Vuzyl hurries along the stairs rushing to pass everyone and take point

Let me take the lead, if this place has some new way of trying to kill us waiting at the end of the stairs let it try and chew on me and Ssapffyn!

His hand rests on the pommel on the short sword as he says the name.

Shae will also begin casting, making sure her spell is behind the web and doesn't touch it.  She casts wall of fire at the entrance to the steps as soon as everyone is behind her.  "This should hold them back," she says, and then she follows them up the steps.

The web spell goes out as everyone scrambles away from the sand pit.  Then Shae's wall of fire goes up, and the scent of grilled beetles reaches your ears.  You manage to shake off and crush the few remaining beetles on this side of the wall of fire.

You then proceed up the stairs just as the green mist is enveloping the room, and creature below.  As you reach the top, you are shaken by an explosion!  The wall of fire ignited the green gas, causing a huge explosion.  The giant creature was stuck in the web and sinks, alive but greatly shaken.

Your own eyes are slightly blinded by the light, and you feel the heat strike you from below.  Luckily, you were far enough away from the explosion, but the smell of sulfur reaches your ears.

The natural stairway eventually tapers off into a dimly lit room.  There in the center is another of those dragon altars.  In its maw rests a glowing violet gem.  You remember that you hold the purple gem from the other room and that in previous rooms you switched out the gems.

This room is octagonal in shape.  Its walls are covered in the metallic mirrors, as are its floor and ceiling.  Besides the tunnel you just came through (which we will deem "east"), there is another set of stairs leading up to the northwest and a passageway to the south that then curves sharply to the right.

Borimer turns to Vuzyldiin and smiles, "Do your stuff..."  When the dark elf is done checking for tricks and traps near the entrance Borimer will enter the chamber.

not sure if vuzyl has to enter the room or if he can check and then borimer enters
This message was last edited by the player at 17:48, Fri 31 July 2015.

OOC: Since I rushed to the front I would have got there first anyway

Vuzyl starts to check the room and pedestal for traps

While working he asks in a slightly put upon manner.
Ok now nothing seems to be trying to kill us, what is this place, who are you all and what in the name of what ever goddess you worship are we doing here?

No traps are discovered, but like the other altars with gems in the dragon's maw, it appears to have a weighted mechanism at the upward pointing tongue of the dragon to ensure it has a proper gem in place.

"Do we have anything that weighs the same as that gem?"

"I think we need to put the appropriate gem down to get the violet one.  Kahan, what gems do we have at the moment?"

OOC:  Didn't we get some advice from the statue about gems? (In exchange for coins)  It's been a while so I don't remember exactly.

"Our world died and we came here to escape it.  And I harbor no gods, friend elf."

OOC: The typical test goes like this:  At some point, you get one gem.  You replace that gem for another gem.  You take the second gem to the Test Room (the semicircle room), and that opens a magic item and one more completed part of the test.

Currently, you grabbed a purple gem when you entered the mirror maze.  You can replace it for this glowing violet one to complete step two of this test.

I'm sorry friend, I ment no offence. But you try waking up to find you were dead and the thing that probably killed you is trying to do it again and the only escape is a sandpit where the squid from your worst nightmare  happend to live... it's jarring to say the least

Vuzyl reaches out to clasp Borimer's wrist to ferment friendship, seeing his stump he says

I remember seeing limbs restored when I was with the Cliarther, when we are done here maybe I can introduce you?

Clasping the wrist above where the missing hand should be he smiles for the first time in weeks, years, decades.... longer?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:15, Fri 31 July 2015.

"No offense taken, and I'd be pleased to meet your healer."  Borimer nods and completes the hand/stump-shake.  "Who's carrying that other stone we need?"

Shae says, "I have the gem. I'll do the honors."  She places the gem and takes the new one.

"Vuzyl, be ready for anything. These tests tend to get... A little out of control once we get the second gem," Kahan states, watching the surrounding area to see what happens.

Drawing his sword and dagger Vuzyl starts to fade into the shadows.

Leo readies his weapon waiting to see what happens next.  "I guess flying outta here isn't an option this time", he says a little darkly.

Borimer's hand finds its way to the ivory hilt of the Godslayer, his teeth clenched and then relaxed...

Shae swaps the gem.

You hear a distant rumbling...

Then a rumbling in the wall to your left (west).  The wall begins to  move.

The western side of the wall tilts down, creating a ramp-like platform leading up into the darkness beyond.

Shae now has the violet gem that glows slightly.

"We can take the gem back to get another item that might help us, or we can go up."  Borimer prepares to lead the way up the ramp if the party decides to continue, or back to the Test room if that is the chosen course of action.

"Going back to get another item would be wise, if we can.  Depends on where this way goes I suppose."

OOC: Of course, taking the gem back would result in the ramp closing the newly opened door...

I could Scout up the ramp see if there is anything to see? Then assuming your not all running up to pull me out of the fire we can steer a more informed course?

and aside to him self he mumbles

And maybe someone could then inform me?

OOC: I had assumed they meant the one we just got back to the main room to get the next item but I am not sure how? we have a choice of the room with the sand or up the ramp as far as I can see

I think Tahldar is referring to the fact that when the glowing gems are put in the appropriate slots, they have been revealing magic items.  Vuz wouldn't know that, of course, since he just joined the group.

"We need to leave the gem to continue. There's only one way out, and its up," Kahan responds, heading up the ramp with his mace drawn.

Leo sighs.  "It's just one bit of fun after another!", Leo exclaims as he reluctantly, albeit slowly, heads toward the ramp after Kahan dagger drawn.