Sure enough, as each Helovian makes their way into the final stretch of the tunnels, a light shines in from the outside world beyond each unique exit, and with it the fresh smell of air, and the chirrup of birds. For some, however, the way out isn’t as easily attained as others.

Amaris seems to be rewarded for her hard work; the right tunnel she has chosen leads her directly to the sunlit world, the glimmering, colorful parrot flapping his wings nearby to give her praise for making it through. She doesn’t seem to have the stone, however, and with a clatter of his beak and a nervous parrot laugh, he wonders if maybe he hid it a bit too well…

Yael, facing the giant serpent, manages to force it back long enough with her fire to make a clear run for the ledge. Nearly making it without being struck, the snake, enraged and slightly singed from the dragon-mare’s spouts of flame, lashes out desperately at her receding haunches. Missing her with its venomous fangs, the snakes large head instead slams into the overhanging stone, dazing the creature and forcing it to reel back into the safety of its cavern to gather its baring; the force of the impact, however, knocks a large chunk of stone in the old tunnel loose, which strikes Yael as she flees and makes her way down the remaining length of tunnel. Winding and weaving, the path leads out into the open air, and the cajoling parrot.

Coming to the three way divide before them, the elder stallion and the gray mare make different choices in which path to go down. Both of them chose paths that wind and weave, and have a mostly downward slope, but only one of them comes across one of the more dangerous inhabitants of the island tunnel system.

As Wessex comes into a narrow, dimly lit cavern, she is presented with quite the predicament; the mouth which leads to the sound of the parrot calls and oceanic roar is completely sealed up by a funnel web. Like many funnels, at its tapered base is a spider, but unlike regular spiders, this jet-black one is a quarter the size of the stout warrior mare, with bulbous, beady eyes, and pinchers which clatter as it takes notice of the intruder in its lair. Instantaneously defensive, because it is currently trapped in the narrow end of its funnel, the spider quickly sets to ripping away the strands of its web, eagerly clattering its desire to dine on such a sizeable meal. Those who know their spiders will also notice this one seems to be built much like a jumping spider. Perhaps it would be wise to kill it before it starts springing about the cavern…

Albrecht, however, is more fortunate than his herd-mate, and proves that with old age, comes wisdom. Arriving in a water filled cavern, the subterranean pool is some fifteen feet across, and ringed around its edge by a four to five foot stone ledge, which has crumbled to a measly foot in some places, making it impossible to reach the exit via this safe path. At the heart of the pool is a large stalagmite, its companion having long since fallen from the roof of the cavern into the water below, creating a shoddy bridge, where it leans against the crystal encrusted stalagmite. In the middle of this makeshift, half hazard stone ledge is a peculiar, faintly glowing rock, which is slightly smaller than a child’s fist. Is that the magic rock that parrot was prattling on about? Sure looks magical enough. Regardless, the only way to the exit is to cross the fallen stalactite, and clear the small jump from its leaning tip to the ledge several feet below.

[ Rolls

Amaris finds nothing on her remaining path. Wessex is met with the challenge of a giant jumping spider. Yael is struck by a sizeable rock as she narrowly evades the snake. Albrecht finds the path with the magic rock, but must also make his way across a dangerous pseudo-bridge to make it out of the caverns with his prize.

Congratulations Albrecht! You have won the VotG chat. Please include a link to this thread in your opening Veins post in lieu of a VotG pass; the rock will not be added to your records as it will vanish as soon as you attend the VotG meeting.

All others have had a refusal added to their records and are welcome to continue posting if they so desire! ]