading material) ringing in everyone's ears, Cogwitz elects to accompany Aurion, both as a bit of muscle, but mostly because the Elf's plan promises to be highly amusing and he's always up for a heist.

Which leaves just everyone else to follow Tesseryn as the ex-Paladin leads them all on a merry and nostalgic tour of the first and second levels of the treacherous halls that lie between towers White and Dark (and if Leisha has a look in her eyes that says "if anyone asked me, I'd say we were going the long way round", she can certainly be forgiven).

After another game with the rope and Gratchscartch's keen senses to navigate the area of utter darkness that sits between the antechamber to the lesser temple of Set and the area where the goblins made their home before Tesseryn sent them (and the Gnoll chased them) to attack Ishpemo, to finally stand before one of the several doors to Sam's chamber, taking just a moment to do a head count and for any last minute preparations.

Meantime Aurion, with Cogwitz following after him, grinning inanely, has had plenty of time to make his way up the stairs to the cellar of the mayoral demesne, and is delighted, as he peers surreptitiously out the door, to find the mansion seemingly full of goblins who are generally wrecking the place and having a great time.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated for Group 0, showing Sam's room ...

Brindle uses that pause to cast a spell of Mage Armor upon himself, then when everyone is ready, he gestures for someone to open the door to Samalgidacion's chamber.

Wrukaog grows more and more impatient with every delay.

As soon as Brindle gives the signal he flings open the door and marches into the chamber.

And hot on his heels, Tesseryn clanks in holding a handful of small belts.  "Sam!  We've found more belts to trade.  Are any of these the one you seek?"  He's sure none of them are, and perhaps its mean to get the statue's hopes up, but perhaps it'll bring him some relief from the monotony of pacing his room, or perhaps it'll turn up some useful surprise.  Who knows?  Or perhaps Tesseryn will call it even for the trick Sam played on him, swapping one cursed goblin-faced belt for another worse one that he cannot remove.  He waggles the belts enticingly.

While Sam is distracted he asks, "Has anyone else come through here in since we last saw you, Sam?"

OOC: last time Sam had no objection to us exploring through the doors from his room, so perhaps we should start there.  Does anyone want to suggest a direction, or just open a door at random?

OOC: Well, we are at the western door of Sam's chamber. Looking at the Game Map for Group 2 the northern door leads back north then east to the circular corridor outside the white tower that had that huge stone ball rolling round it, then further north and east to the two talkative doors.

It looks like the southern door might connect into the area of darkness we just came through. Let's open that southern door first to check that. I don't fancy exploring in pitch darkness though, so if the southern door is just darkness lets just close it and move on to the eastern door after that.