(049) The Blasted Abbey

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Highbough:
Highbough joins Olaf in immediately taking cover! But he hesitates at climbing the bell tower: "How can we support with bow and spell if we climb back up above the illusion?"

He studies the rear of the chapel for any smashed windows or other openings that might be large enough for an Elf or man to slip through. He supposes he could blink through, but then how to get Olaf over the tar-moat?

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Wote:
There are certainly gaping holes in the arched windows that could be climbed through.... though the shattered glass doesn't look overly inviting...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf:
Olaf will try to get Highbough to join him in hiding behind the bell tower for our conversation.

"Yes, I guess you are right." Olaf says, a little disappointed at not being able to take the high ground.

"Hum..."Olaf looks the situation over, "Isn't there an opening in the wall there?" he points at the rear of the chapel. If we could tie our rope up on the bell tower somewhere and you could blink with one end of it across the moat and tie it off there, I could slide down the rope from the tower to the chapel side of the moat. We could enter there."

"Otherwise, I think we might want to hide and wait until the others make their appearance." Olaf says.

Olaf says, "It looks like the guards and their wolves are watching something over that way.", he points toward the devastated area, "That would be our companions coming this way from what I bet they think is a perfectly normal Abbey interior.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Highbough:
"Somebody was ringing that bell not long ago," reasons Highbough. "If there are one or two sentries in the bell tower, let's take them out now. Then we will control the high ground, and one of us can keep watch from above the veil of illusion, while the other keeps watch below. I do not want to be anywhere near that pack of creatures if Master Ulric approaches from the other side! When he's done blasting them, you and I can pick off the roasted stragglers."

He grips his weapon so tightly it begins to smoke! "Enchanted beasts cannot ward against the Ire Spear; what about your weapon Eris? Do you have an enchanted or silver blade? Now, be careful of their bite, young man..."

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf:
"Yes, let's take the bell tower and if nothing else we can hit the monsters from a direction from which they do not expect." Olaf nods, taking up his sword and shield.

"My sword is not enchanted, nor is it silvered." Olaf says, "I'll have to do the best I can with what I have."

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Highbough:
"Be careful; these foes are not to be trifled with! If all else fails, lure them into position directly below the bell. I have a soell to heat metal; we can crush them with the red-hot bell!"

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf:
Olaf nods and then starts toward the door to the bell tower. If it is open he'll cautiously look inside before entering. If it is closed, he'll stop and listen, ear at the door, before attempting to open it.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Wote:
The blackened bell tower is a narrow affair. At its base is a flimsy wooden shutter rather than a proper door. Opening it carefully, Olaf sees that the whole of it is wide enough for a ladder that climbs up to the bell, and a rope which hangs down. The rope could be yanked to ring the bell. The interior space is more akin to a chimney than to a proper "tower". Given the bigger outward appearance, the walls must be rather thick.

It would be a squeeze for one person to climb up... but it's doable. Having two people up there at once is out of the question.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Highbough:
"I don't see any wolves in here, Olaf... Shimmy up the ladder if you like, but I'm going to keep an eye on the situation in the courtyard; those guards looked like they were agitated about something. Our help may be required sooner than later!"

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf:
Looking up Olaf shakes his head and says doubtfully, "I guess, I could climb up there, but I doubt it will give me the advantage with my bow I thought it would."

"I still think our best bet might be to tie the rope off here, you blink across the moat with the other end of the rope and tie it off there and then I cross the moat by holding onto the rope." Olaf says.

"Well, if we're not crossing the moat and going in the back way, then I agree we should just wait to see if we can help our friends when they arrive." Olaf says, "I hope they arrive sooner than later, though."