Escaping the pit requires two full round actions commited to climbing out.  Since most of you are climbing and/or helping the others, we’ll speed ahead.

Milne and Hyglak continue to fight in the depression.  Hyglak is a skilled fighter, much to the surprise of some of you; however the construct that is Milne is quite impressive and a potent combatant.
Garret immediately begins to heal the most wounded of the party, all the while asking Shirok if he too possesses the ability to heal injured allies.  “…and we need to lure that thing up here!  It will kill Hyglak in short order if we don’t do something and fast!”

Ilsa collapsed at the top of the slope. "Then let him die," she said. Her rage had abated and she felt no desire to continue the fight against a construct that felt no pain and wasn't attacking her any longer.

OOC: I just can't justify maintaining rage after multiple rounds of climbing and not fighting. She's tired, in great pain, and just doesn't give a shit.

Shirok growled as he saw Hyglak remaining in the despression. "I prepared no strong healing magics; were it not for the field within the depression, the construct would already have been ripped apart."

Yet the Tiger remained. He must know something they didn't. "Porto, get the dagger." He stood once the healing was complete, staring down into the depression. "I cannot help but feel that this may be our only chance to get out. Whether we mean to destroy it or hold it, Hyglak cannot do it alone."

Waiting for healing to finish, then he and Neya are going back to try and trip-lock Milne again now that her fire breathing's down.

Roth has the dagger. But I'll go back for the sword. If no one objects Porto pulls out the map again and presses owl's house, trying to find the sword and return in time to save Hyglak.

"Well great, there goes the halfling."

Stan was pretty sure the map wouldn't be able to bring Porto back immediately. Then again, he had lost track of a lot of small details during their time in the woods. Their short adventure seemed like it had taken weeks.

"Hyglak, get out of the depression. There's an anti-magic field." Stan continued to hold the rope, hoping that the rest of the party could help him pull out Hyglak quickly if the Tiger did decided to listen.

"It's metal on metal, I don't think I can really do anything to it!"  Roth shakes his head as he speaks and watches the Milne battle Hyglak.  He readies the knight's sword, prepared to follow Shirok back in if the simpleton doesn't make his way back out.

As Hyglak continues to battle Milne, Garret is hard at work magically healing the party.  He casts a few spells and many of you feel much better as bruises begin to disappear and burns fade.  Chubbs rushes to the side and pulls out the Wayfarers Map once more, intent on teleporting back to Pig’s House.  However, as he unrolls the magical parchment, he sees an artistic rendition of their current location—the sandpit depression—begin to pencil itself onto the map.
This causes Shirok’s heart to sink, as he recognizes that to mean that the Map must now “recharge” for 24-hours within it’s case before it can be utilized again.  He quickly explains this to the group.  Their attentions are then pulled away from Shirok as Hgylak issues a horrific roar.
Within the depression, the man’s body begins to contort and convulse.  His bones snap and pop out of place and seem to be shifting into more animalistic formations.  His clothing and armor appears to sink into his skin, from which spouts patches of brightly colored orange hair!  Black stripes appear along his flanks and newly formed tail, and he drops to all-fours.
In the span of a few moments, the man that was Hyglak has transformed into a large bangle tiger!  With amazing speed similar to that of tiger-kind, Hyglak races around the sides of the depression, keeping Milne’s attention but remaining a few steps in front of her wrath.
“Of course!” the tiger replies to Stan in a cool, calming tone.  “You think she’s tough now; you don’t want to face her outside of her sandpit.  What dampens your magic also affects hers.  I’ll try to keep her here!  Now that you've entered the sandpit, you should be able to reach the Tree.  Travel around the pit and continue toward the large tree on the horizon!  There’ll be a door at its base.  Climb to the top and use the key!  I’ll catch up with you.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:33, Tue 12 Oct 2010.

The party sprints towards the large tree on the horizon.  As they near it, those that have familiarized themselves with the geography of this plane recognize it as the Bee Tree.  Those who have not familiarized themselves immediately take note of the small black dots moving about the upper canopy of the large tree.  The area suddenly becomes considerably more sweet-smelling, and a deep drone makes it difficult to hear anything said below a yell.
You draw nearer to the tree, and if you have not yet guessed what those black dots are, you now know what they are:  Giant bees.  There is a wide, wooden door carved into the base of the tall tree.  It is quickly discovered that the door is not locked or barred in anyway.  Anyone could simply walk up to it and throw it open—that is, if the sight of hundreds of giant bees hadn’t unnerved them.

[- Skills Challenge #1-]
Goal:  Climb your way up to the top of the Bee Tree.
**Special Note: PCs may not use the same skills twice in a row, nor can they use the same skill more than once in the same round.  Example, on the first round Stan may use Knowledge (arcana) to determine the best way to deal with the giant bees.  Whether he succeeds or fails, no other PC may use knowledge (arcana) until the next round; and Stan may not use knowledge (arcana) until Round-3.
Although it is a Skills Challenge, for this particular contest, the PCs may make attacks against the bees; however no two PCs may make attacks the same round, or a single PC twice in a row.  The exception to this is if PCs make attacks from different sources (i.e. melee, ranged, or spell).

Shirok considered the tree carefully, pausing to glance at the others. "I have a spell that will conceal four of us from the their perception, but that leaves three unprotected," he explained. "Or I could summon an air elemental, able to create a whirlwind that would sweep away the bees, but it would only be able to maintain it for a few seconds." He paused to examine the bees, trying to think of ways to handle such a threat without sorcerous aid.

OOC: For this round, making a Knowledge(Nature) check. Not casting anything until we get all the ideas out there.

21:08, Today: Shirok Rezkala rolled 27 using 1d20+12. Knowledge(Nature).

Neya whined slightly as she looked up at the tree, at the many, many bees surrounding it. She didn't like bees. She'd gotten into a fight with a bunch of bees once, and it had not ended well; it had hurt to move for days. It was pretty hard to handle them too, other then leaving them alone.

Neya didn't think Shirok and Ilsa were going to leave them alone.

OOC: I can probably get away with a Survival roll.

21:14, Today: Neya rolled 12 using 1d20+1. Survival.

Porto began to sing a soft song to lul the bees into a false sense of security and keep them calm and from attacking. Porto sings a song with a lot of z's.

22:42, Today: Porto 'Chubbs' Brandybuck rolled 24 using 1d20+13. perform(sing).

Stan began tying some knots in the rope he had, so that they could secure themselves to one another. While far from expertly done, the knots looked sturdy enough.

17:01, Today: Stan Fetchin rolled 12 using 1d20+1. Use rope (untrained).

Ilsa sighed. "Climbing in this armor is tough," she said. "But I can do it. Distract bees." She hated this place so much that if being stung my a thousand bees is what it took to leave, she'd do it.

11:56, Today: Ilsa Redeye rolled 5 using 1d20+4. Climb check w/ armor penalty.
Or not.

"Maybe there are stairs inside?"  Roth suggests as he moves to open the door.  Fearing it to be locked, the cunning elf quickly and subtly twists the door knob in a particular fashion, which escapes most of the party’s notice.  In truth, it is a “trick” he learned while in the service of the Head Librarian of Skyway City.  A thin smile appears on his face as he briefly recalls the young woman—or at least she had been at the time, but that was over 30-years ago—and all she had taught him.  Good times.

16:32, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Roth Daos, rolled 19 using 1d20+6. Open Lock.

20:42, Today: Roth Daos rolled 5 using 1d20+4. Open Door (Untrained).
This message was last edited by the player at 03:05, Fri 22 Oct 2010.

As the party enters the tree, Shirok scans his mind for any knowledge that might help them here.  He focuses his mind and recalls the laws of the natural world, the cycles of trees, and the ecology of bumblebees.  Aside from the fact that trees like this and bees of giant size are not very natural, he understands that—even in this realm—they must adhere to the same basic laws of the natural material world.  Using that knowledge, the druid bolster’s the party’s resolve as he leads them into the massive hive within the tree. [knowledge nature 27 = success!]

In extreme situations, the extreme sing; and thus Porto Brandybuck sings extremely.  His song isn’t his usual style, this sounding more low and bassy.  Its tempo is slower than music normally found in the many taverns adventurers frequent.  In fact, it seems primal and earthy; something no creature of the material plane can ignore—even if it had wanted to.
Sure enough, the large bees flying high above, and those who had come down to investigate the adventurers, seem ever so enchanted.  They rock back and forth for the time being, as if lost in the ancient song. [perform (sing) 24 = success!]

During their flight to the top of the tree, Stan collects a length of rope from his pack and ties knots into it.  He suggests that they tie themselves to one another and attempt to climb the levels of knotted wood and honeycomb towards the top of the tree.  They hold securely as they make their way through the first few terraces, but they soon come undone.  Unable to rely on the knots, the party is forced to continue without, which causes many of them to fall or become stuck in shallow pools of honey.  No real progress is made. [use rope 12 = failure!]

Ilsa continues to climb, angered and filled with rage at the whole scenario.  As her rage builds, she attempts to claw up the inside of the tree, relying on sheer strength alone to overcome this new tiresome obstacle.  She fails to secure quality hand and foot holds, and quickly finds herself covered in sticky honey.  She lets out a angry growl as she slowly, and somewhat comically, slides to the floor. [climb 5 = failure!]

Before the others had entered the hollowed-out tree, Roth rushes to the door.  Having beaten the other party members there, he gives the brass knob a “special twist” before swinging it open.  Might the door not even been locked, Roth doesn’t know.  He simply could not take that chance. [open lock 19 = success!]

Round One Summary
Successes = 3/6  |  Failures = 2/3
GM Note- Neya's actions will not count during Skill Challenges as she is not a PC.  Any bonuses that she grants Shirok to any/all skills will be honored.  NPCs, such as Garett, will not be taking part in Skill Challenges either.

Trying once again to eliminate the danger of the bees, Porto picks up a rock and shakes it a little bit. Getting it's attention as one would a dog. He then throws the rock fast to one side and scurry's the other way, successfully tricking the bees into losing the party.

20:02, Today: Porto 'Chubbs' Brandybuck rolled 28 using 1d20+10. bluff.

Bees this big must be magically augmented. Stan racks his brain for thoughts on their magical nature.

12:50, Today: Stan Fetchin rolled 18 using 1d20+10. Arcana.

Bees could be handled, if you knew how. There wasn't exactly a lake for them to jump in, but Shirok had figured out a few tricks in his wanderings.

Does everyone have to act? If not, than if Stan's 18 is a success we've got the six needed without risking another failure.

23:14, Today: Shirok Rezkala rolled 28 using 1d20+15. Survival.

Now that they are inside the tree, Roth takes a look around for an easy way up that won't get them stung.

19:16, Today: Roth Daos rolled 29 using 1d20+12. Search.

I'm not fully finished with my revisions, but I feel I do have enough to move along for now.  I hope to remain one or two steps ahead until I finish.  Until then, we should be able to continue.
A big "thanks!" to all of you who have submit to me answers to the questions.  Those who have not, or not yet finished, that is okay too.  Take your time to give me the best possible answers.  Please try to get them to me within the next couple of weeks.

Working together, the party is able to make it to the top of the tree!  Chubbs is able to trick a few of the closer ones into flying away—or at least out of the party's path.  The others take advantage of this and quickly take the lower platforms without any significant trouble.
Stan remembers a little something in regards to making common animals—especially vermin—enlarged.  He uses that knowledge to recall a simple magic cantrip to likewise pass them by.  Thanks to the wizard's expert and unique use of Prestidigitation, the party is able to pass the tree's middle-section.
For the last few platforms leading to the Gate, Shirok allows himself to shift his mindset to that of a great hunter.  Calling upon all of his experiences, he greatly assists the heroes in their flight to the top!  He helps the others scale the massive honey combs and avoid the bigger bumble bees.  It is through his leadership that they all crest the top and finally stand before the Gate.

Despite the strangeness of the last few days, they have never witnessed something so mundane before than the double barred wooden door situated on the wall at the top platform.  There can be seen a large lock hanging from the bars; and instead of a keyhole, there is a cut-out matching the contours of the large bear claw taken from under the floorboards of Pig's house.
Roth quickly moves to the gate as he retrieves the claw.  They are merely moments away from escaping this strange place.  Eagerly, the young elf places the key into the lock, opening the door and providing your escape.
"Remember!" calls a familiar voice, followed by the roar of a large wildcat below, "leave the key!"  Chubbs gingerly looks over the edge, and isn't too surprised to see a battered-looking tiger pouncing up the many platforms.
Through the portal, you all can see a dark room beyond.  The room appears to be made of mortared stone, like that of a castle's keep.  The lack of light and ruined furniture leads you all to believe this castle is old and ruined.

Stan gives a shrug and steps through the portal.

Assuming that he lives and that the others can see him, he beckons them to follow.

Seeing Stan safely pass through, Shirok motioned for the others to follow. He waited until only he and Garret were left before passing through the portal himself, leaving the bear claw behind.

"If we ever return, I'm killing him." Ilsa growled as she passed Shirok on the way through the portal.

Still not trusting Hylgak, Roth is hesitant to give him anything, but seeing as they were on their way out and about to be free of the situation, he drops the claw to the floor and follows Stan through.

No can do! Porto yells back to Hyglak. He leaves the key but he wanted to get one last jest in at a guy he would never see again... hopefully.