As Zaku attempts to get close following Rolands Heroic attempt at healing the wound, it suddenly, as if it heard a noise, panic and run headfirst towards Zaku, missing him closely - and charges out of the well of demons with haste. The necklace it had, falls to the ground, as a sore comfort.
The room lay bare and silent.
You notice a hallway to the east of you, covered in curious black stone.
Baring this, the way back and south, in the dark, following the curious sounds is also an option. The boar however is gone for good.

---

Gore vs Zaku - Hit vs 23, with cunning escape Zaku is at 25, hence a close miss.

Failed challenge - half xp granted and added to my notes.

Roland moves over to help Zaku up. "A worthy try, friend. I feel we were close. I fear we may have to slay the beast later."

He moves to take the necklace and examine it while going to sit down on one side of the chamber.

Short rest, spend one healing surge to get to full, take a look at the necklace.

The dark haired swordsman watched the departure of the boar with visible frustration and regret.  He rose up and dusted himself off, bits of straw and other debris falling off his shoulders and back after tumbling to avoid that final charge.

"Thank you, friend, but it seemed more intent on fleeing than lurking.   It was worth a shot though, and we may still be able to bring the collar it dropped to the house of Ulthand Deepgem for some reward."

He stalked over to the fallen Gnolls past the barrier, and whilst Roland inspected the bit of treasure Zakuryu retrieved his dagger from the throat of his foe and set about searching for anything else of interest among the bodies and their supplies...

Dral stands, retrieving his weapon and donning his armor. "It had doubtless had enough of humanoids. Now it can live or die on its own terms. None of us deserve less.

"I would like to travel the south hallway. I am ready when the group is."

---

As I understand it, it's not worth Dral spending one of his surges to get only 12 back, so he'll rest to recover his encounter powers.

Grock wipes his bloody hands off on his pants before walking south. “Let’s get going then. It’s rude to keep a host waiting.”

Roland nods and joins Dral and Grock as the party moves south. "Zaku, Warfryn, this way."

OOC: DM, assume that Warfryn took a short rest with the rest of us to recharge his encounter powers.

Walking slowly south, you hear beckoning sounds, as echoes in your mind, fade and appear.
It is daunting and haunting to some degree, and Roland whom experienced it before hand got the same unnerving sense inside.
Slowly ahead you come into a very dimly lit room.
Blood stains the floor here. Crimson trails run from a set of double doors in the east down the corridor and into a door to the west. A sudden chill washes over you. The cold seems to penetrate your body, causing an involuntary shiver. Three spectral figures appear faintly before you, rising out of the bloodstains. The ghostly figures raise their hands in greeting.

The first, appears as a male human who has a thick, black beard and is clad in chainmail.
His spectral armor is ripped apart.
The second is a dwarf, whom wears plate armor and keeps his helm’s faceplate closed. He bears a necklace depicting a sun.
The last is a lanky elf whom wears green robes and carries a staff.

The elf ask, in a calm but eary voice.
"Whom are you, and what do you seek here, in the well of Demons? We seek those worthy, to aid in their endavours."

The voices were a little off putting, but it signaled that something knew they were there which put the half Orc on alert. Grock stepped up to the black bearded dwarf. “I’m here to free all those enslaved and tortured by the demons here. If I get to to cause a little carnage in the process, all the better. They will face my rage and fall to righteous vengeance.”

In reply to Grock (msg # 938):

"I am here in defense of his efforts."

Zakuryu froze in the face of these specters, his body tense and eyes flashing from face to face with a wary glare...

Do I recognize them?

The spirits nod and eye you.
In succession they exclaim one by one.
The man with the black beard booms out: "I am Valdrog of Kord. I respect bravery, strength, determination and prowess! Give me this and I shall shall commend and support your efforts!"

The second rises. The dwarf with the symbol of the sun.
"I am Sir Terris, and I value sound mind, clear thoughts and that good intentions are followed through. I am not one for words with hollow meaning. So spare me of that!"

The elf waits calmy and rises.
"Hail. I am Mendara and we came to clear this place of demonic taint, falling to our fate against the guardian. I seek those brave, and with thoughtful approaches to the challenges we know lie ahead to cleanse this place of taint. Are you those? If so, prove it to us and we shall ensure you aid and guidance!"

---

The spirits asks for signs and feats of power and prowess.
This is a skill challenge with the following outlook. DC 22(major)/DC 15 minor.
Complexity: Twelve successes before six failures.
Primary Skills: Arcana, Athletics, Diplomacy, Dungeoneering.
Minor Skills: Bluff, Intimidate, Insight.
Note: Even failing, the amount of success will net you information, along with what the check itself grants you.

Zakuryu read the faces of these fallen warriors, and realized these were not his former companions sent to haunt him.  They were champions, brave souls who had plumbed the depths of this foul place and had seen the face of its worst inhabitants.

The samurai warrior knelt before the spirits, ceremoniously removing his pack and laying it to his right without breaking eye contact them.  As he waited for his companions to say their piece, he also undid the fasteners holding his swords to his belt and laid them out before him on the floor, and then removed a pair of broad-shouldered, pristine white robes from his pack and laid them over his  shoulder.  The robes were ceremonial, but clearly held great significance to the swordsman...
04:57, Today: Zakuryu Mori rolled 18 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 8.  Insight.

At the appearance of the three figures, Roland stops and blinks before bowing politely at these three. At their declarations, he smiles and nods first to Mendara.

"Good Mendara, first, let me assure you of our resolve to continue your mission. Dark things are afoot here, and we are come in the name of good and right to do so. I am a humble servant of Kord, dedicated to leading others to such battles."

10:00, Today: Roland Esperus rolled 15 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 4.  Diplomacy.

He turns to Valdrog and bows deeply. "Mighty brother in Kord, if you seek deeds of power, I give you Grock and Dral, my warrior companions. Dral, could you demonstrate your might to my brother in battle, Valdrog?"

In reply to Roland Esperus (msg # 943):

"I am always ready to prove myself, yet without a foe present what proof can there be?"

He turns to Valdrog.

"What would you accept as proof? That we stand here should tell you that we are at least as determined as yourselves. I could recount our trials, but those are simply words."

Roland clears his throat. "Dral, show him your prowess. Demonstrate to him your physical might."

Grock scoffs. “Look at my back and my strength, and you shall know me!”Grock placed a dagger on the floor with point face up. He does a one handed handstand with his eye over the top of the blade. The numerous scars from being whipped on board the pirate ship on display for the spirit to see.

11:30, Today: Grock rolled 24 using 1d20+17.  Athletics .

In reply to Roland Esperus (msg # 945):

"Very well. Grock, your strength should no longer be in doubt so you represent a suitable challenge. Please attempt to strike me. I will bear you no ill-will and I will endeavor not to harm you."

Grock smiled and stepped up to Dral. The half Orc readied his stance bringing his left arm up and right arm back. Left foot forward while bringing the right back. “You asked for it.”Like lightning, he darted forward with a left jab and swinging the other in a right hook aimed at his jaw.

00:06, Today: Grock rolled 20 using 1d8+15.  Punch damage plus flurry.
00:04, Today: Grock rolled 25 using 1d20+12.  Punch Dral in the face.

AC 25 for 20 damage

In reply to Grock (msg # 948):

The blow connects solidly - but not as solidly as it should have. Dral clearly absorbs and deflects some of the impact.

He straighten, faces Grock and nods his thanks. Then he turns to the Ghosts. "Does that stand as proof?"

---

Unbreakable: Reduce the damage by 6.
Dral is at 31/57 HP.

Zaku noticed at least on the face of Mendara, that she was uncertain in her presence, as if her words were a coverup or a ploy to lure out true intentions.
Actually that seemed to be the case for many(insight passed!), as if they wanted to ensure that you all were infact true heroes, brave and actually had the prowess to stand against what faced you ahead. They knew, but kept it close for now.

As Roland spoke to the man of Kord, he huffed at him annoyingly, unimpressed.
(Diplomacy failed), and looked at you.
"Your words are grand but nothing I have not heard before. Save the candor, and show me what you truly are capable off."
As Dral and Grock showed martial ability Both the dwarf and the man of Kord eyed and nodded approvingly. Even a smile appeared on the face on one of them.
(Two participants - 2 successes)
Valgrog nodded at both.
"Good show. You show great prowess! Brother of Kord, this rather than words is what I seek!", he spoke to Roland in particular.

Mendara eyed Roland back and nodded.
"Where do you hail from and what is the true purpose of why you are here? Riches? Fame? Or do you have another true reason to be here. We had one soul as part of a group come by not long ago..he showed promise but has not returned...so my concern is how you differ...tell me of yourself and what you have done so far and plan to do in particular."

Overview:
Success: 3
Failure: 1
Note: I will run this as I see fit, and add successes and failures based on what you do rather than just rolls. I find it makes more sense to me and the flow.

Grock sits down in a kneeling position and arches forward. “I have endured countless times pain and abuse when I was a slave. However, as you can see by my broken chains my resolve was stronger.”He then proceeded to flagellate himself across the back with the chains hanging from the shackles on his arms. Large welts appeared on his back within seconds.

12:09, Today: Grock rolled 18 using 1d8+15.  Whips himself with chains.
HP 28/46

Roland stands firm and looks Mendara in the eye, ignoring his fellow Kordite. He says, calmly, "I have been with this group for only a little while, but let me tell you why I joined them. This group, on their own power with no aid, conquered first the Keep on the Shadowfell and then liberated Thunderspire from foes." He goes in length to tell stories he heard about the party's exploits in Thunderspire, and then relays the fight against the bull-construct, leaving out no detail.

"Grock and Dral are proving their point. I, for my part, am here to empower them and keep them strong. You can count on us." He speaks with great feeling!

16:56, Today: Roland Esperus rolled 26 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 15.  Diplomacy #2.

Dral is quickly losing patience with these spirits, so he supports Roland's efforts by keeping his mouth shut and his breathing even.

This was the first Zakuryu had heard of the exploits Roland spoke of.  The swordsman remained kneeling on the stone floor, watching the man of the cloth regale the battles fought by this band before Zakuryu had joined them.  He watched with the same critical eye he had leveled at the spirits when they had appeared, but the more he heard the more Zakuryu approved of their valor and prowess.

When Roland finished, there was a touch of pride in Zakuryu's gaze.  It had raised his estimation of the others greatly.  As the chamber fell silent, but for the steady breathing of the living souls present, the kneeling samurai took that as his turn to speak.

"Even I am impressed.  This is the first I have heard of these things, but after seeing you all work together and fighting by your side... I believe every word of it, mister Roland.  I am more glad than ever that I accompanied you all on this quest."

Turning to the spirits, Zakuryu gave a respectful bow with his palms resting on his thighs to support his torso.   "I am Zakuryu, adopted son of the Mori clan and practitioner of the Mori school of swordsmanship.  I have before me the articles of my tutelage.   One blade, to protect my life.  One blade, to protect my Honor.  One cloth, pure white,  to be stained by my own blood," he said, gesturing in succession to his well-used weapon, the ceremonial sword, and his pristine folded robes.

"Test me as you wish, fallen ones.  A swordsman of Mori knows no fear.   If I see the sweat fall from a foe's brow a hundred and twenty feet away, I can cut his throat before the sweat hits the floor.  I could swing ten times against a warrior of my companions' caliber, and land ten blows.  Name your trial..."

03:50, Today: Zakuryu Mori rolled 24 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 12.  Diplomacy.

Valgrog cheered.
"Worthy. yes. That you are. I need prowess. As you can see my armor was ripped apart what lay ahead. Weak and undetermined men and women are of no use here. Even getting to the guardian could lay you to rest. But you have promise.." He nodded and saluted the efforts.

Mendara seemed agitated and curious but Terris nodded also. The man of the Sun, with the closed facehelmet piped in.
"The road ahead is perilious, my face was crushed and abit in half by what lay ahead. Never show doubt nor lack of resolve. It will be your end."

Mendara saw the other two eye her and she nodded.
"Ask my anything then and I shall offer you insight. Pending how you ask, I will be willing to share key information of the area, serving you good ahead. And perhaps a small surprise also.."

Overview:
Success: 6+2
Failure: 1
Note: I will run this as I see fit, and add successes and failures based on what you do rather than just rolls. I find it makes more sense to me and the flow.