On to the second trial, and the party are led up a series of stairs by Alloria. Ulahice readies the crowd and the party, and it begins.
When the arena door opens the party are atop a rocky platform, no vegetation in sight except for hanging vines by a series of stone walls blocking their view, and their path, forward. They can see beneath the first visible vine is a deep pit to a chamber below. The path along this platform switches back on itself, two vines over pits found at each end. Then, further ahead is an enormous pit to jump to make it to a portcullis at the far side.
Disgusting bloody hounds known as Rotbeasts burst onto the platform, leaving poisonous rot trails wherever they tread. Mornington gets ahead and willing jumps down the first pit into a pool of water, aiming to unlock extra time after spotting a caged Hourglass below. Edward hurls a number of eldritch blasts at the Rotbeasts before one of them back fires and the blackened scars on his fingers creep further, consuming his whole hand in darkness. While his intentions were to follow Mornington, this mishap of magic causes a flash of energy, and to the crowds eye, causes him to fall into the pool below.
Amarion and Crom fight tooth and claw with the rot beasts, helping each other defend and flank their foe, Crom contracts forest rot and both gain exhaustion in the fray. In the caves below a Forest Troll lumbers out of one of the chambers toward Mornington, just out of reach to sweep him with a claw. Thinking on his feet, he distracts the creature with Hypnotic Patterns summoned with his bardic magic. This frees up the two below as they hack at wooden cages that trap the giant hourglasses. Crom and Amarion dispatch the Rotbeasts and Amarion uses his divine magic to cure Crom of his forest rot. They then race through the obstacle course swinging on vines from platform to platform, and to the roaring of the crowd get to the portcullis at the end of the enclosure. They look for a lever but find none, stopped in their tracks. Amarion ties a rope to the portcullis for Mornington and Edward to climb as they successfully release both hourglass causing them to float upwards, filling with illuminated liquid. They are running out of time as the Troll's daze will end soon. Crom puts all of his might into lifting the portcullis, a feat more suited to a whole team rather an individual. Mornington makes it to the top while Edward is following behind after drinking a potion of climbing. Once all are at the top they duck under the portcullis, Croms arms looking ready to burst.
The portcullis slams to the ground, and the crowd are wild with admiration.
All that remains is the final challenge.
Next Session 85
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