The hunt for goldenfire (Afina and Jaela, later Surraruthru too)

[Anastasia]

Laughter follows, Origin throwing his head back and cackling. "Oh, it is. I like that name a lot, but we call them humbling portals. It makes it so much easier to test people, since magical gear complicated things so terribly much. Plus you don't need such powerful defenses for a mere test."

Kascha eeps and blushes hotly, while Mirajane is unperturbed. "Mother, if you don't think it's a test I should do, I can wait here."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Are there other things in the maze? Things we can keep? I'm trying to build a hoard. Terribly important. Though I haven't figured a way to keep it safe yet..."

[Anastasia]

That gets a huff from the golem, mechanical mouth emitting a gust of hot, goldenfire-tinged air. "Of course there is! We're civilized people here," He reaches out and pats Surraruthru on the head, enough to send him down several feet. "What's a dangerous maze of death without the allure of treasure? The Morninglord would be terribly disappointed if I put you in a dungeon with no treasure!"

[Corwin]

Jaela shrugs, freely admitting, "I was just trying to tease Kascha since she blushes at everything. You should do as you like, Mirajane." Nodding at Origin, Jaela flies towards the portal.

How much time has passed since we almost got burnt to death and I used Miracle to heat-proof Mirajane?

[Anastasia]

About ten minutes.

Kascha sighs, while Mirajane considers and then flies with Jaela.

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru flies off with the others.

[Ebiris]

"I'd be of limited help after expending my magic so judiciously on that sword," Afina admits as Jaela departs. "Especially without equipment, but even so it's probably better than me not coming at all." And so she flies after Jaela.

[Anastasia]

Thus everyone steps into the portal. Reality blurs and shifts, and as it does? "Oh wait, I have a better idea," A strong, masculine voice says. It's distorted by howling winds and gushes of heat, before you stand on a raised stone platform. All about are walls of dark, mostly opaque glass the color of smoke. Veins of goldenfire flow through it, shedding erratic pulses of yellow light. There's a hallway to the north that goes for 25ft and turns east, as well as a passage to the south that goes 40ft before curving to the east.

Oh, and your possessions and equipment are still there. Nothing's gone, oddly enough.

[Corwin]

"Can't argue with the Morninglord's taste," Jaela says with a grin, heading to the north to explore.

[Anastasia]

Mirajane slowly pauses, "Hmmm, I didn't see that coming," she says. "Well."

[Iron Dragoon]

Surraruthru is gleeful that his gear still works and takes stock of the area, looking for places to hide and be stealthy!

[Corwin]

"Nothing wrong with a good surprise," Jaela muses. "Does it still seem like the same destination, though? It'd be a shame to look for a token to bring back that just isn't here."

[Ebiris]

"I'm sure Lathander has it handled," Afina says, "But we'll probably be challenged more of we're allowed our equipment."

[Anastasia]

"Hmph," Arrel murmurs in draconic, "Just as well."

As Kascha checks her gear over and sighs in visible relief, Jaela explores to the north. The turn to the east goes for 20ft before coming to a 10ft by 10ft open space. You can see passages to the north as well as a passage continuing past this to the east. In the center of it floats a gray orb of misty light. It crumbles at the edges, as if a cookie about to fall apart.

[Ebiris]

Fluttering along after Jaela, Afina looks over the misty orb curiously. "Are we supposed to do something with this? Fix it maybe? Or will it break and unleash guardians for us to fight?" she wonders.