The investigation continues.....

[Storm11]

Angella commiserates with the others.

"If there are no further tunnels down below, we should be about our original task. If one of you master wizardly types can make me unseen I am happy to scout out ahead!" she says sadly, convinced this is a mere distraction and could potentially be giving whomever is behind this time to fix the ruined tower whilst we are all distracted.

[Grognardsw]

Orando, mage, calls down the shaft. "Any secret doors down there?"

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

The orc of action searches the bottom of the shaft, even as he suspects that this is a holding cell of some kind. He'll search the bodies too.

"It's Misters Grillock and Odilo," he called up. "If There Are Any Employees of This Establishment Still Breathing, We Might Respectfully Enquire What Our Friends Were Doing In This Prison Beneath The Tavern?"

[Cauchy]

Epi

"Well I guess we won't have to worry about these two anymore. Ya think they were prisoners down here, just in the wrong place at the wrong time, or perhaps the cause of this destruction?"

Orando, mage, calls down the shaft. "Any secret doors down there?"

Epi calls back up, "Well they are called secret doors for a reason." She searches the perimeter of the pit tapping on the walls listening for any hollow sounds and looking for any signs of a door.

[ChubbyPixie]

Ozwaldus Maximus, Human Illusionist

Angella commiserates with the others.

"If there are no further tunnels down below, we should be about our original task. If one of you master wizardly types can make me unseen I am happy to scout out ahead!" she says sadly, convinced this is a mere distraction and could potentially be giving whomever is behind this time to fix the ruined tower whilst we are all distracted.

Ozwaldus approaches the edge of the well and looks in. Invisibly, he shakes his head and tuts. Odillo and Grillock, I hardly knew ya he thinks. Approaching near Angella he whispers, Angella, It is I, the great Ozwaldus, rendered invisible in order to keep a surreptitious eye on Brother Tomas. Unfortunately, ahem, I've used up all of that particular dweomer for the day... Perhaps I could scout ahead? You could tell me what to look for?" As soon as he suggests this he realizes how idiotic it sounds....or perhaps the good Orando could assist you in that regard...

[OGRE MAGE]

There are no doors or other exits at the bottom of the pit. There is an acrid smell that offends your sinuses and waters your eyes.

It appears that the pair was indeed trapped at the bottom of this pit for a while. There is an excavation with some dirt moved around but, you can't quite tell what they were trying to do.

The pairs items are all completely disintegrated, leaving little evidence of what actually happens here. The only odd thing that you notice is that you no longer see the powerful magic staff that Odilo once carried.

[Storm11]

Angella nods slightly at the invisible master trickster as he whispers.

She moves off to find a constable or lawman and asks some questions.

"Forgive me sir, for I am new in town. Who owned the building that kept two prisoners in the dungeon? Did they have any affiliation with anyone nefarious?" Angella strokes her long fiery mane as she waits patiently for her answers.

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

The orc of action climbs up the rope out of the pit, brushes himself off, and says to his colleagues with discretion, "They Were Held Prisoner In That Dreadful Pit. Mister Odilo's Staff Was Taken From Him. Perhaps He Cast a Ball of Fire in an Attempt to Escape?
"Have We Located Any of the Owners of this Devil's Pitchfork Establishment, or Have They All Perished?"

[Grognardsw]

Orando, ancient arcanist

"That is unfortunate," says the elf, staring down the shaft. "It seems then the tower is next."

"Angela, I believe my Moldvay's Mantle of Stealth spell may have more strategic use later."

[Cauchy]

Epi

The ranger climbs out of the pit shaking her head, "Just more questions and no answers."

[OGRE MAGE]

The demeanor of the party hardly falters after seeing their former members bodies nearly disintegrated. Again, it seems obvious to the group that fire was not involved in the explosion. In fact, none of you have ever seen this level of destruction before, by fire or anything else.

Angella knows full well that the only lawman around these parts is her old friend Captain Taneel. She sees no sign of the creepy womanizer anywhere around. She asks an older gentleman bystander and he simply exclaims, prisoners? Well, I wouldn't doubt it. The sleazy bastard that owned this place was up to no good I tell ya! Mark my words, the troubles in this town are over now that this place is gone and the owner is dead!

[ChubbyPixie]

Sidling up invisibly near Orando, Ozwaldus causes the illusion of a tiny version of himself to appear on the mage's shoulder, complete with a little devil's tail and horns. It seems to whisper. "Orando, it is I, the incomparable Ozwaldus. I'm just beside you, invisibly concealed, keeping watch on Brother Tomas. For this reason, I dare not speak aloud. The longer we tarry, the more inebriated I become. And I started out three sheets to the wind. Shall we encourage the others to proceed to the tower?" The tiny illusion hiccups and winks out with a puff.

[Scott308]

Father Dowling

Puffing heavily after the climb back up the rope, Dowling agrees with Orando. Some sort of unusual magic was in effect here, and I do not understand it. However, I feel that our best course of action is to head back to the tower. Unless somebody comes forward with some information regarding this unfortunate incident, there does not seem to be much more I can do here.

[Inferno]

Sir Ugghra, half-orc aristocrat:

"I Concur. Let's Gather Up The Good Brother Again, Shall We, And Strike Out Once More For Our Ever-Elusive Destination," said the haughty horror.

[Grognardsw]

Orando, sorcerer

"Aye little devil, to the tower," he whispers to the invisible Ozwaldus.

"Whatever destroyed this place, I'm sure the owners weren't part of," announces the elf. "Let us gather Father Thomas and be on our way to the tower."

[Cauchy]

Epi

The ranger leads the now familiar path back to the former tower, keeping an eye out for any new or usual footprints that may have take the some route.

[OGRE MAGE]

The good Brother Tomas finishes up with his healing administrations and then finally takes the time to slowly look around at the mass of destruction. He shakes his head and joins back up with the four visible party members.

I've seen this type of magical destruction before and......it pains me to think of the absolute desperation these poor men must have had to succumb to. At least they didn't feel it for long. Snapping ones own staff? I shudder to think about it. Did anyone even look for these two when they went missing?

I knew there was something evil about these Pitchfork people but, I sure didn't think they were killing folks in there makeshift dungeon. And why?

He shakes his head in disgust for a moment and then speaks again.

I suppose there is plenty of time to make it to the ruins if you all still want to go out there. Hey, where is the alcoholic?

You all notice something strange as you begin back up the trail. There is a woman who is dressed in men's clothing standing alone near the intersection where the trail leads to the tower ruins. She doesn't address you or respond if you speak but, she is clearly watching your movements. Brother Tomas says he has never seen the woman in town before today, yet somehow she looks slightly familiar to him. Epi sees no new tracks as the group heads back out of town. The ruins look no different than when you left them yesterday.

[Grognardsw]

Orando, elven enchantrix

Orando ponders Brother Tomas' words about Odilo's staff. He was unaware of its magical powers, though he too has heard of the dangers of breaking such a powerful magick item. The elf wonders if Odilo broke it in a last resort revenge, or if it was an accident by his captors.

"Good afternoon fair lady," says Orando as they approach the stranger. "What brings you to these woods today?"

The woman remains silent.

When out of earshot, he asks the others: "Should we make more of an effort to question her?"

[Scott308]

Father Dowling

If you wish to go back and speak with her, I would be keen to hear what she has to say, or even what she doesn't say. She clearly has an interest in our party, and I would like to know the reason for her interest.

[Storm11]

"I will accompany the good brother onwards and meet you at the tower ruins, and we can attempt to Open the doorway for when you arrive." Angella says to those who are off to speak to the woman watcher.