Second Test

Decide which of three paths to take. Elf tracks, lantern path, apes. Decide on lantern. Path leads to open plains. It points to an open area between a series of forests. Now in rolling hills. Top a valley ridge. Spot a critter about ape sized. Moves on two legs then four. Stops then disappears. Half way across the valley, spot same type of critter sprinting towards us. Disappears again, now running along the ridge top and much closer. It looks to be grinning. Disappears again, then appears in our group after running over Sky, Jean and Aerrion. He reeks of stench. Its presence causes damage and discomfort to several of us. It is resistant to damage. Jian's spell bounces. Acid works. I shoot it in the back several times. Sky charges and finishes it off. Loot the body. Two satchels. One has 25 Au ingots. Other has 2 small jewel encrusted golden idols of Orcus, about 450 each. Two vials. A quartz shard - a neutralize poison wand with 12 charges. Travel on. Four more days of travel. Open plain. Broken weapons litter the ground. Carifon says that Celestials fought with demons here. Many large cocoons type ovoids are scattered about. Carifon thinks they are the fallen Celestials. A large archway that the lantern path points through. The lantern Jayne is carrying reacts when she walks through the arch. She hands the lantern to Jian and starts cutting on one of the cocoons. She just gets one opened when we are transported back to the arch. Jean and Dubious whack at a cocoon for several minutes. It contains a dead winged Celestial. Move on. Follow the path as it twists across the plain. A lizard thing moves from behind a large cocoon. It has a gaze weapon. I cast Obscuring Mist to block the gaze. Kill it with minimal damage. A bit later, find a cocoon with a metallic object inside. Spend time cutting it out. Get sent back to the arch three times. Find a Holy Bastard sword, Bracers of Lessor Alchemy, and a Cloak of Resistance +3. Resume moving. A large spider thing steps out and beams Dubious with a fiery ray. Aerrion moves forward and yells back about a stone pile that might be a lair. Move on quickly. Almost to end of the maze. Elwin and I blink out after a lurch in our gut. Hear a voice that says "The test of resolve is complete." We all appear in an open place. A mummy is here. "Heed the words of Adamarcus....Test of Sacrifice....Ascension to throne of Adamarcus is nigh..." Travel on through a forest type area for three more days toward a large mountainous skull. Ground has scattered ulcerous sores. Sky is getting fierier. Sores are oozing blood. Blood burning into blood. About a half mile from skull, I spot a large black winged shape rising from behind the skull mountain. Swoops toward the party. Black Dragon. Looks us over for a bit. Then lines up for a pass over Jean. Missile fire. I resist its fear aura. Start moving toward the skull. Running battle. Make it to the skull but Jian and Jean use many spells. Lantern shines on a round pool. Shadow at the bottom of the pool. Might be a tunnel, or a light trick. A winged critter is pinned to the ground. It struggles a bit then stops. Carifon claims to know it.

Oosana

XP - Kills and Story 3250

Combined Loot:
25 Au ingots
2 jeweled golden figurines of Orcus - 450 Au each
2 vials
One quartz wand of Neutralize Poison - 12 charges
Holy Bastard sword
Bracers of Lessor Alchemy
Cloak of Resistance +3