Those who partake of the stew find it wholesome, but somewhat lacking in flavour.
The room in which you are has but a single open door to it and there does not appear to be anyone nearby within the corridors and passageways.
I'm going to go see if there is an armory and how arms are doled out. Noonan heads down the hall after his meal.
Noonan heads out the sole entry into the room.
Straining your ears you think you hear some voices in the same direction as the light.
Noonan heads towards the liiiiggghhhhhttt.
Yldrath says, without stopping his work, "I am currently making alchemical weapons. They will help us in the coming battle. I do not see the problem." Clearly, Yldrath had worked with alchemy enough to not even notice the fumes.
Juro wrinkles his nose. "I'm going to get some fresh air." Juro walks out, probably will head for the armoury to replenish his stocks of arrows.
Juro comes upon the pair just after the man finishes speaking.
Jason just blocked out the fumes. He had dealt with gladiatorial alchemists before. Quite the unsavory lot in my opinion. Shrugging, the Half-Orc went back to his stew. After finishing, he looked through his pack, pulled out a cloth and began cleaning off his weaponry.
"Ditto."
Noonan thanks the man for the information and heads back to the bunks to rest for the next struggle.
A small explosion rocks the table, and another stroke of lightning hits the ceiling. This has become a common occurrence for the last few minutes, and the noxious fumes become worse.
A massive fountain of flame erupts up, then quickly dies down. "Need to work on the stability problem..."
And they call me crazy for being friends with a parrot.
Juro nods and follows.
At the sight of the Flame fountain, he jumps back. "Dear gods above! Are you trying to kill us?"
Elijah chokes and coughs as he takes whatever cot is let. He stows his belongings, and back up towards the area for both fresh air and time to clear his head.
What have I gotten myself into. But I need to prove to myself and all the doubters that I am batter than them. I was tossed to the side, but I will have the last laugh. But I must be more disciplined. I may have easily been dispatched it it weren't for some timely help.
He heads back to the bunks, and looks Yldrath, I need someplace to sleep, and rest. I suggest you stop choking us all with those fumes, before I get pissed off
Jason waved his hand in front of his face, "Well, not the worst I've endured. But you may want to seek a place with better ventilation."
"I am making weapons. Currently, I'm working on making a..." Hmmm.... What's a good analogy for a flame fountain firework? "...a sword made of flame, able to scorch straight through armor. I apologize for any disturbance."
Rest, sleep, another meal of hearty stew and you are then called to present yourself unto the sand again. Moving through what seemed to be a slightly different set of tunnels than the ones you came through you arrive on the Western side of the arena - and find it much changed. Much of the arena is blanketed with a 15ft height of inky blackness - bounded in the two corners that you can see by 20ft tall pillars of stone.
In the Northern viewing box is just the dwarf this time, who calls to you "I heard you asked after more equipment... so this is your chance. Face the black, find the tokens and return and you'll get your kit... but beware the sting of what else you might find in there." before smiling and gesturing to you to begin.
Noonan mutters to the others. Thought I saw something on top of the pillars, do not know what. The ground seems to be muddied in areas, mud to slow us down or trap us?
Noonan moves to the edge of the blackness. We should stick together, get separated and we can end up attacking each other.
Morgan nods at Noonan. "I agree."
"hmm"
Lowering his stance, Jason dropped his shield in front of him and readied his spear over the top of that. Looking back he said, "Morgan, Yldrath, keep behind me. Noonan, Elijah, either side of me and protect our flanks. Juro, keep in the rear with your bow ready."
Noonan draws his greatsword and nods at Jason's words.Hmm..If the ground it wet, there might be things lurking in it
"Gladly."
Morgan takes up his position behind Jason, and prepares to follow.
With his shield in front of him, Jason cautiously moved towards the darkness.
Yldrath downs the strange concoction that enhanced he abilities last time, draws his rapier, and moves in the formation that Jason suggested.
Moving beyond the threshold of the darkness you find it somewhat malleable. What previously seemed a wall of black is now pushed to be around five feet before you. Stepping into the centre area you also sink thigh deep in sucking mud that drags like lead upon your muscles as you attempt to move. It is with labored effort that you force yourself onwards... as of yet there is nothing that either checks your passage or draws your eye.
There might be something lurking here to drag us under. Noon and tries feeling around with his feet. Perhaps there is something in the mud.
Jason slogged forward through the darkness, keeping his ears open for the slightest hint of danger in the darkness.
Eyes raking the area.
Elijah, will draw from the magic within him, and enhance his weapon.
Continuing upon your slow and sticky passage Eastwards through the mire, you find yourself beset by claustrophobic confines in the dark. Nothing comes to bite you, no foulness befalls you... bar some slipping feet and soiling of garments. You do feel a pulsing presence before you from three directions - the North East, East and South East. It is an alternating wave of cold and heat, not powerful enough to harm, but easily felt.
Northeast,East and South. Noonan alerts the others. Heat and cold. Noonan has no real idea what is before the groups.
Noonan will prod with his sword ahead of him. ANyone have a pole or spear?
"What did you have in mind?" Jason asked.
If something in the mud is causing that heat and cold, we can push it out of the mud without hurting ourselves.