The gift of ash

[Anastasia]

Yes, it's fairly standard scripture from Celestia.

[Nephrite]

"It seems interesting that someone who would make it here would need to be reminded of that particular passage." Moore says. "But if this is truly some sort of place to train, perhaps it's to remind you of where you started on your journey."

[Anastasia]

"You don't learn by reading scripture only once," Cresiel agrees, "You learn your lessons, you grow from them, you read them again and again and again. Just as a man does not only drink water once, but he drinks water every day to grow healthy and strong. Wisdom fortifies and is the sweetest fruit, and our souls are always in need of more wisdom."

Kaja follows along, "In other words, we make mistakes and need to be reminded of which way to go?"

"In shorter words," Cresiel agrees to that.

[Nephrite]

"I have a feeling it's a lesson that will be appropriate to our next challenge." Moore says as they proceed.

[Anastasia]

You step into the next chamber. Here, amid gentle rivers of molten platinum that cross the room, is a bell. It hangs from the ceiling and has a rope to ring it. A mere lantern archon floats by it, who perks up when you enter.

"Hello, hello, hello! It's such an honor to meet you," It cries, "All you have to do here is to hop over the rivers and come ring this bell. Do you think you can do that?"

[Nephrite]

"A humble man has slain his pride and walks forward, hm?" Moore says to the others.

He shakes his head. "Do we need only ring the bell?" He asks across to the lantern archon.

[Anastasia]

"That's right," The archons ays, "To come here and pull it."

"Not a hard task on the surface," Kaja agrees, "But there's a trick to it?"

[Nephrite]

Moore flutters down to the ground and begins to walk forward - through the molten platinum if he sinks into it.

A prideful man would use skill to cross over, wouldn't they?

He is technically immune to fire.

[Anastasia]

Uh, give me a strength check then, Moore.

[Nephrite]

[20:31] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+20 str
[20:31] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=12]

[Anastasia]

Being immune to heat helps, but you still very slowly sink into the liquid. Nonetheless, raw strength lets you get through the first. Six more are ahead on your path, no matter how you divide it.

Cresiel watches, arms crossed.

Kaja chuckles suddenly, as molten platinum drips off you harmlessly and sizzles on the ground. "You're dripping wealth, Moore."

[Nephrite]

"So it would seem." Moore says.

Still, though, he forges ahead, walking the whole time.

Maybe he overthought this, but he's committed now, and should keep going.

[Nephrite]

[20:55] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+20 str
[20:55] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=5]

In case it's necessary.

[Anastasia]

This time you step into the second river of molten platinum. Your foot sinks in and is stuck. You tug and pull, but no, the liquid metal is quite firmly pulling it down.

[Nephrite]

Does it feel like I'm sinking, or just stuck?