Asphalt

The chain only vibrates. It is thick and taught.

You apparently misunderstood me. I told you we went North then west in a spiral. We went no further northward that the room we just left. This is new territory for me as well. As far as this challenge, it would seem to me that it would take four initiates working in unison in some way.

Vindsval dusts the footprints off his chest and gives a sidelong glance at Miller. A valliant start to our battle Sky Lord, but we have only begun, ohh yes, only just begun. The Witch looks to his animal companions. Well done my friends, your names too shall be chronicled as sung in the halls of men for the deeds you do today. And you shall feast when this day is done. You shall feast like none other have feasted before you. Vindsval Drinks a Potion from the Back Row. Vindsval attacks the Windpipe from the back row. Second Strike Vindsval attacks the Windpipe from the back row.

PAH, if you didn't have them before the internet it doesn't count.

I have several different ones. Going back to the '79 edition. that's one of my favorites.

Keliim doesn't even allow the dust to settle on his wolfskin before rushing Northward once again. He enters the next room to find a strange tableau. Four chains attach to one of the five Portal Keys. Each chain ends at a strange device anchoring it in place. Yellow crystals blaze, and a bone white handle sits atop each device.

The party moves Northward from the Altar Room. To find. . . . And absolutely empty room. This is where we fought the Sand Vipers.

Save that we could not lose them if we are again ambushed, I see no benefit to leaving them behind. Travelling North the way should be clear if nothing has moved in since we departed it.

Always very useful.

The party returns to the Altar Room. Nothing seems to have changed since their last visit. They now have two of the five keys. Will they place them into the altar or keep them with them?

I can say nothing about that path which I know nothing about.

We first faced a colony of sand vipers, and the two key challenges before we the cadre began disappearing. the Sapphire key was a contained within a whirlwind. Our mage was able to ground out the maelstrom by using his earth magic to disperse the winds. The Emerald key was being guarded by sentient vines. They had to be defeated by steel and fire before they would release it.

It would be wise if you would exercise more caution when entering rooms in the Parlor. Always remember this place is meant to test Body and Spirit. Not everything must be met with brute force. Though I must say, I do not believe anything other than death would have persuaded those Beetles. There was something wrong about them. I have never spoken with a hive creature that spoke of itself in the first person. Let along in concepts as high as imprisonment and mortality. When we first arrived in the Parlor our intent was to explore it in a spiral pattern. We first headed north from the portal room then west then southward until we encountered the beetles. then east to the barrel room. I will confess I paid little attention to my path after that.

Aristune pulls his punch as he hears the members of the party discuss what should be done. If it is your wish, damn these beetles. If I ever return here... Aritune draws his only smoke-bomb from his pack and lobs it at the mob of insects. The room quickly fills with a masking fog allowing them to retreat back to the barrel room. The Enemy Was Victorious The Party gains no experience. The Party Kelim the Cruel (played by Mencot) Age 35, male human Level 8 Barbarian Power: 13 (8+5) Power Bonus: 0 Health: 1/15 (8+7) SP: 2 (4 against Free Hits) Gold: 19 Equipment: Dwarven Orichalcum one handed battleaxe (WP: 5), wolf fur coat(Prop) Heroic Helm (Headwear, SP:2, Helm's SP doubles on free hits) Inventory: Consumables: x4 Potion, Grand Potion, Smoke Bomb, Poison Artefacts: Order Imperial Longsword (WP: 5),Really Hard Helmet (SP: 2, Immunity to Rock) Misc: Shovel Calamity (played by Scubacarrot) 24 year old human Mage Level 4 Power: 7 (4+ 3) (Spells X2 against Humanoid/Luminous) Health: 8/8 (5+3) Ether: 1/8 (5+3) Gold: 17 Equipment: Skull-Topped Staff (WP: 3, staff), Inventory: X2 Potion, Tonic, Amethyst, Remedy Sapphire Portal Key (SP1, wind Elemental, Staff) Gloves of the Falcon Brotherhood (worth 15 gold to the right fashion forward collector.) Rethinal (played by Rconn0) 58 year old Were-Eagle cleric Level 4 Power: 7 (4+3) Health: 11/12 (9+3) Ether: 3/8 (5+3) Gold: 17 Equipment: Small hammer Inventory: 4X Remedy, 2X Tonic Tools: Chiton Pickaxe (Allows the user to dig through a breakable wall or obstacle.) Terry Yelnats (played by Endgame) Level 4 Mage HP: 6/8 (5+3) Ether: 8/8 (5+3) Power: 7 (4 +3) (Spells X2 against Flying and Vermin) Gold: 17 Equipment: Cattle Prod Staff (WP: 3) Inventory: X2 Potion, Sapphire, 2X Bat Guano (can be thrown at an enemy to cause the Blind Effect) Misc: Bedroll Muradin Falstad (played by Cryos) 47 year old male dwarf Level 4 Barbarian Health: 9/11 Power: 7 (4+3) SP:1 Gold: 7 Equipment: Granite Hammer (WP:3),Chiton Breastplate (SP:1, suitable for barbarians, knights, rogues, rangers, beast warriors, cannoneers, dragoons, harlots, inflitrators, marauders, minstrels, regulators, skirmishers, vindicators and winged warriors; bodywear.) Artefacts: Inventory: X3 Potion, Mead, Shovel Aristune (NPC) 26 year old Human Level 6 Ranger Health 10/11 Power 6 SP 3 Gold 0 Equipment: Initiates Brigandine (SP 3 Bodywear, usable only by Aristune) Inventory: Bone Emerald Portal Key (SP1, Wood Elemental, Staff)

Vindsval has a pretty big ribcage. Not sure if your lizard is up for the challenge.

Vindsval Consumes a Smelling Salts, and turns to salute the magnificent Beast before him. "We shall make your last moments on this earth worthy of story and song for the Generations. All of our peoples will know of the DEATH OF LETHAUROUS AT THE HANDS OF ANNIENAL'S BAND!! Vindsval lets loose a battle roar of his own. The Giant actually relaxes visibly in the presence of the enormous dragon. "It will be wonderful to no longer hold myself back in this land mad of parchment." Vindsval draws his twin sai and ATTACKS Lethauros Windpipe From the Back Row. Second STrike ATTACKS Lethauros Windpipe From the Back Row.

Well Megablox, my first real endgame boss.

If that is truly the case, then it would seem our path on this adventure has come to its end. I will be honored to return to him with tales of your glory and samples of Teeth, Claw, and Scale as proof of exploits and your demise.

Note: if the group reaches as consensus you can demand Aristune uses his smoke bomb to allow you to flee the battle.

Vindsval has been taking in the conversation from the pompous to the ingratiating, it has been interesting to watch how his companions attempt to relate to this grand being. Few things are as close to gods upon the living plane as this creature. May the gods of your creation guide your path Ancient One. As our leader Annienal told you, we came here in dual purpose. We have been charged by a child of the neighboring lands to find the sky stone which fell near here. On our way to find the Stone we became entangled in the schemes of a fallen druid, and were entreated by the very beasts of the land to help them end the devastation and starvation that has befallen them. I would complete these charges. To end my life in battle with one such as you would be truly glorious and worthy of song, but it would leave my soul wanting before the Wanderer. One must not leave his path unwalked. You will understand then, if i may ask, would you permit us to find the Sky Stone before answering your challenge?

Vindsval kneels beside each fallen cultist and with a quick application of his blade and strength severs the head of each man. He builds a cairn of the heads and kneels to pray before it. The party can hear little of what his says other than his customary. "Wanderer accept the souls of these men as offering and for Judgement. Lead them to their next path." He stands and takes his portion of the loot as it is offered by Annieanal. He seems ready to speak regarding the Bright Polish, but holds his tongue. Instead he moves closer to her and touches the tip of one talonned finger against her brow. "Wanderer heal this warrior that she might better send those in need of Judgement to your Hall." His hand begins to glow with a sparkling golden light which flows from his hand into Annienal closing the Woman's wounds. Vindsval HEALS Annienal "Let us continue, This is far from finished."

"This strange new power of mine causes our enemies to target one another, assuming none of us distract them from their task. Allow the villains to kill one another for us."

Aristune pulls the unconscious Keliim to the back of the battle and then turns to Attack the Domesticated Beetle from the Back Row.

Note: Still need a battle order.

Ohh It burns, it burns so much. Round Three Keliim Attacks the Domesticated Bore Beetle (front): Special Damage: Experience of My Master, Keliim takes 14 (8X2) -2 ) Damage Aristune Attacks the Domesticated Bore Beetle(Back): Damage Aristune takes 1 (7/2 -3) damage. Rethinal Heals Muradin (back)Heal Less, Muradin +4 Calamity Attacks Domestic Bore Beetle (back) the DBB takes 3 (4+1)/2 damage Muradin : Attacks Wild Bore Beetle B (back): Miss Terry Uses a Remedy (Back) Free Hits Domestic Bore Beetle A Vs Keliim 6-4=2 Damage Keliim KO Keliims Fear seems to come to pass as the party takes a serious of disastrous hits from the three remaining creatures. The Domesticated beetle uses its knowledge of humanoid anatomy to deliver a near fatal blow to the barbarian. As he staggers from the devastating hit the first wold beetle sneaks past the entire party and delivers a small but fatal bight. Keliim falls to the ground unconscious. In an attempt to subdue the domesticated beetle aristune also takes a hit. Calamity smacks the beetle away from the two men, Muradain attempts to but misses. Rethinal calls upon the powers of his god and Muradins wounds begin to heal and Terry puts out the fire on his clothing. The Enemy Domesticated Bore Beetle Beast Type Level 7 SP-2 Health 49/80 Special 1: Experience of my master: Because of his domestic training the beetle attacks with damage equal to twice the characters level. Special 2: Mandibles of fire: the beetle ignites its digging fires and latches onto the character causing Burning -2 damage. Drops: Trainers whip: Whip wP 5, double damage against Beasts, Fireproof shell: The Insects large shell piece worth 20 gold at a magic shop. 40 Gold Wild Bore Beetle A Beast Type Level 6 SP-1 Health 56/70 Special: Mandibles of fire: the beetle ignites its digging fires and latches onto the character causing Burning -2 damage for two rounds or until remedied. Drops: Fireproof shell: The Insects large shell piece worth 20 gold at a magic shop. Ruby Wild Bore Beetle B Beast Type Level 6 SP-1 Health 56/70 Special: Mandibles of fire: the beetle ignites its digging fires and latches onto the character causing Burning -2 damage for two rounds or until remedied. Drops: Fireproof shell: The Insects large shell piece worth 20 gold at a magic shop. 20 Gold The Party Kelim the Cruel (played by Mencot) KO Age 35, male human Level 8 Barbarian Power: 13 (8+5) Power Bonus: 0 Health: 0/15 (8+7) SP: 2 (4 against Free Hits) Gold: 19 Equipment: Dwarven Orichalcum one handed battleaxe (WP: 5), wolf fur coat(Prop) Heroic Helm (Headwear, SP:2, Helm's SP doubles on free hits) Inventory: Consumables: x4 Potion, Grand Potion, Smoke Bomb, Poison Artefacts: Order Imperial Longsword (WP: 5),Really Hard Helmet (SP: 2, Immunity to Rock) Misc: Shovel Calamity (played by Scubacarrot) 24 year old human Mage Level 4 Power: 7 (4+ 3) (Spells X2 against Humanoid/Luminous) Health: 8/8 (5+3) Ether: 1/8 (5+3) Gold: 17 Equipment: Skull-Topped Staff (WP: 3, staff), Inventory: X2 Potion, Tonic, Amethyst, Remedy Sapphire Portal Key (SP1, wind Elemental, Staff) Gloves of the Falcon Brotherhood (worth 15 gold to the right fashion forward collector.) Rethinal (played by Rconn0) 58 year old Were-Eagle cleric Level 4 Power: 7 (4+3) Health: 11/12 (9+3) Ether: 3/8 (5+3) Gold: 17 Equipment: Small hammer Inventory: 4X Remedy, 2X Tonic Tools: Chiton Pickaxe (Allows the user to dig through a breakable wall or obstacle.) Terry Yelnats (played by Endgame) Level 4 Mage HP: 6/8 (5+3) Ether: 8/8 (5+3) Power: 7 (4 +3) (Spells X2 against Flying and Vermin) Gold: 17 Equipment: Cattle Prod Staff (WP: 3) Inventory: X2 Potion, Sapphire, 2X Bat Guano (can be thrown at an enemy to cause the Blind Effect) Misc: Bedroll Muradin Falstad (played by Cryos) 47 year old male dwarf Level 4 Barbarian Health: 9/11 Power: 7 (4+3) SP:1 Gold: 7 Equipment: Granite Hammer (WP:3),Chiton Breastplate (SP:1, suitable for barbarians, knights, rogues, rangers, beast warriors, cannoneers, dragoons, harlots, inflitrators, marauders, minstrels, regulators, skirmishers, vindicators and winged warriors; bodywear.) Artefacts: Inventory: X3 Potion, Mead, Shovel Aristune (NPC) 26 year old Human Level 6 Ranger Health 10/11 Power 6 SP 3 Gold 0 Equipment: Initiates Brigandine (SP 3 Bodywear, usable only by Aristune) Inventory: Smoke Bomb, Bone Emerald Portal Key (SP1, Wood Elemental, Staff) Everyone please choose an action, and Party leader please post a battle order