Destiny now lies in the hands of...

[Ebiris]

Take 10 for 65.

[Anastasia]

This is Mailane Bedrock, a dwarf from one of the many Primes. He's known in Ysgard as a tough warrior who wears armor and yet moves as surely as a trained monk. He's known to be fireproof and more than willing to take an opponent into Ysgard's many lava pools or chasms if that's what victory demands. It worked out well for him when he wrestled that white dragon, after all, according to the stories.

[Ebiris]

Antenora shouldn't be so surprised that anyone in Ysgard would recognise three of the local deities! "All worthy tales. Much like your own battle against that white wyrm," she gives the dwarf a friendly smile. "We seek our own wisdom amidst the flames today and shan't hold you any longer. Fare well in your future battles, Mailane Bedrock."

[Anastasia]

"Go with with the flames," Syala agrees as the dwarf bows and and goes, taking his dismissal for what it is.

Antenora smiles slightly once he's gone, as you hear it. A soft prayer to each you from him, a prayer of simple thanks and a request for bravery in the battles ahead.

[Ebiris]

As she continues on, Alicia sends back a sense of reassurance and confidence as she usually does for such prayers.

[Anastasia]

Thus down you go. Down deeper and further, the heat intense as lava drips. A bit gets on Alicia's hair as it does, sizzling against her locks. Yet the scent of brimstone is minimal, the air unnaturally clean and clear, even down here. It's not as good as a breath of air taken on one of the glaciers, but it's close.

As you muse on that, you see the way ahead narrows. Here is a darkened maw, through which leads to a carved out stairway going down. The maw is that of a salamander, opened wide. As you approach, "Hark you heroes, you must bear the searing flames of pain to proceed and prove yourselves worthy of the courage of fire." A man's voice declares.

Syala smiles, "Thank you, but no. My bravery is bashed into the skulls of evil, not proven by senseless masochism." She simply walks into and through the wall ahead, then comes out behind the maw.

[Ebiris]

Alicia brushes that lava off her head quickly, though her hair fortunately doesn't burn anyway. That's a smell no one likes.

"That's more Kossuth's style, but being able to endure pain and keep going's important." Alicia says, following the path Syala took. Assuming it was an illusory wall. She didn't see her casting earth glide or anything!

[Anastasia]

It is, passed through with ease. Antenora follows, "I have little desire to indulge such things as I grow more powerful."

[Ebiris]

"Perhaps so, but don't begrudge the value of such lessons for others," Alicia says. "We're guests so we should be polite."

[Anastasia]

Thus you all head down the stairs. Down and down - into a vast chasm, of dripping lava and boiling air. Here dozens and dozens are at practice, at battle, at meditation against the flames. It ranges the gamut of warriors of all kinds and types - even a solitary steel devil, who trains away like all the rest. Battles, blood and burning flame all rage ahead of you, mixed in with those who seek more against fire itself.

Far beyond this is another stairway going down, guarded by a burning, flame-crackling solar. None approach him and he stays at the ready, blame of fire raised and ready to strike at a moment's notice. He is clad in armor of fire, blending into the flames that cloak his body.

[Ebiris]

Alicia offers no quarrel to any of the warriors here, not even the devil so long as he's just fitting in with all the rest. She and her companions fly over those battles, and woe betide any who throw a stray attack their way. For these three are the only ones to approach that solar and the guarded stairway.

[Anastasia]

Antenora's gaze is on the devils as you pass, many warriors stop and look up. Many salute you with blades and weapons, while others bow. The devil sees Antenora and looks away immediately.

When you reach the solar, the battles are silent and all eyes are on you. "Any who approach must defeat me...even you, divinites," The solar warns, "I am the Heavenly Rock, he who guards the passage below. My purpose was born when the Jormugandr was yet young and I have never once left this purpose."

[Ebiris]

"Well met, Heavenly Rock," Alicia says as she touches down twenty feet from him. "When was the last time you were defeated?"

[Anastasia]

"Five million years ago," Is the answer, the celestial's blade yet at the ready. "Few have ever won the right to proceed to this gate."

[Ebiris]

"We have a pressing need to descend deeper, so I will face you," Alicia readies her own unique double-blade. "What are your terms?"

Spoiler: ShowHide

Alicia HP: 724+20/724
Active spells:  Many moments of prescience (CL 34), extended mind blank (CL 35), extended nondetection (CL 35), greater heroism (CL 34), repelling shield (CL 34), extended ray deflection (CL 35), epic mage armour (CL 35)
Defences: AC 88, CMD 91, spell resistance 50, energy immunity (fire and cold), status immunity (polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, and fear), nondetection (DC 49)
Stat buffs/penalties: +4 morale skills, +9 shield AC, +10 armour AC
Perceptions: Arcane sight, perception +57
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/16/9/9/14/9/8/7/6/5/5/6/4
Duskblade spell slots: 6/23/23/21/10/7/9