"Well said, we certainly would not be here without Althena. Since it seems all is well I shall take an item also." Cor hefted the double axe from it spot and placed his own well worn axe in its place. "If none object I should like the helm of walls as well but want to give everyone a chance. Greed is the root of many evils."

"If no one else will have it, I'll take the shortbow... but that's only if no one else needs it." Haila says, in response to Rayne.

Cynil looks at the gauntlets, they could work for her, but knows she can not take them without replacing them with something else. Everyone else was trading their ax for and ax, or bow, for a bow.

"Rayne, I am supposed to leave something in return and I have no gloves to replace those I would take."

As he looks over the items that are available he is drawn to two things a short bow with a blue gem embedded in it that claims to be a bow of speed that could be very useful. He does notice others are also looking at the bow so before he takes it he will ask, This short bow of speed would work very well in my hands and as long as no one feels it could be used better elsewhere I shall take it. He will place the bow that Divot had made for him after they rescued him in it's place.

After the bow he will go over and look at the blades there are two wonderful short blades both of which would be a benefit to him the +2 back stab sword looks and sounds great, but he has had and used his sword “Idreanl” for so long and even though it only doubles back stab damage he could not part with it. The other sword however the +3 sword of lighting quickness he will lay claim to and in it's place he will put (ooc: I am not sure what these weapons are classified as swords or daggers and if we are supposed to make an item for item exchange this may not be right so let me know if I am breaking any rules here and should not make this exchange. Thanxs) both of his +2 long tooths in it's place.

Next he looks over the armor that is available looking at the studded leathers the one catches his eye
+3 grants the wearer the ability to cast the following spells once per day. Fearie Fire, Darkness 20’ feet, Detect lie, Web and a 10d10 fireball once every 3 days. However he has never really had to wear any form of true armor that is kind of bulky and is worn over his clothing having always relied on his form fitting body suit that he had made so long ago he is not sure if wearing this leather may in some way hinder him in his movement.

So at this point Ulthok will wait and see what the others are after.

Althena wiped away what seemed her millionth tear since they started this quest. So many people lost and possibly more to lose. Her mind went back to her lost love. In all her centuries she had never felt pain or loneliness such as she felt now. Taking a deep breath, she stepped down from the Glyph and watched as her comrades entered the room of weapons. She knew some, if not all would be a bit wary of accepting these offerings, but she believed in her heart they were given in true benevolence.

She entered the room quietly and watched as the others browsed. Cor, as she expected was dubious and expressed his concern while Haila was drawn to the Dancing Longsword and Chain of elvinkind. As Haila made a joke about the sword teaching her to dance Althena thought. “ A good choice, it suits her well”. Rayne immediately went for the Ivory Long bow which she gingerly picked up and sighted. Taking her own trusted bow from its sheath, she lovingly placed it in the vacant spot as she and Haila convinced Cor there was no ill will with this gift. Althena was pleased they had decided to accept without trepidation. Not all had chosen yet, the others continued to peruse as Cynil sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, no doubt wondering if there was something for a Druid in the assortment. Rayne, seeing Cynil’s disconcerted expression tried to help find something appropriate for her while Cynil’s thoughts raced about and finally coalesced into a few words of intense meaning.

"Why are we taking the sword from this guarded place?" If that was not enough she lands her other revelations. "If this Karza really wants it, he could have had us followed, and we have lead him to it. And if Althena is successful in passing the tests and gaining the sword, who is to say we could keep it from Karza's hands."

Althena steps out of the shadows as Cynil voices her thoughts. She bends down and touches the Druid’s hand lightly. “Don’t lose sight of the reason we are here or why we must succeed dear Cynil. We must keep our hearts pure and our aim true. I cannot pass these tests on my own…I will need the strength of everyone here. If we have indeed led Karza’s forces here then it will be yet another trial for us to endure, but we WILL succeed in our purpose…I promise you. “

Back post of the morning after the dream
Conall awakes from a restless evening. His skin is cold and clammy and a bead of sweet runs down his brow. He packs up his things and makes ready to move out. Keeping to himself the day seems to past as the voice of his father plays over and over in his head.

In the room of magic
Conall looks at all that is laid out before the party. A suit of armor catches his eye and he moves toward it he then picks up the torso part of the armor and checks for a tag, “It seems to be my size. If none have made claim to this fine bit of steel I will claim it as my own to serve the quest at hand and those I call my friends.” If none speak up Conall will claim the armor as his own.

Cynil watches as the other make their choices, some exchanged armors and weapons for new ones. SHe hears Raynes words, but little good it does as she has nothing to trade for the gauntlets. She wraps her hands about her knees and keeps out of the way of the others.

As Althena speaks to her she looks up and smiles at her and listens to her words.

"I will do what I can, though my spells will be limited by not being able to access nature."

After a bit of thought it comes to her that the Gaunlets of the Bear would grant her magic armor, so she could trade her magical armor for the gauntlets and she does that. Now the studded armor that she had been looking at, before giving up her armor for the gauntlets, she had nothing to trade for it.

As Althena speaks to Cynil she looks up and smiles at her and listens to her words.

"I will do what I can, though my spells will be limited by not being able to access nature."

Althena smiles warmly and stands up “there is nothing more that can be asked”

Once Cynil’s apprehension had been calmed a bit Althena focused on the decision to trade up in weaponry.

On the wall were sharpened blades, heavy axes, light and heavy armor, slender bows, anything they might have need of was carefully and deliberately laid out. Beneath each was a description. She took her time and looked at each of the items that were not taken as the others appraised their new toys. She had intentionally waited to choose last so the others could select that which suited them best. She was the one to who fell the dreaded task of carrying the Sword and not knowing to what extent its power might have on the group once obtained, she did not desire them to be without confidence in their protection from it or heaven forbid, from each other if it came to that.

After a few moments she stopped in front of the Swords. Attracted to the Vorpal,her green eyes gleamed with pleasure as she gingerly picked it up from its resting place. Gripping it delicately as if rescuing a nestling, she ran a slender finger along the back of its sharpened edge. She could feel the strength through its gracefulness and she smiled slightly at the touch of the silken metal. “Perfect” she said to no-one in particular. Taking her own Long Sword from its sheath, she lightly kissed its shank and laid it down in the Vorpal’s place. "Namaari Mellonamin" (farewell my friend)

Cynil could not sit for long and was up again, watch as the other donned new armor and tested new weapons. As she looked back at the weapons her eyes were suddenly caught by a slim, beatuiful scimitar.

Odd when Rayne was reading the plaques for each weapon, she never remembered hearing one was a scimitar. Slowly she mored towards. It was more that just a masterpiece, for the blade was of the finest damasked steel. Layers and layers of folded and forge welded metals had been wedded to each other creating a blade with a fine waves along its curved length, it was not so curved as some scimitars which would allow for piercing attacks as well as slicing. Besides the pounded in lines that shimmered along the length of the sword in the flickering tourchlight, the blade had been inlaid with a bright metal in arabesque scrolling lines that almost looked like vines.

Her eyes went to the plaque and read its information. A Giant Killer? When would she ever face a giant, but is was +3 and that was better than her +2.

Cynil removed her scabbard, for this new blade would not fit into it being less curved. She loving lifted the beautiful new blade and its scabbard and put her blade and scabbard in its place, not that she even used her sword that often, but she had the skill to do so if needed.

She moved off to the side and then buckled on the new blade and drew it to get the feel of it. The silver embossed hilt fit her hand as if it were made for her and as she did a few practice maneuvers she was amazing that the blade seems to cut throught he air and moved easily with the slightest turn of her wrist.

After a couple of practice swings she sheaths it and stands more ready to tackle the dark of under the mountain. It was as if finding that weapon had brought her a greater resolve.

"Thank you for the gifts," she says quietly.

Rayne stood by the +4 Defender Longsword with mixed emotions. Her own +2 Longsword of Agility was her constant companion for many years. It was a very fine, tried and true weapon in itself. She was reluctant to trade it away; a +2 Longsword of Agility which grants her the ability to 'Jump' as the spell twice per day/ Grants 2 rounds of Hasted action within a 24 hour period/ Makes her Immune to Hold, Slow and all Hypnotic spells.

In the end, she leaves the +4 Defending longsword lying where it was. She wished she had a lesser magic weapon to put in it place but her decision was made with little regret.

Rayne stopped by to read about the armors. Again, she is unsure about trading what she has for wait is available.. Her own +2 Elven mithral chain mail is fine armor and quilted in silk to keep it quiet, however,, she noticed that some of these had extra augmentations on them that could prove very useful in a battle against unknown forces opposing them.

Kenji was all ready when they entered the doorway into the secret passage beneath the mountain. He moved towards the front of the party, since his job was to be one of the first to battle any problems they encountered. He was not perturbed by the strange mist, though he was cautious and scanned for any sign of attack, his hand resting on the hilt of his still sheathed katana. The fact that his sword was not yet draw presented no problem for a Samurai, one of the first things he learned was to draw and attack in one fluid motion.

When they reached the next door he moved aside for those whose skills bettered served them here in searching the doors for traps and in means of opening such portals. When the door opened he slipped in and to the side scanning for trouble as the others came in and spread out so they cover the entire room.

The ‘vision’ didn’t startle him, but his grip tightened on his sword as the vision spoke to them. When the door disappeared he stood ready for a perceived attack which never came. He kept on guard as he listened to what was being said.

“Welcome my daughter or one of my blood, I am glad you yet live, but saddened that if you are here my old friend and foe Karza has yet again returned to Trilogy. You seek the sword I cut from his hand and yes it lies below us one level down but to get there you must first pass a series of 10 tests upon this level to both prove the metal of you to carry it and to guard against any who might have stumbled across this its hiding place. I wish you luck my child for even if I yet lived I could not disarm them. If you should pass the tests and reach the level below, know that the sword lies within a pyramid, again guarded by traps and other things. As you have proved to be of my blood to help you and hopefully any that travel with you I have stored beyond the door to the West ( A open door appears) a number of items of magic to help you succeed in your task but know ye all this for every weapon you take you must leave the one you carry now behind. For any suit of armor you choose, that which you wear now must be left behind. For any shield, the one carried now must be left behind.
Once you have picked or not your road leads through the door behind me, (a second open door appears to the North) but once entered through you will not be able to return here ever again for this room shall no longer exist on this plane. I wish you luck daughter, or scion, for it is not an easy road you take for should you gain the sword to guard, know ye that Karza will stop at nothing to regain it. Luck be upon you.”
Kenji turned to look at the others, did they trust this vision? He watched as they apparently did and they began choosing weapons and such from the racks. At first he was not interested in the items as they were all weapons and armor which were of unfamiliar designs to him, but then as the others picked up items he walked through and was surprised as he saw a Samurai Kikou (Armor). He walked over to it and examined it closely at first not daring to touch it.

Kenji reaches out tentatively and runs a hand over the highly lacquered slats of the Do (Chest protector); feeling no ill feelings and hearing the others discuss their own trepidations and trust of the ‘vision’ he reaches out and lifts the armor from it’s resting place.

He doesn’t ask if any of the others require this armor, he knows they would prefer their Western armor to this which probably seems weak to the metal armors they prefer; but he knows the wood is specially hardened and layered in such a way it can be as strong as any steel.

As the others make their choices, the Samurai dons the Kikou in an almost ritualistic fashion. He removes his simple robe first, since it would be a hindrance to wearing the armor. He retains his bracers but stores them in his pack; he walks over to the gauntlets, the ones made of leather with flat iron plates on the upper surface (Hand to hand). Trying them on he finds that they go well with the armor. Tucking his two swords in the obi (belt) of the armor, he figures he is now complete.

He looks down at it and, for a brief instant, a faint smile comes to his lips as he remembers other battles in which he was so dressed. He nods his head and gives the matter no other thought than he is ready for the battle to come. If he dies, he figures he will be properly attired to make his way into the afterlife to battle beside the Great Samurai of the Past.

When they are again assembled to leave, Kenji will move towards the front (He doesn’t have to be first if others wish the spot) and before leaving he turns slightly and bows his head to wear the ‘vision’ appeared as if in thanks for the gift of the Kikou. Turning towards the passage he enters, once again ready for whatever lay beyond.

(Sorry to hold things up! )

(Edit: Adding second choice, Gauntlets of hand to hand)

With items chosen and traded. Conall finally choosing the Holy Shield, placing his Holy Symbol upon its face, Rayne deciding to stay with her long sword instead of the Defender, and Kenji taking the chance and donning the Wooden armor to find it better then the bracers left behind. The party each with at least two new items knew it was now time to head through the north door and start on what Althena’s father had said would be 10 tests. What type of tests they would face were unknown, would they be tests of combat, would they be tests of mental aptitude and thinking, would they be both. None had knowledge of what lay ahead but having no choice but to go forward they did so.

Once again, it was Ulthok who led the way, his brother Divot and Kenji 10 feet behind as the thief/mage moved slowly down the hall his eyes, ears and even nose searching for any traps. They moved slowly but soon all could see a wooden door 40 feet ahead of them and as they moved closer, another magic mouth suddenly appeared before them.

“Breath deep your gatherings doom
Torches will flare room to room
Who of you to live or to die
Only you, he, she, fate will decide”

“Black hearted sword that rules the night
Hidden here from the light
Steals the colors from your sight
Into your mind it will bite”

“Black-red, yellow-white
What is wrong, yet what is right
Is it up, is it down, is it all around
Is it real or is it false, a mirror image
can you find the truth inside the illusion
that you call your life.”
With the last word of ‘life’, the party was again alone in a very quiet hallway a wooden door before them. Within minutes of reaching it, Ulthok pronounced it clear of any traps and Divot proceeded to open it. The room before them they could see was a round 30 x 20 in size and except for three unlit torches on the wall and a human sized statue in shadow, was empty. No other door visible in the low light.

With no choice but to enter, they did and as the door closed silently behind them, the three torches flared to life revealing yet more of the statue itself. The statue all could see was not anything anyone would call special and in fact had decayed somewhat over time the face now featureless. Spaced around the statues mid section or stomach were a number of wooden handles numbering 10 in all. Above these handles was a message.

“ASK A QUESTION ONCE A DAY
BUT YOU'LL NEVER GET AWAY”
With the statue now fully revealed so too was the fact that the room contained no other doors, not even the one they had entered through for as the party had examined the statue it had disappeared. The party was for the moment alone in a room with no doors, three torches and a somewhat decayed stone statue........

(OOC: Ok there you have it Test 1 good luck. For the two party members that may remember this Test from Table Top no cheating . For anyone who wants to claim any more of the items left in the other room, this week is your last chance to do so, send me a PM and we will take care of it. Also YeOlde the Samurai Kikou Armor is +2 and gives the same unmodified AC as Field Plate (AC: 1). It also has the added ability to increase the length of your Great Ki to 4 rounds. If you want a second item as above PM, me and I will add it to your sheet. Ok then, as norm N.P.N.S and I will be updating all character sheets shortly.)

Haila takes a deep breath, settling her already unsettled nerves. This would take intellect, not reflex or anticipation, to solve. She steps up, and examines the statue.

"What is wrong and what is right, is it up, is it down, is it all around..." Haila murmurs to herself, repeating the two lines.

Left, right, up and down. Haila thinks, Yet, it could be totally unrelated...
Wait... the two rows align with each other. Haila realizes, now looking at the message. 25 characters, including spaces, on each line. So then, let's see what every fifth character says.
"A, S, space, space, Y, Y, L, E, T, Y." Haila murmurs.

What are you doing? Sounds like making up gibberish to me. Niamedris thinks.

It's a puzzle, Niamedris. Haila returns to the cat absently.

Does that mean we pull the first two, leave the next two, then pull the rest? Haila wonders to herself.

And there's a bit of a hint at the order too, by the order of the alphabet, and it means we have to pull three simultaneously at the end. Haila continues thinking.

"Alright..." Haila says aloud, "I think I have an idea... I'm not certain, but I think looking at every fifth character in this message gives us the order and arrangement of how we pull eight of these ten handles."

"First it would be the farthest to the left, then the third from the right, then the fourth from the right, the second from the left, and then, finally, the middle two and the far right ones simultaneously." Haila explains.

She turns to the others, "Well, it's an idea anyway... does anyone else have any?"

Cor looked around the room that whispered promises of being his tomb. No doors and only a few torches and a well worn statue decorated the room. He listened as a suggestion was made as to how to arrange the wooden paddles. It made little sense but it was certainly the best idea so far.

He read the message again and wondered if perhaps the most simple question might be best to start. "Wonder what would happen if we simply asked the statue how to arrange the paddles to open the door? Or perhaps it is not a riddle but a statement and each day we ask a question we cannot leave and so we must simply not ask a question? Probably not gonna be that simple but who knows?"

In the suffocating darkness, the meager glow of 3 torches was the only existing light.

The group ventured into the dreary space one by one. A life size statue stood in the center of the room barely illuminated by the soft amber radiance of the torches. Althena squinted as she entered the mysterious area. Dust particles, sparkling like glitter, danced around the open flames as the group carefully moved into the room. An ancient mustiness filled her nostrils and goose bumps began to rise on her arms. Once they were all inside, the torches flared furiously, revealing what was left of the lifeless figure's wholeness. Startled by the abruptness of the blaze and the eerie, half face of the stone image, Althena flinched as she instinctively grasped the newly acquired Vorpal. Looking around, she realized the others had been caught off guard as well and she didn’t feel so weak. Someone yelled the door was gone. Gathering herself, she moved to the walls of the cave –like space and began patting the wall where the door once was. There was no opening, no trace of one ever being there. “There’s no way out “ she said as she moved around the room continuing to touch the stone walls much like a blind man would to find his way. After a moment or two she realized they would not be leaving this place the same way they came in. She turned to face the others…”it seems we are trapped”