Everyone healed by Kahan non-magically gets back 6 hit points, plus whatever you get for your healing spell hit points.  Please make the adjustments accordingly.

Recap: Shae took the onyx gem before entering the labyrinth.  You then took an azure gem and a dark onyz gem from the eyes of Manjab.  The azure gem was donated to the Llamasu for information on how to get out.  According to his instructions, you now place the dark onyx gem in the dragon's maw and keep the Onyx Gem (originally taken by Shae).

Placing the dark onyx gem in the dragon's maw results in a flash of light that momentarily blinds you.  Then you realize, as before, that you are no longer in the same room.  You are in the entry room you started in, with the exit just ahead of you.

Quickly, you exit.  The gnomes are there.  They rejoice when you return but are pointing to the south toward the stairs.

Finally, one of them approaches--the same one who was their spokesman previously (see msg#9 in Test of the Faithful-1)-- and in a halting tongue, states, "They thought you dead.  Two of our kind go down stairs to find exit.  We not see them in many hours."  Then he points back at his people.  "Two more get the Black Curse.  Their fingers grow black at tips.  They have one day, maybe two, to live."



OOC: As a reminder, you originally saved 11 gnomes, but 5 were killed as you were escaping the giants, leaving you with just 6 alive.  You need as many of them alive as possible to communicate with the Gnome clan leader at the bottom of the mountain and to plead your case and help you accomplish your goals.

Tahldar stumbles out of the secret doorway and is glad to be alive.  He is distressed to hear that two of the Gnomes have left and are surely dead.  And that another two have gotten the sickness.

"My supply of spells is dwindling, but I should have enough to continue.  But I fear I will not have enough once we find this dragon.  Hopefully that Fingas character and his friend will soften things up for us a bit going forward, but I don't have my hopes up that they have lasted very long and will make any difference."

Addressing the group he adds "Which way next?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Tue 17 Mar 2015.

Borimer has no answer, but a question instead when his warrior's paranoia gets him thinking.  "Do you think an ancient wyrm like that could take those two fools over with spellcraft or bribery and use them against us? That could take our already-bad odds and kill us with them..."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Tue 17 Mar 2015.

"It is possible I suppose, depending on whether or not he is old enough or powerful enough to have access to spells. We should be weary if we see them again," Kahan replies to the warrior, turning and continuing down whichever path the lead gnome says the others went.

Shae says, "I remember them running and screaming, and if I recall right, that was at the bottom of the stairs just to the south of us.  That does not bode well."  She is ready to follow them down the stairs but is wary and has her spear ready.

"Do you guys remember if we have another test left?" said Didit "Because somehow I feel like we have something else to do before facing the dragon"

Leo exits wondering how he managed to get out of that last scrape without a scratch.  "I won't always be so lucky", he says quietly to no one in particular.

Tuning in to the current conversation, he adds, "I haven't had a lot of experience with Dragons, but I would just assume that spells are in our future if we are unfortunate enough to have to tangle with it.  I'm hoping we come up with another way of dealing with that one."   Leo pauses for a second, then continues " 'Course maybe we could just get him to swallow me whole, and then I could just cut my way out!" he says while making hand gestures designed to remind everyone how easy that fate could be for any of them.  "Of course it might take two bites for that one", he says winking at Borimer.

"In all seriousness though, if this is our fate, I am with you all to the end.", trying to sound as serious as anyone could really take a hobbit, and then nods at Shapfren wondering the same thing.

Shae laughs at Shap's comment.  "As I recall there are six or seven tests, and we have only survived two so far.  Our travails are just beginning.  I don't like the fact that these tests we are beating were designed by apparently evil and sadistic clerics>"

You cautiously go down the stairs with the gnomes right behind you.  At the bottom, you look to your right and see that the hallway falls away into the same abysmal drop you saw before, where a chasm has opened up in the mountain right in the middle of the corridor.

To your left, you see the corridor continue down to a stone door.  The door is halfway open but dark from this distance.  You realize that the gnomes must have gone through that door, as it appears to be the only way out other than down into the abyss.

You also realize that Fingass Hatt and Battrus Moonshadow came running from the direction of that door screaming before plummeting over the side of the chasm.

"Sure, seem like a lot of test if you ask me"  Lukas will take the lead and check out the door and then proceed to have a look at what's behind it.

Shae will hang back, waiting to see what Lukas reports.  She is ready for battle--again.

Borimer follows after Lukas, easily looking above him for signs of any trouble up ahead.  "If we run into trouble let me cover for you while you ply your skills, friend."

if combat ensues borimer will take the front for the encounter

As they wait to enter through to doorway Tahldar says in Gnomish to the remaining four Gnomes "Please don't split up again.  This place is extremely dangerous.  We lost Donovan in the last test and I myself am lucky I was not killed too.  Our only chance to get through this alive is if we stick together and have faith in each other.  And with luck we've get those berries we need quick enough to heal those that get sick.  But it's not going to be easy."

OOC:  Is the Gnomish language tag ready?  And if it is, how do you use it?  It's been awhile and I forget...

Leo follows Lukas also looking over the door but making sure there is a clear path for the big guy if something suddenly happens.  "A second pair of eyes never hurts."  He draws his dagger as he gets close to the door.

In reply to Tahldar of Tyrannia (msg # 13):

Yes, Gnomish is tagged.  You access it from the "Insert a private line" pull down menu.

You approach the slightly open door and peer inside.  Nothing seems amiss, so you enter.

This semicircular room has three entry/exit points:  the door you entered, a door on the south side of the west wall leading west (which is slightly ajar), and a door inset into a small niche in the eastern wall (see map).



On the curved section of wall in front of you, words are elaborately carved into the wall with gold insets.  There are three words on the left, and three words on the right.  Each word is repeated multiple times in several languages.  In order from left to right, the words are:

1) DARKNESS
2) CONFUSION
3) MADNESS
4) MIGHT
5) FEAR
6) EVIL


The words DARKNESS and CONFUSION have a glowing luster to them that the others do not, as if they are magically lit up.

Under each of the multi-lingual words, you see a square area where there is obviously some sort of shelf or casing built into the stone wall.  Indeed, under the first two glowing words, the "shelf" has rotated down 90 degrees, revealing two things:  each has a small indentation the same size as the gems you have recovered; each also has an item just above that indentation.

Above the first indentation is a clawed dagger, with the inscription "Frehelian Poison Claw Dagger" under it.  The dagger is ornate and barbed.  When sunk deep into flesh, it will tear and cause bleeding when removed.

Tahldar's ancient knowledge reveals this about the dagger:

OOC:
Frehelian Claw Dagger Stats:
+2 Dagger
Damage 2d4 + 2
Poison (Blade Always Poisoned) (User always immune to the dagger's poison.)
Bleeding (When removed, chance to cause bleeding (per rules).)

[Intended to go to Leo.]



Under the CONFUSION "shelf" is another indentation for a gem, as well as a set of ornate bracers with clawed spikes.  The words "Bracers of the Magus" are carved under the bracers.

Tahldar again uses his arcane knowledge to decipher what these bracers are.

OOC:
Bracers of the Magus Stats:
+3 Bracers
Bladed Claws can be used as dagger +3 (1d4+3 dmg).
Can be used with same stats/effect as small shield.
+2 to all Saving Throws
-3 to all opponent Saving Throws based on spells cast by wearer.

[INTENDED RECIPIENT: TAHLDAR]




The other four "shelves" are still locked in the upright position, and you cannot see what they contain.

But on the wall behind you (the west wall), there are more intricate carvings, which read:


"THE TEST OF THE FAITHFUL. Only those who prove true may transcend and descend.  Only those who prove true are worthy.  The seventh test revealed below."


A tapestry is hung on either side of these engravings.  Though they must be old and are filled with dust, they are in impeccable shape, obviously preserved through magic.

The left tapestry portrays the back of a black-cloaked man standing atop a mountain, his hands held high.  At the bottom of the mountain, hordes of followers bow in obeisance.

The right tapestry portrays a silvery dragon with piercing blue eyes, its tail winding around a black-cloaked figure.  In each of its foreclaws, it also holds a black-cloaked figure, and yet another is crushed between its teeth.  The dragon peers out from a cave in a mountain, and at the top of the mountain, you see the small figure of the cloaked man, hands still raised.

Below the wording and in between the two tapestries, there is another "shelf" that is closed to viewing.  You imagine it will open if the right conditions are met.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:32, Fri 27 Mar 2015.

Tahldar looks over the shelves and says "I think we should wait to put the gems on the shelves till we have them all.  I don't want that Fingas character to take advantage of our hard work, and blood in Donovan's case."

"I bet once all six are all placed the other shelf will open."

Looking over the magic items he adds "I will take these bracers if no one objects.  They will aid my castings so they work more effectively.  And protect me a little bit from harm."

Immediately after putting the bracers on, the mage casts an armor spell and feels much more protected now.  Though he knows there are creatures in this mountain that would have no problem bypassing his magical protection, and with ease.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:37, Fri 27 Mar 2015.

Leo looks at the dagger and then back at the rest of the group for approval as he picks it up.  "Quite the difference this will make", with a combination of a smile and a look of awe.  "Imagine if I had hit that eyestalker ball with this."    He pauses a bit while looking it over in his hand and nods with approval.  "I will have to be cautious", he states matter of factly.  "It probably doesn't say darkness for nothing."

Carefully putting the dagger safely away where he can get it easily, he looks to the rest of the group.  "I don't have an especially strong opinion on which way we should go next, but maybe we should make sure we don't hear noises at the doors and check for other dangers first." He nods at the east door and motions to go that way but pauses to see if the others see things similarly.

Kahan unfurls the portable hole and gathers the two gems they have found thus far and deposits them inside if nobody objects. Afterwards, he puts it away and looks at the other tests to see if they say anything about what items would be beneath them or if it will only show the description once the test is done. "We should probably attempt to finish at least one more test, and possibly find the missing gnomes, before taking a much needed rest, as much as I would like to, if only to replenish spells and lick our wounds. Perhaps we should go down the open doorway first?" the priest asks, getting ready for more adventure. And hopefully less pain than the last two tests.

"Makes sense to me, give me a sec to check the east door and listen for noise first.  I won't open it", he responds.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Sat 28 Mar 2015.

Lukas walked over to the indention in the back of the room to have a better look as the others poured over the new found items.  "Still nothing of value for a gnome, only death for me kind, would anyone have a way of removing the poison from the other gnomes, they will surely died if not."

You don't hear or see anything by the doors. No signs of traps or anything, but on the southern door that is partly open, you can see fingerprints from where the dust of ages has been disturbed.  You see one up high (human), and a couple down below (gnome height).

The corridor extends straight about 30 feet before there is another corridor breaking off to the left (south).  It continues straight as well but has been cut off by a cave in.


This message was last edited by the GM at 18:14, Mon 30 Mar 2015.

Borimer tries to gauge how long it would take him to remove enough rubble for passage.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Mon 30 Mar 2015.

"It seems our friends have already passed through here..."

While Borimer looks at the rubble, Shae peeks down the passage leading south.  "Yes.  Now, I wonder what it was that made them run away from here screaming, and what condition our gnome friends are in right now."

Leo heads down the passage with the others and takes a little extra interest in the cave in while standing next to Borimer.  Looking for a short bit, but clearly with more interest than just a casual one, he steps back with a pause and then looks to the group as Shae finishes her comment about the gnomes.

"I think I might have a theory on that Shae", he says pointing at various rocks in the rubble of the cave in.  "This cave in happened recently.  In vact, very recently if my observations are correct." He pauses further and then continues, "One thought I have, and I don't have anything to go on besides this recent cave in here, but that gorge that we have seen at those two passages...might that be recent as well?  While we can't tell through the rubble, it's interesting that it otherwise is in the same direction.  At the very least we should be watching and listening carefully for more cave ins."  He looks back to see if he sees anything else interesting in the rubble.  "In any case, I am not sure we should try to clear out more of the rubble in case of a further cave in."

Lukas remained in the room for a bit longer.

"It would seem we have to go down the ravine.  I agree that trying to dig out the rubble to too dangerous and would take forever as well."

"I recall a rope in the first passage leading to the ravine off the first room where we came in.  I say we climb down and go from there.  Hopefully we'll find a way to climb back up, and in that way circumvent this cave in."

Kahan approaches the southern hallway and looks down it. "I personally am not a fan of heights so if we don't have to go down the ravine, I would much rather not," he replies.

You look to the south and see the southern corridor goes about 20 feet before there is a door to the right (west) that looks just like the other entrances to the "tests of the faithful."  The corridor then continues another 10 feet or so before turning left (east).



Borimer starts looking through the rubble, especially curious after Leo's pronouncement.  Though digging through the rubble might take a long time, at the edge of the rubble, stairs lead down, meaning that if you spend about an hour clearing out the closest layer to you, then you might just be able to squeeze into the open space below the rest of the rubble to whatever lies below.

As Borimer picks through the rubble, he finds what appears to have been stone that formed an archway over these downward stairs.  There is a word etched into the stones.  Pieced together, they spell the word "FEAR" in several languages.  You also are able to put together that what collapsed here was one of those same doorways that led into the other "tests of the faithful."  This one just collapsed for some reason.

As you are picking through the rubble and talking, you hear timid voices calling up from below the collapsed archway, and down in the safety of the hollow where the stairs lead down.  They are the voices of your lost gnomes calling up for help.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:41, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

Leo steps back a bit concerned about another collapse until he hears the voices and puts his worry aside and moves to help dig.  "We hear you, just sit tight.  This will take a little time to dig out", he responds to them.  "Maybe we can get a hole large enough for me to get through initially to check things out. Perhaps then they can crawl to us if they are ok."

Shae says, "That's fine with me, but something tells me we're all going to have to go in there to do that FEAR test."  She uses her ancestral spear as leverage to help move the larger rocks as they begin to dig.

"Yes, I tend to agree.  Eventually that is probably in our future", He says nodding.

Borimer starts moving rocks as best as he can, hopefully without creating another cave-in, moving as quickly as possible to free the little folk trapped below.  "Is the test of Fear down these stairs?"

Tahldar helps Borimer with the task of clearing the rubble, happy that another path forward has presented itself as he did not want to try to go down the ravine.  Though his strength is not much, he still does his best to help.

"I believe that yes the test of Fear is down these stairs, and if it's anything like the other tests it surely will live up to it's name" he says in reply to his one armed companion.

"Great..." mussed Didit "Maybe I should skip this one?"

Lukas caught up to the others in time to learn about discovering some of the gnomes, "How did you tards get down there in the first place?"

"I would not be surprised if they caused the cave-in. This ravine must have been made recently and it likely ruined the structural integrity of much of this tunnel system," Kahan mused aloud, helping move some of the rocks as best he could.

OOC: Please recall that they do not speak your tongue.  But they speak Gnomish, or can speak through their spokesman, who speaks broken Common.

Lukas forgetting that he spoke in common remembered that understanding common was a challenge for them, restated the question in gnome tongue, [Language unknown: Ncre essin ieut areovepro pr st tinlattra ll niiv vernotnot thaconstr]?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:35, Thu 02 Apr 2015.

The gnomes call back in answer, [Language unknown: "No bethevil ev onha omesonhou si verresill.  E ac unwiwi redingica pe leugh eeasta hoacnoet.  Hata fi ho ec..  A atetee onseentic. Romopl!  Any fi ll.  Il loast le omiv tand th mi ardichles prof.]

As they are completing their sentences, and as you are still pulling stones away from the collapse, you hear something coming from the south.

It is a fast-paced clicking as if many bugs -- giant bugs -- are making their way in your direction, clicking and clacking as they come.  And you remember Fingas and his cleric friend running in fear, screaming from something too powerful for them.

Whatever it is -- or they are -- will round the corner in moments.  Your noise has brought them.

Borimer stops excavating rocks and turns to face the incoming threat, stepping to the front of the group and drawing the obsidian-like Godslayer.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:58, Thu 02 Apr 2015.

"Quickly, everyone back away.  I will cast a web once the beetles appear and try to get as many caught in the webs as I can." Tahldar says as he begins to back away from the rubble.

"I'll be careful not to catch the gnomes.  And with luck I'll get them all caught in my sticky trap then we can simply burn them."

OOC:  I will cast web.  I can create a max of eight 10' cubes, though if I can create little less I will (as needed).  I want to position it so it doesn't extend down into the rubble so we'll have to back up a bit, then cast once they appear.  I will cast it so I can get as many as possible.  Hopefully any behind it won't be smart enough not to run into the webs and get trapped.  After a bit we can then burn it off for 2d4.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Fri 03 Apr 2015.

Didit ran for cover "I'm sorry I can't help now it seems, I'm dry of spells and getting close isn't an option. If I had a bow I could still help you, but I haven't had one in years"

Leo draws Frehelian ready to attack any that get through the web.

Borimer backs up enough to allow Tahldar room for his spell.

Kahan lights a torch in the hopes that the bugs will be scared of fire, preparing to sweep it along the ground to keep them away.

Lukas readied his bow with some  arrows

You see a hundred or so beetles round the corner, heading toward you.  The beetles are identical to the one that attacked Kahan previously.  They have pincer front teeth, are about the size of a clenched fist, and have a golden back and ebony side.  They are well armored, and do not appear to have eyes or other appendages other than six spiked beetle legs.

(You remember that Kahan detached such a beetle as it was boring into his arm by immersing his arm in the fountain of acid.  You also remember that when Borimer went in to kill the beetle, it emitted lightning-like impulses that traveled up his sword arm and shocked him.)

The gnomes move behind you, and Tahldar casts a web between you and the oncoming beetles.  About twenty of them get caught in the web.  They immediately begin pulsing lightning flashes that is thinning and dissolving the web.

Kahan lights a torch.  This seems to draw the beetles that had been previously reluctant to enter the web area, and about 10 more are caught and begin pulsing with electricity.

You can attack the approximately 100 beetles, or you can probably squeeze through the opening into the FEAR test with the gnomes.

You start to think that unleashing this horde of beetles is probably what led Fingas and Batruss to run and then jump over the cliff.  You still recall their diminishing screams as they fell unfathomably far down.

OOC: Sorry for delays. Finally getting back into the swing of things now.

Borimer sheathes the Godslayer and shakes his head, still keeping himself between the gnomes and the incoming beetle infestation.  "We should go further, enter the FEAR test.  Worry about the beetles after.  Maybe even find a way around them."

if others agree, borimer will guard while the others enter the test, then go after them

"I have no problem with that plan", Leo says as he heads through the hole and then stands at the other entrance waiting to stab at any beatles that might make it through.

"I like that plan!" Didit didn't waste time to run towards the entrance, she would try to help any of the gnomes approaching to enter if it was needed.

Shae also agrees and holds back for last, just in case she has to shapeshift for a fast getaway.

Tahldar is pleased to see his web has at least held off the beetles, at least for now.  But he is disappointed to see his did not get more of them.

Going along with Borimer's plan, he joins the others.

You squeeze down into the area with the other gnomes, and are followed by your gnomes.  Together, you go through the open doorway, similar to the others but slightly crumbled after the ceiling collapse, and enter the interior chamber.

The chamber is hexagonal in shape, about 50 feet across.  The floor is made of glassy marble in one solid, slightly convex shape, bulging slightly in the center.  Above you, there is only darkness, unpenetrable by your light.  Like the previous area of darkness, it appears to be a magical construct of some kind.  In the center, you see a familiar dragon-shaped pedestal.  This one has a pink, glowing gem in its maw.

You hear behind you the crackling sound of the beetles shocking and dissolving the web to get to you.

Shae says, "Well, here goes nothing," as she steps forward and takes the gem from the pedestal.

"The beetles are likely the first part of the test. I doubt that we were supposed to have to climb through the collapsed remains of the door, but it still serves the same purpose; scaring the daylights out of us. Regardlessly, we must push forward and hope for the best," Kahan remarks, looking to see if there are any large rocks that can be knocked loose to help keep the bugs out, a shiver going up his arm as he recalls the eery effect the last beetle had on his arm.

Borimer stays near the entrance to ward off any beetles.  He grabs a torch from his pack and lights it, and then double checks the 2 flasks of oil in his Rizian shield harness just to be safe.

Lukas follow along with the others not wanting to try facing 100 beetles on his own, "Was there a reason that we don't set the web on fire.  Seems that the beetles are attracted to fire.  Why didn't we just light them up and let the flames do the rest."

OOC: Lukas doesn't have any means of lighting a fire.  Some oil would be helpful as well

"Well, I am not sure much more was thought about it except escape.  But in hindsight, webs don't burn very long and this tunnel does provide a sort of kill zone if necessary."  He pauses as he continues to look down the tunnel and help fill it in if necessary, and continues, "It looks like Borimer has the right idea there maybe."

Didit just closes her eyes while cowering in the back.

Tahldar waits with trepidation for what will come next after Shae grabs the pink glowing gem.

Shae takes the pink gem.  From above, something drops from the darkness--then another, and then another.

Three things that look like waxy beehives have fallen in three separate corners of the hexagonal room.  When they hit the marble floor, they break open as the wax or amber separates, releasing what lays within...

You barely have time to take notice of that when you notice all five walls retract about three feet simultaneously. And then the room begins falling.  Not just dropping, but actually free falling down.  Your mental calculations recall that it was 10,000 or more feet to the bottom of the mountain.  Freefalling will put you there very quickly...

After about 200 feet, your room briefly falls through a black area of darkness like the one you saw above you.  It recedes, and then you pass through another one after about another 200 feet.  The darkness area is about 15 feet high--or at least, that's your best guess, and it occurs every 200 feet.

Meanwhile, the things that escaped from the beehive items have been loosed.  They appear as a swarm of insects that begin encircling each of you--thousands of them.  That's when you feel the biting begin.

"Kahan!  Try a dispel magic!" Tahldar screams as his whole being shakes in fear of the situation they find themselves in.

OOC:  If indeed Kahan does try a dispel, Tahldar will cast Stoneskin on himself but not till the dispel has gone off.  He doesn't want to lose his casting.  If after all that the bugs are still biting he will cast his last Stoneskin on one of the Gnomes.

As the insects converge, Shae begins shapeshifting into an alligator, hoping its tough skin will prevent too much biting from insects.  She tries to crush them with her tail.

"Well, if its any consolation, I do not believe we are free-falling. It seems to be some sort of loop occurring every time we pass through the darkness. So at least we shouldn't fall to our deaths..." the priest relays, watching to see if there are any signs in the walls to show any possible way of slowing or stopping their loop. He will also look around for anything that might be able to be placed on the pedestal where the gem was (perhaps the amber that released the (probably illusory) bugs?).

The insects dissipate and fly away after you begin swatting at them, but only after each of you have been bitten a couple dozen times.  (4 hp damage each.)

The poisons injected in you by them begin to almost immediately take effect, right after Kahan's words. (Save vs. poison...)  Borimer shakes it off, feeling just a little weak and nauseous.  (Critical hit.) Kahan begins doubling over in pain, feeling the bites begin to fester and cause his breathing to be halting.  (fail: 3 hp dmg.)  Leo manages to just feel nauseous and a little dizzy.  (success.) Lukas gets the worst of it, falling to the floor and vomiting as his mouth gets covered in foam and he starts gagging and gripping his stomach.  (6 hp dmg; critical fail)  Shae shakes it off and turns into an alligator. (success)  Shapfren feels sick and tight pain grips her stomach.  (2 hp dmg; fail)  Tahldar feels dizzy and a pain in his stomach, but manages to otherwise avoid the worst of it. (success.)

After Kahan pointed out the walls and the amber, you weakly look and see nothing that looks like it might fit in the pedestal.  However, when the room first started to fall, you heard some snapping sounds like sticks breaking, and now you see something as the room falls.  Every once in awhile, you see scattered about holes in the walls.  The holes were likely plugged before the room fell and smashed away whatever amber or pole was plugging them up.  They are about 4 inches wide, and there are perhaps 2 or 3 for every 10 foot area of the wall.  But the room is falling so fast it is hard to make out details.

That is, until the spiders begin climbing out of the holes.  The spiders are large -- 3 to 4 inches long, black and of various varieties.  Of one thing you are certain:  these will not be innocuous spiders.  There must be 30-50 coming out of each hole, and you don't know how many holes there are total.

The previously biting insects have gathered into three swarms over the broken piles of amber or hive that spawned them.  Their buzz is loud and you are sure they are not done with you yet.

Because of the original attack of insects, you are each at -1 for to hit and saving throw rolls.  You also lose dexterity bonuses.  The -1 is increased to -2 for those who failed their saving throw, and -3 for Lukas' critical miss.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:57, Fri 24 Apr 2015.

Leo tries to cover up as best as possible and runs toward one of the hives.  "If they are real, we will know soon enough as their poison kicks in.", he says as he readies his cloak to throw over one of the hives.

Borimer decides he really hates bugs while taking their vicious little bites and stings to get close enough to a hive and then set in on fire with oil.

getting close enough will (theoretically) allow borimer to keep the oil on or near the hive and not all over the floor due to chucking it from a distance (also, armor class is currently 4 without dex bonus)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:50, Fri 24 Apr 2015.

If he can maintain focus, Kahan will cast a spell on Lukas.

Beads of sweat form all over Lukas body as he struggles to maintain some sort of control, having a reaction to the stings and not a good one.

Lukas willed himself to stand.

"Quickly!  Everyone huddle tightly and I will cast web." Tahldar says to the group.

OOC: If we all huddle in a small group I will cast a web which needs opposing points to anchor.  My intent to get as much of the hives as possible and as many of the spider that we can trapped in it while leaving us out.  Then we burn the web with a torch.

"I do not believe that would work unless you are not planning on anchoring it to the wall. Remember, although we are likely falling through a loop, we are indeed still falling," the priest replied through heavy breaths, clearly feeling the toxicity of _{(our city)} the bug's sting.

Shae will continue swishing her alligator tail and fighting off insects.

Realizing his web idea will not work, Tahldar looks to cast another spell.

OOC:  Tahldar will cast a 10' wide, 40' long lightning bolt and try to take out as many spiders and bugs as he can without harming his party.

Hope he's a good shot...

I would have thought an AoE spell like fireball would be interesting here.

ROUND 1
6 gnomes alive.
The gnomes, you will recall, are also with you in the room this time.  The insects have attacked them too, and they are all squirming on the ground in pain, though none have been killed.

Kahan begins casting.  He is weak, and his voice comes out hoarse.    The pain is too much and he can't complete the spell. [Failure; 1 hp dmg.]

Borimer is preparing to burn one of the hives.

Leo looks around, feeling sick but not as bad as the others.

Shae is thrashing about with her tail at the hive insects.

Lukas gets to his feet, his eyes blurry and coming slowly back into focus. 

Shapfren vomits once but gets to her feet.  Her eyes are puffy and blurry too.

Tahldar begins casting.  A lightning bolt fires up spreading and then bouncing around the room as the floor continues to fall.  You see a number of spiders freeze and then fall dead through the 3 foot opening between the floor and the wall.  A moment later, you are nearly rained upon by flying carcasses of dead spiders, and that is when you realize that Kahan must have accurately predicted that you are falling through some sort of teleporter over and over again.

The remaining spiders then jump with very strong legs to the platform that is falling.  Because the holes were on all sides, the spiders also land on all sides, the largest ones the size of your fists, the smallest ones smaller than a finger.

Borimer lights the fire, dropping the oil on the amber hive, and it explodes in light and flames that crackle and pop.  Many of the insects above it are killed in the resulting flames.  A number of spiders were also killed.  There are two more broken amber hives above which insects hover.

Leo runs to the other hive, throwing his cloak over it.  There are a few insects coming out that are stopped by the cloak.  There is also a swarm of them hovering over the amber hive.  They descend along with the floor.

Shae is managing to kill some of the insects with her tail, and the swarming insects contract around her but do not appear to be able to bite her further with her alligator hide.

The spiders appear to be converging on both you and the gnomes.  There are at least a hundred, perhaps twice that many.

Lukas called out a warning to Leo, "Leo, something demon like is coming toward you"  He squinted his eyes trying to make sure he was actually seeing what he though that he saw.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:52, Mon 27 Apr 2015.

Leo feels something touch his shoulder...

"My hand is back..."  Borimer says in wonder.  But with no time to waste at this miracle he bolts to the next hive and uses his second container of oil to set ablaze.

Tahldar takes out a vial of oil and looks to use it to burn the spiders.

Tahldar will look to create a pool of oil between the party and the spiders.  He has 4 vials and will try to use one in conjunction with Borimer and his torch.

"Those spiders seem to shimmer a bit", Leo says as he trys his best to avoid getting stung as much as possible.  "Also, I think Kahan is right, we are in some sort of endless cycle"

"Huuh?", Leo says as he looks toward Lukas and then feels the hand.  He tries to roll away and cover himself defensively as he pulls Frehelian Claw.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:23, Tue 28 Apr 2015.

Didit was shaking and feeling terribly. But she walked to the nearest gnome and drew her sword from its sheath. She would do her best to attack any incoming spider. "This place is madness!!"

Lukas stomped on what spiders he could and swiped at the bees with his sword

"We must be hallucinating from the poison... I see a beholder behind Tahldar but I doubt all of these things are real aside from the bugs," the priest grumbles out, pulling out his mace and swinging at the nearest enemy that he believes is real.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Wed 29 Apr 2015.

Shae continues swishing her tail, trying to destroy the hive things that fell on the ground, staying clear of the fire and stepping and crushing spiders as she goes around the room.

ROUND 2
Right after Lukas calls out, something grabs Leo from behind, pulling on him.   Leo tries to pull away, but falls.  Leo is trying to get his blade out but is having difficulty with the weight on top of him.


Borimer runs to the next hive but drops what he is holding and stands there awkwardly.  He stops and picks up the vial and runs to the next hive, where he begins the process again.

Tahldar also begins pouring oil around the last of the hive and the party, ready to burn it. 

One of the gnomes is crawling toward the edge of the falling room in fear.  It is possible he could throw himself down the 3 foot wide opening and die next round.  He is closest to Tahldar and Borimer.

Lukas swipes at the flying insects near the closest hive but his sword does little damage to the swarm.

Shae and Lukas are killing spiders that leap to the falling ground.  (8 spiders are killed.) A few spiders clamp onto Shae but cannot bite through her alligator skin.

Lukas is not so lucky.  Two spiders leap and manage to bite him, one in the neck and one on the hand.  The pain is immediate and severe.  (Saving throws missed. 6 hp dmg.  Lukas is poisoned. -1 to attacks, -1 hp per round.)

Shapfren goes to the nearest gnome, sword drawn, ready to fend off the spiders.  Several leap at her, but she strikes them aside and stomps on them.  (4 spiders killed.)

The spiders are leaping closer to you, congregating in groups of about 10 to 15.  They begin attacking...

Both Tahldar and Borimer escape and dodge, avoiding the bites. Two of the gnomes are bitten, one severely.  He collapses onto the ground, foam beginning to come out of his mouth.

Leo is bit by one spider, but it is not too bad.  (2 hp dmg, no poison. Saving throw successful.)

The insects over the hive destroyed by Borimer are now flying to the next hive (where Borimer is going).  They swarm is gathering together to prepare an attack.

Leo continues to try and escape and slash at whatever is on top of him, but also tries to heed Kahan's words and attempts to disbelieve what is pushing him down.

Glad her hide is protecting her but unable to talk in alligator form, Shae continues smashing hives and spiders that get in her way.

Kahan will attempt to help Leo out, swinging at some invisible force that has a hold on him. "Someone grab that gnome!" the priest shouts.

"This is madness!  I'm going to try to escape!" Tahdar says as he tries to grab hold of a Gnome.

OOC: I will try to take a hold of a Gnome with one hand.  With my other I will test the wall that is speeding past to see if I can safely touch it.  My thought is we aren't really falling and the walls speeding by us aren't real.  If my hand is able to reach through what I think is illusion, I will move out and try to take the Gnome with me.

Borimer looks at his illusionary hand in disbelief before spotting the gnome about to plummet over the edge of the floor.  He grabs the person and keeps them safe tucked under one handless arm while using the other to dump oil on the hive for future burning.

not sure, but im thinking/hoping borimer can grab the gnome and make the hive with his half movement rate before his 'attack' (dump oil, but cant set on fire yet); if not, he grabs the gnome and keeps him/her from the creepy crawlies

ROUND 3
You suffer the following from lingering poison:
Lukas: 2 points damage.
Kahan: 1 point damage.
Shapfren: 1 point damage.

Tahldar saves the gnome that is delusional, but when he goes to touch the wall, he finds that the floor is, in fact, falling.  That is not an illusion.  He withdraws his hand.

Borimer also saves a gnome, cradling him in his handless elbow as he pours oil on the next fallen amber hive.

Kahan attacks, hitting the thing attacking Leo. Leo is also attacking the thing that is attacking him from behind.  They realize too late that the thing they thought was some sort of monster attacking Leo is really one of the gnomes.  The poison has made you hallucinate he was something else.  Kahan seriously injures the gnome, knocking it out cold with the mace.  The silver lining to this is that the delusional gnome is no longer attacking Leo.

Shae is smashing spiders.  Her swishing tail seems to be attracting the spiders to her and away from the others, giving you a little more breathing room.  (8 spiders smashed)  Especially since they can't seem to pierce her alligator hide.

Shapfren and Lukas continue to smash the spiders around them.  (11 spiders killed.)

This round, Shapfren is bitten by another spider.  (Saving throw failed. 2 hp dmg, -1 to attacks, -1 to future saving throws, -1 hp per round while poisoned.)  A spider also attacks Borimer.  (Saving throw failed; 4 hp damage, -1 to hit, -1 to saving throws, -1 hp/rnd while poisoned.)  The rest of you escape attack.

The insect swarm also goes straight for Borimer... (complete miss), but he swipes them away and throws oil down.

ROUND 4
(To keep this moving...)
Borimer: poisoned, -1 hp
Shapfren: poisoned, -1 hp
Lukas: poisoned, -2 hp
Kahan: poisoned, -1 hp

Borimer lights the oil.  It not only lights up the hive by Borimer, but also ignites all the oil spread around by Tahldar, sending a huge wave of flames all around you and destroying both remaining hives.

This destruction dazes you all as the blast of fire nearly blinds you (especially in your poisoned and bleary eyed states), but even better, the swarm of insects drops dead immediately.  The flames also kill a number of spiders.  (39 spiders killed.)  The remaining spiders recoil and begin fleeing from the flames.

As the flames begin to die down, you see that one of the amber hives has melted, revealing a dark pink and glowing gem.

You see that the spiders will likely retreat and not attack again as they begin hopping back to the walls and the pores in the walls.

But you are still poisoned...and the room is still falling...

"Maybe if we jump up and down really fast we won't get hurt when it hits bottom", Leo jokes as he gets up and sorts out his situation.

"It won't be hitting any bottom, Kahan responds, clearly not in the best of spirits after getting mauled by spiders and nearly killing one of his charges. He grabs the pink gem and attempts to shove it back into the pedestal where the other gem was.

When the new gem is placed in the pedestal, the room begins to slow and then finally stop.  The entry door opens to allow to leave.

But the poison is still in your system: (new saves versus poison...)
Borimer: Borimer shakes off the poison, still feeling it but not being further harmed by it. (Success.)
Shapfren: Shapfren still feels the poison running through her system.  (failure, -1 hp)
Lukas: Lukas also manages to shake off the poison, though he is still very nauseous, and the falling room didn't help any. (success)
Kahan:  Kahan still feels the poison hurting him as he grips his stomach in pain.  (failure, -1 hp)

You also notice that "FEAR" on the golden cube his lit up on one of its sides.  You have now completed three of the six tests, having completed DARKNESS, CONFUSION, and now FEAR.  All that remain are MIGHT, MADNESS, and EVIL.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:19, Mon 04 May 2015.

Leo moves around the the folks that are still poisoned to see if his herbalism skills might help in recovery.

Shae resumes her half-elf form.  "I can heal, if needed, but I cannot cure poison." She offers to cast a heal light wounds on any requiring it.

Kahan begins applying his Keoghtom's ointment to himself to see if it will draw out the insects' poison. If it seems to help, he will apply it to anyone who is still affected by it.

"Do we have enough in us to continue?  Or should we rest?" Tahldar asks he checks on the health of the Gnomes.

OOC: How are the Gnomes doing?  Do we still have 4 alive?

All of the gnomes are still alive.  Two of them are suffering from the "Black Curse" disease and probably have less than 24 hours before they go mad and then die.

The ointment from Kahan cures the poison on both you and the gnomes.  Oddly, although it does not heal the Black Curse, it seems to slightly abate upon application of Keoghton's Ointment.  You may have just given the gnomes an extra day or two.

OOC: For herbalism, here is the description:

Herbalism: Those with herbalist knowledge can identify plants and fungus and prepare nonmagical potions, poultices, powders, balms, salves, ointments, infusions, and plasters for medical and pseudo-medical purposes. They can also prepare natural plant poisons and purgatives. The DM must decide the exact strength of such poisons based on the poison rules in the DMG. A character with both herbalism and healing proficiencies gains bonuses when using his healing talent (see the Healing proficiency).

I think he has to search out and find plants to make the antidotes first.

OOC:  Fair enough.  I didn't know if it was assumed he might have been carrying anything or not.  It sounds like the poison problem has been solved anyway.  I guess we need to go back out if we are to try to treat the other.

I wasn't sure either, but just suddenly having him have the right ingredients seems a little too convenient.  When they leave the mountain (if they survive), be sure to use the skill to gather herbs and supplies.

That said, I agree he probably has something with him on the herbal side of things since he joined the group at a midpoint.  Go ahead and pick what herbs he has, up to a total of five doses--and by "herbs" I mean what the effect is (poison herbs, antidote herbs, etc.)--in any combination.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:16, Mon 04 May 2015.

Borimer watches his hand fade away with the effects of the poison and then growls. He stands at the exit to guard against sneak attacks and/or general mayhem.

In moving back to the area with the rubble and collapsed ceiling, you notice that the swarm of beetles has now gone.  You are not sure where the swarm has gone or if it will come back, but the corridor appears safe for now.

The latest map (You are in the rubble area on the southwestern side where the blacked out corner is at.):

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:59, Mon 04 May 2015.

"I say we try one more challenge before we sleep. We are on a limited time frame and I would rather not rest if we didn't need to," Kahan replies, his steely resolve unbroken by the fear-inducing hallucinations.

"It's a tough call, but I would defer to the spell casters on this one.  Also, would resting give us a chance to possibly find a way to cure or at least slow down this Black Curse?

OOC:  I found a random herb generator so I updated my character sheet with what I rolled.

Glad to see the beetles gone, Tahldar says "Let us continue then, but before we continue I am going to cast a couple of protective spells on two of the Gnomes who are hurt.  After this I will be out of any spells higher than the second order.  I pray what I have left will be enough."

OOC:  Tahldar will cast stoneskin on two gnomes before we go.  Targeting whichever ones are hurt the most.

With the beetles gone, you investigate a little further down the hallway.

There is a door immediately to your right (west).  It is like the ones you saw previously before entering the tests:

Like the other ones, the door itself is an ancient stone door that is long and tall, a full 15 feet tall at its top.  You brush off some of the old dust and look closer at the door.  The ancient stone has a bas relief carving of a winding dragon moving toward a glowing orb of some sort.

The door does not have any door handles or apparent hinges.  An inspection does not reveal any traps on the door.  However, the orb in the center of the door (about 6 feet off the ground) appears to not be carved out of solid stone and perhaps could be pushed in like the previous one.

Looking to your left (east), you see two more doors, one to the south and one to the east.  The one to the east is a similar looking door with the winding dragon and door that leads to another test.  The door to the south is a normal stone door that is halfway open.

Tahldar casts stoneskin on two of the most injured gnomes, one of whom is an elderly gnome that Borimer carried across the chasm bridge just a day earlier--though it seems so much longer.

"I'm pretty beat up, if we take more tests I need more of my health back or I might be in trouble."  Borimer speaks while gazing at the door, so like the others that have caused so much trouble.  "It's the Might test that worries me the most, don't know why..."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:48, Wed 06 May 2015.

Didit just rested on a wall, she was breathing heavily... "Please, can we rest just some? right now I'm so tired, I'm completely out of spells and I don't think I can just keep swinging a sword. Maybe if I had a bow I could still function as an archer, but right now I'm useless"

lukas find a spot to sit down, "knowing when to rest"

Shae says, "If we rest, I suggest we go back to the half oval room where you put the gems.  We can put our latest pink gem in its spot, and close both doors to lock ourselves in, and the beetles out.  I agree to a rest. I cannot shapeshift anymore today, and I can heal you before we rest."  The half-elf pushes back her dark hair and leans on her ancestral spear, still wary of the beetles returning.

She will use her healing spells on all who need them.

Seeing he's been outnumbered, Kahan resigns his motion to continue through one more test and begins moving back to the oval room. "Shae, if you or Tahldar have any useful spells left for today that won't have any real purpose in being used now, I would ask that you cast them into my Rod of Absorption to be saved for a later time. There are still six slots left and I will likely be using two of them but after that the rest can be filled if you two have any castings left," the priest states as he's walking, pulling out the rod and the explanatory book. He explains to Shae that the rod actually absorbs the spell's effect, not just its power like other Rods of Absorption do, actually allowing the spellcaster to use the spell out of the rod as if they had cast it themselves.

Lukas took the time to closely examine a dead bee and spider wondering how someone was able to control such insects.  Before joining the others to rest.